Category: Caribbean

Submitted by Bianca Soutar on the 2024 Winter NURS program in the British Virgin Islands…

This is my second week studying abroad in the British Virgin Islands for nursing. This past week we have done so much and I’m learning so much more about the culture in the BVI. On Friday, we visited some other islands called Jost Van Dyke, Sandy Spit, and Sandy Cay, which were all very beautiful. We also visited the Old Government House which taught us a lot about the royal visits, one being Queen Elizabeth. By touring the house we also learned a lot about the government and history here in the BVI. We have spent a lot of time the past week in Peebles Hospital so it is very interesting to be able to compare healthcare here versus back in the United States. I am in the labor and delivery unit and got to see a cesarean which was a really cool experience. We also are reading a book called Island Queen which has been very insightful about the slavery in the Colonial West Indies. I am loving it here and am very excited for the next two weeks! (Submitted on January 17, 2024)

Submitted by Ashley Tedesco on the 2024 Winter EDUC program in Barcelona…

My first week abroad has officially come and gone, and my time during this month-long adventure in Barcelona is certainly flying by! It feels as though only yesterday all of my fellow elementary education students were arriving at our apartments and enjoying each other’s company at our welcome dinner at El Glop. Since then, I have taken full advantage of the opportunity to learn about the culture here in the Catalonia region of Spain, and have met a fair few challenges. One of the most significant is the fact that in Catalonia, the primary language is Catalan, rather than Spanish, and it is a major source of pride for the people living in this region; this encouraged me to take some time learning common Catalan phrases to help me navigate conversations with native speakers when the opportunity presents itself!

Additionally, my first night here during the welcome dinner was a source of culture shock for me. For dinner, I had ordered the fish option, not expecting what I would find being placed in front of me when the main courses arrived; on my plate was an entire baked fish – head and all! While initially I was surprised, and unsure how to go about eating my dinner, once I got past the initial discomfort and how to properly eat the fish (particularly avoiding the bones!) I found that the meal was delicious and was glad that I gave it a chance.

One of my favorite excursions I have participated in thus far has been the day trip that our whole group went on to Montserrat Monastery. This mountainous destination, located about an hour outside of Barcelona was a majestic reminder of the natural beauty that exists all around us. As someone who is minorly fearful of heights, hiking up a mountain was certainly something that made me nervous, but once I started I was overwhelmingly grateful that I pushed myself to climb higher. The views were breathtaking and I knew it was one of those experiences I will never forget. As I head into the coming weeks of my program, I am looking forward to more once-in-a-lifetime experiences, especially those that come with my participation in St. Peter’s School as part of the ETE program! (Submitted on January 17, 2024)

Submitted by Olivia Sheetz on the 2024 Winter NURS program in British Virgin Islands…

During my second week in the BVI, my peers and I attending our clinical rotation at Peebles Hospital in Tortola. We each were assigned to different units and paired with a nurse preceptor. It has been enlightening to see the differences between the healthcare system in the BVI versus the United States. I have already learned so much from my preceptor and look forward to learning more as we continue our clinical experience. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to see healthcare in a new light and learn from those around me. (Submitted on January 16, 2024)

Submitted by Annabelle Dorsett on the 2024 Winter CIEG program in Barbados…

For the second week in Barbados we traveled Bridgetown and other recommended areas. We arrived at Bridgetown via the bus which was very packed. We walked miles through the town and visited the harbor and various different monuments. The city was so colorful but it was pretty quiet when we got there. Eventually we arrived at a restaurant on the beach and I got a curry chicken salad. It was delicious and the crowd at the bar was so welcoming, a great day in the city! We walked through the town for a while looking for a bus and some locals guided us to the bus area. The next morning we ran a few miles around the town. The next few days were still busy with classes but we made sure to venture around. We also had a guest speaker who was a local and discussed the impact of climate change on his coastal engineering work. We watched the sunset almost every night and they were breathtaking over the water. Finally, we saw a family of monkeys multiple times over the week as they continued to visit us. (Submitted on January 15, 2024)

Submitted by Annabelle Dorsett on the 2024 Winter CIEG program in Barbados…

For the first week in Barbados we traveled all over the island to different recommended areas. The first night we got there, the group went to a local kitchen across the street for karaoke night. We got the recommended chicken stew over rice dish, attached is a picture. It was delicious and the crowd at the bar was so welcoming, a great way to start our trip. The next morning we
walked a few miles around the beach and in the town and were greeted by endless friendly locals. The beach was beautiful and the water was so blue and crystal clear. The next few days were busy with classes but we made sure to venture around. We went snorkeling at the beach by the place we were staying and the fish and coral were breathtaking. To finish off the week we took the bus to the Fish market in Oistin’s which was heavily recommended by most people we talked to. It was lively and loud with lots of food and drinks with people from all over the world and from Barbados. We got some dolphin fish and shrimp platters and it was phenomenal. (Submitted on January 15, 2024)

Submitted by Gabriela A. Rodriguez on the 2024 Winter HDFS program in Barbados …

I know this photo collage may seem like a lot in one – and to be fair, it is. However, I didn’t think one picture could show how the people of Barbados have captured my heart. I would once again like to give a special shout-out to our faculty director, Dr. Norma Gaines-Hanks (portrait picture on the right), who will be retiring after this session, for her hard work and dedication to her programs. More specifically, the Barbados HDFS service-learning program. 

Dr. Gaines-Hanks loves to travel, and she has been to a few different islands, but no matter what – she always returns to Barbados because it feels like home. After being here for three weeks, I can completely understand why. From the moment we landed, we were greeted with bright smiles that made us feel the warm Barbadian welcome. Everyone around us is super respectful and kind and gives off the peaceful vibes of the island. I have learned that trust and respect are some things that are automatically given to a person unless they have proven they do not deserve it. Unlike in the United States, it can take a while for a person to warm up to someone new, and it takes even more for that person to give you their trust and respect – especially if you are not in a position of power.  

 This was most evident in the primary school where I was placed for the month. The 16 students here are all placed at a primary school in Barbados, where we assist the teacher, teach lessons, educate the children on American culture, and develop personal bonds and friendships with the students and staff. In three of the photos, you will see two pictures of me interacting with some of the children at my school, and the other is one of the children of different ages interacting with the principal of the school (picture of the man with a red shirt). The picture is heartwarming to me because it is clear to see that they all have great relationships with their staff, and we are given that same grace and respect. All this to say, working with these children has given me an insider’s perspective on the type of people Bajans are. Alongside our placements, we have been fortunate enough to have been taught music and dance by some amazing professionals. Then, we attended a dinner at a place named Harbour Lights, where we saw in action the music and dances we learned as well as some more intricate traditional Bajan ways to celebrate. 

The final photo is of the man painting. It is one I wanted to include as well because he sits right in front of the main grocery store. He has his previous paintings out for people to buy as he works on a new one right in front of them. No one bothers him, and no one tries to remove him from the area because they know it is how he makes a living, and I have seen multiple people be entranced by his work. Myself included. (Submitted on January 26, 2024)

Submitted by Eddie Sollazzo on the 2024 Winter CIEG program in Barbados…

Following the winter holiday season, I was incredibly excited to embark on my study abroad session in Barbados. I got on my flight with two of my friends and landed in Barbados on January 2. Before arriving, our professor Dr. Puleo had told us that the sun was intense and as soon as I stepped off the plane, I knew exactly what “intense” meant. This study abroad program is centered around learning about coastal engineering, and we have the opportunity to stay at McGill University’s Bellairs research institute which is located right on the water. The area is so beautiful and convenient to be steps away from the beach. Geographically, the institute is located on the west side of the island facing the Caribbean Sea, which allows for calmer waves which are tame for swimming and other types of water activities like snorkling.

Our first night, we finally got to the Institute and everyone was starving. Right across the street was a small bar that looked very much like a local spot. A few of us from the group went up to the bar and asked if they served food. We were met with the kindest hospitality and a delicious warm meal. The bar owner Sue was so accommodating to our group, and we chatted with her all night. Coincidentally, this night was karaoke night as well…. needless to say the group tore the house down, sang and danced with Sue and a few other locals for a few hours before going to bed. It was amazing to start the trip meeting the people of Barbados and getting a real authentic experience our first night.

The rest of the week consisted of lots of morning runs and swims, as well as exploring the nearby area as best as we could. One morning after my run on the beach, I was amazed to see a man washing his three horses in the ocean. It felt like I was in a scene out of a movie. (Submitted on January 13, 2024)

Submitted by Brooke Gaenzle on the 2024 Winter CIEG program in Barbados…

This past week started with exploring the local area and diving into our classes, but soon things became a little chaotic when my phone broke! I’m not going to lie to you, a broken phone in a country you don’t know is not ideal. But it allowed for me to be able to travel to a nearby town and explore the stores, searching for a tech repair shop. I was welcomed by many employees who not only helped me on my phone-fixing journey, but also gave me lots of tips on where to visit.

I’ve learned a bit more about the coastal ecosystem and economy of Barbados as well. We had two guest speakers this week, who explained to us how Barbados relies on the coasts to generate money from tourism and fishing and how a major project is underway to develop a marine management plan. It’s so cool to learn more about Barbados and compare it to Delaware’s economy and lifestyle. One thing that was extremely interesting and very different from the United States is that all of Barbados’ beaches are privately owned but publicly used. This totally blew my mind because I could not imagine this working on the beaches near home, since private property is usually closed off.

It’s been so great being able to explore the coast myself and see the concepts I’m learning in class in the ocean that’s right behind us. Learning about how waves refract, shoal, and bend around break waters even helped me find better sweet spots while surfing! The biodiversity in the coral reef is so abundant as well. Through snorkeling, I’ve been able to see needlefish, white marlon, and schools of 100s of fish. You can also see all of the different types of corals and sea sponges. (Submitted on January 13, 2024)

Submitted by Gabriela A. Rodriguez on the 2024 Winter HDFS program in Barbados…

On January 3rd, 2024, I embarked on a new Study Abroad journey. The right way to bring in the new year. With new people in a different environment experiencing what they do day to day. The Barbados HDFS Service-Learning Study Abroad program has 16 students led by Dr. Norma Gaines-Hanks. Dr. Gaines-Hanks started the program in 2005, and we are fortunate enough to be here with her as her 10th and FINAL group. 

Upon arrival, we got a tour of the resort where we would be residing and then took some time to get settled. We then prepared to have dinner as a group for the first time and truly get comfortable with each other, which did not take long. As my roommate and I were on our way to dinner – we noticed our door wouldn’t open. We called the front desk, and they came to let us out. However, the manager wanted to see what the problem was and she accidentally locked herself inside with us! Thankfully, another student walked by and went to get help. So, that night at dinner, we had a great story to tell.

As a Winter Study Abroad Session, we are going to be on the island for a month. Most students may be skeptical about this because they may feel as if it is not enough time to see all they want and experience everything in such a short amount of time. However, I can say that as a World Scholar who has been abroad for a full semester – you definitely can. From the second day, we have been able to do something new. We took a trip to Harrison’s Cave, then drove to other parts of the island, ate at the local restaurants, booked our boat ride to experience swimming with turtles, stingrays, etc., and saw what the Bajan nightlife consisted of. I also appreciate the fact that since we are a smaller group, we all have been able to connect and go on trips as a whole outside of what the program has for us. 

Despite all those crazy back-and-forths, always in-the-go moments, I have still been able to reflect on my days here so far, and the pictures I have decided to submit are moments that I have felt pure Serenity. I don’t always like to take pictures of moments where I am reflecting, but in cases like these, I am thankful to have them because when I look back, I am taken to that moment, and I know I will never forget the feeling. (Submitted on January 12, 2024)

Submitted by Blake Robinson on the 2024 Winter HDFS program in Barbados…

On Sunday, January 7th, 2024, me and 15 of my peers on my Barbados trip went snorkeling. It was my first time ever swimming in the ocean other than just being on the shallow end and putting my feet in. On the boat, the captain made sure everyone was comfortable and offered snorkels and life vests and made so many funny jokes to keep everyone happy.

Experiencing snorkeling with turtles and fishes for the first time was a very captivating and exhilarating adventure. As I dove into the crystal-clear waters, a sense of anticipation and wonder took hold. The initial moments had me feeling a mix of excitement and a slight nervousness, as the underwater world unfolded before my eyes.

The sensation of weightlessness and the flow of the ocean created a soothing and immersive atmosphere. As colorful schools of fish gracefully darted around, and majestic turtles glided effortlessly through the water, I felt the vibrant marine life, coupled with the serene underwater environment, induced a feeling of awe and amazement. Overall, the experience was a feeling of joy, and fascination. (Submitted on January 12, 2024)