Embracing Cultures

By: Juliana Gutierrez

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page”

- Saint Augustine

     Certainly, St. Augustine could not have said it better. Viewing stunning sights, savoring unexpected new flavors, filling your lungs with a deep inhale of air, and experiencing all that a place has to offer are only a few of the reasons why I think that traveling is a way to revival the soul and embrace the fascinating and multicultural world we live in. Traveling is not just about getting to a destination. It is about the experiences one encounters and the people that take part in the journey what make each trip an irreplaceable one.

     Throughout my 23 years of age, I have been fortunate enough to have traveled to over 15 different countries in three continents. It was my father who taught me the value of traveling, not just stopping by in a city for a daytrip, but to come in contact with its people, understand their culture, appreciate their traditions and respect them for their beliefs.

With this realization in mind and my background as a journalist, I believe that the opportunity to travel to Puerto Rico and to be in direct contact with Boricuas, will allow me to enhance my knowledge of how the media can change from one country to another and how it can influence society depending on its customs.

     Lastly, the experience on the island combined with the academic 
lessons will set the ideal tools to learn how to use mass media and journalistic techniques in order to portray the uniqueness of a nation with a trustworthy and authentic sense to a faraway audience, making them feel as if they were there, walking around old San Juan or contemplating the turquoise waters of the Caribbean while dipping their toes in Puerto Rico’s golden sand.

Photo by: Juliana Gutierrez

Photo by: Juliana Gutierrez

For more information about Puerto Rico, visit: http://www.seepuertorico.com

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/puerto-rico