Saba Comprehensive School (SCS) students with Master’s degree student Dahlia Hassell (left). Photo courtesy of SCS.
SABA/AMSTERDAM--Master’s degree student in Marine Resources Management at Wageningen University and Research Saba-born Dahlia Hassell recently informed Saba Comprehensive School (SCS) fifth-form students about studying abroad.
Hassell, who grew up in Saba and has also studied in the United States (US), visited her former high school during her holidays and was most willing to give a personal lecture to the some 15 students, on behalf of WeConnect Foundation, an educational foundation based in the Netherlands with focus on students and young professionals from the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.
SCS Guidance Counselor Carol Irvine Skinner was enthusiastic about Hassell’s talk. “Her experience in the US college system also helped to bring a knowledgeable perspective of both the US and the Dutch college system. Her emphasis on the importance of having support stood out most for me and how networking is beneficial to them as college students.”
The students reflected most positively on the information provided by Hassell. “I now have a more solid view on studying in the Netherlands,” said one student. “She sounded reliable and experienced,” said another student.
The 16-year-old students loved the practical tips Hassell gave them about housing, where to get cheap furniture and how to survive budget-wise. One of the students suggested offering this kind of information at an earlier stage, possibly in the fourth form. WeConnect considered this an interesting idea that will be discussed with SCS.
WeConnect manager Tanja Fraai said Hassell’s talk fitted perfectly with WeConnect Foundation’s motto, which is to stimulate peer-to-peer exchanges. “Recently, one of our WeConnect young professionals went to Aruba to give information at her former high school. These young people speak the language of their peers and know exactly how to get the message across,” she said.
