Category: Caribbean

Submitted by Jasmine Anthony on the 2015 winter session program in Barbados sponsored by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies and the Department of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management…

When I meet a local, they always ask me how I like Barbados to which I reply, “I love it. I really do not want to leave.” I say this in hopes that they will offer to house me until I get established in Barbados! Thus, week three has been bitter sweet for I am truly having the time of my life, but my program is coming to an end. However, I made the most of my dwindling time on the island. One way I have been able to do so is by acquiring as much knowledge from the locals about the island as I possibly can.

Throughout my time on the island, I made an effort to really immerse myself in the culture and I have been successful in doing that. This is due to the gregarious nature of the locals. I usually can initiate conversations with most Bajans and they will entertain a whole conversation about any given topic. In talking to Bajans, I found that the island is not as problem free as it is advertised. Despite the fact that Barbados is one of the richest Caribbean islands, there are still several underlying issues.

Oddly enough, most of these issues are rooted in the island’s biggest industry, tourism. Because the government spends a good portion of their funds to provide hotels and other tourist attractions with the adequate amount of resources, the locals are left to fend for the scraps. For example, many locals experience water shortages because the majority of the island’s water goes to the hotels and resorts. Dr. Cristina Jönsson, a professor from the University of West Indies, attested to this fact for she once went two whole days without having access to running water inside her home. However, it is seldom that tourists experience such occurrences. Speaking as a tourist, I would have never thought this to be an issue for it seems as though there is an abundance of water, but I suppose that is precisely the problem. The needs of tourists appear to be more important than those of the citizens.

Another “little known fact” imparted on me by a Bajan is the flaws with the health care system. I am always so impressed when a country provides health care to its citizens. This is because until recently, health care was portrayed to be a luxury by the American government and not a necessity. However, Barbados patterns itself after England in terms of its government and social welfare policy. Thus, the Barbadians receive practically free health care. Upon asking Bajans about their health care system, they expressed their discontentment with the services provided to them. Many feel that the government provides subpar services to encourage citizens to utilize the private sector of health care. The private sector is growing in Barbados, despite the accessibility of free services.

In talking to the locals, I have learned a tremendous amount about Barbados. One commonality between all the people with whom I have spoken is that they have such pride in their country. I think that speaks volumes about the charm of this island. Regardless of its flaws, Barbadians proudly speak of their country’s accomplishments and heritage. They have a great deal to be proud of, most notably, the strength, kindness, and beauty of their people.

Submitted by Georgina Class-Peters on the 2015 winter session program in Barbados sponsored by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies and the Department of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management…

Sylvester pulled into the school grounds and the children could not contain themselves. Honestly speaking, seeing the smiles on their faces brightened my day. It is nice to know that people are excited to see you. As I walked out of the car, they ran up to me, almost knocking me over. “Hi Auntie Georgina!” they shouted from the top of their lungs! I love watching the children play, so innocent and carefree. Standing there quietly, I noticed a beautiful little girl who just seemed to be looking around. Something about her drew me closer and suddenly I wanted to know her. She caught me staring at her and gave me the sweetest smile, so I walked over to her. “My goodness you are pretty”, I whispered to her. She flashed her sweet smile again and replied “ I think you’re pretty too”.  At that moment, another little girl approached me. I acknowledged her and she started “Auntie Georgina, I wish I had hair like you because your hair is so pretty and curly. Mine is short and dingy and makes me feel ugly”. I  could have cried. 

It really hurt me that this little girl felt that I was somehow better than her because my hair was longer than hers. If only she knew that my hair was fake, I wonder  she would think of me. At that moment, I wanted to take off all these tracks and show her that I truly looked more like her than she thought. This encounter made me question the standards of beauty here. How many other little girls feel the same way? Quickly, I corrected her and pointed out all her attractive features to her. I know she did not believe me, but I know one day she will remember this conversation. 

 

Submitted by Jasmine Anthony on the 2015 winter session program in Barbados sponsored by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies and the Department of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management…

I know it is such a cliché thing to say that I am “learning something new every day.” However, I cannot think of a more accurate and appropriate phrase to use to describe my time in Barbados. Each week has brought a refreshing and enriching wave of knowledge. This week’s theme was one of my favorite topics, music.

Because I love to dance, I have taken advantage of every opportunity to go out to the clubs that has come my way. Thus I have heard a lot of new music. And when I say “new” I mean that the music in Barbados sounded completely different than what I am used to. As someone who was raised on Hip Hop and R&B, to hear steel drums or cow bells in a song, was foreign to me. This did not stop me from dancing, but I had to learn to dance to a different rhythm. I then became curious as to why Caribbean music and African American genres such as Hip Hop, sound so different. Thankfully, this week’s lectures were on music.

Dr. Stefan Walcott, a prominent musician in Barbados, came and spoke to our class about the origins of music in the Caribbean. Through these lectures, I learned about the variations of Caribbean music across islands. For example, in the French speaking Caribbean islands such as Martinique or Haiti, the music sounds more romantic. The majority of songs are ballads or conducive to partner dancing. Conversely, the music of Barbados or Soca is fast paced and full of energy. Dr. Walcott taught this to the class by having us play each type of music. He brought instruments and instructed us on how play the instrument in the appropriate rhythm. For example, the selected drummer would play one type of rhythm while playing Soca and a completely different rhythm while playing Son, the music of the Spanish speaking islands.

However, the most exciting part of this lesson came when Dr. Walcott brought in the steel drum. He asked for volunteers to play the instrument however, everyone seemed intimidated by it for no one raised their hand. I personally was fearful of playing the drum because it is such a massive instrument. But the next thing I know, I raised my hand to volunteer and Dr. Walcott called me up to the front of class. Although Dr. Walcott is a musical genius, he was very patient and friendly with me as I butchered playing the steel drum. I eventually got the hang of it and he taught me how to play “Mary had a Little Lamb.” I was so proud of myself for I did not think I could learn to play the steel drums.  I am glad I stepped out of my comfort zone to learn something new and different. However, that is my purpose in studying abroad.

After class, Dr. Walcott told us of some music festivals coming up that week. He would be performing with his band at one of them. Therefore, a few of my friends and I bought tickets to go and see Dr. Walcott perform. As I mentioned before, he is an incredible musician and I did not want to miss a chance to see him in his element. And I am so glad I did! His performance at the Naniki Music Festival was extraordinary. His solo got the crowd excited and clapping. Dr. Walcott lives up to his title of the “music man.” There were several other performances at the festival and they were all incredible. Everyone was dancing and singing, despite their age. There was this one couple, who had to be at least in their 70s, out on the floor “wuking” it up. Thus in Barbados, fun has no age limit and does not disappear as one grows old.

I thought last week would serve as the pinnacle of my trip however, week two has brought another enlivening wave of adventures. Like the music of this island, this week had been vibrant and lively. And it is through these adventures that I am able to immerse myself into the culturally rich island that is Barbados.  I am looking forward to what next week will hold.

Submitted by Ayanna Gill on the 2015 winter session program in Barbados sponsored by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies and the Department of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management…

Before traveling to Barbados, I watched this beautiful TED Talk by Pico Iyer titled “Where is Home?” Pico Iyer paints a wonderfully touching picture on what it means to be at home in a world where our origins are that of cultural mashups.

Home is a very difficult word to conceptualize in this day and age. To me, home is a sanctuary, a place of love and comfort that always welcomes you with open arms; where the rags of your life are turned into quilts. For many people, home is a connector to where you are from, where you are born or raised and educated. But, for more and more of us in this generation, “home has less to do with a piece of soil that we walk on than a piece of our soul”.  A strong point that really resonated with me about his speech was the idea that people today take pieces of many different places and put them together into a stained glass whole. Home is considered a work in progress, it’s like a project on which we are constantly adding upgrades, corrections and improvements. This point really hit for me because it explains why so many people in this world travel regularly, stay in different parts of the world for extended periods of time and call it home. It’s the idea of where you are coming from is less important than where you are going.

In many ways, my journey to Barbados was a search for my extended family and I found them. Ever since I was a little girl going with my parents to the hospital to visit my Grandmother Gill and listening to the beautifully articulated stories of my Great Aunt Iris, I have only been exposed to bits and pieces of my family story. Yet, I have never known the real roots of my family tree. “Where am I from?” I have always known that I have had a connection to Barbados. My Aunt Iris moved to New York from Barbados and lived to be 105 years old.  I loved listening to her stories of growing up on the island and the major historical events she lived through upon moving to America. I met family from Barbados, the cousins of my father, but I was still confused by our relationship. “Was this really family?”

I knew I wanted answers and seeking the truth was exactly what I wanted to do once I arrived in Barbados. On Tuesday, January 20th, 2015 I found what I was looking for in the most shocking way. My grandfather and father extended the contact of my cousin on the island and I finally met him. Cousin Roger was his name. He had been putting together the family tree on my father’s side for a few years now, piecing together birth certificates and records until he finally had a physical family tree. I wanted to cry. The emotions that I was feeling were a rush of excitement, of years of hearing stories, but still longing for more about who I was and where my family came from. My cousin was able to piece together our family tree spanning back to the 1800s and how our family started in Barbados.

It all began with Horatio Rawlins–my great, great, great, great grandfather, a white plantation owner for one of the biggest plantations on the island in St. Philips. His daughter, Eva Ann, married a black slave on the plantation, who was a bookkeeper named Samuel Thorpe. Horatio Rawlins gave them a portion of the plantation to live on. Eva Ann and Samuel Thorpe had five children, one of them being my great, great grandfather Percival Thorpe. Percival Thorpe had my great grandmother Margorie Gill.  My biggest surprise was just the idea that my family has a connection to one of the biggest, original plantations on the island. This is the same plantation I took a tour of in the first week of being here, the one that is now being used as a tourist attraction site, the same one that has been passed down for generations by families with money to claim the land. My cousin could tell the level of shock in my reaction to this information and he continued to reassure me that Barbados is my home, “you will always have family here.” It’s still taking me time to process all this information of my story. Telling my Dad and hearing his surprise over the phone–all I could do was tear up.

“Am I finding my home?”

Submitted by Georgina Class-Peters on the 2015 winter session program in Barbados sponsored by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies and the Department of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management…

Now that the shock of being abroad has sort of worn off, I have been able to get a lot of things done. This past week, I made it my goal to work ahead and complete some future assignments and follow up on some RSO items. Now that I’ve been able to absorb the culture, I have also found that I am taking less pictures. Although I want to have physical memories of my trip, I also do not want to be living through the lens.

This week at placements, I participated in eliminations for sports day.  Each student represents their neighborhood in an island wide track race. At my school, students run for Red house, Green house, and Yellow house. I could not help but chuckle when the children would repeatedly ask me what house I belonged to.  They made me an honorary Green house member which I was fine with, simply because Green house was current reigning champion. It was cool to see the energy and excitement each team brought to the race. They wanted to make their houses and families proud. 

On Friday, a group of us took a trip down to Oistins for a fish fry. There were so many vendors there selling food, dresses, souvenirs, and other memorabilia. The line for Pat’s was the longest with about an hour wait time because their food was said to be the best. I was starving and had no patience so I settled for another vendor, which was still tasty. There was a stage for people to go up and dance. Outside of New York City, I have never seen so many people in one place.  As I was having the time of my life, I spotted a chicken and I freaked out! Seems silly, especially because our mascot is a blue hen, but I am terribly afraid of chickens. 

After Oistins, we went to the Nanikki Barbados Music Festival which was a lot of fun. The venue was beautiful and the air was crisp. We saw Stefan Walcott, a member of C4, and also one of our guest speakers perform. He is extremely talented and knowledgeable. Both times he visited our class, I was thoroughly impressed with his wealth of knowledge. David Rudder a big time artist also turned out the house. I had a great time to say the least. 

Submitted by Sara Somers on the 2015 winter session program in Trinidad and Tobago sponsored by the Department of Music…

Now that our group is settled and more accustomed to our life in Trinidad, we are further understanding our class material and the adventures we go on. In steel pan class, we have recorded two songs in addition to learning some music theory. The knowledge students have gained in the two weeks we have been studying here is equivalent to what I have learned in years of music classes in middle school! Our knowledge is applied when visiting pan yards as the groups prepare for Carnival.

In history class, we have learned how different ethnic groups have settled in Trinidad and how their beliefs and cultures have impacted the country. I found it interesting that the two main ethnic groups in Trinidad, Africans and Indians, were brought as slaves and indentured laborers. To further understand the religions of Trinidad, we traveled to multiple Hindu temples and ate traditional Indian meals. Besides the delicious meal we were graciously given, being able to eat with my hands was an enjoyable experience!

Now that I am halfway through my stay in Trinidad, I can better see the importance of steel pan to the Trinidad lifestyle. Our group was able to spend a weekend in Tobago, where talking to locals and experiencing their hobbies gave us insight to their culture. There is still so much to learn about the history of the Caribbean and Trinidad’s triumphs and struggles, in addition to hot weather to be enjoyed.

Submitted by Ayanna Gill on the 2015 winter session program in Barbados sponsored by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies and the Department of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management…

Being in Barbados has been a life-changing and eye-opening cultural experience. The moment I stepped out of the plane at BWI there has been nothing but a feeling of euphoria that filled my heart. The weeks leading up to the trip have been a nervous rush, and it didn’t really feel real until I stepped out of the aircraft to the beautiful, 80 degrees paradise. “I can’t believe I’m actually in Barbados” are the words that repeatedly ran through my mind. This is my first time truly traveling outside of the country and I was amazed by the calm, vibrant, colorful and exciting nature of this island.

As part of our course requirements for this program, students are given different placements throughout the island to gain a true cultural experience. Placed amongst a psychiatric facility, an HIV facility and primary schools, we venture to our locations each morning for three days out of the week. I was assigned to the primary schools and I was so excited to work with the little children, to gain the experience of working with children, but more importantly to understand the cultural aspects that foster the education system on the island.

My first day at Sharon Primary School was such an overwhelming, joyous and eye-opening experience. As soon as we entered the school, we were introduced to the Headmistress. She sat with us to give us a formal breakdown of the school, how it functions and their methods of discipline and teaching. I was moved by their philosophy of “every student has one talent, and it is the school’s responsibility to find that talent and master it–no child is left behind or will not make it.” My moment of culture shock came from the realization that although many schools in America, in particular American public schools, strive to foster a motto many teachers find it hard to adopt, especially in urban settings. Sharon Primary lives by the purpose of a love for God, aim high and keep pure.

As we followed the Headmistress around for a tour of the school,  I was in awe at seeing how every time we walked into a classroom all the children  stood up and recited a greeting in unison. “Good Morning Headmistress Small-Williams, how are you today.–Thank you  kindly for visiting our class today.” It was honestly the most beautiful and ideal moment of seeing such well-mannered and disciplined children. All of them would say “thank you, ma’am”, “excuse me, ma’am”, which was a shock to me because I have never had a young child address me in that way, and I’ve worked with young children before. No matter the age, they were all very cordial and extremely excited to see us working with them.

I was assigned to work with young children and was so happy to paired with reception class 1 with ages 4-6 years old. The teacher introduced me as “Aunty Ayanna”, for which all the children in unison greeted me with beautiful smiles. As we moved through the day and the children were having snack time, I had an interesting conversation with the teacher. She asked me how many students are in classrooms at this age-group in America. That particular classroom  had over thirty children with one teacher and no assistance, which is not something you see in America. She was telling me how much she wished that Bajan teachers could see what it’s like to teach in American schools because schools in Barbados are under-resourced, need more supplies and more assistance for smaller class sizes.

The need for assistance was made evident when the kids were sent out to lunch and then filed out for recess. My teacher had to take on another responsibility, so I was left alone to entertain the children during their playtime–which was crazy. Playing monster and tag, I left the field with dirt all over my pants after being trampled by the children–it was so much fun. After dealing with very hyper little children through the smiles and tears, scrapes and bruises, I led them inside for story time.

I had no idea what was going on without any guidance and all the children running around the school. Once I was able to get all the kids back in the classroom, they ran to the back of the room and put together a stack of children’s books on my lap for me to read. They all then pulled their chairs into a circle and I went through reading three story books until the teacher came back. I felt such a culture shock by how the schools operated. From my elementary school days, I’m used to having lunch in  a cafeteria and recess in a playground, but they make due without those amenities and the greatest thing to see is how much the older children take care of and look out for the younger ones.

Overall, it has been such an amazing opportunity to work with these beautiful and bright young children and I’m so excited to see what this school has in store for me.

 

 

Submitted by Georgina Class-Peters on the 2015 winter session program in Barbados sponsored by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies and the Department of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management…

Our first day of placements was fun. Even though we got dropped off at the wrong school this morning, it was an opportunity for me to familiarize myself with a Bajan school. At the first school, I had the great pleasure of speaking with Ms.Chapman. She answered all my questions about the school day, lunch, daily activities, and the school system in general. She was so kind to introduce me to her headmaster who openly welcomed me for the short time I was there. I was pleased that all the students who crossed my path took time to acknowledge my presence. They all happily greeted me with a hearty “Good morning Ma’am”! I smiled and returned their greeting. I was shocked that they were so happy and eager to participate in their morning assembly rituals. It faintly reminded me of my Catholic school days, where we had to wear uniforms and attend morning assembly.

When we finally arrive at the correct school, I was shocked by the size of the school. There in the small compound existed the entire school population spanning ages 4-11. Mrs. Lovell, the head mistress, was quite a lovely lady. She asked us our perferance and did her best to accommodate our requests. As she escorted us to the classrooms, I suddenly became nervous. At that moment, I realized that I am actually somewhat responsible for these children and their learning.

The children were overly polite. When Mrs. Lovell walked into the class room, they promptly stood up to recite her greeting. If she was not pleased with their greeting, they would have to do it over. She walked me to class 2 where I found 24 wide- eyed 8-9 year old pupils.  After Mrs. Ottley, their teacher, introduced me as ‘Auntie Georgina’ she carried on with her English lesson and they simply stared at me. I could just see their questions all over their faces. I never got a formal introduction from the students. I expected to learn their names, favorite color, and other random facts about them. When she returned to her desk, Mrs. Ottley spoke to me about the students. She was highly concerned with their reading levels and comprehension skills. For students of their age, ideally they should be able to read and write at a good level. She seemed frustrated because of her inability to offer each student the attention they needed.

The layout of the class and school in general, in my opinion, is not conducive to learning. The children have a hard time focusing on their tasks and assignments because of the amount of activity happening at once.  The situation reminded me of my tutoring appointment back home in Wilmington.There I work with academically challenged elementary schoolers.  I quickly realized that I must build rapport with the children before can they trust me to help them with their work. I realize that this placement will teach me the proper patience needed to interact with children.  Although today was a bit of a culture shock for me, I look forward to tomorrow and the days ahead. I really hope to somehow inspire these children to actually focus in class. 

 

 

 

Submitted by Jasmine Anthony on the 2015 winter session program in Barbados sponsored by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies and the Department of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management…

To say that my first week was incredible is doing a great injustice to my experience. Barbados, in such a short period of time, has come to feel like my home. The factor responsible for this sentiment is the people of Barbados or the “Bajans” as they call themselves. From our tour guide Mr. Ian to the people we meet while exploring the island, everyone has treated us so kindly. Mr. Ian in particular has made this week uniquely enriching and enjoyable. Mr. Ian served as our tour guide on Tuesday. He organized the most amazing tour I have ever been on in my life.

We traveled through the entire island which is only 21 miles long and 14 miles wide. Although we saw a variety of historical and cultural landmarks, the two sites that impacted me the most were the Sunbury Plantation and the Codrington College. The history of the Sunbury Plantation stretches as far back as the 17^th century as the British began to colonize the island. This plantation was one of the largest on the island and produced several different crops including yams, vegetables, and most importantly, sugar cane.

The Sunbury Plantation made an impression on me because of the portion of history no one likes to talk about, slavery. As an African American, visiting a plantation stirred mixed emotions inside me. The fact I am now able to visit a plantation shows that my people have overcome this form of oppression. Simultaneously, the dark history associated with the plantation disturbed me.

Conversely, the Codrington College visit put me at peace. Located in the parish of Saint John, this Anglican theology school trained some of Barbados most famous religious leaders including Alfred Pakenham Berkeley, who became the Bishop of Barbados. The college now serves as a historic landmark. The site is very quiet, but not in an eerie way. It is a very calming quiet, one of stillness and tranquility. The sensation of peace that so gently washed over me as I walked through the college was unlike anything I have ever felt. Mr. Ian said that people often come to Codrington to mediate and relax. After visiting it, I wholeheartedly understand why. I must return before I leave!

Overall, my first week has been phenomenal. I do not remember the last time I had this much fun learning about another culture. I hope as the program progresses that I can fully immerse myself into the Bajan way of life and allow the experience to help me grow as an individual.

 

 

Submitted by Jaylen Wingfield on the 2015 winter session program in Barbados sponsored by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies and the Department of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management…

Yesterday, I finally arrived to the beautiful island of Barbados with my fellow Blue Hens! After a journey that started at 2 am and consisted of a bus ride and two plane flights, I had finally made it to my destination. The island is so much more than I expected. The lush tropical greenery, the clear blue ocean and sky, and the beautiful golden beaches all contribute to the beauty of Barbados.

After landing at the international airport in Barbados, we all hopped in three shuttles that transported us to the hotel we are staying at. The very first difference that I took note of was the country’s driving practices; everyone drives on the left side of the road, and even the driver’s seat is on the left side of every vehicle. Riding in a vehicle in this country is definitely an experience. Every time I saw a car headed towards us on the right side of the road, it felt as though we were about to have a head on collision! And to top it all off, there are no traffic lights and there are little traffic and speed regulations. It was definitely a change from the United States.

Soon, we will be starting our service-learning placements and I will be working at the HIV/AIDS commission of Barbados. I can’t wait to get started!