Submitted by Kevin Silverstein on the 2018 winter session program in Barbados sponsored by the Department of Geography…
Hello! My experience thus far in Barbados has been wonderful. I have met friendly people, tried new types of food and have gone through many unique experiences. A bit of culture shock I have gone through so far is the outright religious fervor I have experienced. In my hometown and at UD, I have not experienced too many religious events or people. Religion is something that people can be passionate about, but often keep to themselves at home. Not that it is frowned upon, but it is just something that is not an outspoken part of everyday life at home. It is quite different in Barbados. The majority of the population is Christian and are very proud of it. Christmas had just ended when we arrived and the whole island was covered in decorations! During our field trip to Bridgetown, we saw lots of Christmas trees and Jesus figures. As you can see from the photo, these people are very into their religion. It is a major part of their everyday life and often a major talking point during conversation. The major parts of the island are divided into parishes and the majority of the population attends church regularly. After we got off the bus one day in Bridgetown, a young friend we met insisted we check out her church and come back later in our program. Religion is very prominent here and different from how I have perceived it at home. I am excited for new opportunities and experiences in my time abroad!