Beautiful St. Vincent And The Grenadines

St. Vincent & the Grenadines is a nation of 32 islands located in the Lesser Antilles. It is the largest of the islands and has a spectacular forest-covered mountainous interior with immaculate beaches. It consists of the main island of St. Vincent and the northern two-thirds of the Grenadines, which are a chain of smaller islands stretching south from St. Vincent Island to Grenada. To the north of St. Vincent lies Saint Lucia, to the east is Barbados.

"The Island is fantastic, I have loved every minute of my stay while studying here." - Former Student

Language

While the official language is English, most Vincentians speak a creole language known as Vincentian Creole. Standard English is the language used in education, government and other formal domains, while Vincentian Creole, commonly referred to as ‘dialect’, is used in informal situations such at home and among friends. The various ethnic groups may also still use their native languages such as Bhojpuri.

Climate

Be prepared to bask in a tropical climate with the warmest months between June and September, when temperatures can reach an average high of 30 degrees Celsius. You will also be kept cool by the lovely trade winds that provide a welcoming breeze all year round. From December to May the climate is cooler and absolutely exquisite.

Cultural Life

Carnival is the major cultural event. The Nine Mornings Festival takes place in Kingstown in the nine mornings preceding Christmas. While traditionally it consisted of early-morning street parades accompanied by caroling, bicycle races, and other festivities, the focus now in Kingstown is on early-morning street concerts.

Kingstown has a number of cultural heritage sites. They include the Botanical Gardens (founded in 1765) and Fort Charlotte (1806); of architectural interest is the Georgian-style St. George’s (Anglican) Cathedral.
Traditional cultural practices such as tea meetings (ceremonial speech and singing demonstrations) are occasionally held, and there has been some emphasis put on dance, drama, and music festivals. Calypso, soca (which blends traditional calypso and Indian rhythmic instruments), and Jamaican dancehall and reggae music tend to dominate the country’s music charts.

Recreation

There are many activities for students to enjoy in between their studies. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is internationally renowned for the clarity and calm of their waters. The island is especially known for its exceptional beaches and diving spots.

St. Vincent also has its own cricket, soccer and rugby leagues. The Arnos Vale Sports Complex, in Kingstown, has become a popular venue for one-day international cricket matches. Over the years, Vincentian cricketers have represented the West Indies in international cricket tournaments and have played professionally in England. Vincentians are equally fond of football (soccer); the national team has played in the Caribbean Cup and the Gold Cup world competition.
St. Vincent is also known for it’s delicious fresh food. With it’s tropical climate and tranquil waters you will be surrounded by wonderful restaurants featuring seafood you’ll never forget! Don’t forget to also enjoy browsing the many markets, art galleries, and crafts shops on your downtime.