Study, Work or Volunteer in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is situated in the Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic. Puerto Rico is under the U.S. customs jurisdiction. Borders are open between Puerto Rico and the U.S., allowing for free movement of people and merchandise. Spanish and English are the official languages, but Spanish is without a doubt the dominant language. English is spoken for about 1/4 of the population-with limited capabilities. English is required in all federal matters. English is spoken in all major tourist areas. Puerto Rican culture is a mix of 4 cultures, African, Taino, Spanish, and more recently, North American. Much of their cultures centers on the influence of music. Baseball is the most popular sport in Puerto Rico. Boxing, basketball, and volleyball are also popular. Actually, they have the third most boxing world champions and its global leader in champions as capita.

Puerto Rico has one of the most vibrant economies in the Caribbean region. Dairy production and other livestock products are the main source of income in the agricultural sector. Tourism has been an important source of income for the island, with estimated arrivals of nearly 3.9 million tourists in 1993, and a 7% of the Island's GNP. The construction of the Puerto Rico Convention Center is another sign of the country’s current advantage in the tourism industry.