JV's Puerto Rico Experience: stage 1 of foreign student psychology-everything´s amazing!

I´ve been through this before. Oh, the island. I can hardly imagine I’m in the carribbean soaking up the best of life here. I know this place isn’t paradise because there are people that are struggling to survive everyday and feed their families, but there is something about this place that is enchanting. People sacrifice work so they can be with their families or chat with their friends, and many realize that money is just a means for them to be able to survive. It’s not just a different language, it’s a different definition of reality. The language paints reality in a way which makes Spanish not merely a mode of communication, but a lifestyle as well. For example, Spanish speakers like to shed responsibility from themselves by saying se me olvidó el lapiz(the pencil forgot me) instead of me olvidé el lapis(I forgot the pencil). In my culture, we are taught to take responsibility for things, and I know this is just a simple example, but it offers a window into a new psyche and constraint of reality. Most people seem to take responsibility for their own actions, but it´s the fact that they still say it that shows a difference in a way of thinking.

Kenny Chesney is a gringo like me that shares the urge to be next to the ocean breeze, relaxing and just enjoying life as it is very fleeting, and living in the moment. It is a philosophy that I enjoy, and realize that some aren’t able to do it, so I am very thankful. I will be doing more volunteer work around the world so maybe they can share my dream one day. I would like to get a job at a bar by the beach and just be a beach bum for a year, whoever said I had to jump into a career right out of college.

I need to be fluent in Spanish, get some internships, learn French, and make some money while having a good time.

I don’t like to be lazy, but I love relaxing. I like to work for my rewards, so I will stay active physically, mentally, and spiritually. Time to start cooking some great meals!