Submitted by Kevin Silverstein on the 2018 winter session program in Barbados sponsored by the Department of Geography…
I cannot believe it is already week three of our study abroad program! It is going by too fast. I have now developed a healthy tan to show off once I return to the snow. I have been noticing how different the natural beauty of Barbados is to that of the United States or anywhere else I have traveled. While there are spectacular natural parks at home, it just does not compare to Barbados in my opinion. My favorite field trip so far has been to Harrison’s Cave. Our group was lucky enough to take an eco-tour of the cave with our guide Barry! He showed us the way through extremely narrow crevices, pitch black tunnels and fast flowing cave water systems. I have never done anything like this before and was in awe. We witnessed fantastic stalagmites and stalactites. This field trip has inspired me to see what cave systems I can explore close to home once I return. The challenges of getting through tight spaces definitely brought us closer together as a group. It was a great way to bond! Traveling to different types of ecosystems really can be a shock. At home, for example, local wildlife include deer, fox, raccoons, rabbits, squirrels and birds. Here, we see exotic fish, lizards, monkeys, hummingbirds and semi-wild chickens running everywhere! It definitely takes some getting used to. I am excited to keep on exploring and learning, but I am getting apprehensive knowing it is almost time to leave.