Neil Oculi

St. Lucia

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What has been your favorite class at COA? Why?
I have enjoyed all my classes. The Human Ecology Core course was one of my favorites. The students in the classes brought a lot of intellectual and stimulating conversation. The professor was very good at facilitating the process. Global Environmental Politics was a very good class along with Practical Activism, Histories of Power, and Launching a New Venture, very challenging but rewarding. Greek Political Philosophy and Campaigning brought many questions about politics and framing issues in 2 different eras.

What classes have you taken at COA?
Agroecology
Human Ecology Core Course
Tutorial: French Skills Consolidation
Introduction to Keyboard/Piano
Left, Right and Future: Alternative Political Philosophies
Tutorial: Business and Technical Writing
French Skills Consolidation II (Audit)
Introduction to Econometrics
Tutorial: French Conversation and Applications (Audit)
Human Relations: Principles and Practice Public Speaking Workshop
Global Environmental Politics: Theory and Practice
Political Campaign Communication: Messaging and Advertising
21st Century Entrepreneurship
Histories of Power: States & Subalterns in Modern Latin America
Political Action and Greek Philosophy
Launching a New Venture
Practicum in Residential Windpower
Practical Activism
eMarketing (Audit)
Ecotourism: Principles and Practice

What was your favorite lesson/lecture/discussion/project at COA? Why?
This summer I will be doing a project on food security and environmental issues facing my home community. I will be going with two friends from South Africa and Belize to bring a multi-disciplinary perspective to solve this issue.

What is your dream occupation?
To be the Prime Minister of St. Lucia

Do you work on or off campus? If yes, where?
I am a Resident Advisor

What do you see yourself doing after COA?
Working at home, starting my business, and helping my community in the Caribbean.

What is happiness to you?
Happiness is when friends and family are happy. Happiness is doing what you believe and love. Happiness is savoring the moments especially when you are with wonderful people. Happiness is finding peace with yourself and others.

Have you had an internship? If so, doing what? Where? If not, what are your plans, if any, for your internship?
I have not done an internship but I am planning to do one with the Organization Of American States (OAS) next year.

What are your ideas for your senior project? If you have already done one, what did you do?
For my senior project I have this ambitious plan to turn St. Lucia into an energy independent nation. So for my senior project I will do a feasibility study of wind and solar energy on the island. Then present a business model that will harness energy that is economically viable and community oriented.

What is your favorite food to eat? What is your favorite thing to cook?
I love Caribbean food. I love to cook so let me see. Well seasoned grill fish is great. Preparing bread fruit is awesome because anything you could do with a potato you can do it with a breadfruit and better. Green figs and salt fish is my national dish I love it. Baked chicken, steam chicken, rice pie, green banana pie. You name it, cooking is an art and all you need is great taste buds not recipes.

What do you like to do when you're not doing school work?
I love soccer, playing cricket, following business and politics, and watching movies, reading books mainly inspirational and motivational books about past and present leaders. I love talking and getting to know people.

What came first, the chicken or the egg?
lol. That is a good question but I think the chicken came first or maybe the egg came first. It does not matter, they both are here so let's enjoy them both.

Why did you choose to come to COA?
I love to live, work and learn in a community. Friends and family are very important to me. I found it here at COA. Understanding yourself and the world through multiple lenses is the way forward.

Who are your heroes today?
Nelson Mandela, my parents, and my mentor, Evestus Augustin

What do people say is your most marked characteristic?
People call me a politician and sometimes Dr. Phil. lol. I am very verbal I guess.