Drake University presents a gift to Stephen and Terry Bellot for their hospitality.

Students have lined up to participate in Drake University’s Leadership at Sea course, securing another year that the course featuring two weeks in the Bahamas, will be offered by the Iowa university.

Twenty students of Drake University took part in this year’s course. Already, another 30 are on a waiting list to take part in the next edition of the course, said Renae Chesnut, the university’s associate dean of Academic and Student Affairs.

“This is such a popular course because of the success it has had in the past and all that it has done for the students that have attended previously,” Dr. Chesnut said while attending a People to People event at the Nassau home of Stephen and Terry Bellot. “So they have talked to other students. It is actually oversubscribed. We have students on a waiting list that are wanting to do it, and several students have already said ‘I hope I can go next year’. So the plan is to come back again.”

The course, which runs for three weeks of the year, is already in its third year. Each year, it begins with a week of learning leadership principals and some theoretical aspects of The Bahamas at the university’s campus. Afterward, students spend a week in Nassau to soak up its culture and history. The course culminates with a week of working as crew aboard a sailing ship in Bahamian waters while students learn about sailing, leadership and followership.

Thomas Westbrook, professor of Leadership Studies, said he was pleased to return to the Bahamas for a third edition of the course.

“Our whole goal is to understand the culture, the history of Nassau as we prepare to go out to sea,” he said in the second week of the course. “It is a course on leadership that focuses on teamwork, leadership, seamanship and followership. But this week is a special time for us to understand the culture and the history so that our students can understand this wonderful island nation.”

Dr. Westbrook pointed out that the time spent in Nassau has been extended due to requests of students each year.

“Each year, the students have asked to spend an additional day here,” he said. “So we spend more time. But it is such a rich culture. It is such a rich history, and it is such a welcoming, hospitable country that it is just easy. And I must say also that there is a little difference in the weather between Iowa, which is 8 degrees and sunny Nassau, which is 80 degrees.”

While in Nassau, students paid a courtesy call on Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling at Government House, visited with College of the Bahamas student leaders, met with officials of the US Embassy, had discussions with Deputy Director General of Tourism Ellison Thompson and participated in various cultural and historic tours.

Some of them also did volunteer work for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure while others ran in the race.

Dr. Westbrook said the undercurrent goals of the course are to teach students how to navigate new environments and to teach them how to work in teams whether they are leading or following.

Students said they enjoyed adjusting to the culture of The Bahamas.

“This is a great country,” said sophomore Alex Meyer. “I really didn’t know what to expect when I came into it. I travelled to different Caribbean islands, but I love it here. The people are really friendly. They really want to converse with you, and that is something I really like. I know a lot of people in our class here, we want to get to know the culture and get to know the people. I feel like it has been very easy so far.”

Dr. Chesnut said students often say that the Leadership at Sea course is a highlight of their entire university career.