Cultural Expressions of Puerto Rico
SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO
SPACE IS VERY LIMITED AND FILLS UP QUICKLY, SO REGISTER EARLY!!
**We reserve the right to change any of the activities listed, should any of them be unavailable for any reasons.
July 11 – 14, 2026
October 3 – 6, 2026
November 7 – 10, 2026
Cultural expressions are the ways in which people communicate their cultural values, beliefs, and traditions through art, words, and actions. In this class you will learn the cultural expressions of the Boricua, through music, dance, art, language and food. Boricua is more than a word to identify a person from Puerto Rico by birth or descent. It’s a way of life that is about embracing every moment with passion and joy.
This 4-day hands-on class is designed to expand your understanding of Puerto Rican heritage through engaging activities and local experiences of many aspects of Puerto Rican life including its culture, history, music and food – the Boricua way.
Key Topics & Experiences:
– The history and significance of Puerto Rico by visiting Old San Juan, stopping at iconic landmarks like El Morro, and Maria Magdalena Cemetery.
– Visiting La Perla, a historic seaside neighborhood in Old San Juan, which will offer a deeper understanding of the island’s complex social fabric, rich cultural identity, and ongoing efforts at community transformation. While La Perla was once stigmatized due to poverty and crime, it has become an emblem of resilience, creativity, and grassroots pride.
– We will stop in Santurce to checkout Street Art and take pictures of the Murals.
– The indigenous Taíno roots by visiting the Loiza neighborhood and learning how to dance Bomba.
– A demonstration of Vejigante masks – a central figure in local cultural expressions. The masks are not only artistic expressions but also carry deep cultural and historical meanings.
– A culinary demonstration where you’ll learn how to prepare traditional dishes such as Alcaparra stuffed with ground beef or potatoes and cod fish fritters. You’ll not only savor these mouth-watering delicacies but also understand their cultural significance and origins.
– Visit to Estudio de Arte Samuel Lind, a renowned art gallery and studio located in Loíza, dedicated to showcasing the vibrant Afro-Puerto Rican culture through various art forms. This experience will provide insight into contemporary artistic expressions while fostering discussions about identity and community through various artistic lenses.
Students will reflect on their experiences and engage in a cultural exchange, sharing what they’ve learned and how it resonates with their own backgrounds. Each student will leave not only with new knowledge and memories but also with a deeper appreciation for Puerto Rico’s rich culture.
Attendance IS MANDATORY all days during the class in Puerto Rico. You are expected to be in class on time every day, including the first day and last day, so choose flights accordingly.
First Day: Class starts at 12:00 PM in Condado/Santurce area. The latest that you should arrive at the airport is 10:00am
Last Day: Class ends at 3:00pm in the Condado/Santurce area. The earliest you should book a flight out is 5:00pm
If you miss any class hours you will risk not receiving your certificate! Please note, that this is a long weekend intensive class and the days are long. Bring comfortable shoes, appropriate clothing, water & snacks. We expect you to come to class rested and ready to participate, learn and have fun!
DAY 1: 12:00PM – 8:00PM
DAY 2: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
DAY 3: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
DAY 4: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
**Daily pick-up & drop-off will be from the Santurce/Condado area.
– Tuition fees
– 3 x nights of shared accommodations (This varies based on selection during registration)
– One traditional Puerto Rican lunch
– Local transportation costs to and from all class activities
– All course material
– Airfare to/from San Juan Puerto Rico
– Hotel Accommodations (if not selected during registration)
– Transportation to/from the airport
– Meals (except for one traditional Puerto Rican lunch)
– Registration fees (platform and credit card processing fees)
In addition to the in-person meetings, this class will include pre-assignments and post-assignments as part of the 72-hour class.
You will be invited to join Google Classroom about a month before class starts, which is the platform we use for the course. Check your spam folder, as invitations to join Google Classroom sometimes end up there. Please make sure you register for the course with a valid email address, since this is where you will receive the invitation and later, your certificate. Your email has to be Google compatible, so it’s best to use gmail, outlook, hotmail or yahoo. If you do not receive a notification to join Google Classroom, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to contact us.
Pre-assignments will be posted on Google Classroom 3 weeks before class starts. Make sure you join Google Classroom early and complete the assignments BEFORE coming to class. It will take you approximately 18 hours to complete
Follow-up assignments will be posted on Google Classroom on the weekend of class, and also consist of 18 hours. You must complete them in order to receive your course completion certificate. Course completion certificates will be emailed to you, a few days after the class has officially ended. You will have 3 weeks to complete the assignments. If you need your certificate earlier, please indicate it during the registration process and we will email it to you as soon as you successfully complete all assignments.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Identify and explain key elements of Puerto Rican culture, including its music, dance, food, art, and language, and their roots in Taíno, African, and Spanish traditions.
2. Analyze how cultural expressions—such as Bomba dancing, vejigante mask-making, and culinary traditions—communicate values, identity, and historical memory in Puerto Rican society.
3. Describe the historical and cultural significance of major landmarks in Old San Juan, including El Morro and María Magdalena Cemetery, and explain their relevance to Puerto Rican heritage.
4. Examine the transformation of La Perla from a stigmatized community to a symbol of resilience and creativity, and discuss its role in contemporary Puerto Rican culture.
5. Participate actively in cultural practices such as Bomba dance and Puerto Rican cooking, reflecting on their experiential and educational value.
6. Interpret visual and performance art—especially at Estudio de Arte Samuel Lind—as a lens to explore Afro-Puerto Rican identity and community narratives.
7. Engage thoughtfully in dialogue about current social, political, and environmental issues affecting Puerto Rico, including questions of identity, sustainability, and self-governance.
8. Reflect personally on the cultural immersion experience and articulate how Puerto Rican cultural expressions connect with or differ from their own cultural backgrounds.
9. Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and respect in all interactions, showing awareness of the significance of community-based experiences in shaping cultural understanding.