FIRST TIME IN JAMAICA? – Welcome to your new home

If you’re coming to Jamaica for the first time, welcome to what will surely be your home away from home.  As you arrive however, there are some important things that you need to consider. 

Remember that you should try and get settled into the place you’ll call home well before your classes begin.  If, for some reason, the living arrangement you made falls through or you don’t like the accommodation you’ll have time to make other arrangements.  If you wait until the start of the semester, you may find it harder to find accommodation because the closer it gets to the new school year, the greater the demand for places to rent and therefore the higher the rental for whatever accommodations are left. 

Ignore all of the above if you’re fortunate to get a place in hall.  If not, the Lodgings Office in the Office of Students Services will have a list of approved available places. 

Leaving home to live in a new country can be traumatic at first, especially if you’re going to be on your own for the first time.  We know that at first you’ll feel more comfortable around others from your homeland, but as you get familiar with your new surroundings, take time to explore your new home and meet new people.

Most people agree that the UWI, Mona Campus is one of the most beautiful campuses in the Western Hemisphere so explore and enjoy the beauty around you.  Several landmarks that you should explore are the 18th century Mona Chapel, the beautiful Chapel Gardens and the ruins of the aqueduct, which served the former Mona Estate.

 There are also many interesting places to visit off-Campus. UWI, Mona  is a just up the road from cinemas, shopping malls, restaurants and theatres ready to help you develop an active social life.  For the nature lover get involved in a hike to the Blue Mountains to New Castle or Holliwell National Park or as you get more familiar with your surroundings, make a trip to the University’s beach at Lyssons in St Thomas or the famous Dunns River Falls in St. Ann.  Whatever you do, make sure you have a rich and well-rounded experience including meeting new people and making friends from near and far.