Students in Puerto Rico
Group in Ponce near La Cruzeta
Group in Ponce near the Town's Square
Group in front of Seralles Castle, Ponce
Students in Puetro Rico
Pharmacy Scholars Highlights from NewsNotes
Our short-term study abroad trip to Puerto Rico was the most amazing experience! We had 16 amazing Pharmacy Honors and Scholars and Doctor of Pharmacy students and 5 equally fantastic faculty/staff facilitators travel to Puerto Rico March 19th-25th. Our group stayed in Condado (an area within San Juan) where we then travelled to the regions of Fajardo, Humacao, and Ponce throughout the experience. We had the honor and pleasure of meeting Dr. Norman Maldonado, who is the President Emeritus of the University of Puerto Rico. Dr. Maldonado helped lead Puerto Rico's health care reform and was a liason to President Clinton's Health Care Committee. Dr. Maldonado gave an enlightening presentation on A Historical Overview of Tropical and Other Diseases in Puerto Rico.
Other experiences during this extraordinary trip included a visit to El Yunque rain forest where students had the opportunity to hike through the rain forest and swim in one of the waterfalls; a visit to the Caribbean Primate Center where students could observe Rhesus Monkeys living freely on the island; two fabulous authentic Puerto Rican dinners were prepared by the mothers of two of our facilitators!!; swimming in the Bioluminescent Bay (some kayaked through the mangroves to the Bay, while others took a boat--this is where we witnessed enormous iguanas and a Boa Constrictor sleeping soundly in the trees), this Bay glowed at night from microscopic dinoflagellates, almost like sparklers in the water; a walking tour of historical Old San Juan and El Morro fortress; a visit to the University of Puerto Rico's School of Pharmacy--we toured its facilities, met the Dean and Associate Dean of the School, listened to a presentation by a faculty member, and mingled with students from the College of Pharmacy; and many more memorable experiences, which, of course, included an amazing night of salsa dancing (yes, all the students participated in this and had so much fun!!).
During Winter Quarter we conducted a course, where we learned about the history, culture, current issues, and health care system in Puerto Rico. Each student made a presentation on a topic germane to our Spring Break trip.
This was such a fantastic and memorable trip. Our group reunited this Spring quarter to share pictures, fun memories, and overall feedback regarding the trip. The students and faculty/staff were so tremendous throughout this trip that each of us has plenty of stories to share with others! We'll never forget our experience on this beautiful and extraordinary island!!
Submitted by Jennifer Pecora, Director of Undergraduate Programs, College of Pharmacy
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| Photo of a Rhesus' Monkey at the Caribbean Primate Center | Group in Old San Juan on the walking tour |
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| Group in Old San Juan | |
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