Category: DATAS Testimonials

Trevis Gardiner Success Story

Division of Education, Research and Technology

WRITTEN TESTIMONIAL Trevis Gardiner Meteorologist University of the West Indies Throughout my younger years I always excelled academically. However, as a young boy my true passion was Football. I developed an instant love affair with the game from the moment I saw Thierry Henry playing, and from that moment my goal was to become a Professional Footballer. In pursuit of this goal I attended St Clair’s Coaching School which played a pivotal role in my development. In fact I can still remember the three words we lived by ‘Discipline, Dedication and Cooperation.’ Additionally, it was at St Clair’s Coaching School the idea of University became appealing to me. I will admit at that time I only saw University as a means of getting to the United States to play college level football. However, at that time in my life let’s just say education was firmly on the back burner in comparison to football and the prospect of going to University gave me a reason to pay closer attention to my grades and take my education more seriously (My parents were overjoyed with this development).  As I made an assertive effort to dedicate more time to studying I began to really enjoy two subject areas: Geography and Physics. Geography really peaked my interest. I enjoyed learning about the Earth’s seasons, hurricanes, oceans, landforms, you name it and I enjoyed reading and learning about it. Additionally, my Geography teacher at the time Miss Hackett encouraged us as students to go to beaches, rivers and other landforms around Tobago and observe what we learned about during class. One day in class a student asked Miss Hackett about the different careers in Geography. I can only remember the way she spoke about Meteorology. She detailed how appealing a career in Meteorology was and that the job allows you to travel to many corners of the world while being paid a substantial salary. I was hooked and from that day forward it was either a Footballer or Meteorologist for me. Fast forward to 2010: I completed sixth form at Signal Hill Secondary Comprehensive school and although I wanted to pursue tertiary education I had two older sisters who at that time were already pursuing theirs. It would have been too big of a burden on my parents for me to also go to university during that period. Therefore the working world was the only option for me! I bounced around a few jobs before finding a suitable role as a teller at RBC Royal Bank in Scarborough. In 2013 after two and a half years in the banking industry I knew it was time for the next stage of my life. This might seem small to others but one of the things I am very proud of is that I never settled or became complacent. I know of many people who started jobs with the intentions of leaving for university and are still in that job up to today! I sat down with my parents and had the conversation about my plans. I told them I was applying to The University of West Indies, Cave Hill Campus and if accepted I would be off to Barbados to pursue a Bachelor’s in Meteorology. I was a bit lucky because a fellow colleague and friend of mine also applied to the Meteorology program. In fact we went to both Bishops High School and Signal Hill Secondary together and was now looking for the next step in our lives. He received his acceptance email and told me he got in. I became nervous as I did not receive a similar email. I checked my mail daily hoping that my acceptance would arrive. After about a week he asked, “Boy did you check your junk mail? That’s where I found mine.” Upon checking my junk mail I discovered my acceptance letter. With the government’s GATE program covering my tuition, my family agreed to help with my other expenses along with a student loan I applied for from RBC Royal Bank. Honestly, at the time I was unaware of the Department of Advanced Training and Advisory Services (DATAS) and that the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) was assisting Tobagonians in furthering their education. I eventually heard about the program through a friend that was already at university and although it was last minute I still applied for the assistance and was able to submit my application on time along with my colleague who I shared the information regarding DATAS with. In August of 2013 I arrived in Barbados to begin my new Journey. Being away from home for the first time, renting for the first time, and even living without my family for the first time. These changes were a lot to handle all at once. Living in Barbados was definitely one of my most challenging experiences. Not to mention up until that point in my life my mother cooked most of my meals and I could barely boil rice. My only saving grace was the fact that I knew some of the students who were already at the University, and the house I lived in was made up of other Tobagonians which made me feel at home. We shared meals and generally helped each other out, which looking back really helped me during harder times. To add to my challenges when I left for school my student loan was still being processed. The little I saved from work and my family’s financial support was all I had to make ends meet. Therefore, I was delighted when I got the call from Miss Petronella Neptune informing me that my financial assistance from DATAS was approved. I would also like to say a special thank you to Miss Neptune and may her soul continue to rest in peace. She was always kind, and reached out via email or telephone to ensure all our documents were prepared and to usher words of encouragement to keep our grades up. Another challenge I

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Shantar Bruce Success Story

Division of Education, Research and Technology

WRITTEN TESTIMONIAL Shantar Bruce Tourism Manager University of the West Indies; Centre for Hotel and Tourism Management When I was a child, I was obsessed with becoming a Midwife. I was captivated by TV series such as One Born Every Minute, The Midwife or any medical TV show I could find. I would often mix chemicals that I found in the house; and one time I’d almost caused myself to become unconscious when I concocted dangerous chemicals. Thereafter, chemist was a house name. I believed that I was destined to be a midwife but destiny had another path for me. I left Goodwood High School in 2010, anxious to start my career after receiving an acceptance letter from the Ministry of Health in 2010. My mother and I had set sail to Trinidad to complete my official documents. To my dismay, they could not have enrolled me into the nursing programme because they realized that I was only seventeen (17) years old, months shy from the legal required age. My heart sunk to the floor. I was disappointed but I was still hopeful. I enrolled in the sixth form programme at Goodwood High School from 2010-2012, and at the end of my tenure there, I received a scholarship to pursue an Associate’s Degree in Tourism Studies at the Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute (THTI). I accepted the call, regardless it wasn’t my dream. After completing my studies in November 2014. It was evident that my island would benefit from me pursuing a degree in Tourism Management as a career. I had fallen in love with the field and was determined to pursue it relentlessly. In 2015, I signed up to pursue a B.Sc with the University of the West Indies, Center for Hotel and Tourism Management (UWI; CHTM); with the intent to start that semester. However, I had to postpone my studies due to a lack of funds and was worried about studying in the Bahamas without a clear source of income. Even though my mother encouraged me and tried her best to sway me that she would take care of things, I simply wasn’t persuaded. I was not poised enough to leave my beloved country to go out into the unknown, not having an inkling of an idea where my next meal would come from. I took a year off and started a small business in order to raise capital to be able to afford school comfortably. By the next year on Wednesday August 24th, 2016 to be exact, I walked down the aisle and heard those magical words…. “This is your captain speaking”.  Right there and then, a new chapter in my life budded. Travelling to uncharted waters to pursue my dream didn’t come without a hefty price. Just a little over a month studying in the Bahamas the islands were hit by Hurricane Matthew; a category four (4) hurricane, which ravaged the islands. I was left without water, electricity and a stable place to shelter for one (1) month. My apartment was damaged by the strong hurricane winds, thus making it unsuitable to live in. With no service, little food and no pipe borne water, I felt like I was starring on the TV show Survival. With no contact to family, friends or the Government for assistance, I was left to rely on my fellow classmates. After a few weeks, I finally got in contact with my family who assisted me as much as they could. I was not yet in partnership with the Tobago House of Assembly Financial Assistance Programme. I then tried to contact the Government for assistance but to no avail. In total, there were twelve (12) nationals from Trinidad and Tobago. When I thought that my challenges were over, it seemed like they had just begun. I faced so many health scares at school. It felt like just before every end of term exam, I would fall terribly ill. I remembered in my third semester, it was a regular Sunday, the day before my exams commenced. I got an acute ear ache that came out from nowhere, which made it impossible for me to concentrate. I stumbled upon a plethora of difficulties while pursuing my passion; whether it be financial, personal or encountering snags while attaining a goal. One academic goal was to pass my Financial Management class, which at the time seemed like a Goliath in my life that placed a spoke in my wheel. I was determined to not just barely pass but to slay that giant. With hard work, dedication to the cause, resilience, persistence, time and a lot of extra classes. I wasn’t only able to pass the class, I also emerged as one of the top students. Every brick that was thrown at me, was used to build a firm foundation. I didn’t have to fight any battles, God fought them all for me. God was my fortress and guiding light. My mother, immediate family and small circle of friends remained my standard bearers in and out of time and seasons. They supported me, lifted me up and were my biggest cheerleaders and confidants. Thanks to my mother, dear friends and the Department of Advanced Training and Advisory Services (DATAS) and myself of course. I was able to complete my studies debt free. To persons interested in pursuing their dream, I urge you to cultivate a mind that encourages free thought, inspires ideas and fertilizes innovation and be empowered to imagine creative solutions to problems. Just remember that your track record for surviving bad days is 100%.  Be bold enough to face it. Be courageous enough to overcome your fears and be strong enough to know that trials won’t last When passion drives you, let reason hold the reins. Two roads diverged into the wood, but I could not travel both. One road looked very promising, fair and familiar, and perhaps the better claim. The other unknown and mysterious. I took the one less travelled and it

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Tigahna Bacchus Success Story

Division of Education, Research and Technology

WRITTEN TESTIMONIAL Tigahna Bacchus Meteorologist University of the West Indies Career Choice At a young age I was always intrigued by things involving nature and the environment. Thus, it was no surprise that with my introduction to Geography at high school, I fell in love with the subject immediately. I remember learning about different coastal and river features and thinking to myself “hmm, this seems familiar.”  Sometimes on weekends I would walk down to the sea coast and small river course in my village of Golden Lane, just to identify some of those features I had learnt.  It was an exciting feeling learning something in the classroom, reading of it in a book and actually seeing it right where you’re from. However, my interest in the field of Meteorology peaked in 2004 with the passage of hurricane Ivan. As Ivan approached Tobago, my parents and older family members would speak of their experience of Hurricane Flora, which devastated the island in 1963. I remember saying to my mother “I real like hurricanes you know, I want to experience what you all talking about yes” and her response was “you crazy or what? Trust me; you don’t want to experience that at all.” The meteorologist in me however, couldn’t help but be excited whenever a storm formed and I was glued to CNN whenever major hurricanes would hit the US (I still do this by the way), brimmed with excitement seeing all the live reporting from within the heart of the storm. Even though the stories and images were frightening, simultaneously it was all very fascinating to me and this triggered me to do some research on hurricanes over the following years which ultimately captured my interest.  Thus, began my pursuit to become a meteorologist. Unfortunately, I did not do adequate and extensive research into the requirements needed to study meteorology at university level. Initially I was of the impression that geography would be the main requirement, thus I exempted math and physics from my A Level studies. However, it was not until I was enrolled at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus that I was made aware that the study of meteorology actually involved mostly math and physics. As a result, I had to do a preliminary year of these courses which made my study a four year programme. I have no regrets of the path taken to achieve my goal and I’m now grateful that I can guide younger persons aspiring to become future meteorologist. Support System Family and friends back home were pillars of strength throughout my university life. My family group chat on whatsapp was like a gift and a curse at times. I was always kept in the loop about everything happening back home but at the same time it was hard not being  there for many of the family “limes” and activities.They never forgot me though, and would video call and send pictures so I was a part of it from afar. I will never forget all the fireside bake and carnival peas soup I have missed out on, but not anymore thank the Lord.  Additionally, I was very fortunate to have had three other roommates all from Tobago and with whom I formed a genuine brotherhood which became a second family. We all had common interest and were familiar with each other in different capacities back home, so it made it really easy for us all to get along.  I went through the trenches of this meteorology course together with one of these brothers in particular. We had known each other since Bishops High School, did A levels together at Signal Hill then eventually took the same career path and the help we offered each other throughout the four years was immense and essential in being able to successfully complete the programme. We pushed and supported each other in high and low moments and I will forever be grateful to have had such a good friend to journey with. There were other fellow Tobagonians along with us, the dream team we called ourselves after graduating. We all suffered together but fed off of each other as well. I could always rely on these people for missed notes or help with anything I didn’t understand. Big up Dream Team!  Funding I’ve always tried as much as possible to relieve my parents of any financial burden where I am concerned. So, after completing my A Levels I decided to work for a couple years in which I managed to save some money to later help with my schooling. I also took a help loan from Republic Bank to start my journey and my parents also supported me with what little they had whenever I needed it.  Additionally, I am also grateful for the government’s GATE programme which took care of my tuition fees for the duration of my study. However, a huge portion of my financial support came from the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), for which I will be forever grateful. I must say a special thank you to the late Miss Petronella Neptune, may her soul continue to rest in peace. She was there at the inception of our association with the Department of Advanced Training and Advisory Services (DATAS), a very kind and caring individual who would ensure every semester that I and my colleagues had all the necessary documentations to receive our funding. She would call personally or via email, remind and advise us on what we had to do and with every encounter she gave words of encouragement to keep up the good work at school. Always pleasant, friendly yet professional. Thank you Miss Neptune! Difficulties My years spent in Barbados and UWI were pretty good to be honest. The true difficulties were really with some of the courses involved in obtaining the degree, like Calculus and Dynamic Meteorology to name a few. Meteorology is not an easy field of study and required dedication and sacrifice which

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Olando Fraser Success Story

Division of Education, Research and Technology

WRITTEN TESTIMONIAL Olando Fraser Engineer in Training Electrical and Computer Engineering My career path started in the year 2010 after several discussions with my mother who was and still is the pinnacle of my success. She would constantly ask “Olando, what do you intend to do with your life?” At the time, I was a young man and just started as a Clerk I in the public service, to me life was good. She realized I began to neglect my academic development; so she had a conversation with me that changed my life. I sat a while and did some serious soul searching, I asked myself what I really wanted to be in this life. The decision wasn’t a hard one for me, but I must say at first it wasn’t to be an Electrical Engineer. I applied to the School of Business and Computer Science for their Electrical & Electronic Engineering Technician’s Diploma followed by the Advanced Electrical & Electronic Engineering Technician’s Diploma. The Advanced Diploma to me was very challenging because I was the only student from my year to successfully complete all modules of the first year, hence applying simple economics it was not prudent to pay teachers to teach one student. It was here I encountered my first hurdle; I spoke to my mother who is always optimistic in every situation. She told me you came this far, and God won’t leave your side. I proceeded to do my final year on my own without any guidance or teachers to assist. It was very difficult, but I overcame this hurdle. After being the only student to successfully complete the Advanced Diploma, I was ready to go home, apply for jobs and start living life, my mother however had other plans. She asked me why stop here you came this far, you proved everyone who doubted you that you can do it. She asked, “Why don’t you try for the Engineering Degree?” in my head I thought me, an Engineer, a little boy from Tobago to be an engineer. I said well ok, can’t hurt to apply right. I called some close friends and asked for advice since I knew nothing about this university life. I should mention, everyone I asked told me I would never be accepted to be an Electrical Engineer. I was told they only accepted the best of the best and half the class were scholarship winners. I was a bit despondent because I only had CXC level Mathematics and CAPE Mathematics was a fundamental tool for this degree. I told myself well it makes no sense being in over my head I did enough, already right? My mother however, had other plans, again she encouraged me to move with faith, God is greater than man. I applied and I was given a “Deferred Acceptance” meaning I will be accepted for the next year on the condition that I have to complete CXC level Chemistry and obtain either a grade I or II. I left Trinidad and came back to Tobago and enrolled in private Chemistry classes. Upon successfully completing Chemistry where I obtained a grade I, I sent my certificate to the Engineering Faculty and awaited feedback. Time passed and I received no feedback. I decided to follow up via several phone calls. Finally I got through and was told that they tried contacting me but there was a mistake with my phone number so I was replaced by another student. My heart sank, the Clerk said she will talk to her supervisor for advice on the way forward since it wasn’t my fault. Later the day, I was contacted and informed that I was accepted to start the programmme. This was a bitter-sweet moment for me because I got this information on Thursday and the following Monday was the beginning of the new semester. As the saying goes, I was like a fish out of water, I made several calls and asked fellow Tobagonians to assist in acquiring an apartment. I was able to secure an apartment the Saturday and moved in by Sunday to start school Monday, I can’t begin to explain the anxiety and stress that came with this transition. I began a new chapter of my life at the University of the West Indies to pursue a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering. The “little Tobago boy” in class with the big boys, the best of the best. To be very honest, this was the hardest tenure of my life. This degree changed my life, it was no joke and the hours were unforgiving. I would wake at 6:00am daily reach class for 8:00am and some days classes went to 9:00pm. I was slowly falling apart trying to acclimatize to the rapid change in my life and keep up with the demand. In my first semester, I failed all my midterm exams, I remember sitting outside talking to my mother and crying, I said “this isn’t for me I cannot make it.” She said “Olando I didn’t send you to go and beat the best I only ask that you do your best.” I closed my eyes, she prayed for me and asked God to put the right people in my way. The very next day I met a group of fellers who became my brothers and the rest was history. I remember calling my mother in jubilation shouting “mammy I met some fellers and we formed a study group I’m good now I like the vibe with these guys”, she replied you see God is working for you. At the end of the semester I passed all my courses and I was so elated, but the worst was yet to come. My final year was the worst year of my life, I had to complete nine (9) courses along with my final year project. I was bordering between sanity and insanity. I remember being under immense pressure I would just sit and cry at times then

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Crystol Caesar Success Story

Division of Education, Research and Technology

WRITTEN TESTIMONIAL Crystol F. Caesar Meteorologist BSc. Meteorology My name is Crystol Fayola Caesar of Signal Hill, Tobago and I first got interested in the field of Meteorology as a child. I would lay for hours in the yard looking at the clouds envisioning different cloud shapes but mainly wondering how they came to be. I attended Signal Hill Secondary Comprehensive School from September 2004 up till May 2012 where I pursued Pure Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Geography, and languages. Languages are advantageous to a meteorologist because weather is not confined to the boundaries of our twin-island republic and as such you never know where in the world you can end up. In August 2013, I journeyed to the University of the West Indies’ Cave Hill campus in Barbados to begin reading for the Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology. Prior to leaving for Barbados I had applied to the Department of Advanced Training and Advisory Services (DATAS) for financial assistance and in October of that year I received confirmation that I had been selected for the scholarship. This was elating news because my family and I quickly realized that Barbados is not cheap. In addition to funding from DATAS, I also received a loan through the Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP). As the Tobago saying goes, “One one cocoa does full basket!” and I needed all the help (pun intended) I could get. Living and studying in Barbados was challenging because on one hand as was mentioned before, it is a very expensive country and on the other hand being away from family for long periods of time proved a challenge as well. In my second year I believe, the banks stopped issuing travellers’ cheques with the alternative being Prepaid MasterCard/credit cards. There was this one unfortunate time I had forgot to inform the bank that I was proceeding back to school and upon using the card in Barbados, it was blocked for fraud. I can laugh now looking back on it but being in a foreign country with limited funds is “pressure”. My family, landlady Ms. Rose, Mrs. Angela Edghill, a family friend and Barbadian national, as well as other Tobagonians all assisted me to overcome such challenges and press forward. I would like to make special mention of Ms. Petronella Neptune (deceased) at DATAS who was my officer for the majority of my university career and who always provided words of encouragement during the times I would go in to collect a cheque or even via email. I graduated in October 2018 with a BSc Meteorology with a minor in Environmental Science but my journey did not stop there as I once again returned to Barbados to complete a professional development course namely the Operational Aeronautical Forecasters’ Course (OAFC) in May 2019. In short, this course enables a meteorologist with the skills needed to work at an airport in an aeronautical forecasting capacity. DATAS facilitated this need by providing financial assistance towards the OAFC. I graduated from the Caribbean Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology in July 2019 with this additional qualification added to my resume. After attaining this qualification, I continued my on-the-job training at the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service where I gained full competency as an Operational Meteorologist in December 2020. Overall, I am indeed grateful for the tremendous support which the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) has provided myself as well as other Tobagonians. My advice to persons seeking to enter the field of Meteorology is to ensure that you properly research what it entails before pursuing. Mathematics is engrained into this field so learn to love it! Also, there are various fields under the umbrella of Meteorology and while persons may ask, “If you’re a meteorologist, how come I never see you on TV?” there is no pressure to work at an airport. Other fields include Broadcast, Marine, Agro-Meteorology, Forensic Services and Hydro-Meteorology (just to name a few); it is important that you find one that fits your fancy and be prepared to work hard and do not forget to pray! MORE STORIES

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Regine Daniel Success Story

Division of Education, Research and Technology

WRITTEN TESTIMONIAL Regine Daniel Makeup Artist College of Art and Makeup Design As a teenager I was very involved in my school’s drama group and my local theatre group. It was a form of escape for me and I absolutely loved the thrill that came with preparing for a production. Naturally, theatre arts was my favorite subject at school. One day, my teacher gave us an assignment that explored the various behind the scenes elements that went into a theatre production; lighting, costume, directing etc. I was given the task of creating a makeup look for each character for the play. Initially, I didn’t think twice about my assigned subject. I remember thinking to myself “Why is there a whole department for makeup? How hard can it be?” I remembered even feeling disappointed that I was not appointed something like costuming or set design. I sat down to do the assignment one Sunday afternoon and noticed there was one character that needed to be aged. “How can I age someone using makeup?” I thought. This question led me down a rabbit hole looking at countless YouTube makeup videos of people performing what seemed to be sorcery! Changing young faces old, creating bruises and open wounds where there were none, I’d never known this was possible – I had to try it! I recruited my little sister and convinced her to let me experiment on her face and to my surprise it worked, she really did look older and from then on I completely fell in love with makeup as an art form. After leaving high school I continued freelancing and practicing my skills while working full time. I had not fully made up my mind to pursue makeup as a career but just a hobby. I would do odd jobs here and there for local film productions while also doing makeup for special events (weddings, anniversaries etc.). I had no set goal. I was lost! Standing between what I thought I should do, which was going to university, getting my degree in something plausible enough that would allow me to attain a good enough salary at an office job, and my passion; makeup. I needed some kind of sign that this was the right path for me. At the time I was working at the Division of Community Development and Culture under a youth training program, I was recommended by a senior officer who knew I did makeup to work on a film set alongside an international crew. I remembered being very excited. It was truly a life. Shortly after I was all business. I had to learn how to do this professionally! Although I had formal training for beauty makeup, most of my special effects skills (aside from a workshop here and there) were self-taught. I needed hands on training, but how? I started researching schools and looking for the best way forward. With every option, cost was a major factor. I remember thinking to myself that no matter how much money I save it would be almost impossible for me to accumulate TTD140,000 in tuition alone, not to mention the cost of living in a foreign country. I had hit a roadblock! My aunt had suggested that I should apply for financial assistance at the Department of Advanced Training and Advisory Services (DATAS). She was confident that I will get help. At that point I needed to have faith so I pushed through and sent in my application. To my surprise in less than two months I was contacted to move forward and was told I was awarded a Bursary. It was nothing short of a miracle. This was an extra push for me to achieve my goal. I told my parents and they were ecstatic. My family held my hand every step of the way. The Tobago House of Assembly’s (THA) award generously covered half of my tuition, and by the grace of God and with the help of my family, community, church and friends we were able to raise the other half via fundraisers and generous donations. I felt reassured in knowing that I was not alone on this journey but had the support of people that believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. Jump forward to December 2018, the day after Christmas and I’m packing my bags to start my new life as a student in Toronto at the College of Makeup Art and Design, feeling nervous, excited and optimistic about the future that lie ahead. I was set to start classes in January. This was my first time in Toronto and I had no idea what to expect. When I got off the plane it felt like I walked into an air conditioned room that was fully cranked up. There were some major challenges I was yet to face. The weather really took a toll on my health and did not make it easy for my body to acclimatize to the changes, and dressing for the cold was definitely a learning experience. I spent most of the winter sneezing and taking allergy medication, winter was not as glamorous as I expected it to be. Moving around in a large city was also quite challenging at first. I remembered getting lost on my way to school and back home almost every day to a point where I’d leave home very early just so I could find my way to school on time. After about two (2) months of always being lost I eventually learned my route. With my tuition being paid in full I was now tasked with the luxuries of adulthood, paying bills! While my parents supported me from home I still needed to help myself juggle the cost of living. I was able to find a job that fell right in my category as a makeup artist for the L’oreal owned brand, NYX. I had found my bliss! Doing makeup on clients every day, testing new products and helping

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Nkocy Fletcher Success Story

Division of Education, Research and Technology

WRITTEN TESTIMONIAL Nkocy Fletcher Foreign Language Educator B.A Spanish I am Nkocy Fletcher, a Foreign Language Educator at Bishop’s High School, Tobago.  My career in teaching began in September 2018 quite fortuitously, but I am very pleased that I was given that opportunity to impart learning to young Tobagonians at my alma mater.  I had never contemplated, upon leaving secondary school, at the age of eighteen (18) years old, that my first occupation would be in the field of education, though I considered it quite possible. However, the opportunity presented itself and as recent university graduate, I could not afford (quite literally) to let the opportunity pass.  At Bishop’s High School, I was exposed to languages under the tutelage of Mr. Cornwall, Mrs. Arnold, Ms Frith, Ms. Dann, and Mrs. James-Stewart and their instruction  ignited my passion for foreign languages and fuelled me to pursue tertiary-level studies at the University of the West Indies St. Augustine Campus. There, I read for the B.A Spanish with Minor in International Relations and was able to graduate, thankfully, with First Class Honours. Presently, at twenty-four years (24) old, I am pursuing a Master of Education (Concentration in Curriculum) where it is my hope to positively affect curriculum development especially for foreign language students. My university studies were funded initially through a loan that my mother was able to secure from a notable Credit Union on the island of Tobago and this enabled me to begin my studies and covered areas such as tuition, accommodation, books and transportation (being a Tobagonian by birth). As I approached the end of my first-year studies, I received a call that would make my academic journey less uncertain, financially. This call came from the Department of Advanced Training and Advisory Services (DATAS) and I was notified that I had been conferred with a Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Additional Scholarship in Modern Languages (based upon my C.A.P.E performance). I was ecstatic. That call was what I referred to as an “act of God” because thereafter, I was able to secure academic prizes that also boosted my ability to be able to cover all the expenses associated with university life. These were the Sylvan Bowles Bursary and the Republic Bank Prizes for Academic Excellence (for which I was a two-time recipient). My tenure at the University of the West Indies, was not only one filled with news of impending success but was punctuated with periods of self-doubt and other challenges. I remember distinctly one episode that would forever be etched indelibly in mind.  This episode happened after attending my first Spanish Literature course, one faithful Friday afternoon. I was so overwhelmed with not being able to understand my lecturer (a Spanish Native) given the pace at which he spoke. I wondered whether I could have succeeded at that level and questioned whether God had brought me this far for me to fail. It was in that moment that I remembered one gospel song penned by Vashawn Mitchell “Turning Around For me” and spent the rest of evening pondering on its words and assuring myself that this period of difficulty would be short-lived because God would never have brought me to this situation if he thought I was not prepared. Support systems are important at the university level and the Almighty God was my chief source of support. It is through faith in him and his mercies that I was able to remain grounded in periods of difficulty and to successfully complete my studies. Additionally, Shirley Fletcher, my mother, was a source of constant reassurance and help during our almost daily telephone conversations and by whose savings I was able to begin my university studies. I must express gratitude to my extended family, my aunts and cousins whose calls were a source of welcomed comfort during extended period of not being able to see them physically and whose pastries and dishes were greatly appreciated in times when I was too busy or fatigued to make myself a meal. My church family (members of the Church of God 7th Day) were another system upon which I relied for support and whose prayers and constant encouragement via messages and calls were always appreciated. Finally my friends at university, so numerous to mention, but especially Lorenzo London, Kern Grant, Kelsey Joyeau, Phillip Joseph, Kimberly Adams and Jonathan Alexander and my other Tobagonian colleagues who provided much needed relief after intense periods of academic devotion. Languages are fantastic. Languages open you to new worlds, new experiences, and new cultures.  To anyone that is thinking about studying languages, DO IT! It is just not enough in today’s competitive job environment to be monolingual; instead, one should boost their employability by being able to communicate in multiple languages. Additionally, let no one tell you that languages can only lead you to only one area of endeavour.  Languages can be used in Marketing, Education, Interpreting, Translating and Sports. Do your best and never let anyone say that you cannot achieve what you have set out to accomplish because it always seems impossible until it is done. I wish you the best!  Je vous souhaite la meillure!  Les deseo lo mejor! MORE STORIES

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Alyssa Crosby Success Story

Division of Education, Research and Technology

WRITTEN TESTIMONIAL Alyssa Crosby First Officer – ATR Commercial FAA Pilot Program It was never my intention to become a Pilot, far more believe that it was attainable for me. You see, I came from a background of strictly business studies. How did I leap into the world of aviation? This can be attested to the well-known Bishop’s High School, Tobago Career Day. Yes…where every year, hundreds of students are greeted by professionals from all walks of life – Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers, Television Presenters, Chefs and that year, we were fortunate to have a Pilot-then First Officer but now Captain Jobe, from Caribbean Airlines. I’m not quite sure what drew me to the aviation booth but for me, it stood out the most. From the fancy plane models, to the robust flight simulator controls and the posters- I loved it all. Brave and “cool” as I might have appeared, my interest peaked more and more and with every question I threw at him about planes, came a response that sparked a flame in me. Ah ha! “I must become a Flight Attendant!”, I said. With a perplexed look on his face, he asked “But you were just talking about how great it would be to fly the actual plane, why the change of heart?” A million thoughts ran through my head. Me? A Pilot? A female? Financing? Subjects? It seemed too good to be true. I remembered the final words he left with me though. He said “It’s never too late. If it’s what you really love, You will find a way.” I remember that afternoon after being picked up from school by my father, my heart was pounding with fear. How do I tell my father that after 6 years of high school and studying business subjects all this time, I wanted to become a Pilot? I thought. “Daddy, I am changing my life. I want to become a Pilot” I announced. I held my breath…….. Patiently waiting for that “cuss” I was about to receive, I was taken aback when he softly replied “We’d make it happen.” Of course, many other people were not in support of my decision for many reasons, the biggest being the fact that I was a “female”. I would hear: A female pilot? You? No way- YOU would not fly me. I pressed on. Fast forward to 2015: I took up my first job out of High School, packing magazines in boxes! Boy was I excited! After all, it was me and my best friend that undertook the endeavour. After some time, we were offered employment at the Office of the Chief Secretary. I knew that I had to save every cent to supplement that dream of becoming a Pilot. After all, my family and I were not rich. After a couple months, along with the support of my parents and other sponsors, I was finally able to BEGIN the first phase of becoming a Commercial Pilot and attaining my private Pilot’s license. I was so excited. From renting on my own in Trinidad, to cooking my own food (by trial and error), it was a challenge I faced head on. It was not easy. The transition from being a business student to a student Pilot was challenging. My first day in Ground School met me with the monocular vision of business studies knowledge only, that later burgeoned into a wealth of knowledge in the field of aviation. As time went by, the theory became easier to understand and certainly, the flying became much more enjoyable, after a couple hard landings in the beginning. At the end of 2015, I graduated successfully as a Private Pilot from Aerial World Services Ltd. That was not the end though. I still had to complete my instrument rating (which would allow me to fly by reference to my flight instruments) and my Commercial Pilot’s license, which would allow me to become employable. I became broke. Well, certainly my dad did. After spending over $70,000 TTD to obtain this license, where was I going to get an additional $200-300,000 TTD from to finish?? I felt doomed but then I remembered God saying, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move – Matthew 17:20. I sat at home for some time. Later that same year, I received a phone call from the Department of Advanced Training and Advisory Services (DATAS) stating that I had won a Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Scholarship. It was God’s perfect timing. In 2017, I used the scholarship to attend the Aviator College of Aeronautical Science and Technology in Florida, to pursue my instrument rating and Commercial Pilot’s license. This prove to be one of my most challenging experiences yet. However, being so far away from home and having to embrace a new culture, new people and new experiences, all helped to shape my character. Along with additional financial support from my family, friends and other sponsors, I was able to complete my license and graduate successfully later that year. Fast forward to 2018: I was then back at home in Trinidad and Tobago. Having no job and no money, as I had exhausted all options, I knew I had to do something sooner rather than later. This led me to taking up odd jobs that were completely unrelated to my field of study, even at retail stores and stock management! Fast Forward to 2019: Discouraged as I was, I kept the faith that I would soon be employed as a pilot at Caribbean Airlines. I sent multiple applications at a time with high hopes and with a lot of prayers, hard work, determination, faith and support from my family and friends, I was hired by Caribbean Airlines in October 2019. Friends, especially my ladies, I encourage you, as small or big as a dream may seem, go for it. Even if it seems impossible, go for

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