- See the world—earn credits.
- Experience other cultures and meet amazing people.
- Gain lasting memories and friendships.
- See historic sites that you've only read about.
Program Description
Details about the 2008 program will be available soon. The information here may be helpful if you're considering attending this program.
St. Martin/St. Maarten is the smallest island in the world ever to have been partitioned between two different nations. Located in the eastern Caribbean in the Lesser Antilles, St. Martin/St. Maarten has been shared by the French and the Dutch in a spirit of neighborly cooperation and mutual friendship for almost 350 years. This is a perfect setting for students studying culture. The dual-culture context—two cultures on one small island—provides an incredible field-based opportunity to conduct natural comparisons of different cultures. The program offers a choice between two intensive experiences: (1) a two-week (3-credit) course immersing the student in field research focused on "writing culture," observing and documenting cross-cultural communication on the island, or (2) a one-week (1-credit) course introducing the student to differing justice systems on the island.
Students who register for the two-week option will experience the magic of this tropical island by observing and documenting cultural practices on both sides of the island. The students will be required to be "in the field" conducting observational research with a focus on culture and cross-cultural communication. They will visit a variety of locations, including stunning beaches and romantic open-air markets. Visits will be made to Philipsburg, the Dutch capital of St. Maarten, which is also a popular tourist port and location for duty-free shopping; Grand Case, which shelters a little fishing village that is famous not only for its fine foods but also for its distinctive style of architecture; the French-side capital city, Marigot, where colonial houses stand beside smart cafés and bistros, pastry shops, and boutiques, and the entire city is only four streets wide; and the nearby island of Anguilla, where students can swim with dolphins and join in a beach barbecue.
Students who register for the one-week option will study comparative law on the island of St. Martin/St. Maarten. With colonies of both France and the Netherlands as examples, this course will provide the students with models of the European civil law systems. The students will observe court proceedings and meet with key legal figures—such as judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys—to gain firsthand experience with the different roles these figures play in the St. Martin/St. Maarten systems of law.
Student accommodations will include a shared living space in the hotel L’Hoste, which is located on Orient Beach and includes a kitchenette, laundry facility, gym, pool, and beachside water sports. All breakfasts are included, but the students will be responsible for most other meals. A grocery and numerous restaurants are adjacent to the hotel. Please note that on some beaches clothing is optional.
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