Submitted by Alexandra Klysa on the 2018 winter session program in Martinique sponsored by the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures…
And in the blink of an eye, my study abroad program to Martinique is over! Wow, what a month it has been. I’ve been home for a couple of days now, experiencing some reverse culture shock– especially going from 80 degree weather to twenty, but overall, I look back at this amazing experience with amazing memories and lessons to be learned. So I would consider my time in Martinique a true success!
The last few days of the program were filled with the last of our excursions, some exams and a final party, and squeezing in as many beach days as possible. Our last excursion was a kayaking trip in the mangroves of Martinique. While this wasn’t my favorite excursion, it was still a really cool (and tiring) experience. We learned that the bay that the mangroves surround serve as a safe harbor for boats and ships alike when the weather gets really inclement. For our final party, we performed a traditional dance called bèlè for everyone that attended, including the host families. It was really nice to have the whole group together one last time before heading back to the United States.
On our last day, the group of friends that I had made and I went to our favorite beach and watched the sunset. It was the perfect way to end the program. Our flight back to the United States was at 8:00 AM so needless to say, we were up at ungodly hours of the night, but the flight went very smoothly.
This program to Martinique has been life changing. I learned so much about myself and the world around me, and for that I am grateful. I am more confident, patient and accepting. There were definitely a lot of ups and downs, but that is the situation with anything. As I have been jokingly telling people, but in all seriousness, Martinique serves as the basis for anything I do now. In other words, if I can hike a volcano and figure out public transportation in a foreign country, I can do anything I put my mind to. Thank you Martinique for all that you have given me!
