Culture; a smaller scale melting pot
Yet another great reason to visit the fantastic territory of Puerto Rico is due to it’s wonderful society and culture.
The white sandy beaches of this exotic locale are drenched in decades of culture and rich history which are bound to be interesting to an anthropologie major, world history major, or in general any major. To describe the culture better would be putting it simply as; Puerto Rican culture is complex, or colorful. Culture in Puerto Rico is a series of visual manifestations and interactions with the environment that make a region and group of people different than the rest of the world. Puerto Rico, without a doubt has several unique characteristics that distinguish their culture from any other.
The people of Puerto Rico are a cultural and racial mix. Being made up of Chinese, Latinos, Americans, Africans, Spaniards, and Cubans. Puerto Rico is truly a melting pot of different racial ethnicities.
Essentially Puerto Rico offers a diverse culture to the knowledgeable college student and seeks to entertain and enlighten the visitors with its true melting pot type of persona.
Come to Puerto Rico, and enjoy the multitude of natural offerings it has: pajuil, parcha, mamey sapote, jobo, grosella, anon, and of course, coco (coconut). When one allows themselves to be submerged in this culture and experience its natural local offerings, the experience is akin to salvation, “The fat boy opened his mouth to coco frio, a coconut chilled, then scalped by a machete so that a straw could inhale the clear milk. The boy tilted the green shell overhead and drooled coconut milk down his chin” - Martin Espada (Coca-Cola and Coco Frio).
This poem shows Puerto Rico and its natural offerings in all their wonder. Even in the poem when the locals lose sight of what they have in front of them, the resources of the island come through evident and entrance a young American boy, showing the power of the islands natural resources and traditions.
Afraid of missing home too much by doing a study-abroad in Puerto Rico? Fear not! Like people all over the world, the cultures of other countries fascinates even the Puerto Ricans. Just as America has traditional polish food, japanese candy, and mexican taquerias, Puerto Rico has some of your American favorites too, as seen by the poem Coca-Cola and Coco Frio by Martin Espada.
“At every table, some great aunt would steer him with cool-spotted hands to a glass of Coca-Cola. One even sang to him, in all the english she could remember, a Coca-Cola jingle from the forties”
Due to the close connection between America and its territory, Puerto Rico, both of the countries have a tendancy to pick up habits of the other. In this poem, Puerto Rico is shown as taking on the culture of America, absorbing it as it temporarily turns away its own.
While 85% of the Puerto Rican population is Roman Catholic, the territory still celebrates freedom of faith, allowing for a multitude of other religions to be celebrated. This includes religions ranging from very traditional like Anglican to more unusual religions such as Mayombe. Others include Judaism, Christianity, Palo Mayombe, Protestant (with 8% of the population as a following), and Taino. With this large mix of religions, there is a form of worship for all people, allowing for a positive community.
Politics! One of the many reasons to visit exotic Puerto Rico for your semester abroad!
Hello Students!
Now that you’re thinking of going to Puerto Rico for your semester abroad, you should know a little bit about the politics governing the island. It will help you on your tropical journey to know how the politics will govern your trip and also factor into your learning experience on the island (I’m looking at you history and government majors).
To start, Puerto Rico is a self-governing commonwealth in association with the United States. The chief of state is the President of the United States of America. The head of government is an elected Governor. There are two legislative chambers: the House of Representatives, 51 seats, and the Senate, 27 seats. Puerto Rico has authority over its internal affairs. United States controls: interstate trade, foreign relations and commerce, customs administration, control of air, land and sea, immigration and emigration, nationality and citizenship, currency, maritime laws, military service, military bases, army, navy and air force, declaration of war, constitutionality of laws, jurisdictions and legal procedures, treaties, radio and television—communications, agriculture, mining and minerals, highways, postal system; Social Security, and other areas generally controlled by the federal government in the United States. Puerto Rican institutions control internal affairs unless U.S. law is involved, as in matters of public health and pollution. The major differences between Puerto Rico and the 50 states are exemption from some aspects of the Internal Revenue Code.
There are many reasons people should go to Puerto Rico, especially college students interested in government and politics as by visiting this island one learns a lot about the United States government in turn, such as how it is run and connected to the United States. You as a history or political science major (or pretty much any major) can learn first hand about the government running the small island of Puerto Rico and in turn get a greater respect for how the United States government is run. It is like the United States government but from an outsiders perspective, so as a college student you are essentially able to look into a mirror and study how other people view our government.
