Students spent 5 days in this rural area of northeastern Dominica. Each student was placed with a family for a homestay so that they would be immersed in Kalinago culture and have meaningful interaction with a local family. During the days, the students worked on projects coordinated through our contact at the cultural center, called Kalinago Barana Aute. We completed trail improvement and maintenance, including filling in erosion areas with gravel and a landscaping project as well as a home improvement project for an elderly member of the community (see photos). The main goals were cross-cultural exchange, making a service contribution, and understanding the cultural and socio-economic contrast between this rural, poorer part of Dominica and the rest of the island nation.

Prof. Alison Ormsby