Spring break is right around the corner, and for our Global Service Learning program, that means an exciting week in Puerto Rico dedicated to hands-on learning and real community engagement. Our team has spent several weeks working with Caras con Causa, a nonprofit organization focused on environmental restoration and education in underserved communities. Based in Cataño, Puerto Rico, Caras con Causa was founded in 2004 by a group of university students with a mission to “promote community development through education, the environment, and the economy together with the communities of Cataño and Guaynabo.” While the organization initially launched projects across Latin America—supporting countries like Honduras, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Haiti—its founders recognized the urgent need for action in Puerto Rico and shifted their focus to local communities. Today, Caras prioritizes initiatives in Cataño and Guaynabo, working toward its vision of “a just and sustainable Puerto Rico where we reach our maximum potential.” This commitment is reflected in its many projects, including LabCom, a laboratory dedicated to environmental conservation within the Ciénaga Las Cucharillas Natural Reserve.
The wetlands and mangroves of this reserve are crucial to the San Juan metropolitan area, both ecologically and as an educational resource. LabCom provides local students the chance to learn about climate change through hands-on experiences, connecting environmental science to real-world challenges. However, there is potential to expand its reach beyond local students by inviting college students from the United States to participate in research and service-learning experiences within the lab. That’s where we come in! This initiative wouldn’t just give visiting students and faculty a meaningful learning experience—it would also help Caras con Causa build a sustainable source of funding, strengthening its mission and long-term impact.
As part of the Global Service-Learning (GSL) program, my team is working to assess the viability of this initiative and develop a plan to get more universities involved with LabCom. Our main goals are to ensure there is an effective system in place to support incoming faculty/students who want to enroll in this program, develop steps to improve the digital visibility of Caras con Causa and LabCom, and create a framework that future teams can build on.
While we’re in Puerto Rico, we’ll be testing out LabCom’s agenda, gathering promotional materials, and documenting our experience through interviews, photos, and videos. We’ll be taking plenty of pictures and videos of ourselves engaging in LabCom’s offerings to help showcase what it’s all about. Some of our group members even proposed a daily vlog. In the evenings, we’ll meet to go over what we accomplished and plan for the next day. Since our itinerary is pretty flexible, we’ll be adjusting as we go, but no matter what, we’ll make sure to document everything so we can put together great marketing materials. We’ll also be journaling our experiences along the way to better understand Caras con Causa’s work and how we can communicate its mission to potential university partners.
Once we’re back, we’ll use everything we’ve gathered to reach out to universities and try to secure a new partner for Caras con Causa. We’ll focus on schools where we already have connections, like the University of Vermont, Florida Gulf Coast University, West Virginia University, and the University of Pittsburgh’s Environmental Studies Department. The plan is to put together a tailored email, video, or presentation highlighting what LabCom has to offer and why it’s worth partnering with. We’re also aiming to set up meetings with faculty involved in study-abroad programs and environmental initiatives to get the conversation going.
One of the challenges we might face during this project is adjusting to Puerto Rico’s cultural norms, especially in professional settings. The idea of “island time”—where things tend to move at a more relaxed pace and punctuality is more flexible—is a bit different from what I’m used to. In Pitt’s business classes, we’re always taught that being early is essential, so adapting to a more laid-back approach to scheduling will be an adjustment.
Beyond our service work, we’re preparing to immerse ourselves in Puerto Rican culture, recognizing that understanding local customs and traditions is just as important as the hands-on projects we’ll be completing next week. Puerto Rico has a rich history shaped by Spanish, Indigenous Taíno, and African influences, which is reflected in everything from its language and music to its festivals and cuisine. Cultural awareness will be a huge part of our experience, so staying open-minded, respectful, and engaged throughout our time in Puerto Rico is key. For instance, hospitality is deeply valued, and we want to show our appreciation by engaging with locals in a way that is warm, open, and respectful. Language is another key aspect—while many Puerto Ricans are bilingual, trying my best to communicate respectfully is important. Luckily, we have Barbara, who is from Puerto Rico and fluent in Spanish, to help translate when needed and provide deeper insights into the local dialect and expressions. Food also plays a huge role in Puerto Rican identity, and I am excited to experience traditional dishes like mofongo while understanding the significance behind them.
A key reading that has shaped my perspective in this course is “What Should Be Learned through Service Learning?” by Michael X. Delli Carpini and Scott Keeter. This reading points out the balance between education and civic engagement, reinforcing the idea that service-learning is not just about gaining knowledge but also about becoming an active participant in the community. It made me realize how important it is to connect our project’s academic goals with the bigger social impact, ensuring that our work with Caras is both meaningful and sustainable.
This experience with the GSL program has already made me appreciate how education, service, and community development all come together. Working with an organization like Caras con Causa has really shown me that meaningful change begins at the local level. As we move forward, I’m excited to see how our work impacts the long-term success of LabCom and how this project will shape my own understanding of service-learning and global engagement. I am super excited for the week ahead.