Submitted by Heather O’Connor on the 2022 winter session program in the British Virgin Islands sponsored by the School of Nursing…
During my second week in the British Virgin Islands, I truly felt more immersed in the culture. The people are extremely polite, always making sure to greet hello, good morning, etc.. I found that they are very particular — if it is not past noon and you say “good afternoon,” some people will laugh at you and look at you funny. Additionally, I learned that people honk their car horns as a way to greet people or warn people that they’re coming around the corner. Since the island is very hilly and has lots of winding streets, the drivers will sometimes honk to let other cars know they’re coming. This is very different compared to how I’ve seen car horns used. In the United States, honking is often used in an aggressive manner, for example if someone cuts their car in front of you.
Besides this, I am basking in the absolute beauty of these islands. The other day, we visited the Baths in Virgin Gorda. It is a system of winding and tight caves with beautifully clear and blue water, as you can see in the picture below. It was an incredible culture- and nature-oriented day trip, one that I will never forget!
