Week 2 in Sint Maarten "Finding My Flow" by Six McPherson

This week has been absolutely insane, in the best way possible. It finally hit me that I won’t be in Sint Maarten forever, and that realization has me appreciating every single moment even more. When I first arrived, I had no idea what to expect. I was trying to figure out where I fit in socially, who my classmates were, and how I could navigate this new environment. But now that I’ve gotten to know everyone and understand the social dynamics, things feel much easier. I’m not just observing anymore. I feel like I’m truly part of something.

In terms of academics, the APR program has already taught me so much, especially about how branding, advertising, and public relations work in real life, not just in theory. One of the highlights of this week was having an in-depth conversation with Professor Hayes and Professor Huffman about SEO and how creators like me can maximize our online visibility without depending solely on the algorithm. Professor Hayes, especially, has been breaking things down in a way that makes complex topics feel manageable and even fun.

We’ve also started using the Sprinklr platform in class, and I’m honestly blown away by how advanced it is. I’m still in the early stages of learning it, but I’ve set a personal goal to master it by the end of the summer. Each class is helping me understand it better, and the tools available are truly next level for any brand or creator. Not only are we learning how to create and schedule social media content, but we’re also digging into things like customer sentiment, analytics, and real time brand monitoring.

Another major takeaway from class this week is how important teamwork is in public relations. Whether we’re building campaigns or conducting research surveys, collaboration is key. One of the more hands-on and fun activities we did was interviewing locals and tourists in Simpson Bay. Since I already do public interviews as a content creator, I felt right at home. But this time, it wasn’t just for fun. It had a strategic purpose tied to understanding audience perception. I’m learning that public relations is as much about listening as it is about talking.

On Friday, we took a trip to St. Barths, and wow. It opened my eyes to a whole new level of luxury. The ferry ride there was rough. I genuinely thought we might tip over a couple of times, but once we arrived, it was like stepping into a dream. I saw a Richard Mille watch in person for the first time and let’s just say it was motivation overload. We visited every designer store imaginable, and even though I couldn’t afford anything, I walked away with a free Rolex magazine. It’s going on my vision board until I buy my first one.

We wrapped up the day at Shell Beach. I’m not a huge fan of sand, but I’d take sand over hot, sharp shells any day. My feet were screaming, but it was still a great time.

All in all, this week was unforgettable. I’m building real connections with people I never would have met if not for this trip. I’m grateful, motivated, and excited for what’s next. If only this experience could last forever.