In January 2012, 13 UD students traveled with 2 faculty members to Dominica – The Nature Island – for the “trip of a life time” as part of the University’s Study Abroad Program. The students were from a variety of majors across the campus; the faculty were Dr. Steven E. Hastings (Professor in Food and Resource Economics) and Anthony J. Seraphin (Associate Professor in Mathematics). The courses taught were APEC 150 Economics of Agriculture and Natural Resources and GEOG 235 – Conservation of Natural Resources.

Outside of class, excursions included: Fort Shirley, a historic British fortress on the North Western tip of the island; an Ocean Experience; a hike up Morne Diablotin (the highest mountain on the island); Carib Territory (home of the indigenous Kalinago people); another hike to the Valley of Desolation and Boiling Lake (second largest in the world); the Soufriere sulphur-spring; Scott’s Head (the demarcation point that separates the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea); Sari Sari Falls; Tragalgar Falls; the Macoucherie Rum Distillery, the Dominica State College and others.

A return to Dominica is planned for January 2014. Contact Dr. Hastings (hastings@udel.edu) for details.