By: Yolanda Pawar
As summer winds down, One Eleuthera Foundation (OEF) is celebrating another successful spring-summer season of study abroad and volunteer group visits to Eleuthera. Since the spring, visiting universities and organizations have conducted service and education-based trips to the island, yielding tremendous benefits to local communities and an economic boost of approximately $120,000.
These primarily student groups have supported and bolstered small and medium-sized businesses on the island, including lodging and transportation providers, tour operators, restaurants, convenience stores, and grocery stores. Year after year, these immersive excursions organized by OEF provide a deep exploration of the island’s unique culture, diverse ecological environment, and vibrant community life, fostering relationships and creating a meaningful two-way exchange of knowledge and friendship.
Two Decades of Educational Tourism Leadership
For the past two decades, OEF has been a pioneer in the educational tourism space, establishing long-term partnerships with local and international universities, school groups, and churches; facilitating a steady flow of group visits, study abroad programs, and community service opportunities across Eleuthera.
Emory University Nursing Program Returns
In March, Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, under the leadership of Dr. Caroline Coburn and Dr. Anita Rich, returned with a dedicated team of 12 nursing students and two faculty members for a transformative week-long immersion program. Every year, this program bridges academic learning with real-world practice, allowing nursing students to apply their clinical skills in diverse and resource-limited settings while building strong connections within the community.
Throughout the week, the team volunteered in both public and private clinics across the island, working side-by-side with local healthcare professionals. These placements exposed students to a broad range of medical cases and healthcare delivery models, expanding their cultural competence and clinical adaptability.
Community Health and Education Outreach
The nursing students assisted with routine check-ups, wound care, and general patient support, providing compassionate, patient-centered care to residents. The group also organized and hosted free health fairs focused on wellness and preventive care, offering blood pressure checks, glucose screenings, BMI assessments, health counseling, and interactive educational exercises that empowered individuals and families with practical tools and knowledge to support their long-term well-being.
The outreach extended beyond clinics and health events. The group also conducted visits to local schools, where they led sessions on essential health topics such as hygiene, nutrition, puberty, and emotional wellness. These visits created a space for open dialogue, where students could ask questions and receive age-appropriate guidance, fostering a greater awareness of personal health from an early age.
Clemson University Brings Two Groups to Eleuthera
Around the same time, Clemson University’s Study Abroad program sent two dynamic and academically diverse groups to Eleuthera, each bringing a unique focus and beneficial skills to the island.
The first group, from the College of Education led by Dr. Jill Shelnut, included 8 students and 2 faculty members who spent their time strategically engaging with faculty and students across Eleuthera. Through direct classroom observation, student interactions, and collaborative discussions with early education teachers and administrators, the group explored educational practices in a Bahamian context, enriching their understanding of cross-cultural teaching methods and the broader social and cultural factors that influence learning environments.
Landscape Architecture and Sustainable Tourism Focus
In May, the second combined group of 13 students and 2 faculty members representing Clemson University’s Landscape Architecture Department and the Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management (PRTM) Department, led by Dr. Hala Nassar and Dr. Matt Brownlee, respectively, spent just under two weeks on Eleuthera. Their visit was rooted in community-based design and sustainable tourism.
Working closely with local stakeholders, students and faculty of the Landscape and Architecture program gathered input through community interviews and informal conversations, and used that research to inform a series of conceptual design proposals aimed at enhancing sustainable development opportunities for Rock Sound and the surrounding areas. The students displayed renderings of their proposals in a special community forum at The Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce. Each reflected a thoughtful integration of cultural heritage, environmental sustainability, and local aspirations.
Community Collaboration and Feedback
Community members were invited to give feedback and engage in discussions, ensuring the work remained true to the voice and vision of Rock Sound’s residents. Beyond the technical skills applied, the experience gave students the chance to practice participatory design in a real-world setting, learning how to balance creativity with sensitivity, and academic theory with lived experience.
Students of the PRTM program immersed themselves in Eleuthera’s rich ecological land and seascapes, observing how local tourism stakeholders interact with, benefit from, and manage parks, recreation, and tourism systems. Through experiential learning and first-hand encounters, the students observed how recreation and tourism impact communities, economies, health, the environment, and the stewardship of the island’s natural resources.
Youth Group from Charleston Lends Helping Hands
The John Wesley United Methodist Church Youth Group from Charleston, SC, led by David Boudolf, visited with a group of 16 high school students and 8 adult chaperones in June. Their presence brought a vibrant, youthful energy and a strong spirit of community service.
During their stay, the group volunteered on the farm at the Centre for Training and Innovation (CTI), dedicating their time and efforts to several hands-on projects that supported the farm’s heavy summer maintenance schedule. From assisting with sanitizing the hydroponic pond and Bato Buckets to prepping soil for the next round of cover crops, their contributions played a crucial role in accelerating the work schedule.
Supporting Sustainable Agriculture Initiatives
The group also participated in tree planting within CTI’s new regenerative food forest, an essential component of OEF’s long-term land restoration, sustainable agriculture, and biodiversity enhancement initiatives. Through these experiences, the youth deepened their connection to the land, sharpened their knowledge of hydroponic systems, and gained firsthand knowledge of sustainable agriculture practices.
Additionally, the students volunteered on the farm at Preston H. Albury, providing support to the school’s agriculture program and lending a hand with the lineup of end-of-season tasks required at the close of the academic school year.
Lasting Impact and Economic Benefits
“The impact of our Study Abroad and Volunteer program continues to exceed expectations,” explains Yolanda Pawar, OEF’s Chief Communications Officer. “Participants and students experience a true cultural exchange while learning about sustainability, community resilience, and the power of service in action. Coming out of these trips are lasting bonds, expanded worldviews, and meaningful contributions to local institutions and programs. OEF is proud to be a part of these ongoing transformative experiences that also deliver significant economic benefits for islanders.”
Educational and volunteer-focused tourism continues to demonstrate its value, not only through its nearly $120,000 economic impact this season alone but also in the bridges built between students and the Eleuthera community. These visits are more than just trips; they are shared journeys that shape experiences, expand awareness, and help to define the future and prosperity of Eleuthera.
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