Hopkins School Puerto Rico 2025
March 9, 2025
Our tour of Puerto Rico was a wonderful experience, full of rich history and unique architecture. The blue brick roads leading from the port set the tone for the journey, and despite the heat, we found the tour to be thoroughly enjoyable. We learned about the fascinating history, like how Juan Ponce de León was buried near a tree and fountain, reflecting his search for the Fountain of Youth. The Princess Promenade, dedicated to Princess María, was a peaceful path lined with gardens and restaurants named in her honor. We also learned about pirates versus privateers—pirates were often killed, while privateers were paid and respected. One standout spot was the Yellow House, the smallest colonial home in the Western Hemisphere, measuring just 5 feet wide and three stories tall. Casa Blanca, still owned by the government, offered a glimpse into the island’s vibrant culture. We supported local restaurants and tried delicious dishes like mofongo and tostones, while fresh gelato, especially mango fresa, was a treat. The beach was a highlight, with crystal-clear waters, great music, and fun photos. Above all, getting to know everyone on the trip made the experience even more enjoyable.
By: Chaima, Avonna, Aashi, Thomas
March 10, 2025
Today we got a glimpse of what life is like for those affected by hurricane Maria. We arrived at the worksite and were introduced to members of the community including William, Angel and María. We felt welcomed and we came together as a team to get the job done! Despite the language barrier between some of our students and the community leaders, we were able to support one another by using student-translators and demonstrations. We shared laughter and delicious chicken and rice during our lunch break made by María to strengthen our bodies and minds midway through our work. In the second half of the day, we continued to bond and learn new jobs, which led the project to become more cohesive. We had fun playing games during the van ride back to the Big Yellow House, followed by a relaxing time at the beach after our long day hard at work. We ended the night with a salsa dance lesson taught by Yara! Everybody contributed to the positive energy, which made it a great way to end our day!
By: Jesse, Daniela, Riley
March 11, 2025
Today was the fourth day of our trip! Many accomplishments were made, and lifelong friendships formed! Due to our determination, work ethic, and companionship we were able to finish the final four walls and felt extremely accomplished afterwards. With construction work finished earlier than intended, we used the extra free time to gather once more under the Caribbean sun at our local beach: teaching each other basic swim lessons, playing catch with a coconut, or simply bonding together to build the best sand castle. Lastly, to celebrate our last night in the Big Yellow House, and our friend Joaquin’s birthday, we gathered in the yard and filled the night air with music, laughter, and savory and sweet smells of cultural dishes and pastries. Our most memorable moment was knowing that in only two days we were able to work together, against challenges of language barriers, and beaming rays to create something more than ourselves. We felt that our work alongside the community members was worthwhile, not just because of the lessons and skills we gained but because of the memories and impacts we made within the community.
By: Samia, Bridget, Jenson and Joaquin
March 12, 2025
During our fifth day in Puerto Rico, we connected with nature: cows, coquís, native plants, and rivers. As we volunteered at ECOSOL, a nature reserve, we learned about the importance of protecting natural land from resort construction. We encountered cows on a nature walk that ended with a beautiful vista of both river and ocean, illustrating the native beauty of the island. Our knowledgeable guide showed us endemic plants that are only found in Puerto Rico, highlighting the importance of conservation and maintaining biodiversity. In the afternoon, we paddle boarded and kayaked in a river right next to our lodging. We saw mangroves, took a moment to listen to coquis, and learned about turtle conservation and past Spanish policy that hurt the local fauna and flora — some of us also tested our balance! To celebrate our last night together, we closed with a reflection activity, appreciated our growth throughout the week, and played our final rounds of charades, dominos, and banagrams.
By: Maeve, Lily & A’nai
