Intercultural Encounters of Puerto Rican Migrants

Abstract

Puerto Rican migration to and from the United States is one of the world's most sustained population displacements that entails both positive and negative psychosocial experiences for both societies. The focus of this study is on the nature of the college student migrant's encounter with the Puerto Rican culture within a higher education context. Results show that reentry is not equivalent to homecoming and that in many instances first time entry into the new environment is less troublesome than returning to the environment of origin. The following variables emerged as playing an important role in the process of reentry: language, length of exposure to culture, length of college experience, gender, and age of migrant. Participants reported on negative and positive qualities of their environment, resulting that the physical environment is a meaningful component of the overall reentry experience. The library, bookstore, and campus grounds all appear as important parts of their experience. The most favorable perception of the physical features of the environment was held by the youngest, females, those who have lived longer in Puerto Rico, and those with less years of education.