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"The experiences I had in Jamaica will remain with me for a lifetime. I was encouraged to reflect upon my own reality and lifestyle, and to consider how these were affecting the lives of others. IPSL does it right. Thank you for allowing me to have this experience."
- Sally, Xavier University
Jamaica's famous beaches and resorts are only a part of the life and culture of this mountainous island nation. The people of Jamaica and their rich historical and cultural background are as varied as the geography. You will learn about the original Carib and Arawak Indian peoples, Spanish and British colonialism, the plantation period and economy, the achievement of independence in 1962, and Jamaica's efforts toward development in the contemporary world as the leader of the Caribbean community. Kingston, the national capital, is a vibrant, colorful, yet challenging city which displays in full Jamaica's connections by culture to Africa, by geography to the Americas, and by history to the British Commonwealth.
You will spend a semester in Kingston, living with a Jamaican family; studying Jamaican and Caribbean history, literature, and social issues; serving 15–20 hours per week meeting human needs in a local agency; and exploring Jamaica and Jamaican culture through field trips. Your volunteer service immerses you in the culture and deepens your understanding of Jamaican society in a way that goes beyond that experienced in traditional study abroad programs and by tourists.
