Reflections from Grenada: A Week of Learning, Listening, and Unexpected Inspiration
Arman Hosen
2nd Year MPH Epidemiology Student
As I flew back home from Grenada, I found myself replaying moments from the week — a mosaic of vibrant memories stitched together by scenic drives, mouthwatering dishes, and the warm energy of the people we met. This trip gave me more than a change of scenery; it was a deep dive into a culture rich with resilience, pride, and possibility.
Our class project focused on gaining an in-depth understanding of how Grenada’s National Schools’ Policy on Drugs is perceived and implemented in real-world educational settings. To explore this, we had visited many secondary schools across the island, engaging directly with those most involved in policy delivery. We conducted interviews with school administrators — including principals, vice principals, and counselors — to learn how the policy plays out on the ground, what challenges they face, and what opportunities they see for improvement.
What struck me most during those visits wasn’t just what was said in the interviews, but what surrounded us. Nearly every school we entered proudly displayed sheer number of trophies — representing achievements in academics, sports, and extracurricular activities. It was a powerful, visual reminder of the immense potential within these institutions and the students they serve.
These trophies told stories — of effort, teamwork, and excellence — and they reminded me that even in the face of policy gaps or resource limitations, Grenadian schools are cultivating brilliance. I was inspired by how school staff showed deep care for their students and a strong desire to see them succeed beyond the classroom.
Outside the classroom, I was equally struck by something that might seem simple at first: chocolate. During our tour of the Belmont Estate Chocolate Factory, I was captivated by the care and labor behind every step of the chocolate-making process — from harvesting cocoa pods to drying, fermenting, grinding, and packaging. It reminded me of a book I read a few years ago called Fresh Fruit, Broken Bodies, which explores the often-invisible suffering of immigrant farm workers behind the fresh produce we so easily pick up in grocery stores.
Watching the process in Grenada, I felt a renewed appreciation for the everyday products we often take for granted. It made me think about global labor, fair trade, and the dignity of work — and how even something as joyful as chocolate can carry a story of labor, pride, and sustainability.
This trip reminded me that policies aren’t just documents — they are lived every day by real people in real places. And meaningful policy work begins with listening, with showing up, and with trying to understand context before suggesting change.
Grenada offered so much more than I expected. It offered lessons in humility, joy, and the power of community — lessons I’ll carry long after the flight home.