Why Study in Grenada?

Grenada is a British-Commonwealth nation consisting of three islands (Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique) in the Caribbean Sea. For decades, its medical school has been one of the most popular and well-regarded institutions in the Caribbean for foreigners studying abroad. Grenada’s beautiful and varied tropical landscape and its rich French and English colonial history offer students from around the world an opportunity for a unique cultural exchange while they pursue their degrees.

Higher Education System

Grenada’s public education is modeled largely after the British system and includes 184 schools; however, the island has only two schools of higher education. The first is the T.A. Marryshow Community College, a public college which exists to advance the development of Grenada and its citizenry. The second is the St. George’s University, a private school which serves mostly foreign medical students.

Although St. George’s University was established as a medical school, in recent years its programs of study have been expanded to include:

• School of Medicine
• School of Veterinary Medicine
• School of Arts and Sciences
• Graduate Studies programs (including MBAs in Health Management and International Business)

Many universities choose Grenada as a destination when hosting their own short-term study abroad programs.

Student Life in Grenada / Expected Costs

Grenada has a booming tourism and hospitality industry, and those students who choose to study on its islands will enjoy access to the same natural wonders and recreational activities that draw admirers from around the globe; beaches, mountains, and rain forests are all found on the main island. Grenada is also a short travel distance by plane or boat to the rest of the Caribbean, as well as South America.

As with many small islands, however, the cost of living tends to be higher in Grenada; food, housing, transportation, and telecommunication costs are all high compared to other places in the world. The university recommends that its students allot at least $2,000 US dollars for food and other purchases, and even more if they plan to live off-campus.

Grenada uses for currency the Eastern Caribbean (EC) dollar, which is tied to the US dollar at 1 USD = 2.67 EC. (A good way to remember the conversion is that $5.00 EC equals approximately $2.00 USD.) Most businesses will accept American dollars for purchases but return change in Eastern Caribbean dollars. ATMs are available across the island and allow per diem withdrawals of between $1,000 and $3,000 EC. Students who intend to stay for extended periods of time are encouraged to open a local bank account.