In late January 2022, I arrived on the Caribbean Island of Aruba to conduct ethnographic fieldwork for my bachelor’s thesis on sustainable tourism. I have always had a passion for traveling, remembering the wonderful trips with my father when I was younger, and long been intrigued by sustainability. A course on anthropology and sustainability demonstrated that I could combine these passions to investigate their intertwinement in Aruba. Aruba’s slogan is “One Happy Island,” known for its “sea, sand, and sun” experience. It has become reliant on tourism. While tourism has accelerated population growth, created new jobs, and promoted infrastructure, it has [...]