Most Memorable Events

During the trip the activities that are salient in my mind are the events that focused around interacting with the locals. I absolutely loved immersing myself into another culture. In a culture that is so welcoming, it was not hard to get acclimated to the charming people, the warm weather or the general relaxed vibe. One of my favorite social activities was the snorkeling adventure we took on Frank’s Glass-Bottom Boat. This was one of the major highlights for me because as a group we really bonded over the adventure we took together. We each did something that we had never done before. For me it was swimming out in the ocean to see the beautiful coral and fish. For Raqueal it was jumping off the top off the boat while all of her colleagues cheered her on. For Dondra it was just getting off the boat and swimming in the ocean. Because we were all doing something that wasn’t familiar to us we had to put a little (or a lot) of our trust in the group surrounding us. Thus, causing us to go beyond that trust and create a bond that I think is irreplaceable.

 

Another event that sticks out in my mind is the day that we did community service in the community of Sea Lots, at It’s Up to MEnvironmental. This day will always hold a special place in my heart. We got to interact with everyone from small, school-aged children up to an elderly community member, and everyone in between. On this day we also met with some of the students that we would be working/presenting with at the Symposium. Meeting some of the college students from the University of Trinidad and Tobago was a real eye opener for me because I had the misconception that they would be so different from us, when in all actuality we were all pretty much the same. The only thing that was remotely different was that most of these students were relatively older than traditional college students; Most of them being in their upper 20s.

 

 

The last event that really left an impression on me was going into the Success Laventile Secondary School. In preparation for this visit we had been told that the students at this school would be a rather challenging group to deal with. I don’t think that that assumption could have been more wrong. The students that we interacted with were no worse than your typical teenage students and actually seemed to be better behaved than students their age. The best part about visiting these students had to be the steel pan performance that they gave us. Their performance was one of the best musical experiences I have ever had.

 

All in all, my favorite part of going to Trinidad and Tobago was bonding with my peers, the faculty and staff and the people of Trinidad and Tobago. I made lasting memories with people that I hope to be connected with for a lifetime.

 

Naomi Sells

-University of Louisville

Never Would Have Imagained...

     Going to another country has made me realize that the world is so much bigger than I could ever imagine. I had the opportunity to go to Trinidad and Tobago and feel so blessed. I went with UofL as part of the International Service Learning Program. Even though it was during my spring break, I couldn’t ask for a better one. It was a service learning program so we had a planned agenda as well as some free time to enjoy ourselves. Some of the things we participated in were, going to a local NGO that promoted recycling and raising the importance of it; so that was fun to get dirty and put in work for a greater good. Also we went to a school and taught a couple of classes about the importance of recycling. The students were so respectful and sweet. The main reason that we were there was to collaborate with University of West Indies and University of Trinidad and Tobago on the importance of education and share some “best practices” on how to make Trinidad a culture that wants to be active and engaged in civic engagement. The symposium went well and I am happy that I could contribute to something internationally.

     Each day I would wake up eager to start my day. We stayed in a beautiful resort where the staff was so hospitable! It was amazing! We went snorkeling; kayaking and I faced my fear and jumped off a boat in the ocean! This experience has been a humbling one because I get to see how much I have and compare that to others that don’t have as much, yet are still happy and eager to succeed in life. It has made me stop always wishing for more and be appreciative of what I do have.

     The beaches and ocean were so calming and relaxing, it made me not want to leave! Though I missed my home I was not ready to go home. There was so much still to do and see that I couldn’t possibly see in just one week. Some of the girls on the trip and I have already talked about having a reunion trip. I definitely plan on returning in the near future!

Raqueal Pullums

-University of Louisville International Service Learning Program

17 Strangers, One Short Week, and a Lasting Impact

As I am STILL trying to fully recover from the trip I continually catch myself constantly daydreaming about Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) not just in class, but anywhere I am for that matter. I have completely procrastinated and dreaded this blog post because my experience in T&T was so enriching that it is a daunting task to sift through my memories of everything that happened. I look through friends’ pictures, add Trini friends on facebook, continue to interact with my new UofL friends, and I am overwhelmed all over again. 

            Initially, I was extremely excited about getting accepted to go on this trip and I had high expectations for what my experience was going to be like. I spent hours looking through pictures posted by UofL of past trips and I constantly referred back to the experiences of my friends who have gone on ISLP trips before. However, after my first class meeting I was beyond terrified. I knew I wasn’t going to know anyone going into this, but I imagined there would at least be one other person that was an education major whether undergrad or graduate?! I frantically started contacting faculty members and people that had been on the trip before trying to find some kind of comfort, reassurance, or a way OUT! I mean I didn’t even know what a symposium was! In spite of my meltdown, the amazing Dr. Cuyjet & sweet Shirley Hardy were able to calm me down and I pushed through my awkwardness. If it weren’t for the faculty I probably wouldn’t have gone on the trip. I was afraid I would have nothing to contribute and I would not fit in, but they helped me find my place in the group. 

            The many weeks of planning and stepping out of comfort zone leading up to the trip were well worth the short week of MORE planning, work, and stepping out of my comfort zone yet again! I am so thankful that I was able to attend and take on this journey with my fellow classmates. I made new, and what I believe to be lasting, friendships with people I will never forget. Even though I was the only one of my “kind” in the group, it didn’t feel like it at all! These girls accepted me and helped me STAY out of my comfort zone. That is something that I can never thank them enough for! Meeting fellow UofL students was one of my favorite aspects of the trip.

            Lastly, even after being home for 11 days now I still find myself bringing up the trip to others more than ever. I am missing the land and the people like crazy! As a future educator, I work with kids a lot. When I decided to help plan the lesson for the day at the secondary school I envisioned my teacher mode to kick in at full force. However, I have never worked with older kids before, so again, I was pushed out of my comfort zone, but oh was I rewarded. I had the opportunity to have one-on-one conversations with high school kids who showed me that they could be just as fun to work with as the little ones! Although not to my surprise, my favorite day of all was when we got to work at It’s Up to MEnvironmental! I was able to do hands-on work (my FAVORITE!), meet new people from another country who are my age and exchange contact info, interact with young kids, and make a lasting impact on a community that is hurting. My only wish is that we could’ve had the symposium after our experiences at the recycling center and school so that we could use both of those days as first-hand references in our presentations. Maybe then I would’ve spoken up a little more on my opinion of community involvement!

It’s hard for me to confine this experience into a blog post, but I am not exaggerating when I say this was all-around one of the best experiences of my life to date. If I can persuade someone from UofL to attend one of these trips (Trinidad & Tobago in particular) I would simply tell him or her, “You’ll thank me later”. I felt like the Lord led me to go on this trip for a reason, and now I understand why. 

Kristen Holloway

-University of Louisville International Service Learning Program

A Hindu Experience

     When first compiling information for a project on the school system in Trinidad and Tobago, I ran across a fact that, though rather dry, spoke to me.  The demographics of the country were noted as being 40% Indian/Hindu, 40% Black, and 20% mixed race or other.  I stuck that tidbit of information into my report, rattled it off, and promptly moved on…

     That is until I came face-to-face with a large Hindu culture that I have never been able to experience as a Kentuckian, even in the more cosmopolitan areas like Lexington and Louisville.  Our guide for the tour was the incomparable Mr. Chandar Supersad, Career & Placement Officer in Student Advisory Services at the University of the West Indies – St. Augustine.  Our first stop was in the city of Chaguanas, where we took a stroll and looked at historical edifices such as The Lion House as Mr. Supersad interwove historical narratives of the development of Trinidad and Tobago with his own personal family history. 

   

     From there we took a lovely bus tour through Chaguanas and learned about the economic impact of the sugar plantations and saw the beautiful Indian-inspired architecture of many of the homes.  Further out of town, we arrived to the Temple of the Sea in Waterloo, a modern marvel that was built completely by hand by an indentured servant named Sewdass Sadhu.  The Temple stretches out into the water, a mere 8 miles from the Venezuelan coastline.  On clear days, you can actually see to South America!

    

     Before a trip to a local pottery making shop and a fantastic vegetarian lunch, or as my colleagues referred to it, “Sarah’s Thanksgiving,” due to my love of exotic foods and veggies, we stopped at the exquisite Dattatreya Temple and 85 foot Hanuman Murti in Carapichaima.  Although visitors are welcomed openly, being in the presence of the beautiful relics of the Hindu religion was contemplative, serene, and a nice break from all the hustle and bustle of the city. 

   

     Our entire experience in Trinidad and Tobago was incredible, but our time enjoying the cultural sites in and around the capital Port of Spain were breathtaking in their scope and the most unique part of the trip for me.  I am so glad to have Mr. Supersad’s humorous “insider” knowledge of the area he has called home for many years.  I hope to return with friends and family one day to share all I have learned and to learn more still!

Sarah Arenas

Disability Resource Center Graduate Assistant for Programming

-University of Louisville International Service Learning Program

Blessed

 

With our days being so busy, I didn't really feel like I had a lot of time to reflect at the end of each day. But now that I've been home, I've had the chance to really process this last week. I could sum up the trip in one word: blessed.

 

First, I feel blessed that I have the opportunity to not only go on this trip, but to study at the University of Louisville. Through readings and classroom discussions prior to the trip, we learned about the education system in Trinidad and Tobago. The government will cover the tuition costs for residents, but students are still responsible for the the other costs. They also are required to give back to the country in some fashion after graduation. Students' admission into a tertiary institution is also based on their test scores. While the cost is covered, the enrollment rate is much lower than that of the US. So even though post-secondary education is more accessible in the U.S., I think we tend to take that opportunity for granted; it's expected that you attend college. I know that I've taken my education for granted. I've realized how blessed I am to have the opportunity to have not only received a Bachelor's degree, but now to work on my Master's degree. 

 

It was amazing to get to see the beauty of Tobago. Trinidad is a much more industrialized island, whereas Tobago is all about tourism and beautiful landscapes. We were able to relax, enjoy the ocean, lay by the pool, and eat delicious food! One highlight of our stay was the glass-bottomed boat ride and snorkeling. During that boat trip, I had the chance to watch a couple of people conquer some of their fears. It can be terrifying to let someone see your vulnerability, especially people that you do not know well. I am so proud of everyone that stepped out of their comfort zone (and into the ocean)! 

 

 

 

Our opportunities to work with It's Up to Menvironmental and the Success Laventile Secondary School really gave me a refreshing perspective. Our small group of 17 was able to make a big impact at both locations. I think people often feel overwhelmed with the problems that exist in the world and feel that they are only one person. However, your small steps can serve as examples for others; they may see you volunteering and feel inspired to take action. Just our presence in the SeaLots community, which is comparable to West Louisville, showed other Trinidadians that it is okay to go into that neighborhood. While we were at It's Up to Menvironmental, we worked alongside students from the University of Trinidad and Tobago, as well as employees and residents of SeaLots. The expectations leading up to that day were that we would get projects started that would be completed at a later date. However, the dedication, teamwork, and hard work of all of the volunteers allowed us to accomplish so much more that day. We also found out that the next day, It's Up to Menvironmental received a large volume of calls from individuals and businesses who are interested in working with them. How exciting!

 

 

 

Overall, I have gained a new perspective on higher education and the benefits it can provide. I've learned that although we are separated by an ocean, students in Trinidad and Tobago are not that different from my classmates and me. This has also implanted a strong desire to continue to travel and incorporate some form of service into future trips.

 

 

Niki Royce

-University of Louisville International Service Learning Program

Bond...James Bond

     When we had our first reflection conversation in Trinidad and Tobago, we were asked to share one word that encapsulated our experience up to that point and I jokingly said, “Bond…James Bond.” It was a joke because in Tobago, we visited  a house (and by visited, I mean we swam out to the house and got to go inside it because it is no longer inhabited and is owned by the government) where Ian Fleming may have secretly lived while writing some James Bond novels in the 1930s and 1940s. As everyone on the trip now knows, I had a geek-out moment and got really excited about seeing it. Needless to say, it was definitely a highlight of the trip.

     However, I think the word “bond” outside of the context of 007 does a really great job of encapsulating how much this experience meant to me. The bonds I made with my fellow U of L students, staff and faculty and with the people we met in Trinidad and Tobago were the best part of the trip. 

     I want to start by talking about the bonds I made with my fellow U of L colleagues. When I joined the trip, I was not sure what to expect. I knew that some of my friends from the program would be going, but I did not know any of them too well (except for a coworker, Ashleigh). So, I wasn’t quite sure how I would function with the group. And, to be honest, I still didn’t know everyone very well before we left. But, during the short week that we were in Trinidad and Tobago I gained some friends that I think I will have for life. I learned about Kristen, a quiet education masters student who has a passion for service and for UK (but I won’t hold that against her); I had a heart-to-heart with Sarah, a fellow CSP student, about relationships and life paths; I stayed up until 5am with Kheo, another fellow CSP student, talking about philosophy, psychology and behavioral intervention; I met just about everyone on the island with Raqueal and Naomi, two undergrads who are best friends and the most beautiful social butterflies I’ve ever known; I got to know Dondra, another CSP student, who has the most service-oriented personality and a vivacious son who she missed dearly; I learned how to whine (a fun Trinidad and Tobago dance) with Nikki; and my coworker and roommate, Ashleigh, a fellow CSP student, showed me how to work hard and play hard. I’m not sure what the experience would have been like without these women, but I don’t want to think about it because they made it so amazing for me.

     I also enjoyed hanging out with the faculty and staff on the trip inside and outside of the classroom. Dr. Cuyjet, Dr. Jackson, Pam, Shirley and Joy made sure our experience was meaningful. Dr. Cuyjet prepped us by teaching us all about tertiary education in the Caribbean; Dr. Jackson helped us learn some tricks of the trade for presenting and working with colleagues; Pam not only helped us understand Trinbagonian culture, but also made sure we had all the great experiences we did (the service project, the work in the school, the tours); Shirley made sure we had food in our bellies, a roof over our head and wheels to take us where we needed to go (needless to say, we would be nowhere without her); and Joy gave us her unique perspective of being from the Caribbean. All of these people took the time to give us each individual attention and created an experience that allowed us to grow and learn from them and from one another.

     Lastly, I want to highlight just how wonderful it was to meet everyone in Trinidad and Tobago. From the locals in Tobago to our co-presenters in Trinidad, we would not have gotten to know the islands the way we did without them. As soon as we set foot in Tobago, we got to meet some locals at the hotel who taught us about living there. That was soon followed by the amazing tour of Trinidad that Chandar Supersad gave us. That was closely followed by working with other students from the University of Trinidad and Tobago and with the folks from It’s Up to MEnvironmental on our service project. Then, we got to meet our colleagues from the University of the West Indies who taught us even more about scholarship, service, and having fun. After that, we got the chance to meet some secondary school students in Trinidad who were some of the brightest and friendliest young people I have known.  I can safely say that working and limin’ (relaxing) with all of these people created the best bonds of all. 

     So, now that I am having serious withdrawals because it is snowing outside in Louisville, I’ll leave you all with my own personal form of blogging and reflection: photography. Below are two links, one to my photos on Flick and one to my photos on Facebook. Check them out to get the a firsthand account of my experience there!

Flickr photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/78196761@N05/sets/

Facebook photos: Trinidad and Tobago

Taylor McGovern U'Sellis

Residence Life Coordinator for Residence Education and Sustainability Efforts

-University of Louisville International Service Learning Program

One Week Later...

 

 

I think my mind is still in Trinidad and Tobago. Since returning home, I can't stop thinking about the crystal clear waters, embracing temperature and island culture. In seven days, I have fallen in love with an entire country. My experience was nothing short of amazing. I have meet so many people, conquered fears and changed for the better. I love how just the right amount of items where integrated throughout the week. From social to civic, we were immersed in the culture. I was able to gain and polish friendships with people, while connecting on a deeper level. This trip has ignited my desire to travel abroad more! I can't wait to see where I go next!

 

 

 

 

 

Ashleigh Taylor
Miller Hall Graduate Building Director 

-University of Louisville International Service Learning Program