Hungry days in Barbados pay off for master’s graduate

Like many university students, Bobby Smith's academic journey was marked by financial constraints and other challenges.

Studying in a foreign country also meant every move had to be intentional and well-calculated. Although his journey was marked by silent battles and emotional stress that made him feel like giving up, he expressed hope that his journey will inspire others not to shy away from new experiences.

"I want people to know that you don't have to come from wealth to achieve your goals. You just need the mindset and the determination to follow through," said Smith, 29, whose academic pursuits took him from Jamaica to Barbados for his master's degree in marketing, after achieving a double major in psychology and philosophy from The University of the West Indies in 2020.

The journey to his higher degree began with his passion for psychology and his drive to expand his skills in marketing, graphic design, video editing, and photography. It was a desire fuelled by winning a Jamaica Cultural Development Commission logo competition, which gave him a taste of success.

"I wanted to make an impact and extend my professional options," he shared. However, Smith's transition to The UWI Cave Hill campus came with unforeseen obstacles.

"I started my master's with just US$2,500 (approximately J$394,500) from the logo competition. The funding gap was huge," he recalled. The financial strain was compounded by limited support. His parents back in Jamaica were unemployed during the COVID-19 period, so they were unable to assist.

"It was terrifying. I'd never experienced going without food before, so to find out what that felt like in a country where I had no family and no one to turn to, it was really scary," Smith said. "I had to budget how I eat and budget how I travel. My movements on and off campus were limited, and if I was going anywhere, it had to be with purpose, and if I could, [I would] do more than one task."

Things only got worse when, after his first term ended, he had to return to Jamaica in 2021 to seek funding. Unfortunately, nothing materialised. He went back to Barbados, and, determined to succeed, Smith took leave from school in 2022 to work as a retail supervisor at Rainforest.

"That job was my lifeline. It allowed me to save up and eventually return to my studies," he explained. Despite the hardship, there was a silver lining: he was awarded a resident assistant role, which covered his housing for a year and lifted some financial burden.

Reflecting on his time at UWI Mona as against being at Cave Hill, Smith noted the difference in resources and community.

"Mona felt more open, with better access to resources and opportunities. But at Cave Hill, I learnt to adapt and value smaller, tighter-knit environments," he said. Throughout his journey, his sister in England played a crucial supportive role.

"She couldn't do much, but she tried. That little help every month kept me going," he expressed with deep gratitude.

One of Smith's standout achievements outside of academics was participating in Barbados' general election.

"Being part of Corey Lane's [current minister of state in the Office of the Attorney General with responsibility for crime prevention] campaign was eye-opening. It allowed me to meet dignitaries and engage with the community. It was an experience that broadened my understanding and gave me confidence," he said proudly.

He advised students considering studying abroad not to be afraid of new experiences.

"It's tough, and you may feel alone at times, but it's worth it for the growth and opportunities," Smith said.