Ralphe Bunche International Exchange to Trinidad and Tobago

Ralph Bunche Scholar Stephanie Stevenson recently returned from a winter term international exchange to Trinidad and Tobago.  The following is a testimonial piece on her experiences in Trinidad and Tobago:

This winter term I participated in the University of Maryland, College Park’s (UMCP) Study Abroad course in Trinidad and Tobago from January 9-23, 2010. This course was taught by a UMCP professor of Women’s Studies, Dr. Michelle Rowley, and focused on gender, globalization, and sexuality in the Anglophone Caribbean. Our group took classes at the University of West Indies, St. Augustine and also volunteered at local NGOs such as Working Women and ASPIRE.

These NGOs helped women combat poverty and domestic violence, and become more involved in politics and community organizing. We learned about the importance of NGOs building coalitions with each other and working with governmental institutions to create positive social change. In addition, we went on various cultural fieldtrips, such as MacFarlane’s Mas Camp, which makes costumes for Trinidad & Tobago’s Carnival celebration participants and bands and the Asa Wright Nature center, a world renowned bird observatory. We also visited Pigeon Point, Tobago, and Port of Spain, Las Cuevas Beach, and Maracas Bay, Trinidad.

I appreciate the Phelps Stokes Fund and the Ralph Bunche Society’s generous study abroad scholarship, because it really helped me to make this trip a reality. This experience has informed my understanding of what it means to be a global citizen, to be a critical thinker, and tourist. The coursework and cultural interactions with Trinidadians and Tobagonians also informed my research interest for graduate school, as I plan to study Black adolescent females’ resiliency strategies in urban areas, paths to academic achievement, and relationship with their mothers. In the future, I hope to contribute my knowledge to local and international think tanks and policymakers to help promote greater socio-economic mobility and social freedom for women across the world.