Hopkins Community Service Office Leads Student Service Trip to Puerto Rico

During Hopkins’ Spring Break from March 9 to March 12, fourteen Hopkins students and three faculty chaperones traveled to San Juan, Puerto Rico, to volunteer with humanitarian and environmental organizations and immerse themselves in Puerto Rico’s rich history and culture.

The service trip was made possible by the Community Service Office in collaboration with Global Works, a community service-based adventure travel program.

“Our hope is that this experience will inspire students to see themselves as citizens of a much larger community—beyond New Haven or Connecticut—who have the ability to make an impact on a global scale,” said Director of Community Service Alissa Davis.

The service projects brought the group closer to the local community as they worked side by side to rebuild homes destroyed by Hurricane Maria. Their hard work paid off, as they finished construction ahead of schedule, leaving time to enjoy the beach, salsa dancing, and Puerto Rican cuisine.

The group also volunteered at ECOSOL, a nature reserve, where they learned about the importance of protecting natural land from resort development. While there, they explored Puerto Rico’s biodiversity—from coquís to mangroves—gaining a deeper understanding of conservation efforts. Students also experienced the island’s landscape through paddleboarding, kayaking, and hiking.

As noted in the trip’s blog post, the group left Puerto Rico with not only firsthand experience in community service and environmental conservation but also a deeper appreciation for the island and its people.