CARIBBEAN STUDENTS REUNION

“There is no place like home” is a statement that most people simply take for granted. For me, this was brought back to me with renewed emphasis over the past weekend (November 9-11). I attended a conference in Orlando for the Florida Caribbean Students Association and oh did I have a blast? I got the chance to meet thousands of Caribbean students attend universities across the state of Florida. We had Caribbean food (WOW!) We met students from all Caribbean countries and experienced a culture that I had not seen for the past four months. Being at the conference was a rejuvenating experience. It reminded me a lot of home. We had all of three huge Caribbean parties in three days. One of the parties even included an entire hour’s performance by Jamaica’s musical sensation Elephant Man. Yeah that’s my homeland, Jamaica! We also had educational workshops that focused on issues that directly affected Caribbean students in the United States.

Overall the experience was a wonderful one. Here at Saint Leo University, we have an active Caribbean United Club. It gives Caribbean students a chance to unite and have fun while sharing a familiar culture. It has helped me a lot since I have been here. Being in a new environment, it has provided a great deal of familiarity and stability to my school experience. I am really excited to be a part of the Caribbean United Club. Can’t wait for the next Caribbean Conference in February! It should be another great and enthralling experience.

Here are a couple of pictures from the Florida Caribbean Students Association Conference: