About me
I came to Switzerland after growing up in the war-torn microcosm of Lebanon. My adoptive country proved to be the perfect place to nurture my two great passions -foreign languages and travel- through my work as a freelance conference interpreter for the United Nations.
Travelling the world taught me that the best way to counter intolerance and prejudice is to meet people on their own ground and let them reveal themselves through their own culture.
In 2017, I finally yielded to a deep desire to reinvent my life within a ‘different’ culture. For four years — until Covid — I split my time between Geneva, where my life is firmly rooted, and the beautiful island of Barbados. Immersed in local life, I realised that I was the one who was different -not the people living within their own culture. Adapting to this complex culture born of a tragic past has been - and continues to be - a constant source of reflection and growth. Today, Barbados is my third home, thanks to my many Bajan friends.
Barbados and Me
For me, Barbados means:
A joyful, life-affirming energy
A caring society that places human connection first
Serenity drawn from the deep blue expanse of the Caribbean Sea
It also represents:
A renewed understanding of Western history
A discovery of Caribbean Anglophone culture, shaped by Europe and Africa
The triumph of hope and humanity over the weight of tragic history
Ocean Inspiration, Barbados, and You
In 2018, I founded Ocean Inspiration Ltd to share this exceptional human and cultural experience with you. My years spent exploring the world, my multilingual background, my in-depth knowledge of Barbados and my roots in different cultures make me especially attuned to your expectations—supported by trusted partners on the island- so that your travel is imbued with a sense of purpose.
Throughout her career, Dr Stacy Denny has unfailingly worked toward bringing cultures closer together beyond the language barrier.
Dr Denny’s superior qualifications in Applied Linguistics and Education make her an outstanding ESL (English as a Second Language) Academic Coordinator at the University of the West Indies in Barbados (UWI), Cave Hill Campus. She graduated from Cambridge University with a Master’s Degree in Applied Linguistics, and is also a Doctor of Education (Education – TEFL, University of Exeter, U.K). She has researched the teaching field extensively and analysed teachers’ attitudes towards dialects, excellence in teaching, linguistics policies, and ESL learning and teaching. Those findings have been instrumental in the creation of special programmes designed for non-native English-speakers wishing to improve their English, methodologies for teaching English to foreigners, teacher-training curricula for ESL teachers, etc.
Dr Denny believes that a language-learning programme can only motivate students and yield real results when taught as part of a pleasant stay. In addition to language classes, her teaching curriculum includes activities that allow students to interact with her fellow Bajans* and take pleasure in improving their English via exchanges and discoveries.
The last thing this passionate and enthusiastic academic wants to see is a silent classroom where students concentrate on their textbooks and never look up. She views interaction, spontaneity, variety, creativity and hands-on experience as key ingredients for success.
A true Bajan*, she loves her island with all her heart and makes a point of treating her students as special guests.
*Note: Bajan (pr. bay-djun): noun or adjective, derived from “Barbadian”.
Director of the Department of Cultural Studies and Senior Lecturer at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados, Dr. Yanique Hume is an internationally renowned anthropologist, researcher, choreographer, dancer, and specialist in African regions. Her research integrates cultural anthropology, performance studies, critical dance practice, and comparative religion to explore the intersections of ritual, identity, and cultural expression across the African Diaspora.
Dr. Hume regularly designs cultural immersion experiences in Barbados. Far beyond a simple guided tour, her programs offer intellectual, human, and spiritual reflections unmatched by any other organized trip to Barbados.
Time spent with TourLife Barbados isn’t just sightseeing. It’s a boutique tour experience, where exploration is more than a way of life, "Issa Vibe."
We’re Klebere and Zuwena, experts in crafting our history, culture, cuisine, language, and people into unforgettable memories of our island home, Barbados. Our aim is to make sure you will feel energized and cheerful long after you leave our island.
Each tour is designed with you in mind and is hosted by an experienced Bajan tourguide, where we pride ourselves on sharing the storytelling nature of the Barbadian people to deliver accurate and engaging history. Our tours are truly the best way to meet the locals!
Come! Be a part of the TourLife Barbados Family-Issa Vibe!
Our secret recipe: Enthusiasm – Excellence – Local Experience
