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Chief of Protocol in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Philip St. Hill (S. St. Hill/BGIS)

A dynamic cultural exchange recently took place between a number of Barbadian students and their American counterparts when the M.V. Explorer, the world’s only floating educational vessel, docked at the Bridgetown Port.

Engaging in a "get-to-know" session, students from the Barbados Community College and the Princess Margaret Secondary School told the visitors about their schools, culture and the Barbadian educational system.

In turn, the visiting students shared their experiences on-board the student ship, while treating the Barbadians to lunch on board and a tour of the vessel.??????

Operated by the University of Virginia, the M.V. Explorer is referred to as a student ship, on which the pioneered global comparative education programme Semester-at-Sea is offered. The vessel gives students the opportunity to travel and study on-board the "campus", while engaging with people from different cultures.?? This was the M.V. Explorer’s third visit to Barbados.

The cultural exchange between the students was further enhanced when they explored Barbados-U.S. historic relations during a tour of George Washington House and the historic Garrison area, a United Nations World Heritage Site. It was conducted by historian, Dr. Karl Watson.

Before returning to the M.V. Explorer, the visiting students also got an opportunity to "wet their feet" at Browne’s Beach.

One of the coordinators, Chief of Protocol in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Philip St. Hill, disclosed that efforts were being made to provide Barbadian students with scholarships to study on-board the ship.

Mr. St. Hill said there was the possibility of the M.V. Explorer visiting the island more frequently.?? He also noted that the Honorary Consul for Barbados in Kentucky, U.S.A., Dr. Bernard Strenecky, and the Barbados Tourism Authority were instrumental in the M.V. Explorer’s visit.

shamkoe.pile@barbados.gov.bb

Author: Shamkoe Pil??

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