Life in St. Kitts

Island living

St. Kitts offers our motivated medical students an ideal mix of sanctuary and adventure. On the stunningly beautiful island UMHS calls home, you can focus on your coursework free from the distractions of your regular life, while still enjoying the many benefits of island life. 

Local amenities

St. Kitts offers many of the same amenities and luxuries that can be found in the U.S.. There are supermarkets, chic restaurants, nightclubs, laundromats, banks, and even a movie theatre. There are also resort hotels, high-end stores, and a variety of houses of worship. Public transportation is widespread, with buses and taxis operating throughout the island.

Government

The Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis is a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations. The British monarch is recognized as the head of state. The country became autonomous in 1967 and is led by a prime minister. The capital of St. Kitts is Basseterre.

Economy

Historically, the economy of St. Kitts was focused on sugarcane production. In recent years, tourism, export-oriented manufacturing, and offshore banking have become the primary businesses.

Time

The time observed is Atlantic Standard Time, which is one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time. Daylight Saving Time is not observed.

Currency and banking

The official currency in St. Kitts is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC). The conversion rate is approximately $2.70 E.C. for $1.00 U.S. 

Bank branches are easily found in Basseterre, the capital of St. Kitts. Each bank provides 24-hour ATM services, and cash distributed by ATM is in EC dollars. The UMHS on-campus ATM is affiliated with the Royal Bank of Canada.

Electricity

The electricity in St. Kitts is 220 volts/60 cycles. American electricity is 110 volts/60 cycles. While many apartments use 110 volts, you may need converters for use with American appliances in off-campus apartments. Contact the UMHS Housing Department before arriving in St. Kitts to verify the voltage of your apartment. Electricity on the UMHS campus is 110 volts/60 cycles.

Communications

When students arrive for orientation prior to the first semester, the Welcoming Committee will explain telephone options. Cable and Wireless provides the only phone cards that work in St. Kitts. Each student receives an island phone with a local phone card during orientation. Many students also rely on VoIP or web-based video conferencing services such as Vonage or Skype to keep in touch with friends and family back home.