Why did you choose to study/intern abroad?
I love people, and the best way to meet people is to travel. I chose to study abroad to meet people, to be fully immersed in another culture, and to gain a greater understanding of the world.

Why did you choose your study/intern city?
Well, I love coffee. I have been a barista, roaster, and manager in the specialty coffee industry for several years. Costa Rica is the only country in the world where every bit of coffee grown is Arabica, which is the only coffee that the industry uses. I chose San Jose to learn more about growing, harvesting, and processing coffees; and to build relationships with several farmers who produce some of the finest coffees the world has to offer. I imagine myself one day being able to lead coffee origin trips to Costa Rica, and I believe that the study abroad program will provide a wonderful foundation for me in that.

What are you most looking forward to during your abroad experience?
Man, I absolutely cannot wait to meet other people in San Jose and to practice my Spanish. They say that you have to murder a language before you can master it, so I am excited to learn more Spanish by meeting locals - even when I do totally botch the language!

Fun Fact (hobbies, interests, accomplishment, etc.)?
Film photography is a passion of mine - 35mm or 120mm. I also am a vintage motorcycle enthusiast - I have resurrected a 1971 Honda CB350 from 30 years of sitting in a backyard to running me thousands of miles up roads and mountain trails.