AIRPORT–Hugs, smiles, laughter, cheerful conversations and a few tears were prominent scenes at the outdoor departure tent at Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) on Friday as a group of thirty-three of St. Maarten’s brightest prepared to leave the country to continue their education in the Netherlands.
Family and friends converged outside the airport to enjoy some time with their loved ones before they boarded the KLM aircraft, which experienced a delay yesterday. Former Milton Peters College (MPC) HAVO student Randymar De Suza, a drummer from a young age, told The Daily Herald the emotions did not hit him until he started drumming solo at the airport. His drumming buddies accompanied him to the airport to give him a drumming farewell, after which De Suza drummed solo. “He is like family,” one of De Suza’s drumming colleagues said. De Suza will be pursuing studies in law at a university in Rotterdam. He advised his fellow students to keep their head on and to not get distracted. De Suza plans to return to St. Maarten to give back to the land of his birth after his education as he believes that St. Maarten needs more local lawyers and judges.
Paul Bell, another former MPC student, said while he is sad to leave his family and friends, he is excited to get a chance to pursue his studies in physiotherapy in Eindhoven. The 19-year-old said he had a chance to volunteer at the White and Yellow Cross Care Foundation (WYCCF) and there he got a chance to experience the field. He believes physiotherapy is an area that suits him.
Former St. Dominic High student Jerrisa Wayland will be pursuing studies in International Business in Eindhoven. She chose this area because it is broad and will give her a chance to interact with many different persons, amongst other things. She plans to eventually return to her beloved St. Maarten. “I am very, very emotional, but I am grateful for the opportunity to pursue my tertiary studies in Holland,” she said.
Nineteen-year-old Mary Elisa Richardson, a St. Maarten Academy alumnus, will be pursuing studies in tourism management in Vlissingen. She said her mother inspired her to pursue studies in this field as she saw the potential in her to excel in this area.
Other areas in which students will be studying include information technology, psychology and international and European law. Other study cities include Den Haag, Amsterdam, Ede, Leeuwarden, Leiden and Arnhem.
The students were accompanied by a senior study financing officer.
Unified St Maarten Connection (USC) has once again been charged with organising the customary reception activities on the students’ arrival and an orientation week in collaboration with Division Study Financing. The official activities will begin on Monday, July 30, and continue through August 4, during which time the new students will receive vital information from Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs and the insurance company Insure to Study. Students will also participate in a budgeting and academics workshop. Along with assigned study financing guidance counsellors and volunteers, the new students are expected to explore their study cities, open bank accounts, register at the civil registries, visit and register at their schools, move into their apartments, purchase their furniture, furnish and paint their rooms. The week is expected to be closed off with some fun activities.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/79030-students-in-high-spirits-as-they-embark-on-next-educational-chapter
View comments
Hide comments