Jamaica is my home, my birthplace, my true North. I was born on the island in the 90s and spent my childhood catching hermit crabs next to the ocean, climbing trees to pick mangoes during the intense summer heat, and sneaking away from my parents’ gaze to spend time petting and feeding stray dogs – much to their dismay.

Unfortunately, I parted ways with my beautiful home at the age of eight because my Hungarian father found work opportunities back on his home continent. Despite having spent most of my life away from Jamaica, the smell of the ocean, the feeling of the Caribbean sun on my skin, and the warmth of the smiles of strangers passing one another in the street was never far away from my mind or my heart. Despite moving to London, and now living in Austria, I try to go back to Jamaica as often as possible. My family still has a house there in my hometown of Ocho Rios, a special town about which we will learn more later.

I am now training to be a psychoanalyst in Vienna. The winters here are harsh, but the knowledge that what I learn here may someday help to uplift the people – my people – back home in Jamaica makes the slight discomfort worth it. I still feel an intense connection to my country of birth. The food, the music, the culture and the spirit of the people is something that never leaves your soul, no matter where you’re from.

Check out Gina's favourite spots in Jamaica below