I don’t even know where to start. No amount of words could ever fully capture how incredible this experience was. The connections, the memories, the inside jokes, the emotions—everything about this trip was unforgettable.
I have to start with the people because they’re what made this trip what it was. Sarah, SJ, Barb, Kyla, Marc, Jeff, and Rick—this group became like family. Every laugh, every deep conversation, every little moment we shared made this experience something I’ll carry with me forever.
And then there’s Adriana. I don’t even have the words for how much she added to this trip. Her energy, her kindness, her ability to make everyone feel seen—she just made everything better. She cared so much, not just about the work we were doing, but about each of us as people.
And the people at Caras. Yahir didn’t just spend time with us because it was his job—he was there as a friend, genuinely wanting to connect and be part of our experience. And Michael… meeting him was like meeting a legend. The way he carries himself, the impact he’s made—it was inspiring just to be around him.
These people are what made this trip so special. The places we went and the things we did were incredible, but it’s the people I’ll never forget.
Now, let’s talk about the things we did. Let me start at the very beginning. The moment we landed, we were greeted by Adriana with that huge, welcoming smile of hers. Honestly, before this trip, the thought of getting into a white van with a stranger would’ve freaked me out. But now? Every time I see a white van, I get this urge to jump in like, “Where’s Adriana? Is this faces with a cause?”
We were taken to our hotel in Santurce, this smaller, cozy place filled with beautiful artwork and run by the kindest people. Another huge shoutout goes to Uma. Uma was our rock throughout the trip—always giving us great suggestions, cracking us up with funny jokes, and she had this unique vibe about her, always so interesting and full of life.
The travel day ended with us relaxing and getting an early night’s sleep—jet lag definitely hit us hard. The next morning, we were up at 9 am to explore Old San Juan. We were picked up in THE WHITE VAN (it’s quickly becoming a staple of the trip) by another Caras employee, Jaisa, and her adorable daughter Naomi. We spent the day walking around Old San Juan, taking pictures, shopping, and really soaking in the sights.
The food was a real highlight. Each meal on this trip seemed to top the last, but the sandwiches we had in Old San Juan? Incredible. We also visited the famous Lighthouse and learned about its fascinating history, plus the views were so cool. As we walked through Old San Juan, we discovered colorful streets with colonial architecture, stumbled upon cozy cafés with live music, and enjoyed peaceful squares where locals were hanging out. It was the perfect way to start our journey.That evening, our group ventured out to check out the nightlife in Condado—the beach strip known for its vibrant energy. In hindsight, we probably should have considered that a Sunday night wouldn’t be the best time to go out. Still, we made the most of it and even ran into a large group of Pitt students by the beach. After hanging out by the water for a bit, we decided to check out another well-known nightlife spot in Puerto Rico, La Placita. The atmosphere there was electric—we had so much fun dancing to Latin music, meeting new people, and really immersing ourselves in the energy of the city. By the time we got back to the hotel, we were exhausted but excited for what the next day would bring.
At 8 AM sharp, Adriana picked us up and took us to Labcom, Caras con Causa’s environmental research and education lab. Caras con Causa is dedicated to environmental conservation, community development, and education, and Labcom serves as a hub for a lot of their incredible work. We started with a tour of the lab before meeting Michael, the CEO of Caras con Causa. From the moment he started speaking, we were captivated. He had this way of holding our attention, and every word he said felt powerful. I even told him he should do a TED Talk—he was that engaging. We learned so much about his journey, his passion for environmental justice, and the impact Caras is making in the community. This conversation was one of the most eye-opening experiences of the entire trip. He cared so deeply about his work, and it was impossible not to be inspired by his dedication. We also got some amazing quotes from him for our project!
After our meeting with Michael, another Caras employee, Juan, took us on a tour of different natural areas that Caras is actively working to restore and protect. He shared the history of these places, explaining why conservation efforts were so important. We learned a ton while also taking pictures and videos for our project. Walking through the neighborhoods that Caras supports was another impactful moment—we got to hear about the people who live there and how Caras is helping to improve their quality of life. Each day for lunch, an incredible woman cooked us fresh, homemade meals, and every day was something different. The food was absolutely delicious, and it quickly became something we looked forward to.
That night at the hotel, we spent time on the balcony, getting to know each other even more. We played games, shared stories, and just enjoyed being in the moment together. It was one of those nights that didn’t need anything extravagant to be memorable—it was just about being present with the amazing group of people around us.
The next day, we were back at Labcom, getting hands-on with environmental work. We mixed topsoil and compost to plant native Puerto Rican plants, and by the end of the day, we had planted 190 plants. It was such a rewarding experience, knowing that we were actively contributing to Caras’ reforestation efforts. Plus, we made it fun—listening to music, laughing, and recording footage for our project while we worked.
That evening, we returned to Old San Juan to explore more of the area together. We wandered through the streets, listened to live music, and just soaked in the beauty of the city. There was something magical about being there at night—the lights, the sounds, the energy—it was unforgettable.
The next day, we got to test the water near Labcom. This was such a cool experience, especially because we did it alongside high school students who were also participating in the Labcom program. That day, we also measured and documented information about trees planted by Labcom in a nearby microforest they had created. Seeing how their environmental efforts were making a tangible difference was incredibly inspiring.
On Thursday, we took a trip to El Yunque, Puerto Rico’s famous rainforest. The drive up the mountain was an adventure in itself—Adriana was speeding up the winding roads, and every sharp turn had us holding on for dear life, but honestly, it just made the whole thing more fun. The rainforest was beautiful and a really fun experience. After exploring, we headed to the beach, where we relaxed and enjoyed the sun—well, most of us did. Marc, unfortunately, got pretty sunburned, which became a running joke for the rest of the trip. It was such a fun day, filled with adventure and moments that brought us even closer as a group.
On our last day, we painted the front of a house in the neighborhood near Labcom. Seeing the smile on the woman’s face when we finished was one of the most heartwarming moments of the trip. After that, we visited another attraction where we got to see butterflies, parrots, and even more stunning natural scenery.
That night, we returned to Old San Juan one last time. Jeff had been insisting all week that we try this specific gelato place, and he was absolutely right—it was the best gelato I’ve ever had. It was the perfect way to wrap up our time together.
Before the trip, I expected language to be a barrier, but it really wasn’t. We were so lucky to have Barbara with us, who helped translate when needed, but for the most part, we were able to communicate just fine. I also wasn’t sure if I’d like the food, but it ended up being one of my favorite parts of the trip—every meal was incredible.
One of the biggest surprises was how much more I understood and appreciated Labcom’s work after seeing it in person. Before, I had a general idea of what they did, but being there, hearing Michael speak, and witnessing the impact firsthand completely changed my perspective. The level of commitment and passion behind Caras con Causa is something that can’t be fully grasped until you experience it yourself.
Our class discussions on culture and our presentations really helped me prepare for this experience. Understanding cultural differences ahead of time allowed me to be more open-minded and fully embrace everything we encountered. It made me more aware of my surroundings and helped me appreciate the significance of the work we were doing in a deeper way.
This trip was truly one of the most incredible experiences I’ve ever had. The people, the places, the work we did—it all came together in a way that felt meaningful and life-changing. I learned so much, not just about Puerto Rico and environmental efforts, but about myself and the connections we build when we step outside our comfort zones. I’ll always be grateful for this experience and the memories I made along the way.