Hi! I’m Judith Rowland and I am a senior Political Science student. I studied abroad last year through ISEP in the United Kingdom at the University of Central Lancashire and then also through ISEP at the University of Ghana. I’ve blogged regularly about these experiences and would encourage you to view my posts at judithrowland.blogspot.com! This semester I am studying at the University of Puerto Rico- Cayey through the National Student Exchange program. I picked this University because I am very interested in the relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States and also in looking closer at Latin American and Caribbean culture. Puerto Rico is culturally a major link between Central America and the United States so I knew that it would provide an interesting view into a unique culture.

At my University I am one of three international students. This is a very unique experience as study away programs usually provide students with a community of other foreign nationals. Moreso than my time in the UK and Ghana I think I am getting a truly “organic experience”. I am the only non-Latino person in my city! The most challenging element of my experience has been the language barrier. I have completed a minor in Spanish but am not yet fluent. I have to work a lot harder than my Puerto Rican classmates to understand the lectures and the readings! Though I have only been here for a week and a half, my Spanish language abilities have improved exponentially!

I’ve noticed that women make up about 75% of enrolment at Universities across Puerto Rico. As Puerto Rico develops a stronger economy and begins to shed archaic notions of gender identity, more and more women are taking the chance to get a college degree. The students are all very kind to me but are quick to notice that I look and speak differently. I have had students in each of my classes offer to lend me notes. I am very pleased with the academic environment here and am looking forward to a series of new adventures!