Barry University students took learning off campus this January, making Puerto Rico their classroom during a six-day field study focused on science, sustainability, and cultural exploration. Nineteen students, accompanied by four Biology faculty members, explored the island’s unique ecosystems while engaging in hands-on learning experiences supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s NextGen Program. Through a collaboration between Barry University’s CRAFT Scholars and the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras IINSTAR-AS Project, students deepened academic knowledge and shared meaningful cultural and scientific exchange with their peers on the island.

They arrived on Three Kings Day, one of Puerto Rico’s most significant holidays, setting the tone for a journey rooted in cultural appreciation. Students explored the historic streets of Old San Juan, visiting iconic landmarks such as El Morro National Park and Castillo San Cristóbal while learning about the island’s colonial past. Cultural immersion continued through local dining experiences along Calle Loíza and a traditional Bomba workshop led by Dr. Pablo Rivera and Afro Legado.

A highlight of the trip was the visit to El Yunque National Forest, where students focused on tropical rainforest ecosystems and endemic amphibian biodiversity. Along the Angelito Trail, students observed local flora and microhabitats during a guided hike led by undergraduate peers from University of PR IINSTAR-AS students. They also received educational sessions on the Puerto Rican parrot and the region’s unique ecological conditions at the El Portal Visitor Center.

The experience continued in Puerto Rico’s mountainous central region, where the focus shifted to sustainability, agroecology, and community-led conservation. In Adjuntas, students visited Casa Pueblo and met with Alexis Massol Gonzalez, a civil engineer and environmentalist who was awarded a Goldman Environmental Prize in 2002. At Casa Pueblo students learned about solar energy initiatives and grassroots forest management efforts before exploring the Bosque Escuela. The journey concluded with visits to Hacienda Tres Ángeles and Café GG Coffee, where students toured working coffee farms and examined traditional and organic agricultural practices through the lens of environmental conservation and sustainability. At the Café GG Barry University students planted a Mango tree on the farm to mark the visit.

This transformative experience exemplifies Barry University’s commitment to experiential learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and preparing students to become thoughtful leaders in science, conservation, and agriculture. This work is supported by the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture “From Learning to Leading: Cultivating the Next Generation of Diverse Food and Agriculture Professionals Program (NextGen),” award number 2023-80440-40161.