Immersive Learning in Puerto Rico: A Journey of Service and Discovery

 

 

This Isn’t Just a Trip Recap

If you’ve been following my social media feed, you know I recently took an immersive learning trip to Puerto Rico with 10 teenagers, a colleague, and two guides from an external organization named World Leadership School.

Somewhere in those posts, I also shared a bit about where I see this independent passion project of mine going. So, bear with me—this article might be all over the place, but I promise, it’ll come together.

Quick Backstory

I got my undergrad degree in Criminal Investigation before realizing I had zero desire to spend my life in a field that’s so heavy and mentally draining. In my quest to leave Boston, I landed in New Jersey with a job at a then independent school in Newark, which has since been converted into a charter school. I spent nine incredible years there, leveling up and diving deep into the world of independent schools across the Northeast. Five years in, I was so into education that I decided to go for my Master’s degree in Education Leadership, Management and Policy at Seton Hall University. Those two years definitely put a dent in my travel life, but I made it through, lol.

That first K-8 independent school introduced me to boarding schools—their mission at the time was to get underprivileged students from Newark into private boarding and day institutions to give them opportunities they otherwise wouldn’t have. Now, I know when people hear “boarding school,” they picture wealthy parents who just want to rid themselves of the responsibility of raising teens. They may also envision a bunch of rich kids in blazers eating caviar at lunch. And yeah, some schools might fit that stereotype (minus the caviar, lol), but let me tell you—there are plenty of down-to-earth boarding schools filled with regular, sneaker-wearing, sweatpants-loving teensters (as I like to call them), many of whom are actually – wait for it – students of color! While it certainly wasn’t the case before, we are seeing an increase in the amount of Black and brown students at these schools. 

The Pros and Cons of Sending a Student to Boarding School

I won’t go too deep into the details, but here are some key perks of boarding school life from my perspective:

  • Early exposure to diverse cultures
  • More travel and experiential learning opportunities
  • Increased independence and self-awareness
  • Stronger teacher connections and adult support
  • Earlier post-secondary planning
  • A wider variety of sports and extracurriculars

If you’re interested in learning more, I strongly encourage you to read this report from TABS (The Association of Boarding Schools) and CAIS CT (Connecticut Association of Independent Schools) entitled School Life in Focus: The Boarding Advantage

I’m not gon’ lie… the COST of sending a student to boarding school can be challenging for many people. Real talk, some of these schools charge more than one year of college tuition! But… they’re worth every penny when you choose the right fit for your child. I would be remiss if I forgot to mention that there ARE financial aid opportunities available at most of these institutions …where there is a will there is a way!

Why Boarding School Life for Me?

Since I was too old to attend a boarding school when Iearned about them, I figured being employed by one was the next best thing. Working at a boarding school had been a dream for quite some time, but it didn’t happen until fall 2020. And let’s be honest—that was a very weird time to start, with students learning remotely, coming back to campus when they thought the coast was clear, and then BOOM… virtual classes yet again!

It wasn’t until July 2024, when I officially became a residential faculty member (and brought my family along for the ride), that I truly got the experience I’d always imagined. Honey! I’m not mad at the perks! (P.s. I’m happy to talk more about this in another article). After driving one-hour each way for four years, my three-minute walk to work has been a dream. Of course, there are extra responsibilities on top of my admin duties, but balancing them with my personal responsibilities hasn’t been as tedious as I’d feared. Thankfully, it pays to do your homework before jumping into such a commitment.

Why Puerto Rico?

Alright, let’s talk about this Puerto Rico trip. At our school, we have a global justice center that organizes exchange programs and other hands-on learning experiences. Since we have a large international student population, I also work within this center as the liaison for that population of students (on top of my duties as Director of Academic Services). For the past three years, my amazing colleague has been spearheading a service-learning trip to Puerto Rico in partnership with World Leadership School.

This trip is open to all students through an application process, and faculty can put their names in the hat if they wish to go. You know I wasted no time jumping on that list! As a travel lover, this was a no-brainer. The community service aspect drew me in, and I also wanted to see how the program worked from the inside. Plus, I genuinely don’t mind being around teens for extended periods—I know, weird, right? Lol. 

The Purpose

Our trip focused on three Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

  • Sustainable cities and communities
  • Climate action
  • Life below water
 

Basic Deets?

Where did we stay? For most of the trip, we stayed at APRODEC, an abandoned military base in Ceiba that’s being repurposed for sustainability efforts. Living conditions were simple—no hot water, super short showers, and no toilet paper down the drains (unless you went twosies, lol). APRODEC has big plans for the future, but without volunteers like us, reaching their goals will be tough.

What did we eat? We had the pleasure of having a private chef, Ingrid, who cooked on-site at APRODEC. Shoutout to her for throwing down in the kitchen—her meals reminded me of home. By the time we sat down to eat, we were famished, and pickiness was NOT an option. Thankfully, Ingrid’s skills won us over from the very first meal. Dishes I wouldn’t normally go for? Devoured. Seconds? Absolutely.

How did we get around? World Leadership School provided shuttles as needed. By day three, we lucked out and got Ingrid’s brother, Rafa, as our driver for the rest of the trip.

What Did We Do?

The first few days were spent doing volunteer work and educational activities at APRODEC. We toured the facility, learned about its history, and got a glimpse of its strategic plans. We learned how the U.S. and other colonizers made life more challenging for Puerto Rico’s native people. Those lessons made me sad and really got me fired up about this new venture of mine that’s slowly coming together.

Learning Taino phrases, seeing ancient petroglyphs and discovering the deep Taino connections between Puerto Rico and my home, the Turks and Caicos Islands – mind blown!

Fun fact: When 9/11 happened, this was the facility where they took then-President George W. Bush. Walking through the old war rooms, bunkers, and signage—just left as they were—was surreal. One day, the place was fully operational, and the next? Completely abandoned. (Insert side-eye.)

As for our work:

  • We scrubbed abandoned stairwells to prep them for future guests.

  • Our students knocked down a wall in preparation for APRODEC’s upcoming restaurant.

  • We helped restore a neglected tree project—APRODEC had planted over 40 trees before COVID, but without upkeep, they became overgrown. We identified baby trees, cleared weeds, and cleaned up their surroundings to help them thrive. It was a LOT of work. The sun was sunning real bad, so we had to cut it short for the teens’ sake. Low-key? I wish we had one more hands-on workday. It felt good to contribute.

Beyond the Volunteer Work

I know this article is already a bit lengthy, so let me break down the gems of this trip for you in a nice little package:

Once our manual labor wrapped up, we moved on to more touristy—but still educational—activities:

  • Visiting Samuel Lind’s home and art studio was an experience that touched my creative soul in ways I wasn’t ready for. My colleague guessed I’d love it, but I wasn’t prepared for just how much. I’m fully obsessed with his work and have unlocked a new favorite artist, no question. Turns out, one of the prints I purchased is still a work in progress and the first in a new series he’s launching. One day, I WILL bring one of those big canvases home.
  • Finally trying (and making) mofongo! Listen, I’ve been dodging this dish for years, but getting hands-on with the cooking process, hearing the history, and fully immersing myself in the experience? Game-changer. We paired it with pollo guisado and rice, and whew—just know I’ll be recreating that meal in the very near future. Thank you Chef Nivia!

Final Thoughts

Puerto Rico did something to my spirit, and I’m certain our students can say the same. As I shared in a recent school publication “I was hoping the students would grow closer and come away with a stronger sense of independence and confidence. For some, it was their first time traveling abroad or being away from family. They didn’t just meet my expectations—they blew them out of the water. Watching them show up as their full, authentic selves and take leadership in their own way was something special. This trip was unforgettable, and I’m beyond grateful for the experience.”

The Puerto Rico experience is just a smidge of what my colleague and I have planned for both the school and our independent work. I look forward to sharing more with you! 

Yours in culture,