“Do you live in huts?” “Are you able to get Internet connection there?” “Do you travel the island by boat?”
These are just a sampling of questions I am asked by my school colleagues at the University of Tampa. Coming from the Cayman Islands, namely Grand Cayman, and moving into the heart of Tampa Bay city has highlighted many cultural differences. The Cayman Islands are comprised of three islands: Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. Geographically they are nestled between Jamaica and Cuba.
|I had never lived in a city prior to Tampa Bay, and the adjustment has been life-changing. One of my most unforgettable memories in Florida was when my roommate and I went to a Gator football game. As I sat in the stadium, the sportscaster said there were about 50,000 people present and I thought to myself, that’s my county’s entire population in one little spot! Moving to the United States has been challenging. I get homesick very quickly and I place some of the blame on the food.
When I go a day without good home-cooked spicy Caribbean food, I start to have withdrawals. That’s why I always stock up on pepper sauces and other condiments to jazz up bland American food. Then there are the smells and the noises. As trivial as this may sound to some, the city has a different smell. I am used to being outdoors much of the time and the scent of the sea permeates the air on an island.
In a city, everything tends to be more enclosed and the smells are fake or musty. I am used to hearing birds and crickets chirping and the sound of the surf. City life consists of loud speakers, piped music, constant emergency vehicles and a cacophony of chatter.
On a small island, everyone knows everyone and the way in which people act is evidently different when compared to other cultures. In Cayman, when people meet you for the first time they don’t ask for your name. They ask, “Who yah fah?” Which means, who is your family? From that one simple question a person can know your whole life story. This is a blessing and a curse. I love the sense of belonging I feel being from a small island, however, everyone knows everyone’s personal business and people judge you based on your reputation or your family’s standing or character. By moving to Tampa, I was able to start fresh and keep it that way, because I noticed nobody cares about each other’s business nor do they fuss and it feels refreshing.
As you would imagine, the beaches are also vastly different. When you’re surrounded by crystal clear isolated beaches, you tend to take it for granted. The beaches around Tampa are a lot more populated and the water and sand have darker hues. Laws are also different and it took some time for me to adjust.
The Cayman Islands are a British colony and have adopted many British laws and habits. For example, we drive on the left side of the road and this caused me to be apprehensive to driving.
Also, the legal age to consume alcohol is 18-years-old in the Cayman Islands. Though I am not an avid drinker, I felt like part of my independence and adulthood had been stripped away when I moved to the United Sates.
Despite those differences, the variety of activities in Tampa is overwhelming, and I love it. There are more things to do in a city than there are on an island. For instance, I can choose between several different cinemas and not just one.
There are multiple bowling alleys, museums, malls and Walmarts! No, we don’t have Walmart on the island. One of my fondest memories as a child was going on yearly trips to Florida with my family and spending an entire day shopping at Walmart. Now Walmart feels like a weekly chore and I only go there to stock up on essentials.
Overall, I am glad I chose Tampa Bay to be my home away from home. It reminds me of Grand Cayman in the sense that it is a is a close-knit community, only with tall buildings.
At UT, I have met many people from all over the world and I love that I am able to share my experiences and traditions with others. Many people will tell you that moving from one country to another is a cultural eye-opener.
It’s true and varies between people. You’d be surprised how many Caymanians have attended or are currently enrolled at UT.
Next time you find out someone is from the Cayman Islands, make them feel at home and say “Wha gwan bobo?” Translation: what’s up, friend?
Alyson Hay can be reached at ahay@spartans.ut.edu.