GraceKennedy interns connect to their Island Dreams
EVEN THOUGH Jamaica is blessed with exceptional beauty, idyllic scenery and vibrant cultural offerings, there are many perceptions that have sought to damage the image of the island. However, some of these less-than-favourable perceptions are being dispelled by persons who have visited the island.
GraceKennedy Limited is hosting four university students from the diaspora for a five-week professional and cultural internship that is designed to immerse them in Jamaica’s rich culture ,as well as provide them with hands-on training in their chosen career field.
Keean Nembhard of Carleton University in Canada, Anastacia Davis of Full Sail University in the USA, Kayla Green of Binghamton University, USA, and Joshua Tulloch of Oxford University will be hosted by GraceKennedy until August 7.
Tulloch, whose father was born in St Ann, said the perception in England is that Jamaica is a highly sexualised country, but since visiting, he has seen so much more to the island than what seemingly obtains.
“Jamaica has a phenomenal cultural identity. There is so much more to see and learn about the island and its people that far outweigh the negative perceptions that are out there. I believe Jamaica is a wonderful place to visit and is definitely on the verge for economic transformation and development,” Tulloch said.
According to Green, the perception is also that most Jamaicans are very angry and aggressive people. “This is also far from true, as based on our experience, Jamaicans are some of the friendliest people in the world. The image of Jamaican women being highly sexualised is also a perception but coming here, I see where women are in fact leading in the workplace,” Green said.
Tulloch, Nembhard , Davis and Green said they will all act as cultural ambassadors when they return to their respective countries.
GraceKennedy has partnered a number of public- and private-sector entities to give the interns a taste of Jamaica.