Puerto Ricans in London

I expected that upon coming to London, I would learn a lot about UK culture, and I have. I am proud of the way I have changed to fit in and become comfortable with the way of life in England. However, I am even more impressed with the changes that have occurred in my relationship with my own culture. I have grown to understand the American culture and the ways it differs from that of Europe. 

Most of all, I am proud of how I have grown in my relationship with Puerto Rican and Latin American culture. I have always tried to stay in touch with my culture by learning Spanish and spending time with other Latinos when I can, but the only other Puerto Ricans that I have ever been close to have been my family. 

I was placed with my flatmates randomly, and Karla just happened to be one of them. She was born and raised in San Juan, and is as Puerto Rican as you can get. We immediately had something in common and quickly became friends. 

Since then, we have had many conversations about our culture, the aspects that we share, and those that we don’t.  We have discovered a part of our culture together by going to salsa classes. Karla has pointed out things about me that I never would have attributed to being Puerto Rican, but very well could be a product of culture. She has taught me a ton, and I have taught her a few things. On just the surface level, we speak the same language and have the same comfort foods, but culture goes a lot deeper than that. 

Our other American flatmates have commented on more than one occasion how gracious of a hostess Karla is. No matter how briefly someone enters our flat, they are always offered juice, water, or coffee at least once. As it is with most Latinos, her family is the most important thing in the world to her. Not only that, but family doesn’t just mean blood. In Puerto Rico, any older person in your life can be your grandma or your aunt. 

I know a lot about Puerto Rican culture, and I am learning more every day, but there are some things I will never fully understand. We don’t really learn about the history of PR or its status in relation to the United States government in school, but the topic is on the minds of many Puerto Rican residents. The trauma of living through Hurricane Maria still lives in the cultural memory of the island, and they still deal with random blackouts in electricity. I can sympathize and listen, but I will never know what that’s like. 

This week, I joined Karla on a trip to Italy with her brother and some of their friends. They are all very nice, and I’ve had a great time, but it hasn’t been without its difficulties. Even though I am also Puerto Rican, I am decidedly the cultural minority in the group because I didn’t grow up on the island. My Spanish serves me well, but it’s not perfect. There have been times when I’ve been lost. It’s not a good feeling to sit at a table with a group of people talking and laughing and not being able to understand or contribute. I have to remind myself that it’s ok to make mistakes and ask questions, and I’ve learned a lot in just a few days. 

This experience has opened my eyes to how so many people must feel. I have so much admiration for Karla and other international students I know who use their second language all day. It can be exhausting and frustrating. I felt so grateful whenever someone noticed that I was confused and took a second to explain something to me. 

It was totally by accident that Karla and I even met, but I couldn’t be more glad that we did. Not only because of how much I’ve grown but because she is an amazing flatmate and friend.