Stepping Out, Diving In: My First Week in St. Maarten

By Zandra Barnes

If I had to sum up my first week in Sint Maarten in a phrase, it would be “stepping out, diving in”literally and figuratively. From getting into the ocean for the first time (a real fear I’ve had for a while) to making new connections and learning how social media actually shapes tourism, this week has been full of moments that pushed me past my usual comfort zone.

In class this week, we started learning the basics of social media marketing, and honestly, it made me realize there’s way more to it than just posting cute pictures or throwing up a hashtag. We talked about how social media is really about building relationships and having conversations with people, not just pushing ads at them.That stuck with me, especially when we went to this restaurant called Sunset right by Simpson Bay Beach. We sat outside eating while planes flew over our heads. It made me realize how even simple experiences can leave a big impression, and that’s exactly what people want to share online. Now I get how places can market themselves by creating moments that people remember, instead of just trying to sell a product.

That moment stood out even more because my group’s class project is focused on Simpson Bay. I haven’t actually been on the beach yet, but being at a restaurant right next to it gave me a feel for the area. It’s lively, full of tourists, and definitely one of the more active spots on the Dutch side of the island. That side of the island feels way more built up and fast paced compared to the French side, which we got to see earlier this week during a group tour. I think the reason we did those excursions so early on was to help us understand the full picture of the island right from the beginning. Getting to see different areas and talk to locals really helped me start thinking more deeply about how tourism works here and what it means for different parts of the island.

Outside of class, I had one of my proudest moments—getting into the ocean. I’ve always been scared of swimming, especially in big bodies of water, but something just clicked for me. I had supportive friends who encouraged me, kind people on the island helping us on the boat, and the water was so clean and beautiful that I finally felt safe enough to go for it. It might seem small, but for me, that was a big deal. I also started talking to more people this week, which is not something I usually do. I’m starting to realize how much I can grow when I give myself space to open up.

Another thing that hit me this week is how expensive things are on the island. Even simple snacks or groceries can add up fast, and that’s really made me more grateful for the affordability and access I have back home. It’s also made me think more critically about the real cost of living on an island and how locals have to adjust for that.

Overall, this week taught me a lot. I learned about myself, about social media, and about how tourism shapes the world around us. If this is how the first week went, I’m really excited to see what the rest of this trip has in store.

Until next time,

Z