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STUDENT EXPERIENCE
BRIANNE VANDYKE – Class of 2021
“I am so grateful to have spent my spring break with some of my
closest friends, discovering Costa Rica. The farms we visited, the
people we met, and the good times we shared together will stay with
me for a very long time!”
JORDAN SCHULER – Class of 2021
“Oftentimes, when we study organizations, they are more
abstract, and we use them to analyze their decisions in the
context of different theories. However, when we went to Costa
Rica, we got to visit coffee farms and hear about each farmer’s
experience firsthand. It made our study of the organizational
structures they use in production much more personal, as we got
to hear directly from those who are part of them.”
MELANIE MCKENNA – Class of 2020
“I loved the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica! We learned so much about
the structure of various organizations within the coffee growing industry
and the importance of traceability. Every single day was exciting- from
hiking to a beautiful waterfall and talking with a local coffee farmer to
sampling coffee and exploring San José, I know that I will never forget the
experiences I had on this trip.”
JENNA VARCAK – Class of 2020
“My favorite part of this experience was witnessing a real-life application
of the knowledge that I have gained from the Organizational Studies
program. While coffee production in Costa Rica is a specific
topic, learning how to engage with research in an organizational
context is a skill I will carry forward with me.”
NATALIE CADOTTE – Class of 2021
“Never before have I been able to engage so directly with so
many members of a global supply chain, and the conversations
we had with various producers were incredibly beneficial to the
research questions we’ve been exploring this semester. I’m
walking away from this experience with a fuller understanding
of the global economy, a stronger friendship with my OS peers
and professors, and a taste for specialty coffee!”
ANITA MICHAUD – Class of 2021
“There is so much value in field work and getting
to speak to those directly involved in processes
you’re trying to learn more about as well. I’m so
grateful for Organizational Studies and Professor
Samford for giving us such an amazing and unique
opportunity!”