Blog

Name: Michelle Upham
School: Colby-Sawyer College
Major: Nursing
Program: Marine Protected Areas, Turks & Caicos

A month ago I was writing my first impression, and today I write my final impression. This is my last night here on South Caicos, still in shock that the month has gone by so fast.  I am sitting down, listening to island music and the waves crashing beyond our cliffs, reminiscing about the first day on the island, laughing about how we were scared about learning the roads in town and people’s names.

Now we are all friends and having a hard time saying goodbye. I am struggling with what to say about my experience, because I have learned and done so many things that I could not have ever done at home: from sharking to attempting to catch turtles, camping on the beach, learning about marine protected areas, and making great friends, amongst other things.

This experience was indescribable. On my flight home, I feel that it is really going to hit me that I just did something that most people cannot say they’ve ever done.  From the start our group became one; we all went out together into town, went running, swimming and spent our free days together. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner we sat and looked out at the turquoise water, saying everyday how beautiful it was. I made amazing friends and hope to come back and visit the staff within the next year.

As I approach the green of home, I know that I can look back at all the photos,  call my friends, and think about all the amazing memories I have made to take me back to the most beautiful place in the world. “Bel Pa Nati”