Submitted by Taylor Donahue on the 2024 Winter CIEG program in Barbados…
My first few days in Barbados have been stressful, but rewarding. After two long flights we made it to Bellairs Research Institute. Our group went to dinner on the first night after we got settled and we were able to meet some locals. They were very welcoming and it was a great first experience. Getting used to island time has been a slight challenge. Everything moves at a slower pace here and it has been important to work with their schedule. Making this change has made me appreciate more of the island and bond with the other travelers. The beaches are beautiful and extremely clean. It is refreshing to see the community culture and desire to keep their beaches clean and available to everyone. Growing up going to the Jersey shore, there is not this level of appreciation for the health of our coasts. Our classes focus on coastal engineering which will be beneficial for the health of the island. I’m excited to learn more about coastal engineering and see how the practices have been implemented in Barbados (Submitted on January 4).