“It’s great studying in St. Lucia – I fell in love with the city at first sight”
Your Island Home Away from Home
Equal parts beauty and mystique, Saint Lucia captivates anyone who sets foot on her coastline. Always evocative, she welcomes visitors with her soothing waves, warm beaches, and hospitable people. The only sovereign nation to be named for a woman, the island personifies adventure and inspiration. Her visitors invariably find themselves reluctant to leave and eager to return.
Saint Lucia is a North American country under the British Commonwealth. It is located centrally in the OECS region and is a prominent member of Organization of American states (http://www.oas.org ). All major airlines like American Airlines, US Airways, Air Canada, Delta Air Lines, American Eagle, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, LIAT and Caribbean Star flies to Saint Lucia. Saint Lucia is a destination travelers dream about as it is a small lush tropical gem that is still relatively unknown.
What to Wear
Students should bring cool, comfortable clothing. Formal pants shirts with tie appreciated for the school but during learning environment comes with the school dress-code for MD’s comes with scrub and Nursing students must wear uniform as per the student dress code rules.
Currency
US Dollars are readily accepted throughout the island ,however the currency of Saint Lucia is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar which is linked to the US Dollar at the exchange rate of US$1 to EC$2.7. Most hotels will exchange reasonable amounts of foreign currency, and there are change bureaus in Castries. The National Commercial Bank (NCB) has a branch at Hewanorra International Airport where EC Dollars can be exchanged for foreign currency. It is open daily from 12:30pm until the last flight departs.
Telephones
International direct dial service is widely available throughout the island. Credit card calls can be made through local operators or through AT&T, the school student coordinator will provide a cell phone sim card for all the students at the cost of $25 but it is strongly recommended to bring unlocked triband cell phones from your country. Emergency Telephone Numbers : Police, Fire and Ambulance – Tel: 999 Police Headquarters – Tel: 452-3854/5
Health
Immunization is required and the immunization certificate must be produced to the admission coordinator. (vital Immunization along with H1B is important one) Medical examination certificate (the test for HIV, TB and other communicable diseases). Drinking water is safe from the tap and bottled mineral/distilled water is also available cafeteria also provide distilled mineral water for free. CUCOM has a dedicated sick bay, a student nurse and doctors on call.
Weather
Saint Lucia’s climate is hot and tropical, with an average annual temperature of 26* C and mild trade winds for a good portion of the year. Lying in the path of the trade winds Saint Lucia has year-round temperatures of 20* to 33*C. Humidity ranges from 66 – 94%. Summer temperatures range from 24 to 35 C and in the winter from 18 to 830 C. Temperature is never an issue in Saint Lucia, making it a year-round destination for beach lovers. December-May is the driest and coolest time, with day temperatures in the 23-32 C and night temperatures in the 15-27 C. During the hottest time of year (June-August), daytime temperatures can reach the 32-37 C. The rainy season is June-November, but don’t expect a constant downpour. Rather, there are numerous short but incredibly intense showers.
Banking
There are a number of international and local banks in the Gros-Islet, Rodney Bay area. Students can open accounts with the bank of their choice, use wire transfer services and any other service which they might require. There are three popular banks in the Rodney Bay area: 1. Bank of Saint Lucia 2. The Bank of Nova Scotia 3. First National Bank Banking Hour : 8am – 2pm weekly. Most banks are closed on the weekend. You can however, access ATMs at almost every major mall or supermarket. First National Bank is open on Saturday morning 9am-12pm at its Rodney Bay Mall.
Crime
Crime is not frequent in Saint Lucia, this destination considered to be relatively safer place in OECS, However common sense should prevail when travelling abroad not to make large displays of wealth (by wearing expensive jewellery, producing large wads of cash, etc.). Crimes of any sort should be reported to the school.
Hospitals
There are six medical facilities and several pharmacies near the campus.
Victoria Hospital – Tel: 452-2421
Golden Hope Hospital – Tel: 452-7393
Tapion Hospital – Tel: 459-2000
St.Jude’s Vieux Fort – Tel: 454-6041
Soufriere – Tel: 459-7258/5001
Dennery – Tel: 453-3310
Language
Saint Lucia’s principal language is English, but a French-based patois also widely spoken.
Service Charges & Tax
There is a government tax of 8% on hotel and restaurant bills, in addition to a service charge of 10%. In some cases, these charges are included in prices quoted.
