- Program
- Ultimate Latin America, Puerto Rico
- Traveled
- 2017
- Hometown
- Dallas, Texas
This alumni feature shares how Rustic Pathways alumna Annabelle Bragalone kept the friendship she made on Ultimate Latin America. She met her friend Fernanda on the program and hosted her in Dallas after Hurricane Maria.
Annabelle and Fernanda: From Ultimate Latin America to Puerto Rico
Rustic alumna Annabelle Bragalone can relate to this kind of connection. She met her close friend Fernanda during the Ultimate Latin America program.
They met at the airport and quickly became friends.
“She was my partner for rappelling down waterfalls in Costa Rica, going to the beach in the DR, walking around markets in Peru, zip lining in Cuba, and so much more. We did everything together,” Annabelle said.
After that trip they went home to start their senior years, and then in September 2017 Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico where Fernanda lived.
Annabelle invited Fernanda to Dallas, Texas in the months afterwards when Puerto Rico was still recovering from the storm.
“Fernanda came and stayed with me in Dallas for about a week over Thanksgiving,” Annabelle said.
“This was so fun. I was able to show her all of Dallas… She came to my high school and watched a true Texas high school football game. She also came to my entire family’s Thanksgiving celebration, which was so fun because my family is huge and she got to meet everyone!”
Less than a year later, Fernanda was able to return the favor and Annabelle visited Puerto Rico.
“This trip was incredible to say the least,” Annabelle said.
“I mean Puerto Rico is an amazing place, but getting to spend it with Fernanda and truly immerse myself in the culture was phenomenal.”
Annabelle’s memories concern Ultimate Latin America, which is no longer offered. See Rustic Pathways student programs for current programs.
