The key lesson I learned from my experience in the Global Service-Learning program is the profound importance of communication. Throughout our week abroad, taking part in various community service activities, it became clear that effective communication is the cornerstone of successful collaboration and problem-solving. By fostering open and honest dialogue, we were able to build and keep strong relationships with our partners, ensuring mutual understanding and cooperation. This not only enhanced our ability to address community needs but also created a supportive environment where everyone felt heard and comfortable.
Reflecting on the reading “Comparing the Effects of Community Service and Service Learning,” I realized how these two approaches can complement each other despite their inherent differences. Community service focuses on providing direct aid, while service learning integrates academic learning with community engagement. Our experience proved that combining these approaches can enhance our understanding and impact within the community. Effective communication was crucial in bridging the gap between these methods, allowing us to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings and address real-world challenges.
Ultimately, communication proved to be essential for personal and professional growth, enabling us to navigate challenges, share knowledge, and innovate together. By ensuring that everyone felt heard and comfortable, we were able to create a more inclusive and effective learning environment, reinforcing the importance of communication in fostering successful collaboration and meaningful community engagement.
In my first blog post, I mentioned that one of my goals for this trip was to reconnect with my cultural roots and gain a deeper understanding of how things function back home. I aimed to explore cultural, economic, and social dynamics to see how they intersect with the global business landscape. In my second blog post, I expected that one of the challenges I might face was keeping a high level of professionalism while still being approachable and friendly. After taking part in this trip, I realized that it is okay to be yourself. I found myself ensuring that each of my peers was taken care of, and I ended up bonding with Adriana quickly. There were moments when she could tell I had something on my mind, which showed that being back in my homeland felt natural, as if I had never left, and that I had known Adriana for a long time. On our first day in Labcom, as I listened to Michael talk about the daily challenges they face and the government’s impact on living spaces and people, it almost brought me to tears because this is my home, and my culture is something I hold very dear to. Despite the battles we face, Puerto Ricans will always be the most joyful, inspiring, and loving people I know. We will never forget our background and how hard we fought for our independence because our people and our island are one.
An example of two transferable skills I developed during this course is problem-solving and teamwork. These skills are essential to my future professional life because they help me tackle complex challenges and collaborate effectively with others. For instance, during dinner one evening, one of my peers could not eat a certain food. My problem-solving skills allowed me to analyze the situation, brainstorm potential solutions, and implement strategies to overcome the obstacle. I spoke with the restaurant staff and asked if we could switch out the meal. This ability is crucial in any job. Teamwork, on the other hand, enables me to work well with others, using diverse perspectives and skills to achieve common goals. At the beginning of the semester, I was fortunate to have already met two friends who were also part of the same group. Little by little, each of us warmed up to each other, which was amazing. While we were abroad, our group excelled at bonding and expressing our emotions and feelings. By fostering these strong relationships and contributing to a positive group culture, I was able to enhance productivity and drive innovation. While these were not the only transferable skills used during this course, they were the most important to me because my past group work experiences had not always been positive. I was truly fortunate to have a wonderful set of peers who were understanding, outgoing, open, and loving. It was a joy to share my culture with them while also helping a non-profit. Together, these skills ensure that I can adapt to various situations and succeed in my career.
Building strong relationships is crucial when conducting work like the Global Service-Learning program. These relationships form the foundation for effective collaboration and mutual understanding between students and community partners. By setting up trust and open communication, we can better understand the needs and goals of the community, ensuring that our efforts are aligned and impactful.
In my experience with Caras con Causa in Puerto Rico, developing relationships with local leaders and community members was essential. It allowed us to work together seamlessly, using each other’s strengths and knowledge. This collaboration not only enhanced the quality of our projects but also fostered a sense of shared purpose and commitment. Moreover, strong relationships contribute to the sustainability of the initiatives. When community members feel valued and heard, they are more likely to engage actively and support the projects long-term. This reciprocal engagement ensures that the benefits of our work extend beyond our immediate involvement, creating lasting positive change.
Pitt’s existing relationship with our client is a strength in itself, but some strengths carried out from last year’s group (the GSL group of 2024) included the amount of information they gathered. Last year’s group did an amazing job setting my group up for success. They drafted emails to be sent out this year and conducted extensive financial research. Having this information helped our group’s deliverables because, instead of starting from nothing, we were able to continue the work they did. Continuation of the project helps more than people realize. When Ms. Meade came in to talk to us, she mentioned that one of her colleagues felt her relationship with her client was not great. When Ms. Meade asked, “How long has it been since you’ve seen the client in person?” it had been almost a year. The continuation of the project, which involves hands-on and in-person experience, lets our client know that we are still interested in making a change, that we want to help the non-profit grow, and that we appreciate their efforts in making a change. By doing so, the relationship grows stronger, and parts of the program can begin to be addressed from the perspective of someone who feels both heavy emotions and care for the project.
Explaining this project in a professional interview can be challenging because it’s difficult to convey the emotions and impact of the experience. However, as I was writing the introduction part of our final report, I was able to gather the pieces of the beginning of the Global Service-Learning (GSL) program to present to the client. I would explain the Global Service-Learning program at the University of Pittsburgh as follows:
The Global Service-Learning program offered by the Center for International Studies at the University of Pittsburgh provides hands-on, project-based experience that allows students to develop professional skills while helping global community partners. For example, in Puerto Rico, we collaborated with Caras con Causa, an organization dedicated to community development through education and environmental preservation projects. As part of this program, I enrolled in a three-credit course and spent a week of spring break in San Juan, working directly with Caras con Causa.
The program aims to foster reciprocal engagement between students and community-based organizations within international contexts. By addressing client needs, students gain valuable professional growth and experience both in and out of the field. Additionally, the Community Laboratory for Scientific and Cultural Empowerment (LabCom) combines environmental research with field experiences for students from local schools. This initiative supports the conservation work of the Las Cucharillas Nature Reserve and surrounding areas, allowing students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings and contribute to longitudinal studies guiding the rehabilitation of the reserve.
I would pitch this experience in the following way: During my junior year of college, I took part in a Global Service-Learning Program. During spring break, we spent one week in San Juan, Puerto Rico, working with a non-profit called Caras con Causa, an organization focused on community development through education and environmental preservation projects. This experience was invaluable in fostering reciprocal engagement between students and community-based organizations within international contexts. By addressing client needs, I gained significant professional growth and experience. Overall, this program enhanced my problem-solving and teamwork skills, provided practical experience in consulting and non-profit management, and allowed me to make a meaningful impact on a global community partner. This experience has equipped me with the skills and insights necessary to excel in my professional career.
Three of the most important things that future students need to know about are the heat, safety, and dress code. Puerto Rico is found in the tropics, with an average temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year. There are two seasons: wet and dry season. Due to the high temperatures and abundant rainfall, vegetation grows throughout the year, making it humid. Therefore, please make sure you bring a reusable water bottle and sunscreen!
Next, we have safety. Nowhere in the world is “danger-free,” so it is important to know some best practices for your trip during spring break. Before you leave for Puerto Rico, please share your location with your fellow group members. This allows you to have that second level of safety in case something happens. During the week you are in Puerto Rico, while it is not guaranteed, you might have some time to go out and explore. If you do this, please make sure you walk in a group of three or more.
The last important thing you need to know about is the dress code for LabCom. During the week, you will probably have a minimum of two to three days in LabCom and some community service days. While this information will be given to you during your client meeting, another reminder wouldn’t hurt. In LabCom, it is recommended that you wear a regular short-sleeved shirt, long pants, and shoes. You are NOT allowed to wear spaghetti straps, tank tops, and shorts.
Advice! Some advice I would give future groups is to make sure they bring bug spray! Depending on the activity you are doing, there could be a lot of mosquitoes, and some mosquitoes can send diseases such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya, so you want to be prepared! Another thing is dressing for the occasion! On our first day, we were doing a tour in Old San Juan, and while you can wear a dress and shorts, make sure you wear comfortable shoes!
Apart from this advice, I encourage future groups to communicate and be prepared to adapt. I cannot stress the importance of communication enough. If you are uncomfortable, please say so, and if you do not like something, PLEASE SAY SO. Our in-country client wants to ensure that we have good experience, and they are not mind readers, so they cannot tell if something is wrong. If you feel some type of way, trust me, they will do their best to fix the situation to make you feel better.
