Alexandra Kackert ('23) Takes Study Tour in Costa Rica

Alexandra Kackert (’23), a student at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, had the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica for the study tour component of her Transformative Business Practices course. With her classmates, she explored the vibrant cities of San José and Guanacaste. The students immersed themselves in Costa Rica’s rich business practices, culture, and environmental initiatives.

“Throughout the trip, we consulted with and visited several incredible companies and organizations, including ChepeCletas, Lifting Hands, Zenit, Portafolio Inmobiliario, Hacienda Doka Coffee Estate, Red de Turismo Accesible and Dona Tapa, and El Viejo Azucarera. Each of these companies offered unique insights into how businesses are driving positive change while balancing environmental sustainability,” she said.

“Several of these visits left a lasting impression on me, highlighting the deep connection between business practices, community engagement, and sustainability in Costa Rica,” she wrote.

ChepeCletas: “We took a memorable 3-hour walking tour of San José, where we learned about the city’s rich history and explored locations a common tourist wouldn’t come across. Each ChepeCletas tour is unique, and this stood out to me because it truly highlighted how ChepeCletas – and Costa Rica as a whole – prioritizes quality over quantity in everyday life.”

Lifting Hands: This organization has made an incredible impact by providing a safe space for underserved communities. My class had the chance to participate in Zumba and soccer with the community, which emphasized the importance of giving back to those in need.”

Red de Turismo Accessible and Dona Tapa: “These organizations focus on creating plastic platforms and wheelchairs from bottle caps to promote accessible tourism. We participated in a beach cleanup, and it was such a fulfilling experience to see the impact small contributions can make for an initiative many wouldn’t think possible in a place like Costa Rica.”

“This trip has been nothing short of transformative, and I’m grateful for the knowledge gained, the amazing bonds I’ve created, and getting the opportunity to witness the incredible organizations doing meaningful work. This is an experience I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life,” she said.

Alexandra recently completed her sophomore year studying Marketing and Business Analytics at at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.