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The easiest option is a laptop computer, although some students have gone through the hassle of bringing desktop models. Keep in mind that while laptops generally can adapt to the 220 volt, 50 cycle electrical supply, desktop computers don’t and will need an adapter unless they have a switchable power, ie, 100-220V, 50/60 cycles. Desktop computers have the added disadvantage of not being allowed as carry-on luggage, increasing the chance of damage in transit.
Printer – If you bring one, bring a ream of paper and enough ink cartridges for the entire term; laser printers are available in the library and in the anatomy building.
Power surges are not uncommon in Grenada and all electrical appliances should be surge protected. We recommend a line stabilizer conditioner, such as a Tripplite LC 500. These can be purchased locally through the Student Government Association and at local hardware stores.
** Personal computers are subject to a 5% Customs Service Charge; the rates that are actually charged are variable. Bring the receipt showing the computer’s value with you, but be sure that you are not charged more than 5% of its actual value.
**Retain your customs service charge receipt and carry it with you every time you carry the computer off of the island. If you cannot present your receipt you will most likely be charged again.
** Any duty charge incurred must be paid in cash.
The electrical supply on the island is of the type used in England, namely 220 volt, 50 Hertz. As most appliances sold in the United States are manufactured for operation on standard US current, 110 volt, 60 Hertz, some conversion will be required to permit the operation of appliances.
Most items that operate only on the US 60 Hertz system will fail prematurely and thus should not be used in Grenada. The type of plug that will fit into the sockets in Grenada varies. In some buildings, a three-prong plug typical of those found in England is used; in others, something equivalent to what is used in the US exists but is still a 220 volt supply; therefore, adapters may be needed even if you already have a power converter. Adapters are available in Grenada.
This is not a concern on the True Blue campus as all buildings have several outlets providing for 110 and 220 usage. However, never plug anything in without first checking the power supply. To further protect against strong currents and power surges, the transformer should be plugged into the outlet and into a surge protector. Appliances can then be plugged into the surge protector. Appliances can then be plugged into the surge protector.
There are two commonly available types of converters:
It is probably best to bring a traveler’s converter suitable for devices up to 1600 watts, and to plan on purchasing a transformer for other items when you get to Grenada.
A 1000-1500 watt transformer is available in hardware stores in Grenada. (ACE Hardware on the Lagoon Road, Huggins True Value, Hubbard’s locations in the Food Fair complex, or the roundabout at the Lance Aux-Epines Road).
If there is any question about whether to run an item on a transformer or on a travel converter, opt for the transformer, since the converter may cause the equipment to burn out.
Since the 50 Hertz supply in Grenada will cause about a 10% decrease in efficiency of motors rated at 60 Hertz, expect motors to run slower and hotter, shortening the life of such devices. Tape recorders/players and stereos which are designed for use on standard AC power may run at the wrong speed on the Grenadian 50 Hertz power.
The safest type of stereo system to bring is the “boom box” type which can also be run on batteries. They will run on the AC power in Grenada without difficulty. AC-powered alarm clocks run more slowly when used on the 50 Hertz power. Bring a wind-up or battery-powered alarm clock. If you have a desk lamp that used standard incandescent bulbs, you can buy 220 volt bulbs and a plug in adapter in Grenada and plug it directly into the local power supply.
International calls can be made from your fixed telephone line, mobile phone or payphone by dialing the international code plus the country code and telephone number.
Prepaid phone cards can be used to make international calls from both fixed telephone lines and payphone. These cards can be purchased from Cable and Wireless Grenada offices or any of their authorized agents including “D Campus Corner” and the University Mailroom on True Blue campus.
You must present your passport, Service Agreement Contract (obtained from the Vice Chancellor’s Office) and all fees when applying for service. Without the Service Agreement the refundable deposit will be more than EC$500.00. It is advisable that you bring a telephone instrument as Cable and Wireless will only be responsible for providing the dial tone in your dorm room. The dorms on Campus are wired for telephone service, however you will need to ensure that internal wiring is provided by your landlord if you will be living off Campus.
You can apply for telephone line features e.g. VoiceMail, Call Waiting, and Caller-ID together with your line application. There is a small installation fee and monthly fee for these services. You can also sign up for the bundled SmartChoice Plan which combines the above features with your Telephone Line rental for one monthly fee.
Here is your new mailing address:
Your Name; First Term
St. George’s University (Your School, ie. School of Arts and Sciences)
St. George’s, Grenada, West Indies
**You will be assigned a mailbox number upon arrival.
First-class mail between the US, UK and Grenada will take at least two weeks in either direction. Mail sent to Grenada should be marked “Air Mail” or it could take longer to arrive.
The General Post Office in St. George’s is open from Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 3:30 pm, with a lunch break from 12:00 to 1:00 pm. The Post Office is closed Saturdays and Sundays. Postal stamps may be purchased at the Bookstore, the SGU mailroom on True Blue campus, the General Post Office in St. George’s, Bryden, Minors Stationery Store and the Spice Land Mall.
Mail can be placed in the slot at the True Blue Mail Room or mailed at the Post Office downtown. The regular mail service requires only Grenadian Postage stamps: $1 EC for a postcard and $1 EC per 1⁄2 ounce for a standard letter (Airmail) to the US, Canada, or England. Inquiries must be made at the Post Office for other countries. All mail and packages take five to 14 days to reach destinations in the US, Canada, or England.
Make sure that the destination country is part of the address for all mail sent out of Grenada. For example, if mail is going to the US, put “ USA ” as part of the address. Be sure to label it “Air Mail”.
Federal Express also services Grenada. Federal Express items can be sent from the True Blue campus; they also have an office on the Carenage in St. George’s. Be aware that even FedEx cannot deliver items in one day in most cases, and the cost of delivery is very high; generally, this option is more expensive than it is worth.
Fax services are available on the first floor of the West wing of the Founder’s Library. Faxes can be sent for $2 EC per page to the US, and copies cost $.25 EC per page.
It is not recommended to send packages as an alternative to bringing items with you on the plane; shipping is expensive and slow. Additionally, all packages mailed to Grenada are opened by customs and duties are charged (e.g. 55% on food). As much as possible, bring anything you will want for the term down with you. If shipping is necessary, you may wish to consider airline shipping services.
Check your mailbox daily. Important messages will be placed there (i.e. midterms, etc.) by most departments. You must also check your emails daily.
If you plan on driving in Grenada, you must obtain a Grenadian driver’s license. These are issued by the Inland Revenue Department on the Carenage in St. George’s or at the police station. You must present a valid US or UK driver’s license.
The cost for a local temporary driver’s license in Grenada is EC $30.00 (valid for 90 days). Annual license for private vehicles is EC $100.00, for Motor Bikes it is EC $75.00. To obtain an annual license you must present two passport-size photos; a valid foreign license; two temporary licenses, demonstrating experience driving in Grenada, EC $1.50 stamp; and, if over age 50, certification that you are medially fit to drive.
* Anyone operating a motor vehicle must have a valid driver’s license on his or her person in accordance with local law.
* All motor vehicles must have a valid inspection sticker, registration and insurance certificate in accordance with local law.
* All motor vehicles must be in safe operating conditions.
* Safety helmets must be worn when riding a motorcycle on campus.
* University community members are to obey all posted signs and instructions of security guards acting in performance of their duty. Verbal instructions of security guards supersede posted signs. Failure to recognize the authority vested in a security guard is an offense.
* All motor vehicles on the Grenada Campus must be registered with St. George’s University and the names of all authorized drivers of that vehicle must be given at the time of registration.
The University will issue a parking permit decal that must be permanently
affixed to the front windshield.
The operation of a motor vehicle on campus is a revocable privilege that may be suspended or otherwise restricted. All students owning or operating a motor vehicle are responsible for knowing and adhering to the following Motor Vehicle Rules and Regulations, which will be strictly enforced. Copies of these rules and regulations are available in the Business Office.
*(Nominations for persons needing assistance from this fund come from peer counselors and from the Office of the Business Administrator. The final decision as to the merit of the case and authorization to withdraw money for personal assistance is made by a committee consisting of the Business Administrator, the Dean of Basic Science of Designate, Dean, Graduate Studies Programand Arts and Sciences, a Peer Counselor, and the President of the Student Government Association.)
You will need a sticker on the car to park on the campuses. These can be obtained from the administration offices. Parking stickers are given only for cars that have current insurance and inspection. For rental cars, be sure to obtain the name of the insurance agency and the policy number from the rental agency.
The main form of travel is by the University bus; buses run regularly from 7 am until 2 am between the True Blue and Grand Anse campuses and to the Lance-Aux-Epines area where many of the off-campus students live. There is no charge to take the University buses.
City buses run from the Grand Anse area into town. These can be flagged down at any point along their routes, and are an inexpensive, fairly quick way to get into the city of St. George’s. The destination is the Esplanade, near the market in St. George’s. Local supermarkets are on the route as well as a number of other ships, including the Post Office and the phone company, Cable and Wireless. A one-way fare to any point along the route is $1.50 EC. Buses are very common during the day, but fewer buses run after 11 pm Monday through Saturday, and fewer still run after 4 pm on Sundays, so plan your activities accordingly.
Buses to other towns around the island (Gouyave, Sauteurs and Grenville) depart from the Esplanade in St. George’s. There is no fixed schedule. Fares are set by the Government, most are less than $5 EC each way, but verify the fare before you get on. Most buses clearly mark their destinations. The buses stop running in the early evening though, so make sure to return in plenty of time. Taking one of the buses offers a good chance to mix with the local population.
Many drivers are eager to accommodate groups of students and will arrange group rates for short trips or provide transportation to social events during off-peak hours, which is helpful in the evening.
Taxis are generally the transportation of choice when coming or going to the airport or when stranded at night. $20EC (8$ US) is enough to get you most places although $25 EC ($30 EC after 6 pm ) is the standard charge to or from the airport.
There are several car rental agencies on the island. Available vehicles include standard cars with both manual and automatic transmissions, jeep-like four-wheel-drive vehicles and mini-mokes, which are open jitney-like vehicles. Many students get together in a group and rent a vehicle for the term. The rate for vehicle rental can range from $400 - $600 US per month.
In Grenada, driving is done on the left-hand side of the road. In the area around the campuses the roads are in excellent condition; outside this area, however, can be an adventure. Give a friendly honk on the horn when passing vehicles or approaching tight curves and sharp turns. Keep to the side, but watch for pedestrians and animals walking in the road. Also, cars often stop directly on the road so be alert when rounding bends.
Your best bet is to bring several forms of money with you to Grenada. For example, cash for your trip over, a Bank or Cashier check to open your local account, credit cards for emergencies, etc.
It may be helpful to open a local bank account when you are on the island. Since sending Financial Aid checks securely back to a home bank can be expensive, opening a local account may simplify transferring money and loan checks.
If you open a local bank account it will be a ‘savings account’ with an ATM card. Checking accounts are only available after a savings account has been open for 6 months.
Island Banks:
There is an RBTT branch with an ATM on campus. Hours vary from bank to bank, but the RBBT branch on campus is open from 10am to 2pm Monday through Thursday, and 10am to 4pm on Friday. All local banks are closed on weekends. Extended hours are available during orientation.
Setting up an account
A bank account can be set up with cash or Traveler’s Checks and a debit card from home can be used to transfer money into your Grenadian bank. Traveler’s Checks remain the safest, easiest and quickest ways to start a savings account. A debit card can be issued at the bank on campus.
Currency Exchange Rates
When purchasing items in Grenada, prices are generally quoted in Grenadian Eastern Caribbean (EC) dollars, but ask if you are unsure. The EC is tied to the US dollar at 1 USD = 2.67 EC. A convenient rule of thumb approximation is to multiply the cost of an item by.4 to arrive at US dollars. (i.e. $5.00 EC X.4 = approximately $2 USD.)
The approximate rate of exchange for the British pound has been 1 BSP = 4 EC. A convenient rule of thumb approximation is to multiply the cost of the item by.25 to arrive at British pounds sterling.
Do not convert any more US dollars to EC dollars than necessary, since re- conversion to US dollars can be complex and costly.
Expect to pay between $15 EC to $30 EC for a typical meal in Grenada (approximately $6 to $12 US dollars).
Just off campus in the Grand Anse area, about a 10 minute walk from the dorms, is La Boulangerie, which serves sandwiches, pizzas, and calzones; Nick’s Donut Shop, which also has sandwiches; Kentucky Fried Chicken; and Chopsticks Chinese Restaurant.
On True Blue, Pearl’s Cafeteria is a typical cafeteria operation; Glover’s restaurant is also on campus, and on the lower port of the campus is the Sugar Shack.
There are also some upscale restaurants ($50-100 EC per person) for students who want a nice night out. A popular choice in the Grand Anse area is La Dolce Vita (with its own Italian chef). On Point Salines, the Aquarium and the Beach House are both popular choices. The Coconut Beach Restaurant is located in Grand Anse.
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.
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.
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.
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.