Annabelle Recierdo spent 6 weeks studying urban education, counseling practices, and community based research in Jamaica. Professors, counselors, and researchers exposed new theories and methods to Annabelle that allowed her to challenge preconceived notions of mental health and how education systems function in US America. She developed an understanding of how mental health and education differs based on culture. She shadowed a counselor and helped facilitate a pro-social skills group at a local primary school. She also joined the Change From Within Research Team, whose mission is to examine how successful urban schools succeed despite very trying circumstances and to spread the success to all Jamaican schools. Because her classes were structured in a service learning format, Annabelle made the most of her education abroad by combining textbook learning with hands on learning. For example, one day she worked on an extensive literature review and the next day she developed her own research via in person interviews. Annabelle’s main research interest evolved into violence in Jamaica and it’s psycho-social effect on child development. Her research revealed that there are not many in-school supports or community supports in Jamaica to provide children with when facing traumatic experiences. Along with interactions at schools and the community, Annabelle lived with other students in a beach-front villa - more so in the rural side of Jamaica. She loved hearing the constant sound of beach waves, going on spontaneous hiking trips, and having class outdoors. She overcame challenges like having no Wi-Fi connection, indoor shower, or air conditioning. Annabelle felt as though she was living a more simplistic lifestyle compared to her bustling lifestyle in the city of Philadelphia. She believed it to be a very grounding experience, and it allowed her to be more in touch with nature. Jamaica will always have a piece of Annabelle’s heart, as this is where she grew as an undergraduate student, young woman, and aspiring School Psychologist.