Holding on to every moment– Week 3, Kyla Marino

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 was fun finding little ways to celebrate the holiday while still enjoying island life. A group of us walked into Maho for breakfast and had some amazing crepes to start the day. After breakfast, we spent the afternoon at the beach (all dressed in red, white, and blue), enjoying the sun and taking advantage of another beautiful day in Sint Maarten. Later, we got hot dogs from Rosie's and spent time sitting at the beach bar and playing in the water. That night, karaoke had an American-themed playlist in honor of Memorial Day, which made for a lot of funny performances and singalongs. We ended the evening at Fat Tony's for dinner where, naturally, I had another hot dog.

On Tuesday, we continued working on our campaign project. During class, we spent time researching on Quid Monitor and analyzing social media conversations related to our campaign topic. It was interesting seeing how much information can be gathered from social media data and how those insights can help guide marketing and public relations strategies. We also spent time preparing for our social media analytics presentation, making sure we were ready to present our findings to the class. After class, we relaxed by the pool before heading to Three Amigos in Maho for $2 taco night. The group had very mixed opinions on the tacos, but I thought they were great.

Wednesday was presentation day, where each group shared what they had found through their social media analytics research. It was interesting seeing how different every group's findings were and how much information can come from online conversations. After class, we spent the afternoon by the pool before heading to our favorite sushi restaurant for dinner. That night, we had a bonfire on the beach, which ended up being one of my favorite parts of the week. Sitting around the fire with everyone, listening to music, talking, and looking at the stars made me realize how lucky I am to be with such a great group of people.

Thursday's class focused on crisis research and crisis communication, it was also our last lecture-based class. We discussed how organizations prepare for and respond to crises and how important communication is when protecting a brand's reputation. We also talked about how companies and destinations have to react quickly during difficult situations and how social media can both help and hurt during a crisis. After class, we spent time at the beach before heading to an all-you-can-eat rib dinner. Safe to say that we all got our money's worth and I won’t be craving ribs for a while.

Friday was easily one of the highlights of the entire trip. We spent the day on a catamaran excursion to Prickly Pear and Anguilla, and it ended up being one of those days that perfectly captures what studying abroad is all about. The water was unbelievably clear, and everywhere we looked seemed like something out of a postcard. We spent time swimming, snorkeling, and looking at colorful fish and coral reefs beneath the surface. Being able to experience the natural beauty of the Caribbean up close was incredible.

 What made the day even better, though, was getting to share it with the people I've met on this trip. Three weeks ago, many of us were strangers. Now it feels like we've created our own little community. Whether we're in class, exploring a new island, or spending hours on a boat together, we've formed friendships that I know will last long after this trip ends. The catamaran gave us an entire day to relax, laugh, talk, and enjoy being together without worrying about deadlines or schedules. Looking around at everyone having fun, dancing to music, taking pictures, and jumping into the water made me realize how special these moments are.

Saturday started with another adventure as a few of us explored some caves in the morning. Turns out they are right next to the nude beach (what a sight to see!). It's amazing how many hidden spots there still are to discover around the island, even after spending several weeks here. Afterward, we stopped by the market for smoothies before spending part of the afternoon working on our campaign project by the pool. Later that evening, we went to Hole in the Wall to listen to live music and spend time together.

With only one week left, it's hard not to think about how quickly this experience has gone by. It feels like we just arrived, nervous to meet everyone and figure out life on the island, and now we're already talking about final projects and packing for home. This trip has given me so much more than I expected, from hands-on experience in public relations and social media analytics to friendships and memories that I'll carry with me long after I leave. As excited as I am for one last week of adventures, it's definitely starting to feel bittersweet knowing our time here is coming to an end.