U.S. Virgin Islands

Course Description

This course explores current best evidence about health and wellness issues relevant to the college student. Students will be introduced to health education content specifically confronting college-age adults, including physical activity, sleep, diet, and mental wellbeing. Using scientific thinking and information literacy, students will collect and analyze data, and practice scientific writing. This course focuses on the relationship between lifestyle choices and the learning process by asking students to reflect on how their personal choices can affect their academic achievement. Students will explore course themes through assigned readings, discussion, and lab activities.

Prerequisites

None

Academic Director: Eric Rhomberg

Program Director: Scott Ansevin-Allen

This program includes a variety of locations and activities. This includes:

Hotels

In Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; and Christiansted, St. Croix, groups will stay in shared rooms in hotels.

Sailing on the Denis Sullivan

For four nights and five days, students will live on board the schooner Denis Sullivan. Students will become involved in all aspects of daily life on the ship, including learning to sail, participating in night watch shifts, and managing jobs related to upkeep and sailing of the ship—all while participating in educational activities led by the Landmark instructor as well as our partners, World Ocean School. Housing on board ship is in individual berths in the ship's hold. Each berth contains a bed, a fan, a light, and closes with a curtain. There are two small bathrooms in the hold for student use. These accommodations are rustic and authentic!

Ridge to Reef Farm

The group will spend three nights at Ridge to Reef, an organic farm in the hills of St. Croix. Housing will be in shared cabins. The group will participate in educational activities as well as volunteering on the farm (for example, weeding, sorting produce, etc.). The stay on the farm may also include nature walks/hikes. The farm is a rustic experience that students in the past greatly enjoyed.

The group will fly together from Hartford to Saint Thomas. While on the islands, transportation will be in shared vans, public transportation buses, or taxis. While in towns, most amenities such as restaurants, coffee shops, laundromats, and beaches are within walking distance.

While on the ship, all meals will be provided by the ship's cook. Many dietary restrictions can be accommodated, but if a student has any questions or concerns about food, please ask! While in towns, students will have the choice of many varied restaurants, as well as grocery and convenience stores. The farm will provide one meal for the group, and students will work together to cook for themselves at other times.

The program will also include a group dinner upon arrival and a meal at the end of the trip. Other meals—approximately 8 dinners and 10 breakfasts and lunches—will be at the students' own expense. 

The U.S. Virgin Islands study away program is very unique among Landmark offerings. It allows students the opportunity to be active and experience nature in ways that are rarely possible in an educational program! This program is a great choice for students who enjoy the outdoors, are able to manage transitions, and who are eager to explore the world a bit off the beaten path.

Please read the information below carefully to determine if this program is the right option for you!

Free Time/Independence: Low

Students will have some free/unprogrammed time throughout the program to rest, relax, and complete schoolwork, There will also be two or three days with no planned program activities—guidance is available on these days for optional activities. However, during most portions of the program (e.g., on the ship or at the farm) the daily itinerary and activities will be programmed and set for the group. 

Physical Demands: Moderate to High

This is a program an excellent choice for students who love being outdoors and want to explore new places. Students will be outdoors for much of the time, exploring the physical environment. Swimming, sailing, hiking, walking, and farming are among the activities to be included in the program itinerary. NOTE: students who have physical limitations or are concerned about the demands of this trip should reach out to [email protected] to get more information and talk about the program demands.

Transitions: High

Participants in this program will sleep in about five different locations during this trip, in order to explore the bountiful nature that the islands have to offer. Program leaders will clearly spell out plans ahead of time with lots of preparation.

Stimuli: Medium to High

Students can expect warm temperatures (with tropical breezes to offset the heat), and unique living situations that might bring new and different sensory experiences. Students will sleep on board a ship at sea and in a cabin on a farm. The cities in the USVI are not large or bustling, and there are opportunities for quiet reflection and calm in all locations.

The fee for this program is $10,550.

The program fee includes:

• Tuition for the 4-credit Science of Wellness course
• Round-trip airfare from Hartford (BDL)
• All transportation, accommodations, and program activities, including 5 days aboard the tall ship Denis Sullivan
• Meals as outlined above

The program fee does not include:

• Meals not included: students should expect to spend between $250 and $350 on meals that are not included.
• Laundry (students will have the option to launder clothing at least once during the program; packing guidelines will be provided to participants)
• Spending money at your discretion

There is one Global Engagement Scholarship available for the Caribbean trip. This is a need-based scholarship that covers 50% of the program fee ($5,275). Data from the Landmark Financial Aid team will be used to determine need.

The application deadline for the Global Engagement Scholarship has passed and funds have been awarded.

Applications for this program are now closed. The application deadlines were as follows:

• Application Deadline: Tuesday, October 7 at 11:59 PM
• Notification of Acceptance and Scholarship Decisions: Friday, October 17
• Accepted student confirmation deadline (including $2,000 deposit): Monday, October 27

Accepted students must complete the following and submit it to the Office of Study Abroad. These can be uploaded using this form, or delivered in person to Lewis 215.

1. Release and Indemnification Agreement
2. Health Form

Students must be sure to read the Landmark College Conditions of Participation, referenced in the Release form.