Unfortunately, my time completing the Global Service Learning Project is coming to an end. This has been a very rewarding process that has taught me a lot about myself, working with others, and business as a whole. As an environmental major, the idea of a business class was quite frightening in the beginning, but I believed in the mission and the work the group would be conducting with Caras con Causa. Boy was I right! The key lessons I have learned from this semester have been deeply important to me as a graduating senior. Learning about how to be a guest in a new place, instead of being just a tourist was something that was deeply valuable to me as someone who had never traveled that far before. Professor Shultz was very articulate in explaining that it was a privilege to be able to travel to Puerto Rico, how we represented not only ourselves, but the university, and that the cultural context of wherever you are traveling is deeply important to learn before the trip. It is integral to learn about things like the geography, climate, food, cultural norms, and key information about places you will visit/the people you will be with. It was important for the group to learn as much about Caras con Causa before we got there, even though we learned so much more once we got there! The reading that connects to this and stayed with me the most was “Points of Discomfort: Reflections on Power and Partnerships in International Service-Learning” by Erin Sharp and Samantha Dear and “Developing Intercultural Competence by Participating in Intensive Intercultural Service-Learning” by Nadia de Leon. Reading these, especially after the guest lecture by Meade Johnson and participating in the cultural presentations, prompted me to reflect more deeply on my own motivations and gain a richer cultural understanding of Puerto Rico. It also highlighted the importance of showing genuine respect when traveling, which is something that is often overlooked by American tourists. My initial goals were to get my hands dirty, and while I did do just that, I also learned a plethora of other highly important things. The business language is something that can be applicable to anything. The idea of working with a client and presenting deliverables is real to every facet of life, even if they aren’t said in those words. It also showed me that actually connecting with people and an organization will create a new drive and motivation. I always believed in Caras’s mission, but to actually be there and meet with people face to face proved to me that there are still people who care. Many members of the group were unaware about a lot of the environmental issues that are currently affecting people, especially in low-income populations and how disproportionate that is, so to see them connect with the organization and visually see how the environment, education, and the community are inherently intertwined, made me want to work even harder within this field and for Caras. This entire process showed me that I am in the right field, and engaging in the business aspect of working with an environmental nonprofit gave me a broader sense of how much more goes into the process, and how critical it is. 

During this course, the most important transferable skills I developed were self-reflection, which is closely tied to intercultural competence, and client-focused thinking and project management. Self-reflection helped me become more aware of my own assumptions, biases, and motivations, which is essential when working across cultures and in diverse teams. Intercultural competence enhances communication, empathy, and adaptability, skills that are increasingly vital in any global or community-oriented missions! Meanwhile, client-focused thinking and project management taught me how to deliver meaningful outcomes by understanding stakeholder needs, setting clear goals, and not being afraid to ask questions, no matter how small or big. Being that I want to go into environmentalism and nonprofit work, these transferable skills are especially valuable. Self-reflection is needed when working with diverse communities disproportionately affected by environmental issues. Client-focused thinking and project management are equally important, as environmental work often involves coordinating with stakeholders, managing limited resources, and delivering solutions that are both sustainable and community-driven, which is not something I had deeply considered before this project. 

Relationships are at the heart of effective work, especially in nonprofit management AND environmentalism. Whether collaborating with local communities, nonprofits, policymakers, or interdisciplinary teams, building trust and mutual respect is essential. Environmental challenges are rarely just scientific as they are deeply social, cultural, and political. My experience with Caras con Causa showed me firsthand how much more impactful environmental work becomes when it’s grounded in real human connection. Furthermore, the established connection that Pitt already had with Caras, at first, was deeply intimidating. In the beginning, there was a pressure to uphold the quality and resourcefulness of the past groups, but as the group came together and things started to click, that was no longer a concern. Overall, it was a strength for us to already have that connection with Caras. It gave us a foundation of trust and credibility, allowing us to engage more meaningfully with the organization from the beginning, and it felt like we could ask as many questions as we needed. Continuing with this project ultimately helped strengthen the relationship, and it will continue to do so. By showing our genuine commitment, taking the time to understand Caras’s evolving needs, and delivering thoughtful, mission-aligned work, all while actually putting our money where our mouth is by having a ten-year commitment to Caras, contributes to the long lasting positive partnership. Our efforts added another layer of trust and demonstrated that Pitt students continue to be reliable, respectful collaborators invested in Caras’s long-term success.

It is going to be really difficult to explain this whole process to someone in a quick few sentences. I would explain that we worked as a team to create marketing materials for Caras con Causa, an environmental nonprofit that promotes community development to eliminate poverty through education and environment and economic development in Puerto Rico. Particularly their in-country lab called LabCom, and the importance of reaching out to universities and marketing this lab well has to be emphasized, as they are an environmental nonprofit that needs funding to continue doing all the amazing work that they are. The marketing strategy involved cold emailing interested faculty, seeking new partnerships, and creating promotional materials, including Instagram posts and stories, a brochure, and two short videos that highlighted the project and our time in Puerto Rico. The content focused on key aspects the CEO wanted emphasized for future initiatives, like the beauty of Puerto Rico, the natural environment, and working within communities directly. 

I recommend that future groups approach this experience with an open mind. While it can sometimes be confusing, overwhelming, and exhausting, the experience is incredibly rewarding. It’s also important to pay close attention to how the project is marketed moving forward. Given the current political climate, particularly in the United States, the implications of these issues should not be overlooked when working with Caras. Additionally, I encourage future groups to engage with the complexities of Puerto Rico’s status as a U.S. territory; don’t shy away from discussing the historical and political context, as well as its consequences. Engage with local communities respectfully and authentically, remembering that everyone is a person with their own story. There is no need to feel uncomfortable or stressed when talking to people who work with/around/in the organization; the collective goal is to support Caras in the best way possible. And lastly, always remember that this is a fun and unforgettable experience. Enjoy it through all the emotions because soon, before you know it, it’ll be over. <3