Bye to the Beach 💔

By Rece Brown

My final week in St. Maarten was busy, fun, and emotional. It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable trip. We started the week focused on finishing our plansbook, the main project we had been working on during our time here. We spent long hours in class, editing, writing, and organizing everything. Everyone worked hard, and even though it was stressful, we got it done and were proud of what we created.

On Tuesday, we took a day trip to Philipsburg. It was a nice break after all the hard work. We walked around the town, visited shops, and picked up souvenirs. The weather was great, and we ended up spending time on the beach. There were a few beach dogs there, and they kept us company while we relaxed. It was a fun and peaceful way to enjoy the island.

Friday was our last full day, and we ended it with a sunset dinner cruise. The boat took us around the island, and the views were amazing. The sunset was one of the best I’ve ever seen. Everyone was in a good mood, taking pictures, dancing, and talking about the trip. It felt like a celebration of everything we had done and experienced over the past few weeks.

That night, we went out one last time as a group. We had done this a few times during the trip, and it had become a tradition. Going out together brought us closer and made the whole experience even more fun. We laughed a lot and stayed out late, trying to make the most of our last night.

Leaving on Saturday was hard. We packed up, said our goodbyes, and headed to the airport. It was emotional, a mix of sadness, gratitude, and disbelief that the trip was over. I didn’t expect to grow so close to the people here, but I did. That made leaving even more difficult.

This trip to St. Maarten was more than just a school program. Yes, we learned a lot and completed a big project, but we also made memories, friendships, and had experiences that I’ll never forget. I feel like I grew as a person, both professionally and personally. Being in a new place, working under pressure, and bonding with others taught me a lot.

Looking back, I’m grateful for every part of the trip, the long class days, the beach moments, the nights out, and even the hard parts. It all came together to create something special. St. Maarten will always have a place in my heart, and this last week was the perfect way to wrap it all up. I’ll miss it, but I’m thankful I got to be part of it.