Week 3 in St. Martin

By Julia Farris

My third week here in St. Martin has been nothing short of unforgettable. Every day seems to bring a new adventure, and I’m loving the balance of exploring this beautiful island while learning in real-world settings that make my classes even more engaging. Between our classwork in International Public Relations (APR 426) and Social Media Analytics for Tourism Marketing (APR 490), and our downtime enjoying the island, this week has truly flown by.

We kicked off the week with Memorial Day on Monday, which definitely set the tone for a fun-filled week. We spent the day soaking up the sun at the beach which nothing can beat. That evening, we kept the good vibes going with a night out at karaoke. Singing with friends, laughing, and watching others was a perfect way to unwind.

Tuesday was more low-key, and we needed it after Monday’s excitement. We had class during the day and then took it easy. These quieter moments are just as meaningful—getting time to reflect, catch up on assignments, or simply enjoy the island breeze makes all the difference.

Wednesday brought one of the most interesting experiences of the week: our visit to Toppers. This local distillery gave us a behind-the-scenes look at how their famous rum is made. Learning about the production process, the branding behind the label, and how Toppers markets itself internationally tied perfectly into what we’re learning in APR 426. Seeing how a small island brand develops its global PR strategy gave me a new perspective on what it means to create a culturally aware campaign that still resonates with audiences worldwide. And yes—we did get to taste some of the rum!

Thursday was another day of class, where we dove deeper into our coursework. In APR 490, we’ve been focusing on the importance of social media metrics and how they can shape tourism marketing strategies. I’m starting to understand how analytics go far beyond likes and shares—they give you a detailed view of how tourists are engaging with a destination and what influences their travel decisions. That night, we went out to a nice dinner and spent the rest of the evening hanging out with friends, talking about everything from class topics to weekend plans.

Friday was by far one of the highlights of the trip so far. We took a catamaran out to Prickly Pear and Anguilla. Along the way, we saw dolphins and spent time snorkeling and swimming in the bluest water I’ve ever seen. It was the kind of day that makes you pause and realize how lucky you are to be here.

We wrapped up the week with a bucket list activity on Saturday: horseback riding through island trails and even into the ocean. Riding a horse through the water felt like a scene out of a movie. It was the perfect way to end another amazing week in St. Martin.

Week three was a perfect blend of learning and adventure, and I can’t wait to see what next week holds!