Reflecting on Puerto Rico by Ugonna Okpalaoka

I’ve been back for about two weeks now, and I have to say, I miss Puerto Rico (and I’m not just saying that because it’s 17 degrees outside and I’ve lost all feeling in my fingers and toes!) Puerto Rico truly is a beautiful country. This includes the nature, its history, and its people. Though the program was not what I expected it to be in the beginning, I still had a worthwhile experience. You never want to take for granted a chance to visit another country!

Now that I am back, I am thinking more seriously about pursuing a minor in Spanish. I surprised myself with how much I was able to communicate with others in Spanish. I wasn’t the best speaker, but I definitely knew more than I thought I was capable of. This has given me more motivation to learn the language.

Also, Though I’m not claiming to be an expert or anything, I’d like to share a few tips for anyone planning to study abroad in the future.

- Go in with an open mind - The term study abroad is very general, and there is no one specific structure. Some people go abroad to volunteer, others study in foreign universities — the possibilities are limitless. So instead of going into a program with a formed idea of what your experience will be like, go into it open-minded and ready to learn.

- Interact with the locals - While the resources provided on study abroad programs are great, you learn ta great deal from the people who live in the country you’re visiting. Step out of your comfort zone and make conversation with them. You will be surprised how much you learn.

- Keep a journal - It doesn’t have to be anything lengthy, but it’s a good idea to document your trip, because it can go by very quickly. If you take fifteen minutes once in awhile to record what you’ve done so far, you’ll appreciate it when you get back home and want to recount your adventures.

Check back soon for a video diary of Ugonna’s experience in Puerto Rico!

Tank tops & 80 degrees. Yes, please! by Ugonna Okpalaoka

 Tanks tops, shorts, and a low of 80 degrees; I’m loving it! Especially when I hear stories about the cold temperatures and snow storms back home in Ohio.

The flight from Ohio to Puerto Rico wasn’t  bad at all. I met up with most of students from Ohio University at the Port Columbus airport, then we all met up with another traveler at the airport in Charlotte, NC. Except  for having to pay $7 for a salad the size of my fist because I didn’t have time between flights to stop at a restaurant for lunch, everything went well.

After leaving baggage claim at the San Juan airport, our group met our two University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla representatives; Edgardo and Armenia.  Edgardo is especially  full of energy and always eager to teach us something new.

So far I’ve been here for just over a week. Though that seems like a short time, every day is packed full with activities that so much has already happened. Ou schedules have to be jam-packed since we only have three weeks to spend in Puerto Rico! So, here’s a quick run-down of the most interesting things I have experienced so far:

    * Food. It hasn’t been that hard to adjust to. I was worried about there being a lot of seafood because we are on an island, but the diet mostly consists of chicken or pork, rice and beans, and plantains. All the stuff my mom cooks at home anyway, so I guess you could say I lucked out. It’s all delicious too.

* People. On the many occasions that we have gotten lost while on the island and had to ask for directions, I noticed that Puerto Rican people are very kind.They stop whatever they’re doing and make sure that you understand their directions completely.

* Language Barrier. A good number of Puerto Ricans also speak English, so the language barrier hasn’t been to big of an issue. I get a chance to practice my Spanish while being assured that I can still get my message acrossed if I get stuck. We have two students in our group who are fluent in Spanish, so they help the rest of us out whenever they can.

* PR Time. Most of my group has complained about how everything on the island runs on “PR Time.” I, on the other hand, do not mind at all. PR Time refers to the fact that everything here runs late. So, if someone says they will meet you at 8 a.m., expect them at 9 a.m. or later. 

* Interaction. Unfortunately, we haven’t gotten a chance to interact with many Puerto Ricans — one of the cons of the way this specific program is run. But the few we have met have been very kind and willing to answer any questions we have for them. They also show a lot of interest in learning about us too.

That’s a quick overview of what my experience has been like so far. In the next post, I’ll share some stories about different places I’ve visited.

“my heart’s devotion” by ugonna okpalaoka

“Pueeeeerto Ricooo. My heart’s devotion..” 
 
I’ve had the West Side Story song on repeat for most of the week. Why you ask? Because I’ve got a great opportunity to visit my heart’s devotion as one of OHIO’s education abroad programs. 
 
I leave next week and I am not prepared at all. Blame it on my procrastination streak, but I have not devoted much time to getting ready for my trip. I still need to schedule a hair appointment, do laundry, buy some new summer clothes, make a packing list, ACTUALLY USE my packing list, call my bank, and figure out how the heck I am going to make phone calls because my cell phone network will not work on the island. 
 
It’s not really a lot to do. 
 
Except for the fact that I leave in three days. 
 
But, not to worry! Part of being a procrastination queen is the amazing ability to complete all necessary tasks in time. If I can actually get up early enough on Black Friday to catch the end of the Thanksgiving deals at the mall then I will get everything done. 
 
But, let’s focus on the fact that I am going to Puerto Rico. PUERTO RICO! Obviously, I am excited.  Anybody who knows me knows about my obsession with Latin/Spanish cultures. I have almost successfully convinced my family that some of our ancestors were Puerto Rican. It doesn not hurt that my grandmother has her own crazy ideas about the origins of our family to support mine, ha. 
 
Though I have taken Spanish classes since first grade, my Spanish skills are lass than fabulous.  I can scribble out a mostly coherent sentence or two in the language, but my oral skills are severely lacking. That is why I have always wanted to study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country;  immersion is supposed to be one of the best educators. 
 
I have heard Puerto Rico is supposed to be Americanized and its Spanish is filled with slang terms, but I don’t  care. This is going to be a good experience regardless of how much language skill I get out of it. Even if it is an Americanized country, it is still a different culture that I’ve yet to experience. 
 
Our flight leaves early in the morning on November 30, and from the moment our plane lands in my heart’s devotion, it’s going to be a rush of historical sites, university lectures, Spanish cuisine, beaches, and new friends. 
 
To say I am excited is an understatement.

**Ugonna arrived in “her heart’s devotion” on November 30. She will continue to reflect on her experiences there through the OEA blog site.