Cultural Identity & Intercultural Communication

           While I've been away from Duke for the past two weeks I haven't had much time to experience the surrounding community and interact with the culture of Carteret County. I chose to interview a student who has attended the Marine Lab multiple times, Jess Kuesel and two administrative members Amy Kirkland and Katie Wood.  Because I haven't meet anyone in the community I thought it'd be interesting to see a students view versus someone who has been a part of the community for 1 and 7 years respectively.

            Jess felt the college really encouraged students to get out and learn about those working in the community. Some of the classes she has taken take students out to talk to local fisherman and how their businesses are doing. They've visited those in charge of museums to learn about local traditions and the history that built the surrounding community.  It reminds me of environmental science classes I've taken at Allegheny.  Both let us learn about what’s going on in the community from those it affects and influences most. It gives students a first hand look.  Jess also said that they are notified when events are going on in the community such as local farmer markets or for example this weekend theirs a chocolate festival and an associated 5k. The school very much urges students to get involved and acquainted into Carteret County’s 

            Amy and Katie could talk more to how the school and the community have evolved together. The marine lab has been here since 1938 so it hass been apart of Beaufort (the town it's located in) for a long time. Katie commented that the county has always been a "hot bed of Marine Science." John Hopkins and NOAA had the first marine labs here. Beaufort has always been a small fishing community and the labs have grown up alot with it. Many scientists now live in within Beaufort and the entire county and marine science has been a huge part of its history like the Rachel Carson Reserve. Scientists kids are in the school systems and they have created programs within them that bridge the gaps between the county community and the labs. A lot of the PHD program students work focus on community related conservation projects.

            Both interviewees seemed direct in answering questions. To me I think its important to fit in to the community by getting involved and trying to understand what's happening.  One of my classes I will be taking is a science and policy course and field trips we take are centered on the community surrounding us.  This idealism of having an impact on the community and allowing that community to have an impact on the education is one I feel Allegheny and the marine lab share.