Submitted by Casey Grzinic on the 2017 winter session program in Barbados sponsored by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies…
My first week in Barbados has been a whirlwind experience. While I was initially blown away by the sheer beauty of the island itself, what truly took my breath away was the beauty of the Barbadian culture. On our tour of the island, we saw picturesque landscapes and architecture, but what I observed during this tour impacted me more than the scenery. At Saint John Parish, I watched as my tour guide passionately spoke of the beloved Prime Minister, David Thompson, who died in 2010. Barbadians, or Bajans, as they are locally referred, speak of their late prime minister as if he was a life-long friend. He is placed on a pedestal by Bajans due to his efforts in improving life on the island. Because Bajans are a religious people, most are Catholic, the burial of Prime Minister Thompson at Saint John Parish holds great meaning. It was interesting to see that there is truly no difference in how people mourn and remember the leaders of their country because it reminded me that as humans, we are one in the same. It was important to be reminded of this after nearly a week of adjusting to a new culture and environment. It also reminded me that it is okay to recognize differences between cultures, so long as you appreciate the difference and acknowledge that there are just as many similarities.
