Scholarship student full of praise for Venezuela

A Vincentian student pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Venezuela for the past two years is challenging fellow Vincentians studying in that country not to lose focus of their purpose for being there.{{more}}

Damian Franklyn told SEARCHLIGHT on Tuesday, July 20, 2010, hadn’t it been for a scholarship funded by the Government of Venezuela it would not have been possible for him to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Electronic Engineering.

“We know what we go there for and we should not let anything distract us,” said Franklyn, as he encouraged Vincentian students studying in Venezuela to remain focused.

“There are a lot of negative remarks about studying in Venezuela but people don’t seem to speak about the good,” said Franklyn.

On this note he spoke of a cruise trip that he took recently courtesy the governments of Japan and Venezuela.

Franklyn, a resident of Cane Garden, who originated from Union Island, said he was selected by the Government of Venezuela to represent St.Vincent and the Grenadines on the Japanese “Peace Boat”, which makes approximately five trips around the world each year promoting peace.

The young man disclosed that the Japanese desired to learn more about the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA), Latin America and the Caribbean.

As a result of the passion of the Japanese to learn more of the Western Hemisphere, Franklyn said he was one of nine students selected to participate in the cultural exchange trip. He noted that he qualified to be a participant because of his good grades and behaviour. The other nominees were students from Dominica (1), Nicaragua (2), Venezuela (2), Bolivia (2) and Ecuador (1).

The cruise took place during the period June 25-July 6, 2010. The vessel started the journey by sailing from Caracas, Venezuela, to Montego Bay, Jamaica. The trip then continued all the way to Panama where they sailed through the Panama Canal before docking at Guatemala. The party then boarded a flight and travelled back to Venezuela.

“It was very interesting. Every day we had to prepare a presentation,” said Franklyn.

His first presentation was about St.Vincent and the Grenadines. This was followed by three other addresses which primarily focused on the culture of St.Vincent and the Grenadines; St.Vincent and the Grenadines’ efforts in meeting the eight millennium goals, and youth involvement in social organizations.

“The Japanese claim to have sufficient information now about us,” said Franklyn, adding that he was so enthused with the trip that he has decided to learn the Japanese language.

Reflecting on the opportunity to study in Venezuela, Franklyn said, “My advice to Vincentians studying there is to hang in there.”