She is the first ever young person from Aruba to attend a United World College (UWC). Sherdina Romney is now in her first year at Lester B. Pearson United World College of the Pacific situated on the shores of Pedder Bay, west of the city of Victoria, British Columbia and she says, "It is amazingly better than I ever imagined. I feel the warmth and the love from everyone here!"

Aruba is one of the ABC (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao) islands in the southern Caribbean, located 15 miles from the coast of Venezuela. Its nearest Caribbean neighbour is Curacao. Aruba had a population of just over 103,000 in 2006 and is within the Dutch committee together with the rest of the Dutch Antilles. It is one of the most popular vacation spots in the Caribbean attracting some one million visitors and cruise passengers per year.

Sherdina was born in Holland and later moved to Aruba. She attended the Colegio Arubano there and heard about Pearson College when a teacher at her school gave a slide presentation and told the students that the Ambassador from Holland, who was also their UWC representative, would tell them more about the college.

She decided to go to Pearson because of her deep desire to become a marine biologist. The experiences she has had at Pearson have vindicated her decision. "I knew I was going to be in the middle of nature, but the experience became even clearer when a grey whale swam in the bay right next to us! I have seen whales and seals here. It's just fantastic!" she said. On Monday, September 8, 2007, the new Marine Science Building at Pearson College, donated by the Molson Foundation, was officially opened.

Pearson College , established in 1974, is one of the twelve United World Colleges (UWCs) around the world. It is named after the late Canadian Prime Minister Lester Bowles Pearson, winner of the 1957 Nobel Peace Prize. The College is home to 200 students from 88 countries all of whom attend on full scholarship and live together. It is surrounded by woodlands and nearby is the Race Rocks Marine Protected Area.

For someone who had not left home for an extended period, the move to a totally new location with so many strangers could have been traumatic. But Sherdina says "I do miss my family, but I cannot imagine learning and being taught things any other way, I have four roommates – Joan from Malaysia, Mica from Argentina, Eve from Finland and Dana from Canada. These girls are like my second family. Our cultural backgrounds are nothing alike, yet we feel like we have known each other for a lifetime. And the second year students from Holland are amazing. They also give us so much support!"

She added that all the students feel comfortable with each other. "It's amazing. You can just knock on any room door and walk in if you are in need of help or comfort."

Sherdina said she also very much enjoyed Metchosin Day when everyone dressed in his or her national costume or someone else's –"It was then you really felt the multiculturalism!" she said. On the annual Metchosin Day, that follows the business of Orientation Week, Pearson students perform, talk and relax with people from the community. Metchosin is a small coastal community and home to the Pearson College.

The opportunity to discuss ideas frankly and openly with young people from so many different backgrounds and cultures has been very uplifting for Sherdina. It has given her the chance to break away from misconceptions and stereotypes especially about different religions.

In answer to my question as to whether she feels that more Caribbean students should be exposed to the kind of experience that Pearson College offers, she said, "If they feel they are ready for such a fantastic and sometimes hard adventure, yes! The feeling you have here you can't find anywhere else. UWC helps you perfect your skills and disregard your stereotypes. It allows you to see amazing sites, learn new skills or perfect the ones you have; learn another language or perhaps two."

"Give a UWC the chance to challenge you!" is her message to other Caribbean students.

The mission of the UWCs is to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future through education. The students all study for the International Baccalaureate programme.

"I have learned that you have to be comfortable with who you are in order to be here as your thoughts, acts and maybe even your religion may be questioned. I have learned that some people live incredibly hard lives and some of their countries are at war even now. Being here has made me more confident. It has made me appreciate the country where I come from and the opportunities I have had. Now that I am learning more about the place where I am I have become even more passionate about becoming a Marine biologist," she said.

Barbara Nelson is a Jamaican-born journalist now living in Washington DC. She has been a contributor to the Daily Gleaner for many years