Essays

VILADYS RIVERA, Puerto Rico –
Yucatan Holidays Academic Scholar 2009
Let me begin by telling the three motives that led me to perform Master studies in Costa Rica. The first motivation was when I finished high school, because I was in a Program of Marketing with a project of Ecotourism for three years, then I started my bachelor’s degree in Cultural Tourism, at university of Puerto Rico in Carolina. As part of that I decided to continue with a specialty in Ecotourism, and that it should be noted that in my country Puerto Rico, there is no graduate program in this field. To which my second motivation arises, after an intense research I came across the Costa Rican University System and it drew my attention, during my quest I became very interested in the University of Costa Rica, this being the most important within Central America and greater excellence in the area of Sustainable Tourism. The third motivation for wishing to enter the MBA from the University of Costa Rica is the curriculum; it’s highlighted on the use and resource management and ecotourism directly. Due to the experience and awareness that your country has handled this type of practice, becoming a role model globally, stress and convey in its curriculum country's education system. Both advanced levels as well as those who take their first steps in education. Besides it cost the same when compared to the master's programs in Spain and the United States, and seeing the global economy, the Masters Program of Costa Rica met the requirements I wanted.

In concluding my studies I want to share all the knowledge and lessons learned during the graduate program at University of Costa Rica and bring it to my country, Puerto Rico, to raise awareness and organizing communities. Once established and with the same idea to become part of educational programs to share my knowledge with both teachers and students, in a conference or in the classroom. Thus making moves to offer advice on viability of tourism projects and community development. As a result of all the experience and knowledge to formalize my own travel services company based in sustainable development with the environment.

These above reasons and economic necessity led me to request the funds from the CHTAEF that would help me achieve one of the most cherished dreams for me. Contribute to my professional and personal development and especially in my country, because as I mentioned before longed to return to Puerto Rico with all the knowledge obtained for transmission not only to companies and agencies but to communities and children who are tourists and professionals morning. I was impressed and very happy that I won the Yucatan Holidays Academic Scholarship and that has allowed me to go to Costa Rica and work towards my Masters.

I believe that the University of Costa Rica is outstanding, and it is internationally recognized. The fact that 19 students came into 2 exchange this semester from Canada, 7 permenant global students and others are Costa Ricans. The master's program runs in conjunction with Canada, Chile and Brazil, among others to do a semester of expertise and vice versa. So there are very good opportunities for cultural exchanges, in fact I came from Puerto Rico for my masters, it has been a very good change and leads to seeing things from different points of view because the mindset of the Costa Rican community is a bit different from my country of origin. Like in Costa Rica have different indigenous groups, and they have their own culture so interesting, additional to that like country is a very good example of ecotourism. Comparing with Puerto Rico its tourism development is very different.

What I've been learning now and what they have given more emphasis is to study situations and problems of communities, but the methodology can be applied to business and general situations, which leads to a research or prioritize the problems and hence the potential solutions from a more clear and comprehensive manner, this also helps to resolve the various situations individually and giving the same importance as to influence each other. As might apply what you learn in Hospitality & Tourism Sector Caribbean I would say everything about management consultancies and practices employed in the sector. Because the master focuses on the impacts generated at environmental and social tourism. Additional to this I prepared in terms of sustainability and there are many details that can be applied to even 5 star hotels are going from waste management use and management of water and energy. For what I think is a very complete mastery and adaptable to many races because it is interdisciplinary.

I thank CHTAEF & Yucatan Holidays for having selected me and thereby contributing to achieving my goals. I am very anxious to finish my studies so that they can put into practice everything I learned in my country.


Written by
Viladys Rivera


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