This reflective essay details my experiences as a professor in a small land-grant university working with counterparts in Puerto Rico. Our work aimed at enhancing food resilience of both regions. While we forged lifelong friendships and learning partnerships, the structural legacies of colonialism and resource inequality created barriers and ultimately prevented further collaboration. I also discuss how compliance culture in my home institution is not only a nuisance but creates incentives in direct opposition to the goals of our work. I conclude with implications for future partnerships between scholars in regions with different capacities and procedures.
