Study Abroad Programs in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico was once the hub of the New World; today, San Juan is still one of the most important cities in the Caribbean. Instead of gold, ideas and knowledge are the currency.

What subjects to study? San Juan is a great place to become immersed in the Spanish language. To study abroad in San Juan is to be situated in an international city, ideal for studying history, cultural studies, business, and even nursing. Instruction is primarily in English, but living in San Juan gives students the opportunity to improve Spanish skills.

Short term and summer programs vs. long term programs (semester, trimester, and year-long). Program length is a major consideration when picking from study abroad programs in San Juan. Keep in mind that short-term language programs tend to be more flexible, having more start dates and lasting a matter of weeks, while subject-specific courses often require the commitment of a full term.

Attending universities vs. other program types. Private language schools have the advantage of flexibility, though attending a program that partners with an accredited university would provide the opportunity to take courses in your field of study and, in most cases, to transfer the credits back to your home institution.

While traveling to Puerto Rico from the United States is as easy as getting on a plane to any other state, San Juan isn’t like any American city. San Juan is distinguished by its multi-cultural, colonial heritage, which permeates every aspect of life. Puerto Rico’s heritage is made immediately evident by the ubiquitous use of Spanish, which has been the official language since colonization and is spoken in just about all settings. San Juan study abroad students can get by with only English, but it would be nearly impossible to not absorb at least some of the language.

To make up for shipping costs, consumer goods are usually more expensive than on the Mainland. A one-bedroom apartment outside the central districts runs about $1000 monthly, though many San Juan study abroad programs arrange student housing, which provides the chance to brush shoulders with classmates. For those who want to soak up as much of the local flair as possible, homestays can be arranged.

Getting around is easy! Puerto Rico has an extensive public transit system consisting of urban and interurban buses, trolleys, ferries, and rail, which makes much of the city and the whole island accessible on a student’s budget. 

If you are keen to steer clear of the beaten path, you don’t have to look far and wide for the most remote locale—studying in San Juan can be just as meaningful (and surprisingly accessible)! Puerto Rico has a culture that isn’t found elsewhere in the U.S., and studying in San Juan will provide ample opportunities to meet locals and to become immersed in the milieu of heritage that makes the Caribbean what it is. Enjoy the beaches and surf culture, but also check out the lush mountainous regions of the island’s inland.

Our advice would be to dive in headfirst, because Puerto Rico is open to those who wish to know more. Numerous world-class museums and galleries, ranging in scope from history and anthropology to art and science, make it easy to learn about the former Spanish colony and its heritage. Be sure to make it to the offshore island of Flamenco, which is accessible by bus and ferry. A day bookended with cafe con leche in the morning and a piña colada in the evening (at the drink’s birthplace!) can be every bit as meaningful, even if you are spending American dollars.

San Juan seamlessly marries its pre-contact and colonial history with its modern identity. The city is simultaneously familiar and intriguing to anyone familiar with cities in the United States, blending with aplomb its American connections with the culture, lifestyle, and food found only in the Caribbean. Whether you are considering taking your studies overseas for a year or have a month to buckle down on language learning, San Juan will provide ample opportunity for you to become enveloped in its music, food, culture, and history and, what’s more, it can serve as a hub for travels to other Caribbean destinations.

Read our comprehensive guide on where and what to study in Puerto Rico!