British Virgin Islands: Last Day in Tortola

Submitted by Stephanie Adams on the 2017 winter session program in the British Virgin Islands sponsored by the College of Health Sciences…

Our last day in Tortola was one to remember! We visited Peter Island and had the most amazing dinner. I think what I will miss the most about this place is how nice and welcoming everyone was to us. I will also miss the amazing views and sunsets like the one pictured. This program has given me some of my closest friends and I feel as though if I were to come back that I would be welcomed back and made at home. Our next stop is St. John where we will continue to learn more about Virgin Island culture and visit the clinic! I am so sad to see this program quickly coming to an end, but I am so excited to see what the rest of the program holds!

British Virgin Islands: Farewell to Tortola

Submitted by Katie Garber on the 2017 winter session program in the British Virgin Islands sponsored by the College of Health Sciences…

Today was our last day in Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Tomorrow we depart for St. John, which is one of three islands that are part of the U.S. Virgin Islands. I have come to love the culture and people in the BVI, and have learned many things during my stay here. I learned that when a person passes away, their bodies are buried above ground- this is because if you bury too deep below ground you will hit water. I have learned that religion is a very serious matter and if you don’t affiliate yourself with a church, you will be frowned upon. Passing a stranger on the street and not greeting them with a “Good morning” or “Hello” can be viewed as you being rude. I’ve also observed as many of the locals here treat one another as family. Our taxi driver would often stop on the side of the road to ask a pedestrian if they needed a ride – most of them always did. The stranger would hop in the car and our driver and the stranger would talk nonstop until their destination. I have loved and value my experiences here tremendously. I am excited to see what St. John has in store and if this U.S. island is any different from the British Islands!

Barbados: Lasting Impression

Submitted by Carson Hanna on the 2017 winter session program in Barbados sponsored by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies…

As our time in Barbados quickly comes to an end, I have had a lot of time to reflect on how this service-learning placement, and cultural immersion has effected me, personally and professionally. Being a minority in this country, especially in the classroom, I feel I am much better prepared to work with minority groups in my future profession. I also have a greater appreciation for other cultures than my own. Not to say, I was only interested in my culture, but I now see that even though cultures, are different, there is not one culture that is above another. Overall, this opportunity has been very eye opening, and I am so grateful to have had this opportunity.

The service-learning placement was such a unique experience. One which, I will remember for the rest of my life. Not only did the students and staff make a lasting impression on me, but they also opened my eyes to a different style of education. Children have so many avenues in which they can learn, and I have seen them be successful in this alternative education route. This has made me consider my many options post-graduation, and has solidified my desire to work with young children.

While we have a little less than a week left, we are trying to soak up as much sun and culture as we can before we return to UD for the spring semester.

Learning in Barbados

Submitted by Kristen Loomis on the 2013 winter session program in Barbados sponsored by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies and the Department of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management…

This week has started off in a great way. We had our first class where we had a guest speaker talk to us about Bajan music and festivals, and another speaker from the Ministry of Education, the organization that oversees their schools. These speakers taught me a lot about Barbados and how many things connect back to their culture. We also did a tour of the Mount Gay rum factory since this is the oldest rum factory in the world. My favorite part of this week though was going to our placements for the first time. I am placed in a primary school working with children aged five and six. This experience has been amazing. Not only do I get to learn about Bajan schools and the culture, but I get to teach the children about the United States and our culture. The children are very inquisitive and I think I have taught them just as much as they have taught me.

Greetings from Barbados

Submitted by Kristen Loomis on the 2013 winter session program in Barbados sponsored by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies and the Department of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management…

After staying up all night packing and driving to JFK airport to catch the plane and a four hour plane ride, I was finally in Barbados. The weather was beautiful. The sun was shining, there was a cool breeze and no need for winter coats. Even though we have only been here for four days, I love everything and have already learned so much. We’ve enjoyed the beach, learned about the history of Barbados during a historical tour, and enjoyed the local foods.  I have pushed myself to speak to locals to learn more about the culture and even to try foods I had not liked before. I already know this trip will change my outlook on life and give me more of an appreciation for other cultures.  

On Cherry Tree Hill

Barbados: More Than Beaches

Submitted by Ana Ramirez-Irineo on the 2017 winter session program in Barbados sponsored by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies…

I have experienced a new country and a different culture on this service-learning study abroad program. Barbados is so much more than just a gorgeous island with clear blue waters and white sands, it is soca music, religion, rum shops, flying fish, close-knit communities and so much more. Barbados has shown me that everyone should be greeted with a good morning or good afternoon. However, Barbados has also shown me that every country has its own challenges and sometimes these challenges are similar to other regions, but in different contexts. I find that people look at the exterior beauty of a place and do not pay attention to the people that reside there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

My service-learning placement at the HIV clinic was amazing. I observed a social worker and encountered many locals that I had the opportunity to get to know. The social worker gave me advice and tips to connect with clients. It was a valuable experience and I am fortunate to have had this exposure. A big challenge was initiating conversation with the clients, but I soon learned how to connect with them. Most found it comforting to have someone to talk to while the social worker was away getting results. I definitely developed my communication skills at my placement and will use my experiences in Barbados for future opportunities.

It is a bittersweet feeling realizing that I leave in less than a week. I have come to love Barbados and all that it has to offer. I did not just enjoy the beaches and the sun, I was able to provide a service to the community and while doing that, I learned so much about the history and the culture of Barbados. Barbados will remain in my heart forever. This experience has opened my mind to new adventures and ignited my eagerness to know other people’s stories in this world.

Making Music in Trinidad

Submitted by Regina Cordell on the 2013 winter session program in Trinidad and Tobago sponsored by the Department of Music…

We arrived in Trinidad late Tuesday night after a long day of traveling, but the warm breeze on the bus and the friendly people could not have been more welcoming.  We are staying in a place  which is up a windy road at the base of the rainforest in Trinidad.  We walk to a panyard for our steel drum class every morning, about 15 minutes up the road.  All the locals are out and shout “morning morning!” as a greeting as we walk by beautiful palm and fruit trees and colorful houses with a beautiful scenic view of the mountains.  Learning to play the steel drums is so much fun, a lot of children and local people come and go watching our lessons and sometimes they join in. I am playing the bass steel drum and a young girl who plays the bass drum, too, let me use her mallots.  I asked if she had any advice about learning the instrument and she told me “just have fun and play from the heart, because that’s what it’s all about.”

We visited some of the local panyards a couple nights ago to watch some steal drum bands rehearse for Carnival in February, and you can tell from watching them play how passionate they are and how they really are playing from the heart. Tonight we are going in to Port of Spain to watch some more rehearsals.  It is neat how competitive the bands are and how many people come to watch the rehearsals. At Carnival season these steel drum bands seem to be as popular as football in the US!

We have only had two History of the Caribbean classes so far but we have learned all about the different colonies and the development of slavery in the Caribbean.  It seems really interesting and I’m looking forward to learning more!

Yesterday, we went into Arima to visit an open air fruit market and today we went to Maracas Beach to relax for the weekend. It was absolutely beautiful! Almost everyone tried “Bake and Shark” a sandwich with breaded shark and lots of optional condiments, and it was actually very tasty!

Arima Fruit Market
Maracas Beach

 

Barbados: So Inspiring!

Submitted by Casey Grzinic on the 2017 winter session program in Barbados sponsored by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies…

My final week in Barbados came sooner than expected. Initially, I thought this program would be the longest month of my life. But now, I cannot believe it is already time to go home. On my final day of my placement, the school presented us with gifts and my students gave me cards and it broke my heart. I could not believe it was finally over; that I would never see this amazing group of kids again and that I would have to leave paradise. When it came time for our final university organized tour, I felt incredibly sad because this meant our program was coming to a close. I quickly got over this feeling when we arrived at our first stop, Williams Legacy. Williams Legacy is a family owned woodworking business that specializes in fine art using indigenous wood. Listening to the current owner, Amanda, speak about her experience growing up was inspiring. She did not know how to read or write until the age of thirteen, only knowing a few words like “the.” She spoke about how she did not allow this obstacle to prevent her from attaining her goals in life. She also told us that we should not let anything, or anyone, get in the way of our dreams. Even after four weeks on the island of Barbados I am still astounded by how incredibly optimistic and genuinely kind Bajans are. It is one of the things I will miss most about Barbados.

 

 

 

 

 

British Virgin Islands: Farewell to Tortola

Submitted by Victoria Sanchez on the 2017 winter session program in the British Virgin Islands sponsored by the College of Health Sciences…

When I first came to this island, I had no idea what to expect. I’m not sure what exactly I expected, but the first few days were definitely not what I expected. Four weeks later, it is safe to say I can call this place home. With a few short days left in Tortola, some sadness is starting to set in. Although the program is not over yet and I am just leaving the island itself, I can’t help, but feel like I’m leaving a piece of me behind.

The hardest thing about leaving Tortola will definitely be the good-byes. I spent days on end with nurses mentoring me at the hospital. I heard all about their passion for nursing, their families, and cultural beliefs and background. Today, I said my farewells to the nursing staff, knowing I will most likely never see them again. I also have to bid my good-byes to local friends I have met spending these consecutive weeks in Cane Garden Bay. Waiters and waitresses, hotel employees and even tourists on the beach know us as “the nurses”. Even though, I have only been here for a short period of time, I feel a bitter sweet loss of the relationships I have formed.

I would like to thank Tortola for the long lasting friendships I have made here. This program grouped me together with 13 amazing girls who I probably would have never met.   As cheesy as it sounds, everyone is unique in their own way. We take the taxi together, work in clinical together, share meals together, experience excursions together and some of us even live together. Spending this much time with each other has led to incredible friendships I will never forget. I will be leaving Tortola on Saturday with a full heart and unforgettable memories. Next stop, St.Thomas!

British Virgin Islands: Clinicals

Submitted by Katie Garber on the 2017 winter session program in the British Virgin Islands sponsored by the College of Health Sciences…

This past week, my group and I had to wake up at 5:30 every morning to arrive at Peebles Hospital in Tortola at 7:00 AM. Most of us dreaded this. Most of us wanted to stay in bed and fib being ill. Most of us wanted to not have responsibilities (this “most of us” included me). However, all of us pushed these “wants” aside and made it to clinicals everyday. In doing so, we helped many patients become healthier and even saw some of our patients get discharged. In only three short weeks of clinical, I’ve seen, learned, done and watched so many things take place. As a nursing student completing her internship in another country, I believe everything I saw in my stay here was going to relate to medicine, but I was wrong. I saw a patient reach out to her family that she hasn’t talked to in three months. I saw a man and his fiancé mend each other’s broken heart after a traumatic car crash. I watched as a family was torn apart because of different beliefs in health care. But most importantly, I watched myself grow. It’s hard to believe that only three weeks in another country can change one person as much as it did me, but here I am! I will forever cherish the memories I’ve made in the British Virgin Islands, and at Peebles Hospital for the rest of my career.