My Internship at FACRP

My Internship at FACRP

Jade ARSAYE

WEEK 1 As a student from Martinique, I feel incredibly lucky to be doing my internship at FACRP. I genuinely enjoy my time here — the team is welcoming and supportive, and the work environment is both calm and inspiring.

One of the things I appreciate the most is the balance between work and nature. The site is surrounded by beautiful landscapes, and during breaks or after work, I can go for walks in the bush. It’s the perfect way to recharge and stay connected to the environment.

Photo by: Jade Arsaye of Paw Paw tree bark

This internship at FACRP has taught me to slow down, to observe more deeply.
I’ve had the chance to discover new plants, fruits, and trees, and to truly appreciate the richness of the environment around me.

Photo by: Jade Arsaye of Termite nest

During my third week at FACRP, I had the chance to visit the nearby river with one of the employees. He showed me a peaceful, wild spot that felt almost untouched — a hidden gem in nature. While we were there, he also introduced me to something I had never seen before: a “legless lizard” which was both surprising and fascinating.

This week was also an important turning point in my internship: I was able to define my research topic. The director kindly took the time to guide me and help refine my main question. I now feel more focused and excited to dive into the next steps of my project.

Photo by: Jade Arsaye of Fondes Amandes River

Finally I was able to familiarize myself with a great digital tool: Google Drive, which allowed me to share my plant research with the team. I learned to observe clouds in order to report data for the weather.

My plant research was beneficial—I looked up their names, characteristics, and uses both in Trinidad and in Martinique. I discovered the ‘soap seed,’ a tree that produces fruits which, when opened and physically agitated in contact with water, create soap!