Courtney Oliver's Story
My recent travel abroad experience to the beautiful, warm island of Grenada for the Culture, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, and Professional Skills Program 2025 was truly life changing. We partnered with TA Marryshow Community College, and honestly, I’m so grateful for the opportunity. I gained so many valuable skills, cross cultural communication, adaptability, leadership, and especially networking, all things that will support my future goals in both education and nursing.
Working alongside local professionals and students helped strengthen my teamwork and problem-solving skills, and stepping outside of my comfort zone boosted my confidence to take on new challenges. I was surprised by how community focused and welcoming the culture in Grenada is, it reminded me a lot of Nova Scotia. Surrounded by stunning views, warm ocean breezes, and such vibrant energy, it was easy to feel grounded and inspired.
I truly admired the perseverance and resilience of the Grenadian people, very similar to the rich history of African Nova Scotians and the strength that continues to shape our communities today.
One of the best parts of the learning experience for me was watching our students grow. Seeing them come out of their shells, embrace Pure Grenada, and proudly share their African Nova Scotian history was such a powerful and emotional moment. Watching them make those connections and build confidence through culture made it clear just how impactful experiences like this truly are.
Personally, this experience has continued to helped me grow into a more open-minded, reflective, and culturally aware person. I’ve developed a deeper appreciation for different ways of thinking, living, and leading. From a professional perspective, I feel re-energized and inspired to bring a more global, inclusive lens to my work, whether in the classroom, clinical setting, or community.
This journey also sparked a new interest for me, learning more about mental health initiatives across the Caribbean. Hearing the perspectives of our Grenadian hosts and seeing the resilience within their communities made me want to better understand how mental wellness is supported and promoted in different cultural contexts. It’s something I plan to continue exploring as I grow in my career as an educator and nurse.
A heartfelt thank you to NSCC International for making these kinds of life-changing opportunities possible for our NSCC community. Your commitment to creating global learning experiences is making a powerful, lasting impact, and I’m so proud to have been a part of it.