Submitted by Marissa Gropman on the 2018 winter session program in the Cayman Islands sponsored by the School of Marine Science and Policy…
The nerves were setting in weeks ago about the upcoming trip and I questioned how badly I wanted to go. Although I doubted myself and my abilities I pushed through the fear and continued with the journey. I said goodbye to all of my friends and family members and left the tundra Boston has become for the tropical weather and beautiful beaches of the Caribbean. I was surprised how beautiful Grand Cayman was and was excited to see where we would be living for the next month. The next morning we head out on small 12 seater planes to Little Cayman. When we arrived I was surprised how remote the island was. We landed and there was a shack that read “Terminal A, Gate 1” and we all giggled. There was also a small garage attached to the ‘terminal’ with a fire engine and two firefighters in onesies.
We drove through the island and found the Central Caribbean Marine Institute which is where we will study and live for the next few weeks. Although the island is small we have found it to be beautiful and filled with kind people. The weather has been temperamental but we managed to dive and snorkel one time each so far. I look forward to beginning our projects and seeing how life is here when there isn’t a storm.