Today was our final day with our host families! We started off the day going to church, and a small group of us sang La Paz de la Tierra (The Peace of the Earth) for the congregation. At lunch, the old reliable Five Crowns card game got pulled out. (Not to call anyone out, but … Keep reading »
Puerto Rican Identities in Puerto Rico
Welcome to the 2025 Puerto Rican Identities SST course blog. Students will arrive in San Juan on April 30. Terry Martin is the faculty leader and Raquel Montanez Gonzalez is the student life leader. Terry teaches Spanish and Raquel teaches biology at Goshen College.
El último día completo en Aibonito
17 Mayo 2025 Escrito por Henry Meyer Hola, wepa, una notita. Hay un blog en español y uno en inglés. Este es el blog en español. If you want to read the English version, click on the blog with the english title. Hoy fue el último día completo con las familias anfitrionas en Aibonito. Mañana … Keep reading »
The Last Full Day in Aibonito
17 May 2025 Written by Henry Meyer Hey, quick note. There is a blog in English, and one in Spanish. This is the English one. Si quieres leer el blog en español, selecciona la versión con el título en español. Today was the last full day with our host families in Aibonito. Tomorrow we will … Keep reading »
A Day at Betania
Camila Pérez-Diener The day started off at 9 am at Betania, a private Mennonite school right outside of Aibonito Puerto Rico. We were planning to do some work around the school that was intended to be done on Monday, but because of complications had been delayed. Fernando, one of the host dads, shared four different … Keep reading »
El Día de la Madre in Puerto Rico
Today we spent our time with our host families. We joined them at morning church. I (Pame) went with my host mother and her sister to their Evangelical Church called Betania Church. Today they had a service regarding Mother’s Day and it was a small crowd. I enjoyed how many of the people from the … Keep reading »
Cherishing Moments Together
Today was a recreational day with host families. While some students went to Los Chorritos de Villalba, the students from El Barrio de la Plata went to La Playa Escambrón in San Juan. It was a day of rest and refreshment after long days full of activities. The students of La Plata lounged in … Keep reading »
Day 9 — Visiting Hospital Menonita de Aibonito & Going to Host Families
Today was the last day of staying at Salesianos, a Catholic retreat in Aibonito. In the morning, we visited Hospital Menonita de Aibonito (Mennonite Hospital of Aibonito). In small groups, we toured the hospital with the chaplain. We started in the chapel, where the only religious symbol was a wooden cross. Approximately 86% of the … Keep reading »
Parque Forestal La Marquesa
This morning we began earlier than previous days, most of us groggily getting ready and grabbing a quick breakfast before waiting for our ride at 7:15 am. Unfortunately, some of our members were sick, so they had to stay back and miss the field trip. The rest of us loaded into the suped-up school bus—named … Keep reading »
Our First Full Day in Aibonito – May 7
Today was our first full day in Aibonito, and we had the opportunity to explore the town through a scavenger hunt activity. We started our morning at Casa Museo Federico Degetau, where we learned about one of Puerto Rico’s commissioners and lawyers. Our tour guide showed us many artifacts, such as an antique barber chair … Keep reading »
Casa Pueblo, Butterflies, and Change
Today was a travel day that ended up being so much more than that. We started our morning bright and early — bags packed and ready to go by 8:20 a.m. After breakfast, we headed to Casa Pueblo in Adjuntas, where we were welcomed into a space that’s been central to Puerto Rican environmental activism … Keep reading »