Blog Post 1st Week- Nicholas Ellington

After walking out of the airport in Saint Martin, I was immediately welcomed by sunshine, smiling faces, and a vibrant island atmosphere. The warmth of both the people and the weather made for an unforgettable first impression. As I rode in a taxi to the hotel, I took in the beautiful views from the window while the driver shared interesting facts and stories about the island, giving me my first taste of the local culture.

Once I arrived at the hotel and began unpacking, I was told there would be karaoke in the lobby that evening. That instantly set the tone for a fun and social night ahead. As I met the rest of the group and explored the hotel and nearby attractions, it didn’t take long to feel at home in such a welcoming and unique environment.

After a good night’s sleep, we woke up early and took a bus trip to the French side of the island. The drive itself was filled with scenic views, and once we arrived, it was fascinating to notice the cultural contrasts between the Dutch and French regions of Saint Martin. We ended the day at Sunset Grill, a popular spot right near the airport runway. Watching planes land from just a few feet away was both surreal and thrilling—something I’ll never forget.

In class the next day, we received an overview of the course material and talked about the excursions planned for the rest of the month. It was exciting to hear about everything we’d be doing and how it would tie into our academic goals. The following morning, we set out early for the Catamaran Day Sail. The boat circled the entire island, giving us the chance to snorkel in crystal-clear waters and enjoy spectacular coastal views. It was the perfect way to experience the island from a new perspective.

Friday's class focused on the basics of advertising. We began developing our advertising campaign and learned how to think creatively and strategically as marketers. We also discussed how to identify and appeal to a target audience—specifically, how to market places like Maho Beach. After finishing our assignment, we had time to relax and explore. A few of us headed to the beach, where we tanned, swam, and talked about the fun we’d had so far and what was still to come.

Later that evening, after applying aloe to soothe my sunburn, I met up with my parents, who had just arrived on the island. We had dinner at Skipjack’s, where I stepped out of my comfort zone and ordered mahi mahi with cauliflower and other healthy sides—it was delicious and worth the risk.

On Saturday, I let myself sleep in a bit. Feeling well-rested, I spent the day making new memories. We ended up at Fat Tony’s, where I had some amazing barbecue and wings. I wrapped up the day with some quiet time by the pool, relaxing and recharging for the exciting week ahead.