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Puerto Rico is a place of immense beauty, and though it is small, it boasts a rich cultural heritage and ecological diversity to explore. Be prepared, however, for while the destruction of the hurricanes is evident in the island’s material goods, it left a profound scar on the people of the island as well. Natives are brought to tears not out of their own plight but rather out of the plight of their neighbors and friends. Homes, businesses, and schools are deserted, and many sit slowly deteriorating. Nevertheless, these observations shall be a reminder of the strength of the people rather than the destruction of the hurricanes.

Our opportunity to serve Puerto Rico and better understand the island—the values, cultures, people, and language—created opportunities for us to better understand ourselves, to better understand what it means to be an American, and what it means to serve others. We hope our service may be an opportunity for others, including our fellow Buckeyes, to engage and consider how they might also continue to serve the island and their own communities.

Working and learning in Puerto Rico changed my view on the world quite a bit. The trip showed me that Puerto Rico received little aid from the United States, even though it is a territory (if a state were hit by a hurricane that would receive plenty aid and help quickly). Being in Puerto Rico just made me look at the things that I have in my life and become more appreciative of them.

Puerto Rico is a beautiful Caribbean island that is also a U.S. territory. Throughout Puerto Rico, you will encounter a great variety of landscapes including beaches, mountains, and El Yunque National Forest.

My STEP signature project was a two-week cultural immersion and service-learning trip in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is a vibrant Caribbean island that boasts natural beauty not only from its beaches, but its tropical rain forest and inhabitants that reside there. The hot and humid climate really brings to life the contrasts of an Ohio spring to a tropical Caribbean location.

Puerto Rico is an island that is rich in culture and diversity at every corner. While there are lovely beaches all around, there are also beautiful mountains, a breathtaking rainforest, and fascinating marketplaces. However, in some locations, Puerto Rico is still struggling with wreckage from the hurricanes as many people fled the island afterwards and never returned. The people we met had an extremely strong work ethic and a great sense of pride for their culture.

This trip was a life-changing experience that I will take with me for the rest of my days. Puerto Rico is a quaint island filled with rich history and kind people. The Puerto Rican community was incredibly friendly and welcoming of us. The terrain on the island is incredibly diverse—they have mountains, oceans, rainforests, and deserts.

During this trip, I learned so much, but perhaps the most important thing I learned was the importance of people. I met so many different people on this trip, more than I would typically meet in a day back home.

Puerto Rico is a land of resilience. You can expect to be wowed by the way the wildlife bounces back after disaster, the way the people come together in times of need, and the way the air seems to breathe strength into you.