” Estudié ingeniería mecánica en la UPRM durante el año 2017-2018 y solamente tengo buenas palabras para hablar de la universidad y de mi experiencia en Puerto Rico. Formé parte de varias asociaciones estudiantiles y del equipo de waterpolo de la universidad, además de salir cada fin de semana a conocer lugares nuevos de la isla, pero sin lugar a dudas lo mejor fueron las personas que conocí que se acabaron convirtiendo en grandes amigos”

“Tuve la oportunidad de ir a Mayagüez el curso 2019/2020, y fue una de las mejores experiencias que tuve en mi vida. Puerto Rico es una combinación perfecta entre la vida americana y el ambiente y la alegría latina. El campus es enorme y tiene muchas instalaciones. El recinto ofrece una gran variedad de grados y cursos, además de muchas actividades extracurriculares en las que divertirte y conocer gente nueva. Mayagüez es una ciudad de estudiantes y se nota, cualquier día puedes encontrar gente en las calles y las barras del centro de la ciudad. Pero sin lugar a dudas la mejor parte de la experiencia fue tener la posibilidad de conocer la isla. Existen gran cantidad de excursiones que se pueden hacer a pocas horas de Mayagüez, preciosas playas, sorprendentes cascadas e increíbles vistas desde puntos más elevados de la isla. Por desgracia llegó el Coronavirus y no pudimos disfrutar de la experiencia al completo, pero aún así es una experiencia de la que me siento muy afortunado de haber podido vivir!!”

¡Mi experiencia en Puerto Rico fue inolvidable! Llegar a Mayagüez, ha sido de las cosas más bonitas y más importantes de mi vida, que me ha hecho crecer como persona. He vivido muchos momentos que no había vivido antes (terremotos, aviso de huracán, pandemia…). Pero también he conocido a mucha gente y he hecho aventuras por toda la isla. Cuando decían que Puerto Rico era la isla del encanto, no sabía por qué lo decían, pero ahora sé que es de las islas más bonitas en las que se puede estar. En cuanto al ámbito académico, también hay que destacar la calidad de los profesores y la ayuda que dan a los estudiantes internacionales, sin ellos todo hubiese sido mucho más difícil. Y creo que no hay mejor forma de acabar esto que diciendo, ¡ANTES, AHORA Y SIEMPRE COLEGIO!

My experience in Puerto Rico was incredible. My Spanish improved tremendously, I learned to salsa and a little bomba, I ran with the UPRM track and cross country team, and I met people from all over the world. It was really nice to be away from all the responsibilities of my home university too- I was able to slow down, reflect, and reevaluate my own values. Mid-way through the first semester, I knew that I had to stay for the next semester too. That second semester, my Spanish had improved enough that I even felt comfortable taking classes in Spanish instruction, which then improved my Spanish skills even more. When I look back on my college experience, my time in Puerto Rico as an exchange student was definitely the most transformative.

I never thought it would, but this trip changed my life at a time I needed it most. It sounds cheesy, but the friendly locals, the new experience, the island life… It was exactly what I needed. When I hopped on an airplane to head to Puerto Rico, I was at one of the lowest points of my life. When I left, I was at my highest.

I strongly, strongly recommend taking this opportunity if you have it. Two years later and I still bring up my stories from the island often enough to annoy my roommates and girlfriend- but I can’t help it! I had so much fun and enjoyed so many new experiences.

Give it a shot, maybe it will change your life too 🙂

Puerto Rico brought so much more than expected. The culture and nature begs you to relax and release with healing saltwater, sunshine, mango trees and mofongo. The island is full of adventure and I’m blessed to have connected with the resilient people of PR. The team in the student exchange office were more than generous and uplifting, and offered excursion trips that were always great. Mayaguez holds a warm place in my heart.

Studying abroad at UPR Mayagüez was easily one of the highlights on my life. During my time there I was able to work on skills involved with having to navigate life, school, and extracurricular activities. With the help of Ilia, Lilly, and other students being in an area where you are not a native speaker of the language was a lot easier than it could have been. The study abroad program is what you make it! I was able to play baseball competitively all around the island as well as experience the beautiful beaches, rivers, and mountains! I bought in and completely immersed myself which allowed me to become fluent in a second language and improve and expand my life skills. If I could do it again I would be there in a heart beat!

Going to Puerto Rico really was a once in a lifetime experience. I did not know much about the country before going and was quite nervous. But once I got there, I realized it was the perfect place to be. The people greeted me with arms wide open, the places were all incredibly exciting, and the school was fantastic and extremely helpful. I had every hope and expectation for my semester abroad met and exceeded. Puerto Rico is truly a hidden gem and has many beautiful places to explore and beautiful people to meet.