Photo: Cheung, the class and colleagues from the University of Aruba on the beach.
Marine scientist Itchung Cheung is an assistant professor of practice in OSU’s College of Science, as well as the academic programs manager at Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport. He specializes in experiential learning, outreach and student research training. Over spring break, he co-led a student trip to Aruba.
Where were you?
I landed in Oranjestad, the capital city of Aruba, a small island nation in the southern Caribbean that’s part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Oranjestad translates to Orange City. I traveled all over the very small (6 x 20 miles) island.
What language(s) are spoken there?
Aruba is impressively multilingual. The official languages are Dutch and Papiamento, but most locals also speak English and Spanish fluently. Cantonese and Mandarin are common as well. Papiamento is a Creole language that evolved from Portuguese, Dutch, Spanish, some French, English and a smattering of African and Amerindian languages. The language evolved in Curaçao during the 16th century when enslaved Africans and the Spanish enslavers developed common ground in which to communicate.
What was the focus of your work?
Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, Professor Dwaine Plaza (OSU School of Public Policy) and I have co-taught this unique Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) course called “Coasts Compared: Aruba and Oregon,” connecting students from Oregon State University and the University of Aruba. Using technology, the international cohort of students explored coastal environmental issues through comparative case studies — examining island versus temperate coastal systems from ecological, social and cultural perspectives. This led to this amazing opportunity to offer an OSU Global Opportunities study abroad course, Aruban Environment, Culture and Society, which provided a deeper in-person, hands-on experience of Aruba and its challenges as an island state.
When was your most recent trip?
I just returned from spending about two weeks on the island with our students and partners. The students had an intensive nine-day field experience, but the course continues for the full spring term, with students presenting their final projects at the end of term.
Who were your closest local colleagues?
Dr. Eric Mijts, Dr. Violeta Lopez, Tatian Becker, John Wardlaw and Tony Sevold from the University of Aruba, and local historian Leon Berenos were our main collaborators. Their passion for education and community engagement made them incredible partners.
What was the biggest challenge of working there?
Logistics and coordinating the needs of 21 students in a short, intensive field experience on the island was a consistent challenge. But it was also a valuable exercise in flexibility and communication, from navigating course work at field sites like coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves, to meeting the needs of an amazingly diverse group of students — 13 from the Corvallis campus and eight from Ecampus, representing seven colleges at OSU and a wide range of majors from finance to zoology.
What’s the best food you had there?
Too many to choose from … But the traditional dish pastechis is a quintessential Aruban savory pastry, essentially a crescent-shaped, deep-fried empanada, filled with a variety of savory fillings like cheese, meat (beef, ham, chicken) or vegetables. We also got a taste of the variety of Caribbean cuisine flavors that included jerk chicken, fried snapper, roti, stewed chicken, oxtail, rice and beans. Caribbean cuisine has rich, layered origins shaped by centuries of cultural blending, survival and adaptation.
What’s the coolest thing a local showed you?
Two things: A colleague gave us a tour of the Carnival Euphoria Museum in San Nicolas, which was established in late 2018 and is Aruba’s first official museum dedicated entirely to Carnival. The second thing was my UA colleagues invited me to join a snorkeling excursion to check on a coral reef restoration project that was featured on the documentary Turning the Tide.
What are some important phrases you learned to say in the local language?
“Bon dia, Bon tardi, Bon noche” for “Good morning,” “Good afternoon” and “Good evening.” “Danki” means “Thank you” in Papiamento. “Con ta bai?” means “How are you?” and the common reply, “Mi ta bon, danki,” for “I’m good, thank you.”
What’s one thing from your experience that you’ll take back to Oregon with you?
A renewed appreciation and perspective for how island communities approach sustainability, resource use and cultural resilience. There’s a lot we can learn from their holistic, place-based thinking.
What were you most surprised to learn?
How deeply a small group of environmentally minded locals are focused on environmental and cultural education in everyday life for many Arubans — from environmental conservation and restoration programs to conversations around circular sustainable economies. It’s truly inspiring!
Besides family, what did you most miss from home?
Cool ocean fog, tributaries and Oregon’s forested coastlines. I love the warmth and sun in Aruba, but I missed our coastal fog, rivers and giant trees.
What piece of advice would you give others who might travel there?
Go beyond the beaches and resort enclaves. Aruba has a vibrant culture, unique ecosystems and very, very generous people. Spend time getting to know them. And don’t be afraid to try speaking Papiamento; locals really appreciate the effort. And finally, get underwater with a snorkeling mask. Don’t forget sun cover.
