Island Living - Family Life

Spouses and Significant Others

Finding employment in Grenada is unlikely. Work permits are extremely difficult to obtain and when vacancies arise, Grenadians, rightly so, have priority for hiring. The Student Government Association employs a few spouses and significant others in its copy center. Spouses have also earned incomes as Resident Assistants on campus. Some have also earned money by cooking and baking for students. However, such opportunities are limited, highly competitive, and should not be factored into your budget.

As the spouse of a student, therefore, you should come to Grenada prepared to deal with a lot of free time. The communities of spouses who have been here all agree that keeping busy is the key to maintaining an even keel. Take up hobbies you’ve never had the time for and read books you’ve always meant to read. Volunteer opportunities are abound. You can volunteer at the hospital, schools, orphanages, or other Grenada agencies and organizations. Take time to enjoy the beaches and venture forth and discover Grenada.

Education

For preschool-aged children, there have in the past been weekly playgroup sessions. If interested in this activity, seek out parents and try to initiate such a group. There is also a preschool program for three and four year-olds. Check time and days.

There are both public and private schools available on the island of Grenada. American students have enrolled in the past in private schools such as the Westmoreland School, Kids Learning Center and Kay Dee’s, or in public schools such as Presentation Brothers and St. Joseph ’s Convent. The majority of American children have attended Westmoreland. Grenadian students from the above schools have received scholarships to excellent colleges in England and the United States after completing their education on the island. The costs of schools vary and children usually adapt to the differences with few problems. All schoolchildren wear uniforms.

There are waiting lists at most private schools. Writing to the school over the summer for information, application forms, etc., may ease your mind and give you an advantage in getting your child’s name off the bottom of the waiting list. Personal contact is the most valuable means of having your son or daughter enrolled. It is advised that you make contact and schedule an interview for you and your child within the first days of your arrival in Grenada.

Before you leave for Grenada, ask your child’s teachers what he or she would have been taught had you remained at home. Look at books and materials so you can compare them to Grenadian Materials. When you return to your home for the summer, recheck your child’s skills with this teacher to see if she/he stayed at the appropriate level or if there are any gaps that need to be filled during the summer. Since Caribbean history and geography will be studied, you may want to bring some American history books so your child will not fall behind in American studies.

Most schools use entrance tests for placement so they will not be interested in report cards, tests or transcripts from schools in the United States.

More Information - For more information, visit the Significant Other Organization’s website.

Supermarkets

Although hours vary, most supermarkets open at 9:00 am and close by 5:30 pm, Monday through Saturday and are closed on Sunday. However, Real Value, located in the Grand Anse Spiceland Mall, is open until 9:00 pm Monday through Thursday, until 10:00 pm on Friday and Saturday, and until 6:00 pm on Sunday.

Supermarket prices might vary a few pennies on an item in any given store. Different supermarkets do not always carry the same stock. The Grand Anse prices are generally slightly higher. Bulk Buy, downtown, is a good place to purchase high-quality meats and other items. Real Value generally has a better selection of foreign and American products, and has a deli, although it is very expensive.

While there is a constant supply of fresh food into Grenada, sometimes you will find large quantities of something you value, only to return the next day to find the shelves empty. So, you might consider buying favorite items when you see them. In any case, you may have to go to more than one food store to get what you need.

Market
The City Market

In the market square in St. George’s you will find primarily fresh fruits, vegetables and spices. The market is open air, so when it rains, business comes to a standstill. The best selection is found early (7am) Friday and Saturday mornings. Always bring EC one-dollar coins and five-dollar bills while shopping there. You may not be able to get change for a twenty. Always bring a basket or knapsack; nothing is package.

There is a new open-air seafood market in St. George’s which is open in the evenings Monday through Saturday. A new plaza in Grand Anse is complete with marketing and a triple movie theatre.