[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Imagine escaping the cold Minnesota weather for a trip abroad to somewhere warm and sunny. Sounds amazing, right? Now imagine earning credits for that same trip.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Over winter break, I had the wonderful opportunity to do just that and travel to Puerto Rico through a Winona State faculty-led travel study program.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I jumped at the chance to go on this trip because I\u2019ve always loved biology and learning more about the world around us.<\/span><\/p>\n Getting to experience Puerto Rican culture was another selling point for me because I know that understanding different perspectives will help me better advocate and care for my patients as a future nurse.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Let me tell you more about some of the major trip highlights:<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/03\/Emma-Haugen-sunrise-1280.jpg” title_text=”Emma-Haugen-sunrise-1280″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n We traveled to many places in Puerto Rico, our first stop being Old San Juan.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There was so much history and culture there, and the color and architecture of the buildings were absolutely beautiful.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Here, we also saw Castillo San Crist\u00f3bal, which is considered the largest fortress that was built in the Americas to protect the city of San Juan. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/03\/Emma-Haugen-group-fortress-1280.jpg” title_text=”Emma-Haugen-group-fortress-1280″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n After Old San Juan, we traveled to 2 caves: the Manat\u00ed Nature Preserve Bat Cave and La Cueva Ventana (also known as the Window Cave).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I\u2019d never seen a real cave before, and the view at the Window Cave was truly a moment like Hozier\u2019s yell.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/03\/Emma-Haugen-cave-1280.jpg” title_text=”Emma-Haugen-cave-1280″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Then we went to Lo\u00edza where we took a Bomba dancing workshop.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This definitely got us all out of our comfort zones, and it\u2019s a memory we\u2019ll share together forever because it was a full immersion into a big part of Puerto Rican culture.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We also traveled to an island off of Puerto Rico called Culebra. We snorkeled with sea turtles and toured various beaches.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=”Emma Haugen \u201927″ job_title=”Nursing major and Nutrition minor” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n It really is amazing how beautiful our world is. There\u2019s so much out there waiting to be explored!<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Once we made it to Ponce, we toured the city, then swam and snorkeled some more in a bioluminescent bay.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This was a surreal experience because at the snap of your fingers you could see the little microorganisms (for my fellow STEM nerds: dinoflagellates) glow like sparks.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/03\/Emma-Haugen-snorkeling-1280.jpg” title_text=”Emma-Haugen-snorkeling-1280″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Nearing the last days of our trip, we also visited the only National Rainforest in the United States: El Yunque National Rainforest. And oh, it was so beautiful.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The vegetation was cool to see because it truly thrived. We also saw some waterfalls and got to slide down a natural waterslide.<\/span><\/p>\n Due to it being a biology trip, we took lots of samples along the way.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We sampled vacant spiderwebs and water from various locations to test for eDNA, or environmental DNA. eDNA helps us understand what organisms live or once lived in the sample area.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n (Some students from our trip are using these samples in their Biology capstone project. They plan to present their research at the Research & Creative Achievement Day in April.)<\/span><\/p>\n We also went inside some bat caves, where we recorded their echolocation. That was such a cool experience\u2014I\u2019d never been so close to bats before, let alone listened to so many of them at once.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2026\/03\/Emma-Haugen-group-1280.jpg” title_text=”Emma-Haugen-group-1280″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_heading title=”Final Words” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Being able to get outside the 4 walls of a classroom taught me so much and gave me memories that will last a lifetime. It also gave me a deeper appreciation for saying \u201cyes\u201d and stepping into the unknown. There\u2019s so much out there waiting to be explored!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I cannot recommend studying abroad enough. The Winona State Study Abroad Office makes it so easy\u2014they plan and provide all the info you need, including the packing list!<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial job_title=”Emma Haugen \u201927″ company_name=”Nursing major and Nutrition minor” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n There are also lots of scholarships available that can help you fund your trip. Even receiving just one helps.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n That\u2019s what I did, and I was able to receive a scholarship that was very helpful in covering my trip costs.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n