I moved from New Jersey to Puerto Rico for a whirlwind romance. I felt a lot of culture shock, but I miss the island now that I’m gone.

I immediately admired the welcoming attitude of the people I met in Puerto Rico

As many New Jersey residents know, blunt and brusque interactions are the norm in the Tristate area. We keep our interactions efficient and to the point.

In some places, like Manhattan, keeping to myself as much as possible served me well. But these old habits made me feel like a fish out of water in Puerto Rico.

One of the first things I noticed when I moved was how friendly the people I met in San Juan were. Whether heading to the grocery store or out for a stroll, I was greeted by a hearty “Buen día” or “Buenas tardes” and a smile.

Soon enough, I became comfortable greeting others on the street and more open to interactions with strangers.

I learned to sit and enjoy food instead of looking at meals as on-the-go endeavors

My mealtimes in northern New Jersey were often hasty endeavors, filled with clipped conversation overshadowed by looming to-do list dread. This urgency was reflected in many of my grab-and-go food choices, such as pizza slices and Taylor ham, egg, and cheese bagel sandwiches.

But in Puerto Rico, many people I ate with encouraged diners to sit down and actually enjoy their food. Though long mealtimes aren’t unheard of in New Jersey, it had been a while since I’d been present for a full meal.

During my stay, I enjoyed foods like mofongo con camarones (crispy plantains and shrimp served alongside vegetables, rice, and beans) and tembleque (a coconut pudding).

Every dish was delectable, with different savory, rich, and vibrant notes coming to life with each bite. But most of all, I appreciated my ability to let go of my preference for rushed mealtimes.

I was surprised by how supportive locals were when I was learning Spanish

With just a few beginner’s Spanish lessons under my belt, diving headfirst into an atmosphere where nearly 95% of the population speaks Spanish felt disorienting.

I purchased a premium Duolingo subscription and ritualized my morning sessions, taking meticulous notes on my ever-growing Spanish vocabulary. Then, I started using it — my first big achievement was ordering un café con leche at my local coffee shop.

Though it was initially petrifying, stepping out of my comfort zone helped me learn the new language. Much to my surprise, many people encouraged my efforts to speak in their native tongue, excusing my grammatical errors with kindness and understanding.

I was used to blunt, to-the-point interactions in New Jersey, so I was initially taken aback by strangers’ understanding nature as I adjusted to speaking Spanish. But thanks to many people’s compassion, slowly but surely, my Spanish improved.

I wouldn’t trade my time in Puerto Rico for the world

My move to Puerto Rico was a transformational experience. In hindsight, this relocation made me a more well-rounded individual with a soft spot for the island.

Though the relationship that brought me to Puerto Rico didn’t last, the island left a mark on me. As a city girl at heart, the transition back into Northeastern culture was seamless — still, I’ll always hold the memories I made on the island dear to my heart.

Spanish lessons remain a treasured part of my daily routine. I’ve found several esteemed Puerto Rican restaurants in New Jersey and still keep in touch with my closest friends from San Juan.

I cherish the memories I made, and a piece of my heart will always remain in Puerto Rico.