Some Baker students opted to leave the frigid winter weather of Kansas for the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean to take part in the scuba diving interterm. 

Rand Ziegler, vice president and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, took a group of 21 students and a few parents to the island of Curaçao from Jan. 10 to Jan. 17.

Ziegler said he pays attention to the cost of the airfare when he selects a destination. He wants to make it affordable so as many students as possible can participate in the interterm.

“Curaçao is listed as one of the top 10 Caribbean locations,” Ziegler said.

Ten students earned their diving certification during this interterm. The rest of the students already were certified. For some students, the trip is the second or third they’ve taken with Ziegler. 

Ziegler said in order to get their certification, the students had to pass a written test and a pool test conducted at Midwest Aquatics in Kansas City, Kan. Students then had to demonstrate their skills in the ocean to finish certification and receive credit for the course.

Ziegler said safety is the No. 1 priority during the training and the students are made fully aware of the dangers involved. The students learn how to plan a dive, learn about their time limits under the water and learn about depths.

“The biggest risks have nothing to do with the animals under the water,” Ziegler said.

Sophomore Jaq Ballew earned her certification while on this interterm. Ballew said one of the first things she learned is how to put together all her gear.

Ballew said her favorite part of the trip is the night dive she took part in.

“It is a completely different reef at night,” she said.

Junior Jordan Pratt said this is the first time participating in this interterm, but he has been certified since he was 12.

“I would recommend this interterm to anyone who wants to try something new and fun and see what people are like outside of Baker,” he said.