Studying abroad is a wonderful learning opportunity during a university student’s academic experience. It’s why Prairie View A&M University’s (PVAMU) College of Agriculture Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) and the College of Business (COB) collaborated to offer their students a unique global experience in the Bahamas to “spilligate” (a Bahamian catchphrase meaning “having a good time”) and explore in its agricultural and business sectors, and its culture.
Twelve students from the CAFNR and the COB accompanied Noel M. Estwick, Ph.D., CAFNR Assistant Professor and Research Scientist, Oluwagbemiga Ojumu, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Carolyn Davis, Ed.D., COB Assistant Dean, from May 14 through 21. The PVAMU team partnered with a local hostess in The Bahamas, Shacara Lightbourne, Island Foodology, and the Bahamas Agritourism Council to offer the experience.
The trip kicked off with a welcome reception at the Maillis Family Farms in the country’s capital, Nassau, where students learned about the rich history of agriculture in the Bahamas and the Maillis Farm from the recently honored Mr. Pericles Maillis, Office of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). The PVAMU group mingled with representatives from the U.S. Embassy, the Prairie View Alumni Association, the GEF Small Grants Program- a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Organization of American States, the Caribbean Research and Development Institute (CARDI), Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) officials, and Blue Fields Farm, the largest aquaponics farm operation in The Bahamas. They also spoke with members of the University of the Bahamas, a celebrity chef and representatives from the Bahamas Agritourism Council, and the Assistant Director of Agriculture. Interacting with guests and participating in the farm tour enabled students to gain a better understanding of the intricacies of how the interactions between local, regional, and international actors influence policy, food, and business practices in a country. A highlight of the farm tour was a firsthand view of “pothole farming.” It is the oldest method of farming in the Bahamas and was developed by the Lucayans, the original inhabitants of the Bahamas.
Tim Hauber explaining operations at the Oasis Grow House, One Eleuthera Foundation and Center for Training and Innovation, Rock Sound, Eleuthera.
On the second day of the trip, students first toured a research lab at the University of the Bahamas, The next stop was the Bahamas Development Bank to learn how the government provides and promotes industrial, agricultural, and commercial development, and then the Tourism Development Corporation of the Bahamas, to learn how it serves as a lifeline to tourism entrepreneurs through key partnerships. The group also visited the Down to Earth Adventure Farm to learn about how local producer Sydney Sinclair is contributing to the fight against food insecurity and implementing a successful agri-tourism operation.
The team also visited two of the Bahamas’ “Out Islands,” or Family Islands, where they swam at Captain Bill’s Blue Hole and ate local cuisine at Brigadoon Restaurant. It was a welcoming and relaxing experience for student Gianna Solora, who witnessed more about the realities around farming.
“It truly put into perspective for me that anyone can be a farmer; you just have to be willing to put in the time and work,” Solora said. “Mr. Maillis has been growing his farm for generations and does not plan on quitting anytime soon. Participating in the study abroad program has truly changed my appreciation for farmers and how they are resourceful and grateful for what they have.”
The final two days in the “Family Islands” were spent on Eleuthera Island. The group visited One Eleuthera Foundation to see how they are enhancing the local food systems with operations at a high-tech grow house. The day wrapped up with evening tea and a home-cooked dinner at the residence of Mrs. Andrea Carey, Ministry of Education Superintendent and Eleuthera Representative of the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute. On the last day in Eleuthera (Day 5), the PVAMU group visited the world-famous Glass Window Bridge, a natural wonder often referred to as the narrowest place on earth, along with Preacher’s Cave, the Sapphire Blue Hole, and Queen’s Bath. The culmination of Day 5 was a catered beach picnic with a private guitar musician and catering by Hearty Mow Farms.
The group soon departed Eleuthera for Nassau, New Providence, and spent the final two days immersed in activities on Paradise Island and around the city. The students welcomed the departure from the quiet “real deal” of the “Family Islands” to the bustling Paradise Islands to explore the Marina Village at Atlantis. They also immersed themselves in the Bahamian culture by attending the 2023 Bahamian Carnival Road March.
In addition to providing students with meaningful global experience and expanding their knowledge of career opportunities in the USA and abroad, such initiatives serve as linchpins in the framework to strengthen and establish global partnerships to grapple with existing challenges.
“It was also so cool to connect with our professors on a different level because we were outside of the classroom and in real-world scenarios,” student Phyllis Ntsoane said. “I will be doing another study abroad trip because this has opened my eyes to the wonders that the world has to offer and how traveling can be just as, if not more, effective than the classroom, although they go hand in hand.”
Special thanks to every person and group within PVAMU and our international partners in The Bahamas for providing a truly engaging experience for the students.
Noel Estwick, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor and Research Scientist
nmestwick@pvamu.edu
