USM Education Students Depart for UVI Exchange Program | SOUALIGA NEWSDAY

October 5, 2025

SINT MAARTEN (POND ISLAND) - A group of enthusiastic students from the UVI@USM Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education program departed St. Maarten this morning for a week-long student exchange visit to the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI).

The delegation includes students Ariella Bussue, Antonia Philips, Shadira Thomas, Blondell Simon, and Yvonne Lazarre, all active members of the USM Campus Enrichment Club.

They are accompanied by USM Admissions Officer Stacey and Division Head of Education, Juliana Hodge-Shipley.

During their visit, the students will stay in the UVI campus dorms and take part in a variety of academic and cultural exchange activities, gaining first-hand experience of university life at UVI while building connections with fellow education majors.

This trip highlights the growing opportunities available to students through the UVI@USM Partnership. Through this partnership, students on St. Maarten have multiple pathways to earn a bachelor’s degree:

Complete your full degree on St. Maarten whereby USM offers full four-year bachelor’s programs locally allowing students to graduate without ever leaving the island or for programs not currently offered at USM, students can complete their first two years at USM and then transfer directly into the third year of a UVI bachelor’s program.

This pathway allows students to save on costs, build a strong academic foundation close to home, and graduate with a UVI degree in their chosen field.

“The UVI@USM partnership gives our students the best of both worlds,” said Juliana Hodge-Shipley, Division Head of Education. “They can stay close to home to start their academic journey, benefit from small class sizes and support at USM, and then continue seamlessly to UVI to achieve their career goals.”

USM extends its heartfelt appreciation to its proud sponsors, Port St. Maarten, Infused Kitchen, PTF Academy, Vincent Garage for their generous support in making this educational journey possible.

This exchange is part of USM’s ongoing commitment to creating meaningful learning experiences beyond the classroom, preparing future educators, and strengthening regional academic collaboration.