Study Abroad in Puerto Rico
Providing unique learning experiences for North American university students since 1969
Puerto Rico Study Abroad: Overview
Originally claimed for Spain in 1493 by Christopher Columbus, Puerto Rico remained under Spanish control until it was ceded to the United States in the Spanish-American War of 1898. In 1952 the island became a commonwealth of the United States and remains so to this day. The city of San Juan is the largest capital in the Caribbean and is considered the cultural heart of Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico Study Abroad: Cultural Information
- Population: 3,690,923
- San Juan
- US Dollar
Originally claimed for Spain in 1493 by Christopher Columbus, Puerto Rico remained under Spanish control until it was ceded to the United States in the Spanish-American War of 1898. In 1952 the island became a commonwealth of the United States and remains so to this day. The city of San Juan is the largest capital in the Caribbean and is considered the cultural heart of Puerto Rico.
Cuisine
Mofongo is a mashed fried green plantain or yautia (a locally grown tuber root vegetable) either stuffed with a variety of fillings (including steak, seafood, chicken, pork or vegetables) or served as a side to a main course. Asopao is a hearty soup made with chicken, rice, sofrito (a zesty seasoning popular in Latin cuisine) and vegetables. Lechón is roast suckling pig, and is considered to be one of the best dishes of Puerto Rican food!
Life Outside the Classroom
There is always something new and exciting to do in Puerto Rico. South Fortaleza Street in Old San Juan, nicknamed Sofo, is one of the premier places to go for students who want to sample the island's rich cuisine. There is also El Yunque, the only subtropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest Service, which is known for its breath taking beauty. Puerto Rico also has over 300 pristine beaches, some of which are considered among the most beautiful in the world. There is a wide variety of museums, shops, and theaters as well as an active nightlife, with many clubs and concerts providing entertainment. Salsa is very popular on the island, and you can easily find clubs and cafes devoted entirely to this style of dance. With outdoor activities such as hiking and horseback riding, kayaking, scuba diving, golf, zip lines and hang gliding students will never want for something to do. Spanish Studies wants you to have fun while studying abroad; however, you are expected to meet all of your academic responsibilities. Check out See Puerto Rico, a website that lists music, theater, and other events currently happening on the island.
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Excursions in Puerto Rico
To enhance your cultural experience in San Juan, Spanish Studies Abroad organizes various excursions, study visits and other activities throughout your semester or summer. These activities are coordinated to enhance your class studies.
Study visits include:
- Ponce
- El Yunque, Tropical Rain Forest
- Bioluminscent Bay in Fajardo
In addition, Universidad del Sagrado Corazón international students program offers opportunities to explore your surroundings and offers field trips planned in or around the curriculum.
Visit our local Facebook page for San Juan, Puerto Rico
Get an idea of typical activities that students are getting up to!
Housing
Students will live on campus in single-sex dorms with Puerto Rican roommates. All dorms are double rooms, and come equipped with refrigerators, shared bathrooms and cooking facilities. Twenty-four hours security ensures the absolute safety of the students. Along with a main cafeteria and several snack bars, students will be able to take full advantage of the rich and delicious culinary culture in the town’s many restaurants and eateries.
University in Puerto Rico
The Universidad del Sagrado Corazón is the oldest private educational institution in Puerto Rico. Three of its buildings, the Main Administration Building, the Portico, and Chapel, have also been listed in the National Register of Historic Sites. Located on 32 acres in the heart of San Juan, the university has both a distinctive campus and an urban environment.
The smaller size of the USC campus creates an atmosphere in which students are able to build support systems and friendships within the tight knit campus community. As a selective, liberal arts institution, USC’s main focus is to educate individuals through an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary educational experience. In the classroom and on campus, students will have the opportunity to interact with their peers and to experience the culture of the university.
Safety
The health and security of students is paramount and USC is active in ensuring the welfare of its students. The dorms have 24-hour security to ensure the students safety. The Programa de Apoyo (PAE) provides with both academic and personal help, and there is also a 24-hour nurse on campus as well as psychological help available in both English and Spanish. Shuttles provide safe and reliable transport for the students, taking them from their dorms into town, where they are able to explore and experience island life.
Other features of USC include:
- Olympic-sized swimming pool
- Library
- Language Lab
- Volunteer office
- Exercise rooms
- Mac lab, along with several other computer rooms
Meet your Resident Director
As Resident Director, I am your go-to person in San Juan. I will help you navigate the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón, point you in the right direction as you develop your intellectual interests, and be there when you need me.
I hope to welcome you and make your visit a rewarding experience, a journey through which you will learn the language while you discover the wonders of Puerto Rico, of the city of San Juan, and of its inhabitants.
Alexandra Vega
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