For our final week on the island, our class shifted its focus entirely to completing our campaign book. After weeks of research, planning, content creation, and collaboration, this was our opportunity to bring everything together and ensure that the final product reflected the hard work we had invested throughout the semester. Our group spent countless hours reviewing every page, refining details, and making sure the book was polished and professional. We carefully evaluated

On Monday, we hiked to the Cupecoy Caves after class and spent the afternoon exploring and relaxing there. The caves were absolutely beautiful and unlike anything I had ever seen before. Being able to climb around the rocks and take in the scenery was such a unique experience. The views of the ocean from the caves made it even more memorable. Afterward, we headed back and spent some time by the pool before dinner. That evening was our last karaoke night together. It was a bit

It feels like just yesterday I walked into Sapphire, dropped my stuff in my room, and immediately ran to different rooms to meet everyone. Yet now I’m on the plane home after the best month. Coming into this trip, I had expectations about how I wanted my experience to be, even with no idea of what this trip would be like. Yet it somehow surpassed any expectation I could’ve had. Without even being gone a day, I have already made multiple plans to see everyone beyond the trip.

Our last week in this magical paradise finally came around that dreaded corner. But tears weren’t shed yet, instead we had to make this week count the most. Monday Ella and I decided to visit the caves and scriptures, since we hadn’t gotten a chance before. A few wrong turns left us still wondering what those beautiful caves looked like, but we did discover the scripture, and another surprise… Unbeknownst to us the scriptures were located on the nude beach. It was definitely

I cannot believe that we are now three weeks into the most amazing study abroad trip. Trying to soak in the last week while also being so appreciative of every moment these past few weeks has me filled with so many emotions. Monday was such an extra special day with Memorial Day! Never did I think I would be spending Memorial Day in another country, on the most beautiful beach, surrounded by such special people. Playing the most patriotic songs all day and even at karaoke th

This week marked an exciting transition in our program as we officially wrapped up our classroom lectures and shifted our focus toward completing our final projects and preparing for presentations. Throughout the first few weeks, we spent a great deal of time learning about tourism, marketing, public relations, and analytics, and now we are finally able to put all of that knowledge into practice. In addition to learning how to create a campaign book, we continued developing o

There is nothing more bittersweet than our third week in Sint Maarten coming to an end. How many days do we have left? Around 5? I'm still pinching myself about the fact that this week is reality for me. From celebrating Memorial Day on the beach to social media takeovers to presentations in class, this week was an unforgettable one. Every single day felt like it was trying to outdo the last, and somehow, every single day succeeded. The beginning of the week consisted of muc

This week was one of the most memorable parts of our time in Sint Maarten so far. Since it was Memorial Day weekend, we spent a lot of time enjoying the island and taking advantage of everything the Caribbean has to offer. The weather was great all week, and it felt like there was always something going on. One of the highlights was taking a catamaran trip to Anguilla. We spent the day cruising around the surrounding islands, stopping at different beaches, and getting to see

As hard as it is to believe, we are already wrapping up our third week in Sint Maarten. Every week somehow seems to go by faster than the last, and I feel like we've settled into a routine that perfectly balances academics, exploring the island, and making memories with friends. What makes this experience so special is that even the slower days end up becoming some of the most memorable. We started the week on Monday celebrating Memorial Day. Since we were away from home, it

Each week somehow continues to be better than the last. The highlight of my week continues to change throughout each week as it progresses because every excursion and activity we do has been a great experience and continues to reaffirm my love for St. Maarten. Not only have the experiences and beauty of the island made this trip great, but the people really do make the place. I could not have asked for a better group. On Monday, we had no class for Memorial Day. We spent mo

By: Bella Burns Home of the free, home of the brave is the first thing I thought of when I woke up this week. The beginning of this week was unlike any other, because this week began with Memorial Day! With no early 9 a.m. class to rush to and my roommate off on her own adventure, I was putting the “me” in memorial day to use. I spent the day leisurely, watching movies, casually drinking, a quick dip in the pool, and of course a call home to converse with my veteran parents

It's hard to put into words how being here changes a person for the better, but it truly does. This week has been one of the more laid-back weeks as far as excursions and being on the go to different places, but it has lived up to the hype of the previous weeks in its own way. On Tuesday, a group of us walked from Sapphire to Maho to get $2 tacos at Three Amigos. Not only were the tacos good, but the time spent there made the 30-minute walk worth it. We all talked, laughed, a

Written by: Caroline Dougherty Sunday started another great week here in Saint Martin. We decided to have a calm and productive day by sitting by the pool and doing some schoolwork. Then we ate a quick dinner at Mama’s before prepping ourselves for a busy week. Monday was a lot of fun for us. We started the day by going to class, listening to Hayes talk about Quid and social media analytics. Followed soon after by Huff, who talked about how to formulate questions to interview

After our second week here, it’s safe to say that I have fallen in love with the island, the experiences I’ve had, and the people here that make it special. Mullet Bay has become one of my favorite places on earth. Not only because of the beach itself, but a hangout and snack spot on the beach called Rosie’s. This place has become one of my friends’ and my favorite spot to go during a typical beach day to chill, get out of the sun, and grab a hot dog. We go there so

By: Ella Patreece Lybarger The theme of our second week on the island quickly became “shop till you drop.” It began Tuesday with a trip to Marigot, the French capital, where we browsed boutiques and sampled chocolate beignets—my personal favorite. For anyone hunting for a chic island wardrobe, the French side delivered with luxury swimsuits, linen sets and accessories designed to stay stylish in the Caribbean heat. We continued to the West Indies Mall, home to toile‑print eve

Wow, I can hardly believe I am already two weeks into this study abroad trip! Two weeks in, it has been such an eye-opening experience for me, as I have been able to immerse myself more deeply in the island's culture and learn more about how special it is and why it can be considered a hidden gem. ​ There have been so many unique parts about this trip so far, and this week was definitely filled with very memorable moments. In the classroom, we were learning about how to acqui

Coming into week two, I thought there was no way it could top week one, and I was absolutely wrong. Connections became deeper, the island turned from foreign to familiar, and memories keep piling on. Being halfway through has made me wonder how I only met these people who feel like family two weeks ago. Throughout class this week, we had the opportunity to learn about Quid Monitor in order to obtain research for our campaigns. Our second part of class mainly focused on gettin

Going into week two, I honestly didn’t think this trip could get any better, but somehow it did. Every day here feels completely different, and I’m starting to settle into island life while also learning so much through our classes and experiences outside the classroom. One of the coolest parts of studying abroad in Sint Maarten is that almost everything we talk about in class can immediately be connected to something happening around us on the island. Instead of just reading

This week in St. Maarten was the perfect balance of work, adventure, and quality time with family and friends. From conducting primary research in Mullet Bay to experiencing one of the most thrilling attractions on the island, every day brought something memorable. One of the biggest highlights of the week was continuing my primary research interviews in Mullet Bay. Spending time in the community and hearing directly from local residents and visitors gave me valuable insight

I am halfway through my time here at Saint Martin, and the island continues to leave me in awe. Its beauty is undeniable, but the people here have been a huge part of what has made every moment so memorable for me this far. This week brought several milestones both inside and outside the classroom. Our professor, Dr. Jameson Hayes introduced everyone to Quid, a software used to analyze and gather analytical data on social media from platforms used by our client, Vacation Sai