Last week, 12 students from the University of the West Indies, Jamaica visited FSU's main campus as a part of the Beyond Borders program. The program provides a unique opportunity for FSU students to host incoming international students and participate in a short-term cultural exchange then travel to either Jamaica during Spring Break 2018 or Dresden, Germany for three weeks following the spring semester.

Over the course of the week, UWI students interacted with FSU students in the Beyond Borders program and the greater FSU community. One way they did this was by giving a classroom presentation in which they shared their culture through folklore, language, music, and dance. As a part of this dynamic presentation, FSU students joined UWI students as they performed various styles of Jamaican dance.

Through the program, UWI and FSU students spend time together dining, going on campus tours, attending performances, engaging in team building activities at The Rez, and more. One highlight is “shadow day,” during which each UWI student is paired with an FSU student to experience a typical day at FSU, including attending classes. Jordanna Roberts, an FSU freshmen studying exercise physiology, said she found Beyond Borders because she was looking for a study abroad program.

"I liked that Beyond Borders was more of an exchange and I would have the opportunity to develop a life-long friendship,” said Roberts. “My mom is also from Jamaica, and I have always been interested in learning about that part of my heritage. My UWI shadow day partner, Mykoll Finikin, is in her final year studying law. I'm looking forward to playing volleyball with her, showing her my dorm, and exploring campus with her.”

"I'm most interested in seeing what FSU is like through the eyes of a student," Finikin said. "Not to just be a fly on the wall, but instead to get the experience of an actual student."

Alex Stewart, an FSU freshmen studying finance, said he applied for Beyond Borders because he is interested in exploring different cultures. “I'm looking forward to sharing my classes and the CARE lab with Denzel, my UWI partner,” Stewart said. “I'm also interested in taking him to the gym and whatever else he wants to do."

Stewart’s partner from UWI, Denzel Clarke, is a second-year medical student who was selected for the program by his resident advisor. "I am excited to be able to come for the experience and cultural exchange,” Clarke said. “I am excited to learn about the experience of an FSU student.”

Through this cultural exchange program, students have the opportunity to develop intercultural communication skills and increase cultural awareness.

Students apply for both Beyond Borders Jamaica and Germany programs in the fall each year. Deadlines for participating this year have passed, but students can email Laura Dean at lmdean@fsu.edu if interested in applying for Beyond Borders next year.

To learn more about the program, visit cge.fsu.edu/beyondborders.

Photo caption from left: Jordanna Roberts an FSU Beyond Borders student and Mykoll Finikin from the University of the West Indies, Jamaica