Memorial Day Weekend-Vance Luedtke

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 parts of the Caribbean that you really cannot appreciate from land. The water was incredibly clear, and it was interesting seeing how each island had its own personality and atmosphere despite being located so close together. The trip gave us a chance to relax and enjoy some of the natural beauty that makes this region such a popular destination for travelers from around the world.

We spent a good amount of time exploring Anguilla while we were there. It was cool getting to see another island and compare it to Sint Maarten. Although the islands are close to each other geographically, they each have a different feel. Visiting Anguilla helped me better understand why people choose to island-hop when they visit this part of the Caribbean. Every destination offers something a little different, which keeps the experience interesting.

Another memorable experience was having a bonfire on the beach one night with about ten people from our study abroad group. By this point in the trip, we have all gotten to know each other pretty well, so it was a fun way to spend the evening outside of class. We stayed out on the beach talking, listening to music, and enjoying the view of the ocean at night. Between the warm weather, the sound of the waves, and being surrounded by friends, it ended up being one of the best nights of the week.

Memorial Day itself was spent almost entirely at the beach. Coming from the United States, it was interesting celebrating an American holiday while being in another country. Even though we were away from home, it still felt like a holiday weekend because of the great weather and the time spent with friends. The beaches here are obviously one of the biggest attractions on the island, and spending the day there made it easy to understand why tourism continues to be such an important part of the local economy.

One evening we went to the Rib Shack for dinner with my friend Mike, and his mother and sister who were visiting for the weekend. It was cool getting the opportunity to meet them and spend some time together. One of the best parts about study abroad experiences is that you end up meeting new people and getting to know them outside of the classroom. The food was excellent, and it was a fun way to spend the evening after a busy week.

Our advertising class continues to make these experiences more interesting because we are constantly thinking about tourism, branding, and destination marketing. Whether we are visiting beaches, taking boat trips, or exploring neighboring islands like Anguilla, it is easy to notice how attractions are promoted to visitors and how destinations create an image that encourages people to travel there. Being able to experience these places firsthand while also studying the tourism industry has made this trip both educational and enjoyable. As our time in Sint Maarten continues, it feels like there is still plenty left to see and learn.

-Vance Luedtke