Business, Beaches, & Byes (Claire Findley)

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 the design, organization, and overall presentation to ensure that each section effectively communicated our ideas and findings. Since everyone had contributed significant effort to the project, it was important to us that each person's work was accurately represented and showcased in the best possible way. This final week allowed us to fine-tune our campaign and take pride in what we had accomplished together.

While much of our time was dedicated to completing the campaign book, we also made a point to enjoy our final days on the island and reflect on the experiences we had shared. One of our last excursions was a trip to Philipsburg, a place that quickly became one of our favorite destinations during our stay. We spent the day exploring the streets, picking up souvenirs, and revisiting some of the shops and locations that had become familiar to us over the past few weeks. It was a bittersweet experience knowing that it would likely be our last visit before returning home.

One particularly memorable stop was a visit to a shop called “The Yoda Guy.” What initially seemed like a unique souvenir store turned out to be a fascinating experience. We had the opportunity to meet one of the artists who worked on the original Yoda character and learn about his contributions to the Star Wars films, as well as several other notable movies. Walking through the exhibits and hearing stories from someone directly involved in such iconic productions was both inspiring and unexpected. It was also interesting to see how someone whose career had taken them around the world ultimately found a home in St. Martin. Experiences like this reminded me of the island’s unique ability to bring together people from diverse backgrounds and create a strong sense of community.

Outside of our academic responsibilities, we made sure to appreciate the island’s natural beauty one last time. We spent our remaining free time enjoying the warm tropical weather, relaxing by the pool, and taking in the stunning beaches that had become part of our daily routine. Knowing that we would soon be returning to our normal schedules, we wanted to fully appreciate every moment and take advantage of the incredible environment around us.

Our final karaoke night was another highlight of the week. It served as a celebration of everything we had accomplished together and the friendships we had built throughout the

trip. To mark the occasion, many of us ended the night with a spontaneous jump into the pool, laughing and reflecting on the journey we had shared.

As our time on St. Martin came to an end, I found myself feeling both grateful and nostalgic. This experience provided valuable academic opportunities, unforgettable memories, and meaningful personal growth. St. Martin will certainly be missed, and I am incredibly thankful that I had the opportunity to embark on this journey. It is an experience I will remember for years to come.