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By Breidy Santiago

My second semester at Create Caribbean has been some what exciting and I have finally come to understand the importance of Create Caribbean. Doing research and finding valued information about important events and persons of the past, and making it available to the wider public has to be done by someone, and I am grateful that we at Create are doing so. The old newspapers and files can easily fade away due to the wears and tears of this world. Create Caribbean has taken the responsibility to make this information available on an online platform, and in any event that the material may be destroyed, we have somewhere else to get them.

The new project assigned to me at Create Caribbean is “The Coloured Assembly in 1838”. This exhibit requires a lot of reading and factual information, and I have been enjoying this topic because I love to read and find out new things. Putting the information together may be some what challenging but with the guidance of Mia and Jada the task is not impossible. I have been enjoying my Digital Humanities class because I have been learning a lot of new ways to place information on sites as well as the different platforms that are used to make information available to users. When referencing books and websites, I can use Zortero and when working in a group setting to share information, we can use Google Drive.

Furthermore, I have also learned that if I want people to keep visiting the website, that I would need to always keep new content flowing or always engaging with my audience. I can share my work in different social media settings and get the attention of different people.

The topics I got for my digital humanities project are Economics and Politics. I think these topics are really interesting and I feel very excited about them because economics is one of my majors at the Dominica State College. I feel like I can go in-depth with the topic and find out information that I am very curious about. Each member of the group came up with questions they need to find information for, and to gather this information we are planning to visit the Roseau Library and websites such as ‘dloc.com’ and ‘jstor.org’. From past experiences I know that working in groups can be very challenging if we lack communication, however, my group members and I are trying our best to communicate and solve any disputes that may arise, and with this trend, we are sure to succeed.

By Gael Thomas

It feels like it was just last week that I was starting out as an intern at the Create Caribbean Research Institute. Create Caribbean thus far has been a mixture of successes, failures and so many experiences in between. Without a doubt, the Create Family has grown even closer since the first semester and although we have lost a few family members along the way, the remainder of us are continuing to forge meaningful relationships while improving our skills as digital humanists.

My projects thus far have been centered on the Small Projects Assistance Team (SPAT) of Dominica. The SPAT projects: History of SPAT, The SPAT Women’s Program and my current project, SPAT: Alliance of Dominica and Cuba, have become my adopted children as I’ve grown quite fond of working on them and finding out, even more, information about the SPAT program. My favorite aspect of working on the SPAT projects is the opportunity to locate and interview the people who were directly involved in the movement. Hearing their first-hand accounts and later transferring the information to an exhibit for others to share the experience has proven to be a very enlightening experience.

One Create Caribbean requirement was the enrollment into the Digital Humanities course. Digital Humanities is the use of digital tools to conduct research projects and present researched information. Before Create Caribbean, I hadn’t the slightest idea that here was a subject area dedicated to teaching persons how to research. Although demanding, the Digital Humanities course has proven to be quite helpful in my Create Caribbean projects. Not only does the course help with the research process involved in the projects but it also aids in the appropriate presentation of the information as well as encourages teamwork which is needed within any institute.

Regardless of all of my achievements thus far, I experienced a few challenges along the way. One of the main challenges was trying to share my time between my work at Create Caribbean and my work at school. Being a very demanding program, Create Caribbean requires a lot of attention to ensure that all projects are completed to a high standard and done in a time efficient manner. Setting aside time for Create Caribbean work from my already busy schedule is facilitated by the involvement of the Create staff. Gratefully, at Create Caribbean, we have amazingly helpful supervisors and older interns who are always willing to help in any way that they can.

Not one regret has come from my decision to join the Create Caribbean research institute. Thus far, my journey has been a fruitful one with many accomplishments. I am hopeful for my future at Create Caribbean and I look forward to participating in more research projects, learning more skills as well as continue to make even more memories with my Create Caribbean Family.

By Noah Stoddard

Starting off my second semester at Create Caribbean, my fellow interns and myself were all given research topics. I was given the topic “Ethnicity and Race unsettlement after 1838”. This topic struck me as a very interesting one, especially since after the emancipation of slavery in 1834 the freed slaves although now legislatively and constitutionally free remained enslaved by oppression and discrimination in society. Engaging in this research I learned of numerous riots and uproars that occurred in Dominica after this time. Riots such as “The Census Riot” and “The Batalie uprising” could have simply been avoided had the blacks been treated fairly.

During my venture into the second semester, my academic life in the Digital Humanities course has been very informative. I have learned numerous tactics and opened my mind to a new perspective on not only creating digital projects related to the humanities but the way I use different software, technologies, and digital platforms. This course required me to submit a blog every week on an agreed upon social media platform, read numerous text related to the different aspects of digital humanities and ensure that I have a firm understanding of the key terms and concepts in the study.

Additionally, studying and reading to understand is mandatory for this class and our lecturer has made it very clear that if you are not prepared to read and interpret what you have read, you will not pass. This sounds like an easy task, but balancing my this work with my other college courses has been challenging. The courses at the Dominica State College normally require the same thing, straight forward reading and interpretation, but the digital humanities require slightly more understanding and comprehension. Before the class I wouldn’t have been able to address questions like “Who owns the internet?” or “Is google making us Stupid ?”, but now I am able to hold a stable conversation on the topic.

My experience at Create Caribbean has been very exciting and along with learning about new historical events, I’ve been able to develop my writing and comprehensive skills while producing materials on a global platform. I believe that with the environment that has been provided for me, I’m capable of developing my skills to its peaks and possibly further my study with my newly attained skills.

By Tonilia Eli

Back at high school, one of our literature teachers always reminded us to join Dr. Esprit’s program when we got to college. She repeated it over and over so I was sure that I would not forget. In fact, at Dominica State College’s orientation, Dr. Esprit delivered her speech and I really enjoyed it; her charisma was appealing and her whole aura grabs your attention. I knew then that I really wanted to be a part of her institution. However, I was having mixed feelings when I found out that it was a research institute. Honestly, I thought that it sounded rather boring and I immediately changed my mind; but I could not stop thinking about all the possibilities that it could bring. My sister told me that Create is a very interesting group and although she was not a member, she highlighted all the things they had done, one of which were field trips which I really love. So I figured, why not?

An interview had to be done before we could become members and I was beyond nervous. What were they going to ask me? Will I be accepted? Questions were coursing through my mind only to find out that the interview was actually really simple and fun. The directors were really friendly and welcoming and they reassured me that I would surely adapt to the create life.

Being new at the college, my schedule kept changing, different events and different times. It was really frustrating, but I eventually calmed myself and spoke to my directors. Their words of encouragement and reassurance was enough to keep me going; I was convinced that I will adapt in time, especially when keeping up with the hours, the projects, school and other extra-curricular.

I was petrified at the thought of the projects, not because of what they required but the kind of quality that was expected. I made sure to remind myself to do them to the best of my ability and although I am quite shy, to always ask for help if needed. It really is a lot of hard work and requires sufficient time to get done but I am willing and able to step forward to this challenge. I’ve never enjoyed doing research so much, but one of our first projects was for History week, with the theme Building Communities:1838-1938. I am not a fan of history but I cannot complain about my work so far. Although, sometimes I feel like I’m not doing it right, I know that everything worth loving takes time.

Sometimes, situations prohibit me from giving my best on my projects, but I am content with every individual at Create Caribbean. Their motivational words are warm and straight forward. They allow me to crack a laugh at times when I cannot seem to find it. At every meeting I attend, the kind of passion that Dr. Esprit speaks with about the institute ignites a feeling of worth within me; a feeling that reminds me that I must do my best to make her proud and be prepared for the future. She always reminds us that Create is not an extra-curricular, but a co-curricular that opens doors for our futures and it is ideal preparation for what to expect in the working world.

I love being an intern at Create Caribbean. It is really fun, and I know the fun has only just begun. It teaches a lot too; how to manage time, and how to effectively deal with projects. It maybe a lot of hard work that will take some getting used to, but so far, I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world.

By Ashfred Norris

As a freshman at the Dominica State College, I was just beginning to adjust to everything that this new environment had to offer. I had made up my mind that I was not just going to get through this new level of higher education, but I was going to continue building the proper foundation for my future pursuits, thus I was determined to excel. When I first heard the name ‘Create Caribbean’, it was from my friends Jodine Robin and Mikayah Antonio, who were already interns. I thought to myself that maybe this is just some club that’s a part of a business that deals with the culture of the Caribbean locally and regionally and I saw that it was a way of getting closer to my goal, so I joined.

Upon joining, I didn’t know what to expect or even what to do. As new interns, we had to continue working on a project called ‘Building Communities: 1838-1938’. My first task in this project was to find interesting factoids about various communities within Dominica, so I did. For about two weeks, I continued to do things like this until Dr. Esprit announced that we were going to have our first intern workshop. I figured that maybe it was to give us an official welcome to the organization and teach us the ropes, functions etc, but this workshop was totally not what I expected. A part of Create that I’ve never seen before came alive; where all the seriousness and hard-working attitudes were tossed to a side and everyone was having fun socializing and getting to know one another better. I surely felt welcomed. We all were having a great time whilst accomplishing what we came to do.

Despite all the fun and excitement, Create Caribbean also takes the time out to groom and develop their interns. Hosting one on one sessions between the mentor and the intern was one of the things I admired that the institution did. This is where the mentor counsels and advises the interns on problems and situations that college students may have; such as procrastination, proper time management, priority listing and assisting them in whatever way they can. I was grateful for this as it proved that the institution not only wants to aid the interns with research and tech skills but also help them to build character and become well-rounded individuals.

My experience at Create Caribbean has been nothing but exciting and promising. What we are taught here I’m sure will stick with us for life, and the qualities that we have acquired through the teachings and direction of Dr. Eugene and Dr. Esprit will be something that will be cherished by each and every ‘creator’.

by Zamar Thomas

Currently, I am working on this amazing, in-depth historical maroon project. We have read the books, now I am left with the task to put the information into a short children’s story. In the story I have included the maroon journey through the forests of Dominica in such a way that captures all children’s attention.

The book is designed to keep them focussed, laughing and having fun while learning about a part of Dominica’s history, a part that surely should not be forgotten. I am also helping one of the other interns translate and upload various historical letters, journal entries etc. to our Omeka site. In doing this, I have developed a greater love and appreciation for the ones who came before me. From reading those letters etc. I can truly say that it is because of those before us that we are here today.