When Débora Flores Vásquez (Class of 2026, Guatemala) began her studies at EARTH she knew she had found the place that would form her career. From her work on vanilla cultivation during her third-year Internship at an eco-lodge and retreat center in Oaxaca, Mexico, to her Graduation Project plan to formulate a yogurt-like product with a healthful bacteria and additional fiber, she is amassing a diverse set of skills. After graduation at the end of 2026, she is eager to apply all she has learned at her family farm and in her community of Rio Dulce, Guatemala.
Emmanuel Mark Fornah (Class of 2014) and Aiah Umar Konoboy (Class of 2015), both from Sierra Leone, are two examples of how EARTH’s hands-on approach goes beyond the classroom and translates into real impact. Today they work in fruit production in their country, applying the knowledge, technical skills, and leadership capacities gained at the University.
From crop management to supporting work teams, they are demonstrating how a learning-by-doing education prepares professionals capable of creating opportunities, strengthening communities, and transforming production systems.
From students to leaders collaborating for Sierra Leone

Agribusiness as a Tool for Sustainable Community Development
Through her leadership in sustainable agribusiness programs and initiatives across Latin America, Adriana Escobedo (Class of 2007, Costa Rica) has built a career defined by community development, entrepreneurship, and education. Her experience shows how agribusiness—when people are placed at the center—can strengthen local economies and generate long-term impact.

From Belgium to EARTH: The Story of Raphaël Loubert
Raphaël Loubert (Class of 2018, Belgium), who arrived in Costa Rica as a traveler, found at EARTH the starting point for his life’s purpose. His experience in a multicultural environment with hands-on learning and a strong sense of community shaped both his personal and professional development. Today, based in Belgium, he works in environmental education, leading projects inspired by EARTH’s educational model.

Utilizing Weed Science to Protect Crops and Promote Leadership among Farmers
Emmanuel Cooper Gonfatee (Class of 2015, Liberia) has built a career focused on science, sustainability, and agricultural innovation. From his work with farmers in Liberia to his doctoral studies in weed management and digital agriculture, he is applying the hands-on and environmental approach he learned at EARTH to protect crops and strengthen leadership in the field.