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A group of nine William Paterson students learned about the psychology of travel in a spring break trip to Puerto Rico as part of a one-credit Honors College course, People, Culture, and Community of San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The course, taught by Michael Gordon, professor of psychology and interim director of the Honors College Cognitive Science Track, was designed to introduce students to phenomena associated with traveling that are known to affect a person’s well-being and mood regulation.
“My focus for the course is to help the students understand those concepts and to use them to support their own well-being in the years ahead. For example, having pleasant events planned for one’s future can create a feeling of hope and optimism,” says Gordon, who is in the early stages of working on a book on the topic. “Planning travel, in particular, can be a powerful force for optimism. Following a trip, having memories and photos that can be savored, and that process of savoring, also has benefits for well-being.”
To prepare for the trip, students were required to read research on the topic and delve into how to incorporate those concepts into their lives. They also read about the culture and history of Puerto Rico, including art, music, historic sites, and other attractions, to build a plan for the trip, which included visits to Spanish forts, museums, and the El Yunque national park, Caribbean beaches and the bioluminescent bay in Fajardo.
The trip also included civic service opportunities. “Some of the enrolled students have families on the island and providing service to it was an important way to honor our visit,” Gordon says.
For Gabrielle Tollinchi, a junior majoring in English whose family is from Puerto Rico, the trip provided a profound and comprehensive understanding of the island’s history and culture. “While I had previously visited Puerto Rico for family gatherings and vacations, this experience was markedly different, offering a much deeper, more enriching perspective,” she says.
One particularly significant experience, she says, was volunteering at La Providencia in Old San Juan, a rehabilitation center for women recovering from substance abuse. “We assisted in repainting their kitchen, and throughout our time there, we learned about the center's holistic approach to rehabilitation. Contributing to this cause was not only rewarding but also deeply moving,” she says. “This study abroad experience has been transformative, both personally and academically. This journey has enriched my understanding of my heritage and has profoundly shaped my views on Puerto Rico, not only as a Puerto Rican woman but also as a student deeply engaged in the study of history, culture, and social issues.”
Miguel Aguilar-Delgado, a senior majoring in social work, says the trip was one of the best experiences he has ever had. “It's incredible to feel the love that Puerto Ricans have for their island,” he says. “You can see when you talk with local people like taxi drivers, residents, and restaurant owners who refer to Puerto Rico and say they don't want to leave their land.”
“But for me,” Aguilar-Delgado adds,” the best experience was meeting amazing people from different backgrounds. It's funny because at the beginning of this class, we were complete strangers but after the days enjoying the time in Puerto Rico we became more and more close.”
Gordon and his students are very grateful to Dean Barbara Andrew of the Honors College, and the Provost’s Office, for providing financial support for the trip. Gordon added that this was “truly a unique experience of our University. We met lots of students visiting the island while we traveled, but this course, the support of our institution, and the opportunity to go deeper into Puerto Rican culture were truly extraordinary.”
