Submitted by Casey Grzinic on the 2017 winter session program in Barbados sponsored by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies…
My final week in Barbados came sooner than expected. Initially, I thought this program would be the longest month of my life. But now, I cannot believe it is already time to go home. On my final day of my placement, the school presented us with gifts and my students gave me cards and it broke my heart. I could not believe it was finally over; that I would never see this amazing group of kids again and that I would have to leave paradise. When it came time for our final university organized tour, I felt incredibly sad because this meant our program was coming to a close. I quickly got over this feeling when we arrived at our first stop, Williams Legacy. Williams Legacy is a family owned woodworking business that specializes in fine art using indigenous wood. Listening to the current owner, Amanda, speak about her experience growing up was inspiring. She did not know how to read or write until the age of thirteen, only knowing a few words like “the.” She spoke about how she did not allow this obstacle to prevent her from attaining her goals in life. She also told us that we should not let anything, or anyone, get in the way of our dreams. Even after four weeks on the island of Barbados I am still astounded by how incredibly optimistic and genuinely kind Bajans are. It is one of the things I will miss most about Barbados.
