a global experience that has forever changed me. February 03, 2024

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Classes were really good, especially a majority of the classes I took in Gender Studies. It was really insightful getting a global perspective, specifically in the Caribbean. Instead of having assignments every week like many schools in the US, there were maybe 2-3 major assignments through the course of the semester. Additionally, it was a bit difficult experiencing the exam culture since it is a very big deal at the end of every semester, and I am not used to that.

On-site administration of your program

Roannta was great and super helpful - it was really nice having an individual person who we could ask for help and guidance with on certain things, especially having someone who is familiar with UWI and is also from and still lives in Trinidad and Tobago.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing was pretty good - it's nice that nearly everyone, if not everyone, has their own room. It was difficult being in a building with no AC, especially in a very hot country. However, aside from that and some issues with the dorm building itself, it was okay.

There is no meal plan or cafeteria at UWI, but there are small restaurants like Subway and KFC that you can buy from. Therefore, students had to cook their own meals. That was something I wasn't used to, but after a while I got used to it. Also having to cook in a small dorm kitchen wasn't too fun, but we made it work. Be aware when buying food that items that you are probably used to in your home country will cost more in Trinidad.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

CSSN and Roannta did a great job of exposing us to the culture and showing us around safely. You also begin to make friends with people as the semester goes on, and hanging out with other people also naturally exposes you more to the culture.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

For CSSN, specifically in the fall semester, we needed to get the yellow fever vaccine before mid-November for our trip to Costa Rica. For the Spring semester there seems to be a trip to Jamaica, but I don't know what's required for that. Other than that, health issues that came up were taken care of, and Roannta made sure we were okay.

Being on campus and in the St. Augustine area, and Trinidad and Tobago as a whole, is safe, just be sure to take the necessary precautions - don't walk alone at night, stay away from isolated areas, etc.

Notes for incoming/perspective students (based on my own experience and my own opinion): Study spaces (on weekends, with AC): both sides of the rooms to the right of the library, Social Sciences rooms, upper SAC level. Libraries: alma jordan/main library, IGDS (very small library), med sci (but that’s not rly worth it, it’s off campus and you would have to take a shuttle there), school of international relations, school of education. Food places/nearly everything closed on Sundays for religious reasons. Beware of different bugs, cockroaches, and small geckos being in the dorm halls, and bigger lizards being outside - they should all be harmless, but just for people to know so they don’t get scared. A few times this semester the water pressure has been low and therefore barely/no water was coming out of the sinks/showers, flushing the toilets wouldn’t work…definitely inconvenient, but you just had to wait until it got better in a few minutes or maybe an hour. Unless you’re in a dorm hall with AC (ask beforehand), then…the heat can be unbearable at times, especially in your room - it gets really bad, to the point where we’ve stayed up until 4am just because it’s so hot and we can’t sleep, even with two fans on the highest speed, a ceiling fan, and the three room windows open. You can get a portable AC, but they cost like $500USD (mine was $400USD). UWI St. Augustine has 20-40% on campus students, meaning it is mainly a commuter population, which affects the dynamics of the campus and the community. Campus is dead on the weekends, and esp. on Sundays because everything is closed (for religious reasons). You have to pay for near everything on your own, from buying your own toilet paper to your own food to cook (no food hall/cafeteria on campus, and you have to pay for all the food spots with your own money/there’s no meal swipes/points or anything) to dish soap to paper towels to organization/club fees. You used to be able to have parties on campus, but not anymore, and therefore the party scene is all off campus and you’re partying with both college students and random people/adults (unless it’s specifically a college student/UWI party). Course structure with tests at the end of the semester for most classes, very structured in a room, taken seriously // the education system is British-based because Trinidad and Tobago were colonized by Great Britain, and there are final exams for most courses. Essays are around at least 1,000 words. Classes are typically 60% coursework, 40% final exam. Classes last longer than Wellesley College courses (2 or 3 hours compared to like 1.5 hours). For many classes there’s the lecture, which is like 2 hours, and the tutorial, which is 1 hour, where you go over readings or homework - so most classes add up to 3 hours in class time per week. The ride share apps take longer than uber, it can take 5 minutes or 30 minutes waiting for a car (allridi, travee, ttrideshare are some apps). Follow @wahwedoing on Instagram, turn on notifications for posts and stories. Having classes right next to but still technically off campus (ex. film building) can be kind of dangerous, I'm walking on streets with no sidewalks and cars drive kind of crazy, there’s lots of trash everywhere, and it’s uncomfortable at times, but you’ll be okay. There are barely any events (ex. speaker series, giveaways, small campus festivals, etc.), and if there are any, they’re most times either off campus like at Port of Spain (20 mins away, and you’ll have to provide your own transportation) and/or you have to pay for them (and they’re not too expensive, but still, they’re not free like most, if not all, events at Wellesley). School at UWI for students is for 3 years, not the typical 4 in the US. More people here start university later, so maybe at like 19/20 years old compared to the typical 18 in the US, with some people here being over 22 years old and some full-grown adults. The dorm rooms are a little small, but you'll be okay. Tracking costs/out of pocket payments: 335 TTD yellow fever vaccine, 50 TTD gas bill for kitchen.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I would say a little over $100 USD is a good weekly estimate between food and other personal reasons for spending money. Transportation can also be another big reason for spending a bit of money, especially if you're using ride shares instead of public transportation.

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• Dorm

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• the various trips (Tobago, Costa Rica, around Trinidad, etc.)
• the closeness and availability of our point person, Roannta

• the kitchen starter pack at the beginning of the semester (including more realistic foods and items)