Paris Farquharson's Story
Category:
Study abroad student
Country:
Grenada
I am incredibly grateful that I got the opportunity to be a part of the CELPS 2025 international program. This experience allowed me to explore places and perspectives I never imagined, and I am so blessed for that. As someone who identifies as African Nova Scotian and Jamaican, my time in Grenada showed me the Caribbean roots and culture that I’ve been told about by my father. Experiencing the culture firsthand was both eye-opening and deeply personal, making this journey unforgettable.
Surprisingly, Grenada shares some similarities with Canada, but there are also noticeable differences. Both Grenada and Canada were colonized by the British, but Grenada was also inhabited by the French at one point. Just like African Nova Scotians, Grenadians also have ancestral ties tracing back to Sierra Leone. Another similar thing is that some Grenadians have the same last name as a popular one within the African Nova Scotian community, such as Williams.
I noticed some differences in the architecture. Grenadian houses are typically built with concrete, have flat roofs, and are painted in bright colours, whereas the houses in Canada are more modern, and the roofs are not flat, which suits the colder climate. Another different thing is that you will casually see chickens, goats, and dogs roaming around people's yards or in town, which is something completely normal in Grenada. In contrast, in Nova Scotia, you wouldn’t see this unless you’re on a farm. One of my favourite differences was that their food is fresher and tastes a lot better compared to Nova Scotia. This is probably because most of their food comes directly from local farms and is naturally grown.
Overall, I gained more professional and cultural skills by participating in this program. I had the opportunity to learn and observe Grenada’s culture and relate it to what I learned as a Business Administration student. On the first day, the CELPS group went to TAMCC to present to their students the African Nova Scotian communities, history and information about NSCC. In return, the TAMCC students gave us a presentation about their history, their culture and information about their school. This experience allowed me to apply my knowledge of effective presentation techniques, providing valuable experience for my future career.
I also noticed that many businesses are locally owned all around the island of Grenada, and I think the people of Grenada value and respect them a lot. On our first day, we noticed that some shops appeared vulnerable to break-in. There was also no security around in these dark halls, which makes me believe that the people of Grenada truly value the business around them.
Participating in this program has had a significant impact on me, both personally and professionally. As I said before, this international learning experience gave me the chance to learn about Grenadian and Caribbean culture while also gaining a deeper understanding of the broader Caribbean region. I noticed many similarities between Jamaica and Grenada, such as beautiful Carnival celebrations, flavours of food, and even the way the land and houses look. Even though I’ve never been to Jamaica, I truly felt like I was at home. This trip has also changed me professionally. As said before, I was required to do public speaking. Public speaking will be an essential part of my professional life, and I will need to do it at some point in my career after college.