I can’t believe that this is day one of the final week of our Study Abroad trip in Saint Maarten. I have had so many unforgettable memories, made new friends, and enjoyed countless experiences already in just these three weeks. It has honestly been a blur. I like to laugh and joke with my classmates referring to this trip as its own version of “Love Island,” but I am not entirely sure that I am ready for the season finale.
The trip to Anguilla we took this week was absolutely fascinating! We first stopped at Prickly Pear, where the water was a beautiful blue-green color, and I got to do a standing front flip off the boat. After that I got to snorkel and witness a reef for the first time in my life, and the feeling was unreal. Breathing underwater while watching fish exist in their natural habitat was super cool to me! After that, we headed to Anguilla where the water was crystal blue. On the way there though, a scene straight out of a movie happened: we saw dolphins! Not only did we see dolphins, but they playfully swam in sync in front of the boat and it literally left me smiling and speechless. I have loved dolphins ever since I was a kid, and that was my first time seeing them in the wild.
In terms of classwork, everything has been moving very fast, but luckily I have been able to keep up. Although I am still struggling to learn Sprinklr, it has gotten a little easier over time. Sometimes, honestly, it doesn’t even feel like this is class because of the knowledge I has about social media prior to this trip. Other times, however, I am truly humbled by the information I get to absorb about insights, SEO, and specific data analytics that go into marketing and promoting a brand. One of the best lessons I have learnt would have to be about crisis management, because I didn’t originally know everything that takes place when a company is under public scrutiny on social media. I have also learned how to work with people in a professional setting that I may not share similar opinions with. In terms of my discipline, waking up every morning at 7am has not been the easiest, but it has definitely helped me budget my time more, and I am very grateful for that.
All in all, the trip was a success and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Roll Tide!
