Jamaica's Heritage Moment for Jamaican Canadian University Students
Four Jamaican Canadian University Students Can Spend 5 Weeks In
Jamaica Free, Learning About Heritage
By Stephen Weir
Every summer four
Jamaican Canadian university students are brought back to the island to learn
about their heritage. The deadline to
apply for this free five-week programme is November 30th.
The Jamaican Birthright Program (JPB) is thanks to
the GraceKennedy Company which seeks to reconnect second and third
generation Jamaicans Canadians attending universities in Canada back to their
cultural roots. It provides round-trip transportation, accommodation, a stipend
and an internship in Jamaica. The students will be on island from July 1 to Aug 7th
2019.
Petronilla
Marchan, one of the organizers of the programme in Canada, said, “students
should apply soon. Candidates must be second or third generation
Jamaicans, who have never lived in Jamaica for more than a period
exceeding six months,” she said.
The programme is a cultural and professional internship geared at highlighting all aspects of Jamaican life, while furthering the career goals of the students. Over the course of the trip, the chosen students will receive a well-rounded island experience.
The students
will work in a GraceKennedy subsidiary linked to their particular field of
study, giving them hands-on experience in a wide range of disciplines. This
internship is meant to benefit them in a variety of ways, including providing
practical experience and mentorships.
The JPB is
funded by the GraceKennedy Foundation with support from other companies
operating on the island, including Grace Foods, Western Union, Caribbean
Airlines, Jamaica Tourist Board and Dolphin Cove.
According to
Marchan, students interested in applying must write an essay about how
Jamaica’s rich culture has influenced them. Also, the students need to provide
transcripts, photographs and copies of their passport and birth certificates.
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