Five students studied abroad in Costa Rica during the winter semester, deepening their knowledge of international business and economics.
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Elon MBA students studied abroad in Costa Rica during the winter semester to learn more about the Central American country’s culture and business environment.
The trip itinerary combined company visits, cultural tours, and reflection sessions, allowing students to absorb the complexities of doing business in a diverse environment.
Brandon Swindell G’24, team leader at Fidelity Investments in New Bern, N.C., said he was “grateful to travel with colleagues from a variety of industries,” adding, “Each of us is a member of our peer group. I enjoyed learning more about the industry and their professional experiences.”
The visit to AstraZeneca was also notable for the group, who learned how the organization coordinates and implements marketing standards across multiple countries.
“The most impactful experience of this trip was the service project with Lifting Hands,” says Warren Snell G’24 of Apex, North Carolina, who works as a customer demand manager at Cisco.
Swindell echoed this influence. “Seeing how Lifting Hands can make such a huge impact in the community with limited financial resources was the highlight of this trip,” he said.
The group observed how companies are keeping sustainability in mind in their practices. “After seeing La Paz Falls and Poas Volcano, I understood why sustainability is important to Costa Rican people and businesses,” Swindell said.
The study abroad period was from January 7th to 14th, 2024, and the group visited the following companies.
- Costa Rica Investment Promotion Agency
- philips
- Ara cacao
- starbucks coffee farm
- Ecotourism National Tourism Association
- AstraZeneca
- lift your hand
About Elon MBA
Designed for working professionals in Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Raleigh, Durham and beyond, the Elon MBA offers small class sizes, a curriculum focused on real-world application of course content, and professional development for students and graduates. We offer support, and highly qualified faculty who are passionate about their areas of expertise. Education and engaged learning. For more information, visit elon.edu/mba.