Synergy School Puerto Rico 2026
February 8, 2025
We started our day off by going to old San Juan. When we arrived, we were surrounded by colorful buildings and a lively spirit. We took a couple of photos and then a tour guide came to take us around El Morro which is a huge battlefield-like building and were able to look around it and go inside (similar to a museum). There was a huge field and pretty views from the stairs and towers. Afterwards, we walked to a restaurant called El Jibarito. We had the option of chicken, pork and veggie meals. After our delicious meal, we walked more around San Juan to go souvenir shopping. The stores were filled with Puerto Rican keychains, tshirts, and other merchandise. After our shopping spree, it started to rain so we loaded into buses to head back home for a quick swim before the rain got bad. We played games in the water then showered off. We had chicken, salad, and other sides for dinner while swinging on hammocks, laying outside, or chilling on the porch. After we washed dishes and cleaned tables, we headed upstairs to watch Bad Bunny’s Superbowl performance. We laughed at commercials, rooted for our teams, and sang along to our favorite songs.
By Zoe and Valentina
February 9, 2025
Today started by taking a short drive to Corredor Ecológico del Noreste, or ECOSOL. We walked a bit down the trail until it split off into the ocean. From there we got into groups and collected trash around the trail. Along the way we trimmed plants reaching into the way and filled up many trash bags. Once we had finished cleaning, the clouds filled the sky and rain started to pour down onto the path. Moving forward, we walked down a narrow trail leaving sticks along the sides, marking the path. Once we reached the end of the walk, everyone listened as Ramon pointed to the most deadly tree in Puerto Rico which had earned itself a Guiness Record. The tree was named Manzanillo, translating to small apple in english. He explained that the sap of the tree was deadly and killed animals and people who touched it. You may think that it would be easy to just not touch the sap, but once it starts raining, the sap collected on the leaves of the tree drips down and attacks whatever bypasser is currently underneath.
We walked down the path and back into the vans to drive home. Once we got back to the house, we got lunch and the smoothie bar opened upstairs. Everyone waited for the rain to stop so we could go paddle boarding. But since the rain had been pouring, the ocean had opened into the river causing a strong current. We decided to play beach volleyball until the rain started again, and we went back into the house. We took showers and got ready for dinner out in the town.
By Mia B
February 10, 2026
Today we woke up at seven. We sleepy made our way to the vans, and set out for our first day of work at Villa del Rio. We met Willy, Maria, Angel and, Eggy. They taught us all about their jobs and connections to Global Works. We are the second of thirty groups to work this year in Puerto Rico. The only thing was it was raining on and off a lot, we had to slow down our work speed and try to be as careful as possible. Kalin translated for the whole group as instructions were given out. Everyone’s shoes got covered in mud as we worked on shoveling the area for the house’s foundation. We also met Chimuelo (the dog) whose name means “gap tooth” in English. The funny thing was his teeth did not have a gap! We kept working through the conditions (rain) and got a lot done. We finished working on the house and ate lunch at Angel and Maria’s house. Maria cooked us a delicious meal of rice, beans, chicken nuggets, and, salad. We met her adorable and friendly granddaughter, Lelani. On the way back home everyone was tired but got excited quickly when it was time for Paddle Boarding! The first of two groups went as soon as we got back and the second got caught in some rain shortly after. We learned about sea turtles and Mangroves. Everyone showered and ate dinner. Now we are about to have our meeting/debrief on property and how to respect it and our plan for tomorrow.
By Audrey
February 11, 2026
Second Day of homebuilding and Night Hike
Today we woke up at 7 again and had the same breakfast as usual. But today we were gonna move to a different house to start the pouring of the foundation for a bathroom. The mud was not as bad as the day before but still pretty slippery. We finally got to work with concrete and had a passing line going all the way down a big hill. We worked with Angel, Willy, and Eggy again and had lots of fun. Once we finished pouring the walls, we headed over to Maria’s house and had her famous chicken wings and rice. After lunch we headed back to Casa Coral to have a pizza dinner at 5 and left for the night hike. We were the first to do the hike and it wasn’t really a hike but it was still really fun. We learned about the coqui frogs and which one made which sound. We were with Jose, Jose, and Christian, they showed us fireflies, glow in the dark bugs, and snails. We only walked 2 miles, but it was pouring rain. Lots of people were complaining but it wasn’t that bad. After like 1hr, we drove back to Casa Coral to pack up our stuff for the move to the Big Yellow House.
By Zander
February 12, 2026
Last day of homebuilding
Today we woke up at 7 and had a similar breakfast as always. We always have fruit, some type of protein, and like waffles or pancakes. We got into the vans when it was raining and it was raining at the work site. We almost didn’t work because we can’t mix cement when it’s wet. But we decided to go for it. We were working pretty fast and got the roof done in like 1 hour and 15 minutes. After lunch we went to Maria’s house to eat pasta and meatballs. On the way to Maria’s we got split into two van groups because only one van was here. Because of that I had a lot of time and I spent most of it with a dog named Nina (girl). Nina is stuck alone on the porch because she is getting given away so she doesn’t get too attached to the family. Maria’s cooking was amazing as always and I ate pretty much everything. After we ate, we all went to Maria’s living room because her son was playing Fortnite. After that one of my classmates played a game. After that we went to the road to try their bmx bikes. Once the vans arrived we got in the car to The Big Yellow House. We immediately knew which it was because not only was it big and yellow but also because the house has a giant label that said “BIG YELLOW HOUSE.” We took a minute to set up then it was time for dinner. A lot of the community came over and Eggy played volleyball with us. After running around in the gigantic backyard we all went to bed.
By George
February 13, 2026
Cacao Tour
The sun hath risen past thine sight when I was toiling with loam and grunge. To either side of me stood companions of many a year and of strong heart and mind. Though heat halsed upon me, I found refuge beneath a canopy of leaves and fabric. The sound of conversation and humming fauna filled the tender air. But thine fragile peace was shattered by a brutish and savage fiend! Twas the cockroach, such a despicable creature that clung to my elbow. It stood with a great and terrible stature, robbing my being of mirth and levity. I flicked the devil from my person with strength and haste, but alas, its vile figure stays clear in my memory. As I write this, there is distant thunder, as if the sky too was shuddering in disgust.
I can only pray of a night where thine dreams are not haunted by this ghastly demon.
By Zoe F
February 14, 2026
Taino Tour
Today we woke up at 7 as usual, the first sunny morning of the trip. We loaded the vans and drove up the windy roads with a barf free morning. We were greeted by the staff and their dog Cosmo. After an initial orientation we made our way down a very slippery hill to the river. We started with a purple clay bath with 6 million year old clay, and then got to jump off a rock into the frigid but refreshing water. We drifted down the river looking up at the jungle canopy and enjoying the sounds of nature. The petroglyphs we saw were over 5,000 years old, made by the Vikings and Serbians before the Taino time. After basking in the sun and enjoying more river time, we hiked back up the mountain for our closing ceremony. Our tour guides, Mika and Rey, led us through a short meditation and then we all reflected on our experiences of the day and the trip. We were greeted back at the house with an amazing lunch made by Samantha. It was made with all local fresh ingredients and put together into one of the most delicious meals of the trip. After enjoying the meal, we made our way back to the Big Yellow House and then to the beach. The warm water and hot sun was the best thing after a long day and we all enjoyed our last day at the beach. We got back and after a pasta dinner we cleaned up the house and went to bed.
By Kalin
