Submitted by Ciara Calabreseon the 2019 winter session program in Barbados sponsored by the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences and the Department of Hospitality Business Management…
This was taken at an event called “Celebrations of Rhythm”. The performers in the show brought us through the history of Bajan dance and music! This is a picture of what a stereotypical Crop Over costume would look like. Crop Over is a traditional harvest festival which began in Barbados, which celebrates the end of the sugar cane crop season. Spirits were high, music was loud, and smiles were bright! We all had an amazing time together.
Submitted by Melissa Rosales on the 2019 winter session program in Barbados sponsored by the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences and the Department of Hospitality Business Management…
My experience in my placement is meeting my expectations thoroughly. I am so happy and privileged to be able to make a difference in the lives of school children. I am excited that I am learning how to work with the faculty at my school, not just the children, because they are giving me another perspective on Barbados culture and school systems. There is one teacher that I observed for two days that has been very understanding and accommodating. She does not want me to leave without being “well-rounded”. She has sent me to watch the children’s gym class, in addition to religious education and music class. I am relieved that I am not just observing one teacher during my placements, and that I can observe four teachers, all with children in the same age group known at my school as “Infants A”, which encompasses 5-year-olds. I am thankful that I am being exposed to different teaching styles and the differences seen in the children’s responsiveness and behavior. If anything could enhance my experience, it would be having the opportunity to see other age groups and the differences particularly in the older children’s behavior compared to the younger children, and whether differences in teaching styles in older age groups create differences in the children’s behavior. My assumption would be that the older children know how to properly behave by now, so differences in teaching styles would not have such a significant impact. However, I might not know for sure until I have the privilege to observe the older students. Overall, I am happy with what I have learned so far, and I am looking forward to learning more throughout this program and the rest of my life.
This is a photo taken of “Bussa” the slave who led one of the slave revolts in the year 1816. He is one of Barbados’ national heroes and the statue represents the breaking of shackles for the hope of emancipation. This statue stands in the middle of a heavily traveled round-about east of Bridgetown, Barbados.
Submitted by Jilliana Carille on the 2019 winter session program in Barbados sponsored by the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences and the Department of Hospitality Business Management…
While on a historic tour of Barbados, my classmates and I visited different parts of the nation, and the last stop before heading back to the hotel was Rihanna’s old home. When we turned down Rihanna Drive, I could not tell which house was hers compared to all of the others. However, as we got closer to the house, I noticed that it seemed freshly painted and had a blue driveway, which made it stand a part from the others. The two houses next door seemed redone as well. Although this is a disappointment to locals, as someone who is new to the island, I was still fascinated by the fact that Rihanna had lived there during her childhood.
Standing in front of the house and taking pictures in front of it, allowed me to take a step back and let the reality of the situation I was in to sink in. At that moment, I was standing in front of the house of someone who is now a celebrity. Rihanna came from such humble beginnings and it was fascinating to be able to visit her house to see how far she has come and how much she has grown as an individual. I had the chance to speak with some locals about her primary school, and they mentioned how she had to take the national exam at age 10/11 twice because she did not pass the first time. Hearing this, showed me how focused she was on music at such a young age – she had other talents besides academics. Overall, visiting Rihanna’s childhood home was an incredible experience that I feel I would only have the opportunity to have by being involved in this UD abroad program to Barbados.
This is an image of Rihanna’s childhood home located on the street that is now called Rihanna Drive. It was refinished specifically for tourists to visit.
Submitted by Michaeleen Furbush on the 2019 winter session study abroad program in the Virgin Islands sponsored by the School of Nursing…
Week number two is already over. It’s been such an amazing experience so far. Everyone I’ve met has been so welcoming and happy to have us. We arrived in Tortola on Saturday. It has quite a different look and feel than St. Croix did. Tortola is hillier and has more cruise ships coming in, but somehow has a much less “touristy” vibe, which is definitely nice. I want to be able to really experience the culture and immerse myself into their day to day lives. Tomorrow will be my first full day of clinical in the Behavioral Health unit at Peebles Hospital here in Tortola. Behavioral health is an area of nursing I am very interested in, so I am really looking forward to working there and seeing what kind of patients they have and how they practice nursing here in the islands. I really hope to learn as much as I can and come home with a better idea of what kind of nursing I want to do when I graduate. Overall, the past 14 days have been an unbelievable experience that I will never forget and I am so lucky to have another 17 to learn and explore!!
Submitted by Nicole Steplewski on the 2019 winter session program in Bermuda sponsored by the School of Marine Science & Policy…
After spending a total of seven days on the exquisite island of Bermuda, I can safely say I have never experienced anything like this past week. Visiting this culturally unique environment never seemed quite real, and I still have yet to adjust entirely. From the moment I stepped off the plane, I was hit with a burst of warm, humid air, and I could not control the huge smile that swept across my face. I have experienced so much within this week, and I am eager to share my journey.
One of the most shocking “normality” of this island is the strange population of feral chickens that welcomed our group after we stepped out of the airport. It was almost ironic that us Blue Hens were welcomed by Bermudian Hens. When boarding the shuttle that would take us to BIOS (Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences), I was immensely confused that our program director, Art Trembanis, was sitting in the front left seat. I wondered why he would be driving us to the center when I realized the steering wheel is on the other side! Then, with every bending turn on the narrow streets, I found myself almost paralyzed with fear for a split second when I would see a car racing around the corner from the right side of the road, while we were riding on the left.
When the group arrived at BIOS, I became entranced with how shockingly clear the water is; which I later learned to be from less nutrients in the water. I cannot count how many times I have sat on the edge of the dock, looking at all the Sergeant Majors and Grey Snappers swimming below. For a nice welcoming gift, a Grey Triggerfish joined my company, and soon bit my toe, causing it to bleed.
I have never felt so entranced during lectures while our group learned about coral identification as well as coral health, identification of common reef species, and how underwater robots operate.
Hamilton is a popular Bermudian city with lots of tourist shops and restaurants, perfect for a day/night out. Saint George’s is more of an extended “Main Street” with exquisite boutiques, modern coffee shops, and restaurants yet to be discovered. There is still so much I have left to learn, and I cannot wait for the second week to start.
This first picture is a model of “Deliverance”, found in Saint George’s. This ship has become a vital part of Bermuda’s history. Sir George Somers and his crew traveled on this ship as well as a few others on their journey to Jamestown, Virginia, when a Great Storm forced them to take shelter on the island of Bermuda and allow repairs to the fleet before setting out again.Some of the students from the group preparing for a snorkel in the waters at North Rock. In the background, the historic lighthouse and small portion of North Rock left can be seen. North Rock has greatly decreased in size due to deterioration from natural disasters, such as hurricanes, that have a streak of affecting the small island of Bermuda.This picture was taken from an underwater camera, during a snorkeling expedition on Nonsuch Island. The island obtained its name for being like “non-such other island”, depicting its uniqueness. Now, Nonsuch is a place that many endangered species can call home, like the infamous Cahow, which resurrected from near extinction from the help of David Wingate. Depicted below are Sergeant Majors, Grey Snappers, and Chubs.The last image shows a view from BIOS, out on the back deck where many students enjoy their meals. There is a wonderful view of the channel that leads out into the Sargasso Sea. Bermuda is known for being the only island in the Sargasso Sea.
Submitted by Caitlynn Mitchell on the 2019 winter session program in Bermuda sponsored by the School of Marine Science & Policy…
Between bonding with my classmates/new friends and getting to know the locals, I have come to feel at home on this study abroad. A week in Bermuda has made me feel more connected with nature and the people around me. I am learning so many new and fascinating things about the natural beauty seen throughout Bermuda and the culture of the locals who live here. Everyone had the same amazed expression when first stepping out of the airport, myself included. With the clear blue water, beautiful trees, chirping birds, hens running about the streets, and colorful buildings, it was hard to believe that we were still on the same planet. There are so many fun things to do in Bermuda as well, such as hiking, swimming on the pink sandy beaches, exploring caves, snorkeling around reefs and sunken ships, kayaking, shopping, and eating delicious food! The two places that I have been to that I have enjoyed the most so far have been Horseshoe Bay and Admiralty House Park because they had beautiful water to swim in and caves to explore. It was very fascinating to find out that the large cave in Admiralty State Park was man made during World War II. Bermuda is truly a paradise to behold and I am so very grateful for this wonderful opportunity.
Flying into BermudaCorals growing on a shipwreck off of Nonsuch IslandThe beautiful Horseshoe BayThe view from Gibb’s Hill LighthouseA cannon from WWII at the Bermuda Maritime MuseumThe view from inside Admiralty CaveMyself inside Admiralty CaveHiking through Admiralty House Park
Submitted by Mia Mazal on the 2019 winter session program in Barbados sponsored by the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences and the Department of Hospitality Business Management…
My first week in Barbados has flown by because of all the activities we did. As part of our class, we did a full day excursion of the island. We visited ten of the eleven parishes in just one day! Throughout the day, we made several stops. These stops included the largest Caribbean windmill, a fresh fish lunch on the beach and Rihanna’s house. We were able to visit one of the 60 historic churches on the island where the Prime Minister David John Howard Thompson was buried. While driving from place to place, we saw an original chattel house. A chattel house is a small wooden house that can be picked up and moved. Slaves used it when they needed to move between plantations. I was amazed as to how much we were able to learn and experience in one day. I can’t wait to see what the next week brings!
Rihanna’s house in its repurposed formThe St John Parish churchA chattel houseThe Morgan Lewis Windmill
Submitted byMeghan Bennett on the 2019 winter session program in Bermuda sponsored by the School of Marine Science & Policy…
Before coming to Bermuda, I was prepared for warm weather and trips to beaches with pink sand. My first full week here was absolutely amazing, but I can now safely say that 65 degrees is not always warm and that the beaches are not nearly as pink as the highly edited photos that you’ll find online. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll take 65 degree weather any day over the snow that’s happening at home, but I was in no way prepared for the high winds that come along as a result of the gulf stream. The famed “pink sand” beach, otherwise known as Horseshoe Bay is so stunning that I’ve made the hour long trip there twice already. While the beach might not appear noticeably pink, when you take a close look at the sand, you can see thousands of little pink particles in the sand. These particles are caused by red foraminifera, which are calcareous single celled organisms that live on the underside of the coral reefs that surround Bermuda. As the foraminifera die they sink to the bottom of the ocean and eventually are broken down by the waves and the tides and make it on shore, giving the sand a slight pink tone.
Horseshoe BayClose up of the pink sand at Horseshoe Bay
Submitted by Jane Gosling on the 2016 winter session program in Dominica sponsored by the Department of Geography…
Yesterday, we had the opportunity to visit the disaster zone left behind from Tropical Storm Erika this past August. The southeastern provinces of the island experienced the heaviest rainfall and strongest wind, but its effects were felt across the entire nation. 35 people were killed, over 14,000 were left homeless, and at least 80% of the country was left without power.
Over 4 months later, much of the disaster area is still uninhabitable, requiring thousands to be relocated to surrounding communities. Since the storm, they have been able to construct some makeshift roads and bridges to access the demolished areas, but for the most part there has been no progress in recovering the land. Since they do not believe the land is viable to be rebuilt, at least for a long time, many citizens have come to accept that they will not be returning to their homes, and have begun the difficult process of restarting their lives. It was devastating to see the many paths where the rivers divided, leaving only massive boulders and tree stumps in its path. There were remnants of landslides in every direction, and houses flattened and scattered all over the place.
As we have seen in the United States, hurricanes and storms can be extremely debilitating to even the most developed and stable nations. The damage this storm caused to this small, developing island is truly unfathomable. Everyone we’ve met has told us their Erika story, but I was still unprepared for the level of destruction and loss.
These pictures only begin to tell the full story, but you can see some of the landslides along the mountain, as well as where the rainfall caused the rivers to diverge. Where those large boulders now lay, there used to be full neighborhoods.
Submitted by Harshita Kanderpa on the 2016 winter session program in Martinique sponsored by the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures…
The highlight of my second week in Martinique was most definitely hiking Mount Pelée, a semi-active volcano in the north of the island. Leading up to the hike on Saturday, we learned about the geography of Martinique, watched a film on the ruins of the city of Saint-Pierre, once known as the small Paris, as well as learned about the immense eruption of the mountain in 1902, which killed 30,000 people within minutes. We learned that the eruption was one of sulfur gas and other particles, and it was after the eruption that the science of ‘volcanology’ really began. It wasn’t until we were walking through the quaint town of Saint-Pierre and it’s new buildings among the ruins of the once-bustling city that I realized the meaning of everything I was experiencing. I was looking out over the beautiful, calm, blue ocean, with the sun setting, after a tiring hike on an active volcano—the same ocean that swallowed the walls of factories and rum distilleries within thirty seconds after the eruption. This city was once the hub of everything economic, governmental, social and cultural a little over a hundred years ago, and one day, within minutes, everything was gone. The fact that this small island country was able to recover from that, able to create a new capital city in Fort-de-France, able to flourish even, astonishes me beyond belief. The capability of human beings to move on from such tragedies and become something to be proud of again gives me such admiration for Martinique, and I am so grateful to be able to not only learn about such history, but also be able to experience it tangibly.
