Office of Study Abroad

Student Life

Orientation

Prior to the start of the program, the Office of Study Abroad will run a pre-departure meeting to help prepare students for their time abroad. Students will also receive a number of different pre-departure materials addressing the following topics:

• Academic overview
• Cost of attendance
• Money matters in Puerto Rico
• Credit transfer
• Packing preparations
• Arrival information
• Health, safety and risk management

Students will also be required to submit a number of forms prior to departure.

In San Juan, an orientation program will help students adjust to their new environment and familiarize themselves with the various support services available for their use.

Housing and Meals

Students will live in residence halls at the Polytechnic University of San Juan. Students will live in suite-style apartments with double rooms. Each apartment will house 4 to 6 Brandeis students with no more than 2 to an individual bedroom. Residence hall rooms provide XL twin beds, desks, tables, chairs, a wardrobe, a refrigerator, and a microwave. WiFi is available and the residence hall is air conditioned. 

Shared kitchens and laundry facilities are available within the building. Students are responsible for daily meals and buying groceries and cooking tends to become a social experience for the group on the program.

Transportation

The Polytechnic University is on the Tren Urbano, central San Juan's light rail transportation network. Students will take the train each day to and from their lab site at the Molecular Sciences Research Center, the UPR Medical Sciences Campus, or the UPR Rio Piedras Campus. Students should expect a daily commute of 20-30 minutes, but in many cases it may be shorter. A transportation pass will be provided for students to use during the program.

Cultural Excursions

During the course of the program there will be two day-long weekend cultural excursions organized by Brandeis to facilitate greater interaction with Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rican. Brandeis will also organize several cultural events and activities during orientation and over the course of the program. Excursions and activities may include kayaking through the bioluminescent bay, a visit to El Yunque Tropical Rainforest, a cooking class, a walking tour of Old San Juan, and others.

Diversity, Access, and Inclusion

Studying abroad can be an opportunity to step outside your comfort zone and explore new horizons. The Brandeis Office of Study Abroad supports students in reflecting on their own personal identities in preparing for a study abroad experience that will be meaningful and in which they will be supported both in and out of the classroom. Study abroad program staff and past participants have prepared a list of resources related to personal, religious, cultural, and other backgrounds and identities which may be helpful to students considering Brandeis in San Juan. On this Brandeis-Run Program, program staff and faculty strive to ensure that students have access to the resources they need before, during, and after your time on the program to give you the opportunity to learn and grow in a comfortable and supportive environment.

For more resources related to culture and identity, please click here and reach out to your advisor or a Study Abroad Ambassador if you would like to discuss anything further.