Submitted by Jayme Soyak on the 2016 winter session program in Dominica sponsored by the Department of Geography…
Because Dominica is in the Caribbean, I was expecting bright white, sandy beaches, tons of palm trees, cabanas and a resort-like stay. I was shocked to realize that I would be staying in a place for over four weeks that was nothing like I imagined.
Starting with an hour and a half drive from the airport through mountains and dense rain forest, taking hairpin turns and steep climbs, I knew this trip would be an adventure. Once class started, I learned that Dominica is known as “The Nature Island of the World” and though I wasn’t sure at first why, I am now. Dominica is one of the most environmentally sustainable places on the planet. With rich forests, beautiful rivers and waterfalls, vast hiking trails and shores made of volcanic rock, it is much more exciting than white sandy beaches.
For only being here a week, we have already experienced so much of the beauty Dominica offers. Close by, there are scenic botanical gardens. The nature here seems to run the island and provide natural beauty for its inhabitants to enjoy daily. One day, we decided to go to the beach and one of the locals suggested we go to Scott’s Head Beach. Little did we know that this “beach” was very rocky with barely any sand. With this group, we decided to take this opportunity to explore. We hiked up an area that provided an amazing view over the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
Though I was surprised at first, I am so excited that Dominica has much more to offer than what other Caribbean islands do and everyone on this program is ready to take advantage of this incredible opportunity.
