Category: Caribbean

Submitted by Ashley Cooke on the 2024 Winter NURS program in the British Virgin Islands…

At the beginning of this week, 13 other girls and I arrived in Tortola for our nursing study abroad trip. As we start clinicals next week, this week was more geared towards orienting ourselves to the culture and way of life down here. Our accommodations are just a short walk to the beach, so we have really enjoyed our down time and started to read our suggested book, “Island Queen” as a part of our classwork. Spending a full day out on the boat snorkeling was definitely the highlight of my week this far, and I think many of the girls would agree. Last night, we all tried a local dish, roti, that most of us had never tried before. It was definitely something very different from what I normally eat, but I still enjoyed it. At our debrief meeting a couple days ago, we all talked about something that has surprised us since arriving here. For me, it was how friendly all of the local people are to us. It is normal to greet everyone you pass with a “Good morning!” or “Good afternoon!” This has definitely been an adjustment, as most of us have been taught the idea of “stranger danger” from a young age. However, everyone I have met has been very kind, and word must travel fast around the island as many people will see us and recognize us as “the nursing students.” Seeing how welcoming and genuine the local people and learning how open they are to having conversations with strangers has been a great part of my first week here! (Submitted on January 8, 2024)

Submitted by Bianca Soutar on the 2024 Winter NURS program in the British Virgin Islands…

I am studying abroad in the British Virgin islands for nursing. During my first week here we have already done so much and I have learned so much about the culture here. One thing that has surprised me is how friendly everybody is in this area. Everybody says hello to us and starts a conversation to get to know us, which is very different from people in America. I think that was a big culture shock for me and I really love the atmosphere here because of how friendly the locals are to each other and us.  Also, the area we are in is a very tight knit community and everybody seems to know each other which was very interesting and cool to me. I also was able to try some new foods here, one being Roti which is a very popular dish in BVI. I am a very picky eater as well and am forcing myself to branch out and try new foods and am really surprised by how much I like different foods. We also are doing clinicals at the hospital here, so it is very interesting to see the difference in the healthcare system in a new country. Today was our first day of clinicals, so we just met all the nurses and got shown around the hospital, but I am excited for tomorrow where we get to be more hands on with patients. All in all I had a great week in BVI and have already learned so much about the culture here and tried new things! (Submitted on January 8, 2024)

Submitted by Caitlin Greeff on the 2024 Winter HDFS program in Barbados…

On January 3rd, I arrived in Barbados for the first time, unaware of what to expect. After spending the first few days exploring the island, it was clear that the water was the place to be. The crystal clear water and amazing activities that can be done are unlike anything I have experienced before. Our entire group knew we needed to try some for ourselves.

After getting in touch with a Barbados local, the 16 students on the HDFS 24W Barbados trip embarked on a glass-bottom boat excursion where we went snorkeling with sea turtles, various fish, and stingrays, and explored a shipwreck. Having this experience not only provided us with amazing views and pictures that will last a lifetime but also gave us the opportunity to interact with three locals on the boat who taught us about their experience living on the island. The captain told us funny stories about his favorite things to do on the island and showed us some of his favorite spots! There was an exhilarating feeling the moment we jumped off the top of the boat into beautiful, blue waters and were greeted by sea turtles who swam right up to us. The experience of going on a boat with locals from the island who were so welcoming and truly cared about making this a memorable day for us is one that I will never forget. (Submitted on January 7, 2024)

Submitted by Brooke Gaenzle on the 2024 Winter CIEG program in Barbados…

This first week in Barbados has been so cool! We’re currently staying at the Bellairs Research Institute and studying coastal processes and Matlab. It’s been especially interesting to be able to learn about coastal processes in class and then see them happening on the beach. I spend most of my time exploring the coast, swimming, and snorkeling when not in class. While dining this, I’ve been able to explore the coral reefs that line the west coast of Barbados and allow for a natural breaking point for the Caribbean waves. And we’ve been able to measure strips of the beach to create beach profiles using our Matlab skills. While exploring the city, I found the people of Barbados to be extremely friendly and welcoming. I’ve received so much advice from locals about where to eat, where to surf, and what places to visit. I’m incredibly excited to keep exploring the island and learning more about the coastal environment! (Submitted on January 7, 2024).

Submitted by Jocelyn Juliano on the 2024 Winter CIEG program in Barbados…

So far, Barbados has been really nice. One of the best things that I have enjoyed here is the amount of time spent outdoors. In the winter at home, I feel like I waste a lot of my day because it is cold out and there isn’t much to do, and it is harder to wake up early in the morning and start my day. However, when the weather is nice, I love to wake up early and start my day. So far in Barbados, I have been waking up around 6am or 7am, and I go for a walk on the beach. Then, we have class from 9-12, and then after I go to the beach again. We also have a lot of excursions planned throughout the month that we are here, which includes a cave tour, a few island tours, and garden tours on the island. There is so much to do and I spend so much more time enjoying the day as opposed to when it is cold out. It is definitely a slower pace of life in Barbados compared to the United States, and it is a cool experience to see what it is like to live on an island. I definitely utilize the entire day when I am here, and I accomplish a lot when I start the day early and get outside. One of our classes is a coastal engineering class, so being in Barbados is the perfect setting that allows us to utilize our environment for the purpose of class. Yesterday, we made tools that allowed us to take measurements for the beach profile. We measured the elevation differences down the slope of the beach and into the water to be able to plot the beach profile and understand the beach we are on. It was really interesting and informative because we got to apply what we have learned in class to the environment we are living in for the month. I am definitely excited to continue to learn more about coastal engineering while we are in Barbados, and also excited to learn more about the environment and culture along the way.

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).

Submitted by Renee Rush on the 2022 winter session program in the British Virgin Islands sponsored by the School of Nursing…

This was my last week in the British Virgin Islands and I had the time of my life this entire month! During our last few days, we went on a boat trip to neighboring islands and we went to Necker Island for an animal conservation exhibit where we got to see lemurs, pink flamingoes, giant tortoises, wild horses, and baby goats! On our last day, we all went to the beach for the last time and then prepared for our farewell dinner which we all got to dress up for! The food was delicious and it was the perfect end to a perfect program!

 

Submitted by Emili Rutkowski on the 2022 winter session program in the British Virgin Islands sponsored by the School of Nursing…

I am so sad to be leaving. This has truly been the experience of a lifetime and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I learned a lot and laughed even more. I am so fortunate to have been able to experience something has great as this. Thank you Center for Global Programs & Services for making this possible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Submitted by Renee Rush on the 2022 winter session program in the British Virgin Islands sponsored by the School of Nursing…

This week, we continued with our clinical experience at the hospital! After clinical one day, we went to a prison museum and got a tour of it. We learned about some of the prisoners that previously resided there and how the prison system in the BVI differs from the US. For example, they explained how the prisoners were allowed to check themselves in and out of the prison everyday if they displayed good behavior. Overall, it was a great experience to see how their system worked!

Submitted by Henna Castle on the 2022 winter session program in the British Virgin Islands sponsored by the School of Nursing…

Funny story! This picture was taken on Jost Van Dyke Island at the Soggy Dollar. It got the name because boats have to dock far out in the water, forcing people to swim into the beach. When they reach the sand, all of their money is wet (or soggy) when they go to buy food. We had just swum onto the beach and were posing to take a picture with the UD flag when two women approached us with huge smiles on their faces. Turns out they are both UD graduates, one of them was even in the nursing school here! This just proves that no matter where you are, you can find a Blue Hen.