Author- Kirsten Davidson
Subject- Experiences within the first few days of moving to Saint Vincent.
Hi! My name is Kirsten Davidson. I am from Ontario, Canada. I am currently just finishing my third year at Dalhousie University Agriculture Campus. I am studying international food business. I have lived in Nova Scotia for two years and have gone overseas for another year as I studied abroad in the Netherlands for part of the program. While I was in the Netherlands I had the opportunity to intern at a raw, vegan juice company called The Cold Pressed Juicery. While I was there I worked on product development and marketing. As I am now preparing to go into my fourth and final year I believe this new experience will help me to understand different cultures, work ethics and teaching techniques. Over the last few months I have been lucky enough to be one of the students chosen to go to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines which is located in the Caribbean. I will be in the Caribbean for three months doing an internship based on product development with products that are made and produced on the island. This is the main island therefore most products are made and or processed there.
Before arriving on this beautiful island some of my concerns were how I would fit in, my living conditions, would I be living in a safe area, and would it be easy to commute to work.
I arrived on Thursday, May 2. The first thing I noticed was the heat and how strong the sun is compared to Canada. I walked off the plane in black pants and a sweater, and I was boiling hot.
Our mentor picked us up from the airport and took us to our apartment where we were going to stay for the next three months. The apartment is in one of the best locations as it is in a safe community that is also very close to buses that will take you right into the city the apartment is also very close to the school where most of the internship will take place.
After we got settled in a bit in our beautiful apartment, we made our way to the store. On the way to and from the supermarket a lot of cars would honk and wave. I was nervous as to why so many people were giving us so much attention. I was always checking my bag and looking over my shoulder to make sure no one was following us.
At the end of the first day, I definitely think I had culture shock. Over my past years of traveling I never quite experienced this feeling before. Like the feeling of just wanting to get on a plane and go straight back home.
On Friday our mentor took us into Kingstown to get our phone cards. While we were in the city we were still getting looks. But whenever our mentor would introduce us to anyone they were super nice and really kind.
Over the next few days we had time to explore and get to know the area. We got to experience the market, which had amazing food. One of the guys working at the fish market told us all about the fresh fish and different things to do around the island.
I also got the chance to go to the beach. We decided to walk as we figured we could get exercise plus no taxis were available to take us. The walk to the beach took us about an hour long as we missed the first turn. Along the way locals would say hi and ask how we are doing.
I know it has only been three days since I got here but I feel like when I arrived I was very tentative of my surroundings, and now that I sort of know my way around I am feel more confident and comfortable. Over the next few weeks I believe I will be settled in and won’t ever want to leave the culture and beautiful island.
Thanks for reading! More updates to come.
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