Perspective from the Spice Isle: Reflections on Grenada
Elinor Artsy Navon
1st Year MPH Environmental Health Student
Returning to the U.S. after our whirlwind trip to Grenada feels a bit like waking up from a vivid dream. Now that I’ve had some time to let the experience settle, I’ve been reflecting on the gap between what we prepared for in the classroom and what would happen on the ground. Before leaving, our three groups (each partnering with a different local organization) spent weeks submerged in research. We drafted surveys and refined key informant interviews, but there is a specific kind of knowledge that only arrives when you step off the plane. You can’t research how the way the air feels, easily some of the cleanest I’ve ever breathed, or how it will be to experience the vibrant culture and the genuine kindness of the people we met.
The Human Element
The data-gathering portion of our trip was directly defined by the Grenadians we spoke with, and we were constantly reminded of the incredible passion of the leaders of our partner organizations. There is a profound humility in seeing a national organization like the Grenada Red Cross Society run almost entirely on the power of volunteers. We spent our days with people like Mr. Jeremiah, our driver, who navigated St. George’s for us between his own work shifts. Then there was Miss Samantha, who tirelessly balances her role as a faculty member at the university with her dedication to advancing the Red Cross operations as director. Seeing that level of motivation firsthand changes how you approach the work; it was not just about collecting data, but about honoring the time and trust these individuals gave us.
From the Market to the Ministry
After our days in the field, we collaborated within our small groups to synthesize our findings into a formal presentation for the Grenadian Ministry, our public health practice team from U-M SPH, and the many others involved in this experience. Standing there, sharing insights we gathered directly from the community, I felt a deep sense of pride in what we had accomplished. It wasn't just an academic exercise; it felt like a tangible contribution to the future sustainability of the Grenada Red Cross. Knowing that our work might help provide a more solid framework for the organization and the volunteers we met made the long hours we put in absolutely worth it.
Finding Balance
While our schedule was intensive, the island has a way of forcing you to be present. I think back to our full-day tour before the work began, with a great introduction to the stunning nature, local wildlife, delicious food (especially the local chocolate!), and diversity of sights all around the island. On our final day, a few of us went snorkeling and found enough energy left to go out dancing. But my favorite ritual was the simplest: watching the sunset on the beach after a long day of field work, feeling incredibly lucky to be there.
Moving Forward
One moment that has stuck with me happened on our last afternoon on the island. A group of us went back to the central spice market in St. George’s – the same place where, just days earlier, we had been walking around in bright orange Grenada Red Cross vests conducting community surveys. Now, standing there without the vest, I felt a strange sense of time expansion. It felt as though months had passed since those interviews, even though it had only been days. Saying goodbye to the beach later that day was difficult, but it felt less like an ending and more like confirmation. This trip was an incredible, transformative experience, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to have been part of it. I’m returning to my studies with more than just a completed project – I’m returning with a much clearer vision of what global public health looks like when it’s driven by the people who live it every day, and with a renewed sense of how fulfilling this path can be.
