NCU staff reaches out to foreign students

Tamara Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Being thousands of miles from home all in the name of education. Away from family and friends, and by no means in familiar territory, can drive one to depression and misery, especially during those times when everyone else has joined the company of their loved ones.

The International Student Services (ISS) body at Northern Caribbean University (NCU) recognises this loneliness and has implemented an outreach programme through which students can be shown love during holiday periods.

One employee, upon hearing of the initiative, immediately got involved. Research assistant in the Communication Studies Department, Tamika Wilson, though not owning a motor vehicle, reached out to colleagues to pool resources to assist the students. Wilson, in former years, during her many travels, received much love from the foreigners she encountered.

"There have been two outings so far - and we have been to Little Ochi in Alligator Pond on both occasions. This is not only cost effective, but puts on display some of the best fish you will ever come across in Jamaica. Little Ochi provides a circuitous drive resplendent with verdant richness only found in the rural parts of Jamaica," Wilson said, beaming.

first trip

The first trip comprised students from Haiti and Dominica. The second trip saw a wider cross-section of Caribbean nationals as this time students from Guyana, Martinique, and St Vincent joined the Haitians for the experience.

"When I lived in France, I was rescued from lonely Easter and Christmas breaks by Nicolas Huc, Bernard Depit, and Sandra Martin, Trinidad natives. They invited me into their homes, into their families, and fed me. For me, the quality of any trip is directly proportional to the quality of the food. That is why I don't take the students just to the beach or to a theme park, but to eat. Food is an important part of any culture," Wilson told Rural Xpress.

The evidence of the impact of such outreach on the students can be seen in how they approach and act towards the staff. Wilson, who has since received a wedding invitation from one of these students as well as other tokens, feels a sense of satisfaction knowing that the students are happy and have reached the point where she is considered a confidante.

"It is commendable that NCU has developed this office as this shows that international students are important to any academic institution because they matter in a unique way and that it is understood they had a choice, but chose our school," said Wilson.

The students, who benefited from the outreach exercise, said they hope it continues: "I felt elated and very appreciative. Elated, because I was about to experience for myself a place I'd only just heard about. Appreciative, because a Jamaican invited me, a local person, and I was honoured," said Dominican Kendra Williams.

Haitian student, Johnny Davilmar, said, "It is critical that lecturers, the ISS, and everyone create an atmosphere where foreign students can capture the energy of the Jamaican people and culture, fellowship, and socialise. It helps to make them comfortable ... I felt welcome, acknowledged, and loved."

The next trip will see the team travelling to picturesque Somerset Falls in Portland.

rural@gleanerjm.com