Visions Guadeloupe

  Guadeloupe

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: June 30 - July 27

Description: This Caribbean island offers service within the language immersion setting of a French speaking culture. Guadeloupe is a department of France with a diverse cultural history. French is the official language, spoken with a musical island lilt. Creole is a second mother tongue testifying to Guadeloupe's historical ties to Africa and other sources of immigration. The complex at times tragic history of the French West Indies has produced a people that today celebrate the diversity of their origins even as they struggle for a collective identity that they may call "Guadeloupean". This is apparent, for example, in the unique local cuisine that often combines French sauces, curry spices and fresh seafood. The faces of its people tell Guadeloupe's history. Since Columbus's landing in 1492 the island has seen English, Spanish, and French Colonial settlers from Europe as well as the importation of slaves from Africa and indentured servants from Asian India. Traditions imported from these continents have blended over the centuries. Today, the hallmarks of Carnival, the French celebration, are Indian madras costumes and African musical rhythms. As a department of France, Guadeloupe has not suffered the economic hardships of other independent Caribbean islands. Most Guadeloupeans perceive their continuing dependence upon metropolitan France as a two-edged sword, bringing relative economic stability at the price of independence and identity. In Guadeloupe you will be challenged to understand service as meeting both the material and social needs of a community. In the special context of language immersion, community service involves both giving and receiving as one builds meaningful relationships across cultures.

Highlights: In conjunction with the Department of Youth and Culture, VISIONS has evolved a program in which our participants work alongside Guadeloupean youth on projects designated by the community such as building community parks, renovating elementary schools and youth centers, and assisting summer school programs. Our teenage Guadeloupe friends also accompany us on cultural and recreational outings organized through the Office of Tourism. We will enjoy Beguine dancing, Zouk and Gwoka music and the persistent, irresistible drumming. Hiking in the national park we will explore waterfalls, rain forests, and La Soufriere, an active volcano. We swim and snorkel, and scuba dive in one of Jaques Cousteau's favorite lagoons. Working and recreating closely with Associations les Jeunes de la Mer is a challenging cross-cultural language opportunity. Your French speaking skills will inevitably improve. Participants in Guadeloupe must have a minimum of two years of high school French or equivalent fluency in French.

Cost in US$: 4635

Experience Required: no

Participants Travel to Guadeloupe in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 24

Application Process Involves:

• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Visions Service Adventures's Mission Statement: VISIONS offers teenagers opportunities for ambitious service work and cross-cultural immersion in the United States and abroad. We work with and for intercultural communities that lack financial and other development resources. Through service, authentic experience, and active exploration, we encourage new perspectives and dynamic learning.

Year Founded: 1989