The Department of Cultural Studies recently hosted an immersive study tour for 17 students and 2 staff members from New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study – Liberal Studies. The tour focused on the lasting effects of colonialism and the plantation system on Caribbean societies, offering a hands-on exploration of the region’s complex history.
Through a series of lectures, site visits, and discussions, students engaged with the legacy of the plantation economy, indigenous histories, and ongoing struggles for reparative justice. Key highlights included visits to historic landmarks like Rock Hall Freedom Village and the Sunbury Plantation, as well as discussions on the Codrington Project and initiatives at the Barbados Museum.
Beyond colonial history, the tour also explored the Caribbean’s spiritual and ecological traditions. Students participated in a Spiritual Baptist ceremony and visited sacred spaces like the Mount Carmel Rastafari Tabernacle and the Jewish Synagogue. They also gained insights into environmental sustainability through visits to WIRRED and Coco Hill AgroForest Reserve.
The tour concluded with a walking exploration of Bridgetown, reflecting on the intersection of colonial legacies and contemporary identity. This immersive experience deepened students’ understanding of the Caribbean, reaffirming UWI Cave Hill's role as a hub for global intellectual exchange on Caribbean history, culture, and identity