There are indubitably tons of factors to consider when you are looking for a suitable medical school to pursue your medical education: the curriculum, the faculty, the campus, the student support services, accommodations, and much more. This exhaustive list becomes even more demanding when you’re considering international locations. If you have decided to apply to the Windsor University school of medicine, your mind must be buzzing with questions about the surrounding area, which will be your new home for the next few years. Especially if you haven’t experienced the island life before, moving to the paradise island of St. Kitts must be a monumental decision for you. From safety to accommodations, we have answered some of the most common questions we get asked about WUSOM and St. Kitts. Read on to learn all about attending a Caribbean med school.
Most Common questions about living in St. Kitts
Where is St. Kitts?
Though you maybe acquainted with some Caribbean islands, chances are you may not have heard of St. Kitts. Saint Kitts, officially the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, is an island country consisting of the twin islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis, both located in the West Indies, in the Leeward Islands chain of the Lesser Antilles. Positioned to the west of Antigua and Barbuda and south of Anguilla, the population of St. Kitts totals just over 48,400. From canopied rainforests and volcanic beaches in the north to the colorful sounds of the city center and the smooth shores that lie southward, the island offers a tropical haven with stunning landscapes, warm climate, and a rich cultural heritage.
When you choose to pursue your medical education at the Windsor university school of medicine, you get to be a part of St. Kitts vibrant community and stay in the heart of paradise. Your home, at least for the time being, will be a pastel-tinted architecture of the majestic true white & blue campus, a state-of-the-art multi-million-dollar campus that includes cutting-edge teaching facilities, labs, library, research institute and much more.
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How Safe is St. Kitts?
It is normal to be concerned about your safety when traveling to a different country, but let us assure you that St. Kitts is a perfectly safe, tourist-friendly place to live. To ease your mind further, the US Department of State provides important safety and security information to travelers when taking a trip abroad. The organization assigns one of four ratings to each destination:
- Level 1: Exercise normal precautions
- Level 2: Exercise increased precautions
- Level 3: Reconsider travel
- Level 4: Do not travel
St. Kitts is assigned a level-one rating, which is the lowest advisory level for safety and security risk. The US Department of State advices travelers to take personal security measures while traveling to St. Kitts and Nevis, as they would in any major metropolitan area of the U.S., to protect themselves from crimes of opportunity. Exercising added vigilance while in isolated areas, staying alert when shopping in crowded areas or attending crowded events and being aware of your surroundings is recommended.
Not to mention, WUSOM maintains a professional Department of Public Safety (DPS) to help provide a safe and secure environment for the campus community. The Director of Safety & Security is involved with the personal, property and fire safety programs for the University off campus, in partnership with other colleges, law enforcement, business owners and community groups. Security officers patrol University grounds 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year. They are trained to handle various types of safety and security situations.
WUSOM is fully committed to the safety and well-being of its faculty, staff, students, and visitors to the campus. In the event of a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving the immediate threat to the health or safety of persons on the campus, the university will immediately notify the university community using its internal phone system, electronic display bulletin and other media outlets to advice of the situation, unless notification would otherwise compromise the effort to assist victims or contain the emergency.
What is the weather like in St. Kitts?
Average temperatures in St. Kitts range from 24ºC to 28ºC, with the hot and tropical climate nicely tempered by trade winds throughout most months. A rather pleasant tropical climate combined with the tropical beaches and always warm seawater makes Saint Kitts and Nevis a popular destination to study, forge friendships, and enjoy a host of activities both on and off campus. July through December is considered the rainy season, with average precipitation ranging between 150-250 mm per month.
What Are Accommodations Like in St. Kitts?
WUSOM provides safe and comfortable accommodation to medical students, within a 20–25-minute drive from our St. Kitts campus – and on the bus route. Students can also find suitable accommodations located close to campus. Apartments are fully furnished; students would only need to bring towels, cups, plates, their personal needs, and clothing.
Windsor University also has an agreement with Royal St. Kitts Beach Hotel, Sugar Bay Resort, and Bird Rock Beach Hotel to provide housing and other facilities for our students. Each bedroom is furnished with one bed, a desk with chair, a television with cable TV, and a small refrigerator, while double occupancy rooms include two beds. Amenities include restaurants, gym, study lounge, and general kitchen, while regular cleaning services are provided to students. The University also provides subsidized transportation for all the students.
Do I need a car to get around the island?
The simple answer is no. Not only does WUSOM provide subsidized transportation for all students, to and from campus, getting around the island without a car is a breeze. St. Kitts has a budget-friendly and reliable public bus system that can take you to all the popular spots around the island. Just hop on, enjoy the scenic route, and shout “Stay here please!” when you’re ready to hop off. The island is also teeming with taxis and can take you anywhere you desire. They’re perfect for short trips, airport transfers, or if you want a guided tour with a friendly local driver who knows the history and all the best spots. If you want to enjoy the outdoors, take leisurely walks in places like Basseterre, where you can explore local markets, shops, and waterfront areas. That said, some students prefer to purchase vehicles. You can typically find good deals on cars quite easily since outgoing students are looking to sell when it’s time for them to leave.
Start your beautiful island journey
While moving so far away from home can be quite overwhelming, you can rest easy knowing that St. Kitts is a perfectly safe place to live, study, and engage in fun activities if you are looking to take a break from the rigorous curriculum. If you can picture yourself at a medical school in the Caribbean, it is time to take the next step. Apply to Windsor university school of medicine today and start your career in medicine.
