KINGSTON, JAMAICA Kingston, Jamaica University of the West Indies, Mona Campus (UWI) One week during spring break

LEAD   

Click on any postcard to view testimonials.

This program provides FSU students a one week experience at the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies, located in a suburb of the capital city of Kingston. Students have a variety of opportunities to learn about Jamaican society, culture, environment, and academics. The exchange includes sessions by UWI faculty and professors to educate FSU students about Caribbean history, geography, political and educational systems, and culture. In addition to the academic setting, FSU students participate in many activities and events including a theater performance, visits to local museums and historical sites, and tours of the campus and the surrounding community. An excursion to other regions of the country, such as Dunn's River Falls in Ocho Rios, are also typically included in the weeklong exchange. The visiting FSU students live in residence halls on campus with UWI students during their stay. Members of UWI's Quality Leadership Program and Student Government host FSU students during shadow days, outings, evening activities, as well as lead the community service projects FSU students participate in. One of the great benefits of this exchange is the opportunity to live with and learn from campus leaders at UWI. Participants have the additional experience of hosting UWI student leaders during their visit to the FSU campus the following October. Alumni of the exchange have praised the experience as a wonderful opportunity to learn firsthand about Jamaica and the Caribbean and an opportunity to build valuable friendships with the UWI students and each other.

The Florida State University LEAD Center works with this program to develop and engage students in global leadership learning. Through integrating leadership education, training, and development, students will complete an individualized leadership development plan for their Jamaica experience. Students will have the opportunity to complete pre and post leadership inventories to assess their leadership growth through the experience.