MIB Student Spotlight: Nandini Kumar

Q: Tell us about your Global Immersion Experience trip? 

Kumar: “My Global Immersion Experience trip to Costa Rica was definitely the highlight of my semester. During my time there, I had the opportunity to visit a variety of companies, including CINDE, the country’s Investment Promotion Agency, Cooperativa Dos Pinos, CODE Coyol Free Trade Zone, Databricks, INCAE Business School and Joystick FIFCO, which is their in-house advertising agency. These visits gave us insight into different industries ranging from agriculture and manufacturing to technology and education. Outside of the company visits, we also explored the country’s rich natural beauty by visiting Poás Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens, where we were able to see the incredible biodiversity of Costa Rica, including toucans, sloths and hummingbirds.” 

Q: How did this trip enhance your understanding of the culture and business environment of the country you visited? 

Kumar: “This trip really helped me step outside my comfort zone and fully immerse myself in the culture of Costa Rica. Before traveling, our cohort had the opportunity to research key industries in Costa Rica, including hospitality and coffee, as well as the cultural values that shape how people live and conduct business there. One phrase we learned early on was “Pura Vida,” which translates to “pure life.” It reflects a sense of peace, gratitude and balance that we saw firsthand throughout our visits. Every company we met with, whether in manufacturing, technology, or agriculture, had that same philosophy embedded in their values. There was a strong emphasis on protecting the environment, promoting sustainability and taking pride in community well-being. It helped me understand how deeply a country’s history and culture influences the way its businesses operate. I realized that the most successful companies in Costa Rica are the ones that truly embody those national values within their own missions and practices.” 

Q: What was the most memorable or impactful experience you had during the trip? 

Kumar: “The most memorable experience for me was our excursion to visit the Poás Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens. It was incredible to experience the true biodiversity of Costa Rica and to be surrounded by such immense natural beauty. No camera could capture the breathtaking beauty of it. Being in that environment made me slow down and appreciate nature in a new way. It also reminded me of the importance of protecting and preserving the environment, a value that aligns deeply with the culture and businesses of Costa Rica.” 

Q: Were there any aspects of the trip that challenged your perspective or pushed you outside your comfort zone? How did you navigate those moments? 

Kumar: “One thing that challenged me during the Costa Rica trip was seeing how people-oriented their business culture is. In the United States, I am used to meetings being very structured and focused on efficiency, but in Costa Rica, the environment felt much more open and conversational. Everyone, from company leaders to employees, took the time to connect and share their experiences genuinely. At first, I did not realize how much space there was for dialogue, so I held back from asking deeper questions or engaging as much as I could have. Looking back, I see how valuable that openness was. It reminded me that business is not only about data or presentations but also about relationships and curiosity. By the time we visited our last company, Joystick, I had made the effort to ask more questions and participate actively. However, I still wish I had taken even more advantage of those opportunities earlier in the trip.” 

Q: Did the trip alter or reinforce any assumptions you previously had about the country, its people, or its business practices? 

Kumar: “Yes, for sure. Being in a different country and hearing directly from companies about their business practices really made me step out of the American mindset. I realized that every country has its own unique approach to business. When people think of Costa Rica, they often think of nature and biodiversity, which is true, but what surprised me was how much innovation and technology are growing there, especially with AI and renewable energy. For example, our consulting project focused on Sunshine Energy Group, a solar panel company working to help Costa Rica transition fully to renewable energy. Even small details, like the multiple recycling bins for different materials, showed how deeply sustainability is built into everyday life. It made me understand the difference between companies that talk about sustainability and a country that truly lives it through its culture and business practices.” 

Q: What specific skills, insights, or knowledge did you gain through participating in this program? 

Kumar: “The most significant insights I gained came from the company visits and the people we met. One of the most impactful moments was hearing from Ariel Vargas, the Director of International Operations at Databricks. He spoke about leadership and how a true leader is someone who forgives, empowers others and creates an environment that allows people to grow. His words truly resonated with me and changed how I perceive leadership. Another moment that resonated with me was visiting Joystick, FIFCO’s in-house advertising agency. Their philosophy of “don’t talk, just listen” truly reflected their people-centered approach to marketing. Seeing how their campaigns focused on storytelling and community connection reminded me why I love marketing and how universal the purpose is to understand and help people. Beyond that, presenting our case study to a real company was such a rewarding experience. For the first time, I felt more excited than nervous because I applied everything I had learned throughout the program. It reaffirmed that I am pursuing the right major and that my passion lies in creating meaningful, people-driven work.” 

Q: How do you see this experience influencing your future studies or career goals? 

Kumar: “This trip reaffirmed my passion for international business and marketing for sure. I loved being able to meet people from different backgrounds and finding solutions by combining my own perspective with what I learned from Costa Rica. It strengthened my confidence in being adaptable and open-minded wherever I go. I learned that the value of any experience depends on the effort and curiosity you bring into it. All the insights I gained from the company visits, the case presentation and even the conversations with my peers motivated me to keep pushing myself. This experience reminded me that there is so much more to learn beyond our borders and beyond campus life. I am inspired to continue exploring global opportunities and to build a career that connects business and purpose.” 

Q: Anything else you may wish to add. 

Kumar: “I truly believe that if you have the chance to go on the Global Immersion Experience, even if you are not in the MIB program, you should go. The people you meet are amazing, and the experience is truly what you make of it. If your passion lies in international business or working abroad, I highly recommend taking this opportunity. I am so grateful for this experience, and I love being able to share my story and the lessons I learned along the way!”