From the second I stepped out of the airport in San Juan; I knew this program was going to be different. The air was hot and humid, it started raining almost right away, and everything around me just felt slower and more relaxed. People seemed more relaxed; It was definitely not Michigan. One of the first things I noticed was how many Puerto Ricans looked like me. Many of them looked Black or mixed and that surprised me in the best way. I immediately felt more comfortable being in a place where people of color were the majority. It changes the way you experience everything.

This program to Puerto Rico was full of unexpected moments. The island felt like the U.S. in some ways (same money, English signs), but in other ways it felt like a totally different country. Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, but they can’t vote for president. They live on an island full of sunshine, but many areas don’t have access to solar energy and deal with blackouts all the time. Their culture is loved around the world like their music, food, dancing, but they still deal with so much discrimination and neglect. The whole program made me think more deeply about power, fairness, and what it really means to be American.

This experience tied right into what I’m studying (Human Resources and Labor Relations). We had conversations with locals that helped me see how things like government aid, labor laws, and disaster responses play out in real life for them. It made me want to take my future HR career seriously not just for office work, but to actually stand up for workers and communities that are being left behind.

I also had so much fun. I learned bachata from classmates, ate amazing food, and played Bad Bunny nonstop after we got back. I even switched up my playlist to include more bachata and reggaeton. We were constantly learning from each other and the people we met, and I didn’t want to leave.

Before the program, I thought studying abroad meant long flights and fancy programs in Europe or Asia, but this program proved that you don’t have to go far to be challenged, inspired, and completely changed!

Name: Joicen Spratling
Status: Junior
Major: Human Resources and Labor Relations
Hometown: Ypsilanti, Michigan
Program: Study Away - Community Engagement in Puerto Rico