As my time with the Global Service Learning Project comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on how eye-opening this experience has been. Coming in as a business major, I didn’t expect was how much I would learn about environmental work and community development, and even work in a lab. Working with Caras con Causa in Puerto Rico pushed me to think beyond business as usual and consider how environmental and social issues intersect with the work we do. It was incredibly rewarding.
One of the first key lessons I learned was the difference between global service learning and just volunteering. Our class reading, “What Should Be Learned Through Global Service Learning,” helped clarify that this kind of work isn’t about swooping in to “help,” but about listening, collaborating, and learning. Service learning is about partnership, not charity. It means approaching the work with humility, and recognizing the knowledge and leadership already within the community. We were able to display this during our time in country. We focused on learning from the people already doing the work at Caras con Causa. We met so many inspiring individuals, including Adriana and Yair. They each had their own stories, responsibilities, and deep connection to the community. By taking the time to understand their perspectives and roles, we were able to engage more meaningfully and respectfully in the work.
Another big lesson was how important it is to be part of a team. Our group was made up of students from different majors, environmental science, marketing, HR, and finance, and it was amazing to see how we all brought something unique to the table. We were able to combine our different skill sets in ways that made our project stronger. We also found that getting work done and having fun aren’t mutually exclusive. One moment that really sticks with me is when we were working in the nursery at Caras and joking around with Yair. We were sweaty and tired, but we were also laughing and bonding. That balance made the whole experience so much more memorable.
Looking back at my past blog posts, I notice a strong connection between what I hoped to get out of this experience and what actually happened. In my introduction blog, I wrote about how excited I was to immerse myself in Puerto Rican culture, and we absolutely got the chance to do that. From trying traditional foods, exploring local communities, and listening to Puerto Rican music, I felt like I was able to engage with and learn about the culture in an authentic way. In my second blog, I mentioned that I hoped to gain a deeper appreciation for the client, and that expectation was fully met, especially after speaking with Michael, the founder and CEO of Caras con Causa. Hearing his story and learning directly from him gave me a much greater understanding of the organization’s mission, challenges, and impact.
Being on-site completely shifted my perspective. Suddenly, everything we had read about Caras came to life. Meeting the people, seeing the work in action, and understanding the impact firsthand made it real in a way that nothing else could. Toward the end of the project, we decided to pivot and focus on creating marketing materials, including more Instagram posts, stories, a brochure, and short videos, to help Caras promote their LabCom initiative than we had originally planned. That shift taught me a lot about adaptability, one of the biggest transferable skills I gained during this trip.
There were several moments throughout the trip where our plans shifted unexpectedly. One example was when we arrived at the rainforest for a site visit, only to be told we couldn’t access it as tourists that day. Rather than letting it derail our plan, we quickly pivoted and found another location to explore and learn from. Another instance was when we were scheduled to assist with work at the home of a woman living with schizophrenia, but due to exhaustion from a sleepless night, she wasn’t up for visitors. Instead, we redirected our efforts to help paint a neighbor’s house. These last-minute changes didn’t take away from the experience, in fact, they highlighted just how important flexibility is. In the professional world, plans don’t always go as expected, and being able to adapt while staying positive is a skill that’s incredibly valuable.
Our relationship with Caras, especially the trust that’s been built between Pitt and the organization over the years, made a huge difference. It gave us credibility right from the start and opened the door for real conversations with Michael, the director. When we interviewed him, he didn’t hold back. He spoke honestly about the political and economic challenges Caras faces. That transparency helped us understand the deeper context of their work and gave us insight into how nonprofits operate under pressure.
Looking ahead to future job interviews, I know I’ll bring up this experience. I’ve learned how to adapt, how to communicate in a professional setting, how to work across disciplines, and how to collaborate with international organizations. Those are all things employers value. And being able to speak about working on an international project with a nonprofit is a unique experience I am lucky to have the opportunity to have. I will be able to bring up specific moments throughout the trip that displayed these qualities. For example, one of the projects we did was deforestation. This was something new that I have never done before, so I was a bit shocked when I had to wear high boots and protective gear. Despite my doubts, I was able to participate in the project and it ended up being a lot of fun! This shows how I am able to try new things and adapt to new settings.
For future groups, there are three things I’d recommend:
- Expect things to go wrong. That’s part of the learning process. We had to change the direction of our project because of delayed responses from outreach, and while it was stressful at first, it pushed us to be creative and find another way to contribute.
- Get to know each other. Our group got really close during this trip, and that made all the difference. We supported each other, leaned into our individual strengths, and had so much more fun because of it. Laughter at meals and sitting on the balcony are moments that are unforgettable.
- Enjoy every minute. Being in Puerto Rico, learning about the culture, and working directly with a local nonprofit was the highlight of my semester. It flew by so fast, but it made a big impact on all of us.
This experience showed me how environmental work and business can go hand-in-hand. It reminded me that relationships are at the core of impactful work, and that the most meaningful change happens when people come together across differences to build something real. This is my last blog post, and I just wanted to say how grateful I am for this incredible experience and to be put with such an amazing group of people to go through it with!