Studying in the Caribbean

Arrive in the Caribbean islands and you might think you've arrived in paradise. The Caribbean archipelago - a collection of tropical islands spread across 2,000 miles of turquoise sea - is the playground for the Americas, offering rich biodiversity, lush green valleys and mountains, pristine beaches and tranquil waters. Established long before the automobile, Caribbean cities boast glorious architecture set against vibrant, small-scale communities just perfect for the cross-town stroll.

Fortunately, books, bachelor's degrees and business courses happily co-exist alongside beaches, boats and bikinis. One reason is that most students who choose to enrol at university need not spend extra time learning a foreign language before initiating their studies. Populated for nearly 6,000 years, the Caribbean islands today are a mix of English, Spanish, French, and Dutch-speaking nations. Even so, each retains its own distinct heritage and Creole culture. There are more than six Creole languages, including Papiamento, Sranan and Patios.

Although each country asserts it own economic interests and socio-cultural identity, the islands of the Caribbean have come together in support of superior higher education. The Association of Caribbean Tertiary Institutions (ACTI), for example, brings together more than 82 colleges and universities in a professional forum, acting as a catalyst for collaboration and co-operation in higher education.

Options in the Caribbean are similar to those in the US. Students choose either two-year community colleges (with an option to transfer to another institution for further study), technical schools offering associate degrees and vocational courses, or traditional four-year colleges and research-oriented universities awarding bachelor's degrees and postgraduate study. Postgraduate institutions offer both professional and research degrees. There are also a number of private medical schools in the region, providing the opportunity to qualify as an MD or pursue a related career in allied health.

Location and language are attractive reasons for choosing to study in the Caribbean, but the quality of education offered at island institutions is even more compelling. 

(Member states of the Caribbean are: Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts-Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago.)

See also: TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS