"Ticos & Ticas" Do It Better

Traveling to Costa Rica was an amazing experience. It was wonderful to travel with my school because we didn't do the “usual tourist” attractions. I enjoyed every piece of Costa Rica. Being that this was my first international trip I was so excited to get there and had all intentions of capturing every moment.

In a week’s span we visited over 10 different locations and had the opportunity of speaking with so many locals that were passionate about their country. From the multiple farms/plantations, hotels, and markets we visited to learning about the culture of the country; It was such a remarkable time and I can't wait to go back.

(Video to the right is from the Tirimbina Biological Reserve Chocolate Tour)

Poster at the Tirimbina Biological Reserve 

I enjoyed learning about the Costa Rican history, their methods of sustainability, how they promote ecotourism, and the food; but what I enjoyed most were the locals. After speaking to many locals in multiple different cities and regions of the country, I learned that they all have one thing in common. They all love their country and work hard to preserve their culture and land.

The Costa Rican people a.k.a. “Ticos & Ticas” work tirelessly to protect their culture and way of living. They pride themselves in coexisting with the environment to keep Costa Rica beautiful and flourishing. I understand why “ticos” are called the happiest people in the world because that is genuinely what they are. Everyone we met was very pleasant to talk to. Our tour guide Miguel a.k.a. Miguelito was always in high spirits and continuously teaching us, the methods of how to live sustainable. The “ticos” are very motivating people. They strive to educate tourist on their country, how they can help benefit, and how to protect the land. They are very eager to show off the beauty of Costa Rica. 

This trip to Costa Rica not only taught me how to be sustainable and how to make sustainable decisions but also taught me how to care about my community. Since being back in the United States, I am actively trying to practice sustainability in multiple ways. I now look to purchase fair trade products, shop with-in my local community, and even shut off or unplug electronics when not in use to conserve energy. Costa Rica has taught me that it’s the little things that matter.

Follow us on twitter: @BryantMKT421

~T.E.A.

SustainaBulldogs

Our group had an amazing time exploring, learning, and bonding with each other as we climbed up mountains, rafted through rivers, traipsed across farms, and let’s not forget enduring those long bus rides! After being back from our trip for an entire semester now, it is easy for our memories to fade and to forget the sustainability practices that we observed and learned while in Costa Rica. However, it is important to keep these ideas in mind and spread the word on the benefits of being sustainable.

Being sustainable gives back to the environment and supports the land that provides for us, but it also enhances the natural beauty of the area. We observed countless beautiful views, in dark and light, sunshine and rain that derived from the community caring for nature. The people of Costa Rica were passionate about preserving their land and planting many of their own fruits and vegetables. At Don Juan, we explored the farm and sampled their organic produce in juices while admiring the lushness of the gardens. In Costa Rica, families and communities work together to sustain themselves and help one another. Bryant students, staff, and faculty can do the same, as we are one community that can help each other, as well as our environment.

We noticed many simple ways that encourage eco-friendly behavior. Often times, actions that seem small can truly make a difference, such as recycling paper and plastic instead of throwing them away, composting food waste, buying local products and supporting local farms. These behaviors are taught in the Costa Rican culture through their education systems to instill this importance of sustainability at a young age, and it is something that other countries, including the United States, could consider. After visiting several coffee plantations, we had the opportunity to plant coffee trees to harvest in the future!

Ultimately, we learned how sustainable practices add to a country's beauty, small changes can yield big results, and knowledge is key in making a difference. We are now ambassadors of sustainability, and it is our prerogative to pass on the knowledge that we learned in Costa Rica. We are a team of sustainable bulldogs! Pura Vida!

Keep up to date on the latest sustainability news and events on social media:

Twitter: @SustainBryant

Facebook: Sustainability at Bryant

Email: sustainability@bryant.edu

To learn more, visit: http://www.bryant.edu/about/sustainability/

Author: Bridgette Kosek

Follow me on Twitter! @BridgetteKosek

Stay up to date with all of our activities by following @BryantMKT421 on Twitter!

Sustainable Memories

An average student's waste from a meal at Nick's Place

Less than four short months ago, our class was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to travel to one of the most sustainable and ecologically diverse countries in the world: Costa Rica. We traveled to four different cities over the span of just 8 days. Before we even left the country to learn about the sustainable practices of Costa Rica, we learned about sustainability closer to home at Bryant. In fact I learned more about Bryant's sustainable practices during this trip than I did during the rest of my four years at Bryant! In doing research, I explored Bryant's Sustainability Plan and learned about the goals Bryant has set regarding sustainability. I have become aware of Bryant's organizations that focus on sustainability such as the Sustainability Ambassadors, Enactus's Green Team, Community Activism and Leadership Organization (CALO), and the Scientific Community Initiative. While Bryant still has much room for improvement in terms of sustainability, it is exciting to see them in action toward reaching their goals.



While in Costa Rica, we were constantly reminded that there is very little reason to waste something. Costa Ricans greatly value the earth and the natural resources it gives them, so they constantly reuse their products in whatever way that they can. We saw this almost immediately when arriving in Costa Rica. Our first meal was served to us on a banana leaf instead of a plate. There were no paper plates so no waste was created in that sense, and the leaves could then be used as fertilizer or for animal food.


  
A mindset of not wasting is so deeply ingrained in their culture that it starts when students are in elementary school. They are taught not to waste anything and use products that can be reused again. One interesting concept was that it is stressed to students that they should not waste water. As we learned on our trip, Costa Rica is not lacking water at all. It rains (or should I say pours) constantly and the country is almost entirely surrounded by water. This speaks volumes to the commitment that Costa Ricans have to sustainability. One other thing we learned in Costa Rica was the importance of buying local products. Our tour guides really emphasized the effect that buying locally has on the economy. One hotel owner sacrifices her own opportunity to make a profit by not offering an all-inclusive package so that her guests will eat at local restaurants and support other local businesses.




Since returning back to the United States, I find myself constantly evaluating if what I'm doing is sustainable. I take much shorter showers, I have begun using washable dish cloths instead of paper towels, and I am much more conscious of shutting off lights when they are not being used. I have begun encouraging my friends and my peers to become educated about recycling practices so they can ensure they are recycling properly. I have taken an interest in using products that are more environmentally-friendly, even when they are a little more expensive. One particular company, Ava Anderson, created a line of products that are free of harmful chemicals and good for human health as well as the environment. Her products range from personal care like lip stick and shampoo to candles to home and auto care. This is also a great opportunity to support a local business, as Ava Anderson is a Rhode Island based company with a great mission. I am so fortunate to have been given the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica and immerse myself in the world of sustainability!

- Kasey @KaseyMazza

A Pura Vida life is a life for me!

Pura Vida.

A simple Spanish phrase that translates to Pure Life, has great meaning.

In Costa Rica, Pura Vida is more than a way to say hello, but how are you and how is your life going? Not only is it a greeting between Costa Ricans but it is their way of life. Some of the most important takeaways from our visit to the different areas of Costa Rica was noticing how the locals treat their environment, interact within their communities and place an emphasis on sustainability. It's no wonder why Costa Rica ranks as one of the happiest countries in the world!

I can honestly say this trip has had an impact on the way that I think about sustainability and I am currently working towards having a "Pura Vida."

After having the opportunity to interact with locals, whether it be at Don Juan farm in Arena or La Quinta Inn in Sarapiqui, I began to apply changes to my lifestyle to be more sustainable and eco-friendly towards my environment. Below are some examples as to how I have done so:

 Our trip has helped me realize how important it is to give back to the community to help maintain small, local shops and farmers. In addition, I have been more mindful when it comes to recycling waste and reducing the amount of plastic I use throughout my daily life. While these are small changes, they are a start. By incorporating these changes into my life, I hope to influence others to do the same and therefore begin reducing our combined ecological footprint to help create a better environment that can be sustained for future generations.

Just like the Costa Ricans, I hope that someday we too will be able to say "Pura Vida" to everyone we encounter throughout our daily lives.

-Tayla Benoit (@TaylaBenoit)

PuRa ViDa!

When I look back on this trip all I can do is smile. 
I think about all of the amazing information we learned, the people we met, the laughs we had and the friendships we made. 
From the start of this trip I was impressed with Costa Rica's sustainability efforts, especially by how excited everyone we met was to share their knowledge about sustainability.

Krysia and I with a local farmer's son

I had no idea what sustainability was or what an impact being sustainable can have on our world. Sustainability is something that people are becoming more aware of and educated on however, there is still much to learn and to be taught. 

I focused on the ecotourism aspect of Costa Rica during our trip and it changed my ideas of travel completely. I read that "The development of sustainable tourism must be seen as the balanced interaction between the use of our natural and cultural resources, the improvement of the quality of life among the local communities, and the economic success of the industry" (CST, 1997). This is something we did during our trip and by traveling this way I grew both intellectually and individually. I learned how ecotourism gives you a unique and unforgettable travel experience.

Jonathan and  my amazing team!

I will always remember the pure joy on Jonathan's face as he passionately educated us about his sustainability efforts and how we can be more sustainable. Every person we met and spoke to in Costa Rica lit up when they told us about sustainability because it was something they believe in.
 

I will never forget the millions of bright stars on the beach of Tortuguero or the rush of plunging under water white water rafting or Miguel's lack of weather forecasting abilities.This trip was an amazing experience which I feel so fortunate to have been a part of. We learned not only about sustainability but about how to salsa and how coffee is made and we made life long friends a long the way. 

The best group of ecotourists from Bryant University!

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @BryantMKT421 to learn more about our adventures and how you can improve your sustainable practices and preserve our beautiful planet. 
PS check out my teams project on Prezi about ecotourism: 
https://prezi.com/fy89cjorddwo/ecotourism/

Pura Vida! 

Emily McLaughlin