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May 18th, 2015, the first time I traveled outside of the United States. Less than 24 hours after I graduated with my undergraduate degree in Psychology, I was going to the place I had yearned to see for the longest time, Puerto Rico. The roots of my culture would soon be right before my eyes and I didn’t know how to process it. I sat on the plane wondering what the experience would entail and how I would feel. As a Puerto Rican woman, a whirlwind of emotions came over me as I was going to my home for the first time, at the age of 23. I couldn’t help but think to myself how my family still managed to intertwine our culture in to our everyday lives in the states and how that culture transcended time even though we were not the island. When I stepped off the plane I was overwhelmed with happiness, joy, and excitement to see the origins of my own bloodline. As I traveled to my destination I was in awe. The colors, the vibrant nature of the environment, the sound of waves crashing, the smell of food, I was finally there and it was everything I ever dreamed of. Intense beauty, enchanting scenery, my eyes were experiencing something so much more breathtaking than a picture could translate. I would go on to local restaurants, watch men play dominoes as music player in the background, and bask in the ambiance of my people. The best part of the trip was going to El Yunque National Forest. Being one with nature, breathing in the aroma of earth and allowing my senses to take over. I was elated by the entire experience and did not want it to end. On the plane ride back to New York I was at a loss for words, I wanted to go back already but so grateful that I finally saw the island, even if for a short time. I will never forget the experience and how at peace I felt in that moment. To know where one comes from but never know what it is in real life leaves the mind to wonder. This trip put that to rest and allowed me a chance to get in touch with my roots.