In just a few days, my group and I will be traveling to work with Caras con Causa, an environmental non-profit that promotes community development to eradicate poverty through education, ecology, and economic development in communities in Cataño and Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. Their vision is to create a just and sustainable Puerto Rico that reaches its full potential. So far, we have met our point of contact for Caras, a lovely woman named Adriana S. Ayala Gonzalez. Through virtual meetings and secondary research, we’ve been able to gather a first impression of Caras, and it has been nothing but positivity and excitement on both ends!

Caras has a community-based scientific lab called LabCom. LabCom is a platform for environmental research and education. Our project this year is focused on digital advertising for LabCom to gain interest from higher education institutions. Promotional materials such as Instagram posts, Instagram stories, a brochure, and our personal blogs will be shared with five colleges and universities we already have existing connections with. These include Florida Gulf Coast University, University of Vermont, Connecticut College, West Virginia University, and University of Pittsburgh’s Environmental Studies Department. Our digital marketing materials and outreach will emphasize LabCom’s distinct approach to connecting conservation with community development. Our overall goal is to secure at least one new university partner to pilot the program.

During our time in Puerto Rico, we will be following a science-based itinerary that will be used as an example for other partners who may be interested. This includes visiting Old San Juan, working in LabCom, reforestation efforts, plant nursery work with students, working in El Yunque, a beautiful national forest, community service with local members, and spending the day in La Marquesa Forest Park. They were even kind enough to schedule some beach time for us! This itinerary is a test run, and we will be providing feedback for improvement for future cohorts. During all of these events, we will be taking images and videos. We will also have the time and pleasure to meet with Michael Fernández Frey, the Executive Director, and the staff who run the lab. We plan to interview them to get their perspectives on the importance of Caras, the lab, and how this experience is a unique one that is unlike any other study abroad trip. We will be very busy while in Puerto Rico, but it will be a very fulfilling experience. I am most excited to get my hands dirty and to see the beautiful nature that Caras is actively protecting, and working with the community. We have been told that we will be working with children who may look to us for guidance and support, which is both inspiring and a bit daunting. I know it will require self-awareness and sensitivity to ensure we are contributing in a way that truly respects and supports their needs and perspectives. 

There are some nerves, along with the excitement, as well. I anticipate that certain cultural differences may present challenges, particularly language barriers. Language differences could lead to communication hurdles, making it harder to convey ideas clearly and resulting in potential misunderstandings. Additionally, there is the dynamic of Puerto Rico being a US territory, which creates a feeling of discomfort for me. Puerto Rico is under US federal jurisdiction but does not get any representation within Congress, and Puerto Ricans living in Puerto Rico are unable to vote in US elections. The relationship between Puerto Rico and the US is shaped by a legacy of colonialism and ongoing debates about statehood and independence. I do not want to be disrespectful in any way or come off as someone who does not respect the land and the people of Puerto Rico. This is something we discussed in the reading “Points of Discomfort: Reflections on Power and Relationships in International Service-Learning” by Erin K. Sharpe and Samantha Dear (2013). In this reading, Sharpe and Dear explore the complexities and challenges of international service-learning, focusing on the power dynamics and relationships between students, host communities, and faculty. They highlight how these programs are meant to foster cross-cultural understanding and community development but can unintentionally perpetuate imbalances of power, particularly between Western participants and local populations. They argue that the “discomfort” experienced by students and volunteers can be an important part of the learning process, prompting self-reflection and awareness of one’s privilege, assumptions, and biases. Furthermore, they stress the importance of critically thinking about and emphasizing meaningful engagement to shift away from a “savior” mentality toward one of mutual respect and collaboration. Ultimately, they advocate for more reflective and responsible approaches to service-learning that recognize and address these power disparities, which is something I plan to do day by day while in Puerto Rico, and I plan to reflect on the entire trip once we return. I am going to do this by making a personal vlog of the trip. I do not want to overstep or have a tourist mindset during this trip. I am thankful for the opportunity for Caras to open their organization to a group from the University of Pittsburgh, and we will treat them and the community with the respect and love they deserve.

Additionally, I have heard that the culture there is much more affectionate and heartfelt than what we typically see in US culture. I tend to be more reserved with strangers, so it may be challenging adapting to a culture that is outwardly so affectionate. But I believe this will be a valuable experience, as it can encourage me to step outside my comfort zone and become more open in expressing warmth and connection with others. Embracing this cultural difference, overall, will foster stronger bonds with those around me and create a deeper sense of community. In the long run, I hope this experience of openness will allow me to build more meaningful and genuine relationships, both personally and professionally.

Overall, this upcoming experience in Puerto Rico with Caras con Causa offers a unique opportunity for growth, learning, and cultural exchange. Although there are certainly challenges ahead, I look forward to this trip immensely. I can’t wait to be a part of something bigger, and contributing to LabCom’s efforts to promote environmental conservation and community development while fostering meaningful relationships with the children and local communities will undoubtedly be rewarding. This trip will undoubtedly push me outside of my comfort zone, especially in adapting to the cultural differences; however, I believe that embracing these differences will enrich my personal and professional development, allowing me to engage with others in a more genuine and open way. I am deeply grateful for the chance to be part of this experience and am committed to reflecting on it thoughtfully, ensuring that my actions always honor the community and the values of Caras con Causa.