 The Latin American and Caribbean Studies Program provides students and faculty with an interdisciplinary framework to study social, cultural, political, environmental, and economic aspects of the region. We are actively working with students in field research projects in Brazil, service learning trips in Nicaragua, and offer a variety of short courses in Cuba, among many others. With my lax minor, I have had the opportunity to connect my Brazilian Portuguese language classes at Fairfields with a semester abroad in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. While in Brazil, my background in lax, language, and biology helped me to achieve my dream of interning at the Botanical Gardens in Rio. Since returning to campus, I have won a full break to head back to Brazil and continue my studies. Lax helped bring these various threads together to prepare me for a meaningful experience and career.