Genuine Connections on the Gamage

When our group of nursing students at USM was told at the last minute that we would be traveling to Cuba and living on a boat there, most of has no idea what to expect. But what an unforgettable and amazing experience it was! We had the opportunity to live, work, and learn side by side with fellow students and the crew members. Throughout that process, we formed deep friendships that have only grown further since our return to the U.S. We were responsible for cleaning the ship, helping with meal set up and dishes, sailing the ship, and ensuring that everyone was safe and in a good mental head space. We were always looking out for one another and willing to help with any extra responsibilities to make sure we all had a good experience. I don't think I have ever laughed so much as I did with this group of people -- being in such close quarters and going through a totally new (and exciting and exhausting) experience made it easier to bond and be on board with the whole experience. I felt like I had the opportunity to learn a lot about sailing in and of itself, but also about how to work with a team and how to take care of my own needs while being respectful of my responsibilities and those around me. I am so thankful for this opportunity and would not change it for the world. Thank you Harvey Gamage for a wonderful start to 2017 and for the lifelong friendships you helped foster!