My Iona

Costa Rica Marketing Adventure

A beach in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is known for the stunning beauty of its beaches, mountains and rainforests. On this trip, students will get first-hand, personal exposure to the local culture, academic settings, and business industry insights of this rapidly developing country. Students will explore the ecotourism and travel industries of Costa Rica as well as multinational and small business agencies through the lens of marketing. The trip will also feature a partnership and cultural exchange with students at the Universidad de Costa Rica.

Estimated Cost: $2,800

Cost includes:

  • Airfare
  • Accommodations
  • Admission fees to group activities such as visits to:
    • Starbucks Costa Rica Coffee Farm
    • Multinational and local businesses (e.g. P&G, Department of Ecotourism, marketing agencies and an entrepreneurial surf school)
    • National parks
    • Volcano ecotourism industry learning adventure

SPRING 2024 COSTA RICA: COURSE OVERVIEW

MKT49-SA (Marketing Adventure in Costa Rica) is designed to introduce business students to the many facets of understanding and working (with a marketing and culture focus) in a global destination: Costa Rica, Central America. 

Course Details

Starbucks Coffee Farm

In all Costa Rican destinations, students will get first-hand, personal exposure to the local culture, academic settings, and business industry insights of this rapidly developing country.  The course will result in an understanding of multi-cultural companies and their business practices in a developing country. Students will learn from international faculty and visit key cultural, natural resources and businesses throughout the country. Furthermore, this course contributes to global awareness and how world organizations and our own personal efforts can help improve the economic development of countries.

The format of the course provides students a traditional classroom experience for (8) eight weekly sessions on campus in New Rochelle (January 24-April 10) plus experiential-based learning in Costa Rica scheduled during Spring Break 2024 (March 9-March 16).

Classes held at Iona will introduce the course and prepare students for the rigor and expectations of a condensed international travel schedule and a course recap.

HIGHLIGHTS: MKT 49-SA (MARKETING ADVENTURE IN COSTA RICA)

  • A visit to the Starbucks Coffee Farm in Costa Rica

  • A tour of a multinational company based in the USA doing business in Costa Rica (e.g. Procter & Gamble)

  • Cultural exchanges with students and faculty of the Universidad de Costa Rica

  • Participation in a give-back activity/volunteerism

  • Ecotourism visits to Costa Rica’s natural wonders: Volcanoes, Pacific Coast Beaches and Rain Forests

  • Visits to small, Costa Rican entrepreneurial businesses and marketing agencies

  • Attendance to local events, such as a soccer game and/or traditional music

REQUIREMENTS

  • Enroll in MKT 491-SA (Marketing Adventure in Costa Rica)

    • BUS 240 must be taken prior to enrolling in MKT491-SA

  • Minimum cumulative GPA 2.5

  • Students under any active form of academic or disciplinary probation at the time of departure will not be permitted to participate in the program

Apply Now: Costa Rica

CONTACTS

Professor Roberto Cruz: rcruz@iona.edu

Kyle Byrne, assistant director of Student & Alumni Engagement and adjunct instructor of Communication Studies: kbyrne@iona.edu

Study Abroad Office: studyabroad@iona.edu

A mountain in Costa Rica