Moving to St. Kitts for school was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Like most students, I spent weeks researching what to pack, where to live, and what island life would be like. Looking back, there are a few things I wish I had known before I boarded that plane.
If you're preparing for your move, here are eight things I wish I knew before coming to St. Kitts.
1. Bring Extras of Your Favourite Products
Yes, St. Kitts has grocery stores, pharmacies, and beauty supply stores. You'll find most everyday essentials without any problems. However, if you have a favourite shampoo, face cream, skincare brand, makeup product, or specialty item that you absolutely love, bring extras with you. While many products are available locally, specific brands can be difficult to find, more expensive, or may not always be in stock.
Having a few months' supply of your favourite products can save you time, money, and frustration and you can always have friends and family bring down items for you when they visit or you can restock when you go home for break.
2. Live Where You'll Be Happy—Not Necessarily Closest to Campus
Before moving, I was obsessed with finding a place as close to campus as possible. I thought a shorter commute would make my life easier.
What I didn't realize was that where you live has a huge impact on your overall happiness. Some students prefer being close to restaurants, beaches, gyms, or quieter neighbourhoods. Others enjoy living with a view or having more outdoor space.
A ten or fifteen minute drive is worth it if you're living somewhere you truly enjoy coming home to after a long day of classes and studying.
3. Explore Local Food and Produce
It's easy to fall into the habit of buying the same foods you ate back home no matter the cost, but one of the best parts of living in St. Kitts is discovering local produce and island cuisine.
Fresh mangoes, papayas, bananas, breadfruit, coconut, and seasonal fruits are readily available and often incredibly affordable and so much more flavourful than imported vegetables and fruit. Local dishes give you a chance to experience the culture while supporting local businesses.
Some of my favourite meals ended up being dishes I had never heard of before arriving on the island.
4. Grocery Stores Have Everything You Need—But Learn the Best Days to Shop
One of the biggest worries many students have before arriving is whether they'll be able to find food and household supplies. The good news is that grocery stores on the island carry everything you need for day-to-day living. The trick is learning when shipments arrive and which days are best for shopping.
After a few weeks, you'll figure out which stores tend to have the freshest produce, when shelves are fully stocked, and the best times to avoid crowds. Once you learn the rhythm, grocery shopping becomes easy.
5. Make Time for Yourself Outside of School
School is demanding, and it's easy to feel guilty about taking a break, but one thing I learned quickly is that constantly studying isn't sustainable. You need time to recharge.
Whether it's going for a walk, meeting friends for dinner, spending an afternoon at the beach, or simply watching the sunset, taking care of yourself is just as important as your coursework. Students who seemed happiest and most successful were the ones who made time for both school and life and the time you are on island will pass in a heartbeat so really stop and enjoy the simple things during your time on island.
6. Pack Sunscreen and Sunglasses
This sounds obvious, but don't underestimate the Caribbean sun. With no real change in season the sun shines all the time so good sunscreen and quality sunglasses quickly become everyday essentials. Even short walks between classes or errands around town can add up to a lot of sun exposure.
Bring products you already know work well for you, reapply frequently and pack more than you think you'll need for your first few months and then restock when you go home for break.
7. Bring Your Snorkel Gear and Enjoy the Outdoors
One of the greatest things about living in St. Kitts is that some of the best activities are completely free. Bring your snorkel gear if you have it. The island offers beautiful beaches, clear water, hiking trails, scenic viewpoints, and endless opportunities to get outside.
When exams and assignments start piling up, spending a few hours in nature can make a huge difference to your stress levels. Some of my favourite memories from school weren't in the classroom—they were exploring the island with friends made both in school and from the community.
8. Don't Pack a Suitcase Full of Shoes
If you're anything like me, you might be tempted to bring shoes for every possible occasion.
Don't.
Most students quickly settle into a simple rotation: sneakers, flip-flops, and a comfortable pair of sandals. That's it. The island lifestyle is casual, the weather is warm year-round, and you'll likely wear the same few pairs over and over again. Save the luggage space for things you'll actually use.
Final Thoughts
School is challenging no matter where you study, but living in St. Kitts offers experiences you'll remember long after graduation.
My biggest advice? Don't spend your entire 2.5 years focused only on school. Study hard, absolutely—but also explore the island, meet new people, try new foods, enjoy the beaches, and embrace the adventure.
The textbooks will always be there. Your time living in paradise won't.
Make the most of every moment.
Katie C
DVM Class 2027