The Exchanges

FSU Students

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


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 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, as well as 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, is 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 host FSU students during shadow days, outings, evening activities, as well as lead the community service projects FSU students participate in. FSU students will also attend Quality Leadership workshops and will participate in various service projects to be announced on arrival. Since the Jamaica program strongly focuses on leadership and what it entails to be a leader, during their stay at FSU, UWI students have the opportunity to sit in on various leadership workshops and classes, as well as participate in teambuilding activities at the FSU Rez.

Participants have the additional experience of hosting UWI student leaders during their visit to the FSU campus in 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.