Going to jamaica for the first time for school (UWI). what are some things i shud know?

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Its Very Hot In Jamaica

Jax needs to get real. Loads of Bahamian students come to the UWI many of hopes into getting into med school- this used to be an easy task but there was an incident about 2 years back so one will have to do it the hard way.

Change your money to Jamaican currency at a Cambio or Western Union, Money Gram etc.

Yes there are malls as someone said Sovereign is pretty near to the campus. Theres a free shuttle to Liguanea (Soveregign) and to Half Way Tree (other malls and plazas)

CWJ has cheaper international calls and better rates with the flat rate to all cellphone providers however most young persons have Digicel phones so you can go that route or even have both.

DO lock your bedroom door get involve in campus activities, dont fall for on campus boys who love the firstyears and leave them at the end of the year. DO appreciate that there will be a party every weeknd and drinkups as well bit DO NOT forget your studies. There are hotsopts so do bring your laptop.

Do hand your passport in at the Lodgegings centre, do join the Bahamian Students Association, DO ensure that your fees are sorted out by your Governtment, DONT book your ticket home in advance exams have a funny way of messing with intl students particularly when a class wants them to be moved to a later date.

DO use your health card but dont abuse it. It can only be used at the University's Health Centre and Hospital

Dont get offended when Jamaicans say slow down or are in awe of your accent

DO register for classes early and remember to check your registration status for red flags and errors. As amatter of fact register now- they're rollingout a new system thats bound to cause havoc and cursing come next week when eveyrone begins the registration process.

Do buy your textbooks as soon as you can as they sell out quickly do scour notice boards for used textbooks.

Do link up with someone in the same course of study a few years ahead of you to give you the lowdown on EVERYTHING. Sometimes there are prerequisites and entry requirements to take a certain course that you may not be informed about and may have to sit out certain courses because of it, hance prolonging your stay at the UWI. Academic advisors are very helpful but may miss certain things a student would know. So get in touch with both.

DO not eat for the KFc on campus, YUCK YUCK do know and love Juici Patties

Are you staying on Rex Nettleford Hall? It has a large Bahamian population

I hope you will be attending the P.A.S faculty if so i can show you around.

The UWI can be a peculiar place which thrives on giving you the run around and not presenting all details at first contact. Make sure you keep informed.

karlene b

dont let them fool you. Jamaica is perfectly safe for foreign students.

you can drink the water. there is no jamaican mafia. we are nice people.

there are several malls near by.

The sovereign centre is about 5 minutes away and the good thing about it is that there is a shuttle provided from on campus to there twice every hour.

There are other malls a bit farther but that can wait until you know the area a little better. Your halls orientation committee will help you with any problems you may have. They may also take you to shop for any necessary items.

i am gonna assume that you are from an eastern caribbean country and say go with either cable and wireless or digicel. There are other companies such as megaphone that have unlimited international calls for a flat fee however international for them means US UK and Canada.

The sage

I'm a UWI student (Jamaican). For info on what to expect and stuff email me antsrik@yahoo.com. P.S. Jax is misinformed!

jamdowngal

Jax comment about mafia is the hilarious. Criminals or gangs maybe, but mafia that is funny. I have lived here 35 years and never been shot or shot at. And drink water from the pipe all the time and no major illnesses.

And Jamaicans have excellent style, we take pride in our fashion so shopping won't be a problem from the expensive to the cheap.

Don't be afraid to trust your instincts it will never fail you.

boy_jam_arch

You will be safe jus be friendly.

jwizz5000

I would encourage you to change some money into Jamaica, only because it is easier. some vendors will accept US currency, but they reserve the right to pay below market value for the US. for example, the exchange rate might be 65-1, but they will pay much less.
There are lots of malls. Liguanea is a bustling college Town close to UWI with lots of places to eat, and tons of shops. There is also a mall (Pavillion) that is in Liguanea. Half-way-tree and New Kingston also have tons of malls and activities, and those areas are generally pretty safe.
I would encourage you to get a Digicel phone. There is also a phone called "megaphone" where you spend a small subscription fee, and you have unlimited calls to the US for the entire month. I think the service might be a bit spotty at times though.
Do's...
Try to keep an open mind, and make an honest effort to meet people and learn about the culture. coming from a different country, you would have heard things, and developed stereotypes. Be prepared to find out that you will have alot in common with Jamaican students, and try to appreciate those similarities as well as the differences.
Be careful. especially with money (that's another reason I would encourage you to use Jamaican currency). Open a bank account, and use your debit card when possible. You can use it in stores instead of cash.
Just make the same sensible, informed decisions you would anywhere. I am naturally very wary of men until i know them very well, and I think that is a good policy.
You can also open up a UWI facebook account so you can have a better picture of the school.
Best of luck!!! UWI is a good school.
ps. If you need more info, i would be happy to have you facebook some friends who go to UWI. They might be able to offer you some tips.
***** an update for your update :) red/orange/yellow, and green. unfortunately, we are the most logical people around election time, so I would refrain from wearing those colors until around December :)

You should contact the UWI student centre and let them give you the information you are seeking. You are making yourself quite vulnerable . this is not about Jamaica but about anywhere in the world. I am pretty sure there is an orientation week.

Jax

people like american money alot---its worth more, but jamaican is more widely used

Not really.

Don't:

drink water that isn't in a bottle

travel outside your resort , jamaican mafia is one of the worst, seriously

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