first few weeks
I have been in the Island for about three weeks now. The adjustment has been harder than I thought. The University -- Sagrado Corazon is really beautiful, there are patio spaces filled with trees and plants everywhere. Iguanas pop out everywhere when it's hot out and it's very beautiful, it is very liberating. Living in the residence hall has been more challenging, there are a lot more rules than my home university but it's nothing too crazy or out of the ordinary, they're for safety purposes. I live with a roommate and she's really sweet. I had to change roommates from the one I was originally assigned with, because we didn't match up but my new roommate is amazing. The University staff was very supportive of me wanting to move rooms which made the process so much easier than I thought.
The professors are great. I'm taking a psychology of gender class which is awesome! I love the professor, and a scriptwriting film class (for fun). The semester took a slow start but am excited for things to speed up a little. |
Pre-departure |
January 7, 2020
|
My semester in Puerto Rico begins next week. I will be leaving to San Juan on Tuesday Jan. 14.
Although I am super excited to meet the island and all of its people, I am also nervous because of the state that Puerto Rico finds itself in. In the last two days, there were two earthquakes that left some areas in ruins. Visiting the island immediately after such natural disasters is challenging for me because it leaves me worried with uncertainty of what might happen next, but at the same time, I am grateful for the opportunity to be in a place where resilience is visible by the work that residents put into rebuilding time and time again.
The strength of the Puerto Rican people is one of the reasons I was inclined to study abroad there. From political uprising to rebuilding after hurricanes and earthquakes, puerto ricans are an inspiration and an example for nations all around the glove, thus I am more than grateful to have the opportunity to learn more about the culture, traditions, and much much more!
Although I am super excited to meet the island and all of its people, I am also nervous because of the state that Puerto Rico finds itself in. In the last two days, there were two earthquakes that left some areas in ruins. Visiting the island immediately after such natural disasters is challenging for me because it leaves me worried with uncertainty of what might happen next, but at the same time, I am grateful for the opportunity to be in a place where resilience is visible by the work that residents put into rebuilding time and time again.
The strength of the Puerto Rican people is one of the reasons I was inclined to study abroad there. From political uprising to rebuilding after hurricanes and earthquakes, puerto ricans are an inspiration and an example for nations all around the glove, thus I am more than grateful to have the opportunity to learn more about the culture, traditions, and much much more!