FAQ’s
Here is a list of frequently asked questions and our answers to them for incoming Ross spouses and families.
1. What jobs are available on the island / will I be able to find a job?
2. How big of a problem are mosquitoes and what do you do about them?
3. Do you ship boxes to the island? How do you do it and what is the cost?
4. Do you know about how much it will cost to ship a barrel?
5. What types of items would you recommend that we put in the barrel?
6. How do you all work your banking?
7. What about medical needs / dental work?
8. How hot is it?
9. Do you know of any other inexpensive options for health insurance besides the one offered through the school?
10. What is transportation like on the island?
11. I heard that there was a shuttle to Roseau on Saturdays, is this still true?
12. What is the food like on the island?
13. We are curious about getting the needed books on the island…is it better to buy them here and have them sent or to buy them there?
14. We have heard not to buy the beef at all and that only one guy on the island sells chicken breasts! We also heard that milk is not such a good idea, is this true?
15. What other medical school stuff do I need to buy here and take with me?
16. Where can we buy bicycles on the Island?
17. Where can I meet with others for worship services?
18. Do I really have to do all this stuff to get my VISA / When will I get my VISA?
19. Do I need a stroller?
20. What type of stroller should I buy?
21. Are there any playgrounds on the island?
22. Are there any stores that sell children’s clothing?
23. What have you found to be useful in keeping children entertained there?
24. What was the most difficult thing your children faced in adjusting to the island?
25. Where are good places to live with children on the island? How much is the rent?
26. Can you find baby food? Baby cereal?
27. If it’s not too personal, what is your monthly budget?
28. How is the children’s library?
29. How do I get my infant/child immunized while on the island?
30. Can you recommend any baby products that will make our stay easier?
31. Can you recommend any other products that will make a family’s stay easier?
32. Do you think that car seats are necessary or would you recommend that we have them for the kids?
1. What jobs are available on the island / will I be able to find a job?
We don’t want to get anyone’s hope up in regards to this topic. There are very few paid positions available for spouses on the island. If you want to work at the bookstore they usually have several positions to fill at the start of every semester. There are a few restaurants and/or bars that will employ spouses. Both options pay very little during the training period, and can climb to a whopping $5 US an hour. If you are a teacher with an education degree and experience there are occasional opportunities at the Ross University Preparatory School. Due to these very limited options many spouses start their own home-based business on the island. Some have found it more profitable to offer exclusive private personal training on their own. Some bake bread, some bake desserts (i.e. birthday cakes), some run a home kitchen with a menu available for students to order from, and a few have become entrepeneurs and started a profitable ice-cream selling campaign on campus. Chiropracters, Massage Therapists, and Babysitters have found sporadic jobs that have helped to keep them busy and provide some extra income. Most spouses/significant others find volunteering opportunities to keep themselves busy (since the ‘vacation’ mentality totally wears off after about 5 weeks). For more information see the Volunteering section under the Resources page.
2. How big of a problem are mosquitoes and what do you do about them?
Dominica is a humid place surrounded by rain forest so therefore, there are A LOT of mosquitoes here. There are a few select people who are unaffected by the mosquitoes here, but chances are you are going to be eaten alive during your first semester, and maybe even on into your third. If your home is near the river, mosquitoes are more of a problem, and they come out in droves during the rainy season. Deep Woods Off is a favorite here, but how much you are affected by the mosquioes depends heavily on personal body chemistry. The FDA recommends that you apply products containing DEET no more than once a day, so it is useful to have some alternatives. Baby Oil seems to work okay as a repellant, and everyone who has used it highly recommends Avon’s Skin-So-Soft. Lemon Eucalyptus Oil and Citronella spray/lotion is another option. Do not pack mosquito coil since these are available on the island. Benadryl Spray, Calamine Lotion, Sting-eeze, After bite (and after bite for kids) and Gold-Bond Anti-itch Cream are some recommended products for dealing with the aftermath of being the subject of a feeding frenzy. Pants can also be a great mosquito deterrent. Though it is very hot, some people do wear light weight pants or even jeans. Let me put it this way: the capital of Dominica used to be Portsmouth. It is now Roseau. It was moved because of the mosquitoes.
3. Do you ship boxes to the island? How do you do it and what is the cost?
(See additional information on shipping barrels below.) The best way to ship things to the island is through Tropical Shipping, but I have shipped a few packages through other services. USPS is much cheaper than Fed-Ex, but takes at least a month for you to receive your package. It is possible they may refuse to ship because of they do not deliver to a PO Box. Fed-Ex may be more expensive, but you can get your package in as little as 3 days. It depends on how much the wait is worth to you for which service I would recommend. DHL and Amerijet also ship to the island, but for my purposes they were double what I paid through Fed-Ex/USPS, though I have heard of people getting good rates through them. If you do ship a box, make sure to use the type of tape with the string in it, and you cannot use too much of it either. Dru (Value Md) suggests putting a label on every surface of the package. Follow the school’s advice for mailing address, all though you may want both spouses’ names on the package. The customs personnel will open your package, and assess customs taxes. FYI – they love children, and if you ship toys in the package and bring your child(ren) with you many families have reported being charged very little customs. Do not ship videos unless you want to pay a small fortune in customs taxes. (Electronics are also taxed heavily. Make them fit in your luggage, and ship other things.) The University recently expanded their mailroom in an effort to accommodate more packages through the campus mailroom, which will save tons of time for students receiving packages in the future. You can also ship items to Tropical Shipping and then have Tropical ship the package to the island. This can cut the shipping costs pretty nicely, but you will need to call Tropical and arrange it with them BEFORE you ship your package. This is the best and cheapest way to send things to the island, next to shipping barrels. You may call Tropical at 305-805-7500
4. Do you know about how much it will cost to ship a barrel?
You have to buy the barrel, pay for shipment, and pay for the pick-up and delivery once it’s on the island, and for any customs taxes. All of these things included, a barrel should cost between $150 - $250 (US). Barrels are about $28 to purchase, and $70-80 for shipment through Tropical Shipping in Miami.
If you are not in Miami or an area where they have drop off center, you can still arrange barrel pickup. You can arrange for a trucking company to pick up the barrels from your house and deliver it to Tropical Shipping in Miami. You can also make arrangements directly with Tropical Shipping and pay for everything (pick up fees and shipping fees) at once. You can get barrels from various places - army surplus stores, Asian markets (or Indian markets), Caribbean markets, and e-bay. These barrels are often called fiber drums.
5. What types of items would you recommend that we put in the barrel?
Any kind of specialty food that you are used to having on a regular basis, or even just for a treat. Snacks cost an arm and a leg down here (ship gold fish, any ritz products, trail mix, nuts, animal crackers, cheeze its, cheese nips, etc). If you like cereal, ship lots of it. A small box of name-brand cereal is about $13 (US). (You can’t even buy generic in the types of cereals that most kids like either.) A 24 oz bottle of maple syrup is about $8 (US). Of course it is dependent on what your family likes to eat but some of the hard to find items that could be shipped are honey, beef jerky, nutella, strawberry jam/jelly, real lemon, olive oil, cesaer salad dressing, croutons, bacon bits, PAM (very expensive here IF you can find it), balsamic vinegar, cake mix, instant mac and cheese (microwavable kind), flavored instant oatmeal, chicken noodle soup, (great for kids), canned soups for cooking, of course any ethnic foods (though a greater selection of Indian foods are available), uncommon spices, granola bars, protein bars, and anything specific you want. Hamburger helper, Lipton sides, boxed flavored rice/pastas will make your life easier so they are good things to ship. Almost all the food is expensive, but pastas, rice, sugar, flour, and oats, do not seem to be too badly priced (all though they are cheap in quality). Paper products like towels, toilet paper, etc. are more expensive than in the States, but not necessarily worth shipping (unless you have to have your favorite brand: the ones here are definitely cheap quality). Any item that you want in a high quality will be hard to find here. Diapers are the biggest thing that most families ship. The average item you ship will cost you ½ again its price in shipping, etc. unless you all ready live in Miami. Therefore, I recommend that you ship things that would cost you double the price you would pay in the States or more. BINDERS for the student. They are very expensive to purchase here and very useful. Large ones are better. If you will be shipping a large amount of items, your best option would be to ship pallets from Tropical Shipping. This way you can leave items inside the boxes and the boxes will be stacked on a 4’X4’ wooden pallet. This tower of food and supplies can be built up to 8’ high. While the actual shipping price is only slightly less than shipping barrels, you do not have to actually purchase the barrel to ship stuff in, which saves you a little money. If you are going to be shipping stuff back off the island, you may want to own the barrels.
About Customs - it is totally random. If you have expensive electronics, if you can, place them near the bottom of the barrel. The customs people do open the barrels and shift them around but usually only the top portion. If you have children, sometimes placing children’s items (toys, diapers, clothes) on the top will get less customs placed on your barrel(s) since the Dominicans love children.
6. How do you all work your banking?
I recommend opening an account with a bank that is accustomed to banking worldwide. Another good suggestion is to add someone trustworthy to the account (i.e. a parent) who can physically take care of any banking situations at home. There are a couple of Canadian banks on the island, but most students (including us) open a bank account at the Dominican National Bank which has a location on Campus. We carried close to $4,000 down with us, half of which we deposited into our new bank account. We put our rent and security deposit down, and then had enough cash to make it around the island until the debit card came in from the Dominican Bank. (A lot of the stores will take US dollars.) When the Loan check came in, it went straight into that account, but a lot of students deposit their check in their US account and then wire some of it into their Dominican Bank account.
7. What about medical needs / dental work?
Anything they can take care of within the on-campus medical clinic is free to students and their families. If they have to send out to have blood work analyzed, give you a prescription to pick up, etc. then you will have to pay for that, but it is much more affordable than in the States. There is also a clinic in Roseau where various treatments are available at prices that seem quite comparable to an average co-pay. Traveling to Roseau for emergency care can be quite expensive on the other hand. They can stitch small wounds typical to childhood adventures at the on-campus clinic and the EMT’s can contact whichever doctor is on call should you need emergency medical care during a weekend. There is a Planned Parenthood in Roseau where you can obtain contraceptives. Dental work is also remarkably affordable for generalized procedures such as regular cleanings.
Hot. Remember that Dominica is a rain forest so it retains humidity VERY WELL. The temperature varies from hot to really hot and it is likely that you will only experience the relief of an air conditioned environment when you are sleeping or when you are in a classroom. Even if you are from a HOT place in the States, you will discover that it is difficult to find relief from the heat here. More than likely, you will be walking everywhere so the sun will be directly hitting you as you do and there are hardly any shaded places for you to walk under. It is not unusual to sweat so much that you can wring moisture out of your clothes, or for your sweat to drip into your eyes, or off of your face, etc. Your cell phone will be soaked from the moment you hold it next to your ear. If you are all ready sensitive to the heat you will need to watch yourself (and especially your children) for signs of heat exhaustion. I recommend buying a good water bottle for each member of your family, and then make sure to keep them with you and filled to help prevent dehydration.
9. Do you know of any other inexpensive options for health insurance besides the one offered through the school?
Yes, it is called Atlas International and there are different deductible options. The easiest way to purchase your plan would be to call them and they can do it over the phone in about 10 minutes.
Kirk Poulson
Optimum Benefits, Inc.
(888) 825-9777
(480) 659-9846
(480) 248-2179 fax
www.internationalplan.com
kp@internationalplan.co
10. What is transportation like on the island?
1) Owning your own car
From the Ross Spouses Organization Handbook: “Owning your own car can be worthwhile, just make sure you have a respectable mechanic look at any car before you buy it to ensure it won’t die after one trip to Roseau. Once you buy your car, you must have a visitor’s license. You can obtain a license by bringing your current license to the police station in Portsmouth. You will have to pay a fee; the amount depends on when you want the license to expire. You must also have insurance (third party costs roughly 400 EC per year) and you must transfer the registration to you from the previous owner. Both of these things can be done in Roseau. Most locals and students that own cars should be able to explain it to you further.
2) Transports (equivalent to a bus)
To get a transport, stand on the side of the road and wait until you see a vehicle, usually a van, with a license plate beginning with the letter “H,” which signifies they’re “for hire.” Stick your arm out for a ride. They will either pull over for you or honk/flash their lights to signify they are full or not for hire. Most of the transports go to and from Portsmouth for EC $1.50 each way. If you want to get a transport to Roseau, ask the diver if he is headed to Roseau. Sometimes they can point out the “Roseau” driver at the taxi stop in Portsmouth for you. It costs EC$8 to Roseau each way. Hiring a transport in this fashion is safe and cheap. Most students and spouses find this way satisfactory. Sometimes you may need to hire a driver for a trip. You just need to call a driver and arrange the destination, price, pick-up time, etc. To get a phone number of a driver, ask for their name and number when you ride with them so you can call for a private trip when needed. Many have business cards. The school also gives out a list with some safe transport drivers. You can always ask a friend for a suggestion if you can’t find a driver. However, if you go further than Portsmouth (i.e. Cabrits) or have a special request, the driver may charge more. If you hire a transport or taxi for any other reason, even if it’s just to go to Roseau, it will be much more because you are hiring them out for the entire time, and they are not receiving business from anyone else. Do not be afraid to haggle for a lesser price. In addition, catching a transport is not as intimidating as you would imagine it to be. It can actually be an enjoyable experience. When you reach your destination, you just shout out “Stopping!” and if you’re in the back, someone near the front will echo it up to the driver. He/she will find a safe place to stop and will then let you off. This is when you pay the driver. They are used to students and families going to Ross and will usually anticipate you getting off at the University, but will, of course, be happy to take you to your destination. They tend to stick to the main road, but occasionally will take a side road if you request it and they are willing to do so.
3) Taxis
Hiring a taxi is also fairly easy, and remarkably inexpensive. If you have lots of groceries or want to go somewhere at night a taxi is awesome. They cost about $7 EC ($2.75 US) one-way, and $10.00 EC ($3.75 US) round-trip (in the Portsmouth area).
11. I heard that there was a shuttle to Roseau on Saturdays, is this still true?
Not only is there a free school shuttle that leaves for Roseau Saturday mornings, you can catch one any morning you want in Portsmouth for $8 EC (one way), and the Spouse’s Organization hosts monthly shopping trips for about $30 EC. The extra expense is because they hire the driver for the whole day. He drives around to the different stores and collects the bags of items you buy. At the end of the trip, the driver will bring you back to your house so you can easily get your groceries into your place. It makes shopping tons easier. It is a good idea to bring a collapsible cooler (i.e. an insulated bag) for shopping trips to Roseau. The free one only gives you enough time to shop in the market, or maybe run to one store.
From the Ross Spouse’s Organization Guide: “On the local cuisine, it should not come as a surprise that food here is quite different from that you may be accustomed to at home. What you can buy here is limited and the restaurants do not serve the variety you are probably used to from home. However, there are plenty of comparable foods to substitute for items from home. The “Shacks” offer three or four fruit and vegetable stands that have pretty-good quality items at a decent price. To get the best fresh produce, as well as meat and fish, at the best prices, go to the Saturday market at about 6:00 a.m. At the Shacks, or the market, do not be afraid to ask about items you do not recognize. The locals are usually happy to tell you something you do not know, which will probably be a lot when it comes to the produce here. Eleonore Lambert, the Ross nutritionist, has put together a Dominica cookbook that you can obtain from her office on campus, which will teach you some recipes that use Dominican foods. Also, many spouses use recipe websites, such as www.allrecipes.com,to get new ideas for meals. Mrs. Lambert also has a shack where she sells fish and healthy food every day, including some vegetarian items and fresh yogurt. Of all the shacks she is the most clean and health aware.” And on another page…“The best place and time to get fresh produce and fish is the market. There are two main markets: Portsmouth and Roseau. The Portsmouth market is open on Tuesday and Saturday, Saturday being the bigger one. It is located at the edge of Portsmouth, near the church, but on the waterfront… follow the crowds! It begins at 5:30 a.m. and goes to 1 p.m. The earlier you arrive, the more options you have. Listen for the conch shell, sounds like a horn, to announce the availability of fish and lobster. For the Roseau market, you can catch a school-scheduled transport that will leave the library by 8:30 a.m. and leaves the market by 12 p.m., or you can hire your own transport (see transportation section). The market in Roseau is obviously bigger, but by the time you get there at 9:30 your selection is limited and you have to get all your food home! It is a good idea to wash all produce bought at the market. Especially wash leafy produce very well. Everything is safe to eat; be experimental! The locals love to tell you about the produce: what it’s like, when it’s ready, how to prepare it, etc. Just ask! Try some of the following: dasheen, green bananas, or plantains instead of potatoes; fruits like papaya, mango, guava, sour sop, apricots, passion fruit, tamarinds, many types of oranges, and sugar cane. Try and go to the market as often as possible for the best, fresh produce, meats, and fish. Bring small change and a bag for your purchases.”
In addition, some of the stores will get shipments of new items that they don’t always carry. One week you may find Hot Pockets, and another week it’ll be chips. If you see something that you’ll be wanting then buy it; it will probably be gone the next time you get around to the store. Wash your produce with vinegar water. I’ve heard of many who use bleach, but vinegar does just as good a job and it’s safe to eat! Within a month of shopping on the island you will have a good feel for what items are typically available, and which are the seasonal ones. Which reminds me, the produce also goes through seasons where it will be plentiful and inexpensive, or hard to find and pricey. Even the fish available depends on the fish season! Another important note is that eggs are sold at the stores, the shacks, and the markets (in descending price order). They do not refrigerate them (this is common throughout the world) but they are safe to buy and eat. Get them in your refrigerator as soon as you buy them, and use them within a couple of weeks. If you aren’t planning on using them any time soon, wait until right before you know you’re going to eat them. If you are concerned about buying them in this manner, you can also test your eggs by floating them in water. See http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/Focus_On_Shell_Eggs/index.asp for more information. This is the USDA site on egg safety. The bread here is quite dry. Many toast it, or grill it to make it more palatable, and others choose to make their own. Getting your family to adjust to the foods that are available on the island may be one of the biggest challenges you face, depending on how picky they are. If you all ready know that you have a house full of picky eaters you should really ship food to the island either en route in Miami or Puerto Rico, or through beachgroceries.com. The Ross Spouses Organization collects recipes from spouses living on the island that can be made only from ingredients found on the island. It is a wealth of good ideas and wonderful recipes and is available for a remarkably good price. Even the professors like to buy the RSO cookbook, and I consider mine one of my best investments on the Island.
13. We are curious about getting the needed books on the island…is it better to buy them here and have them sent or to buy them there?
Luggage space and weight is so valuable to a family. I recommend finding a student currently on the island who is willing to sell their used books or wait until you get to the island and see which books you really need. It is also true that different students like different books, that the books recommended for certain courses are not necessarily the best ones to pass the course with, and that the bookstore may not get the book you want in at the time you want/need it by. The students here are really good at cooperating and sharing with each other regarding which texts help them the most. “Island Thrift” is a thrift store on the island ran by a student and her spouse. They sponsor a limited book buy back and resell the used ones at a reasonable discount, but you will be more likely to get a good deal by finding a student willing to sell to you directly.
14. We have heard not to buy the beef at all and that only one guy on the island sells chicken breasts! We also heard that milk is not such a good idea, is this true?
You don’t want to locally grown beef but USDA approved beef (in steak form or ground) is available. Most of the families and spouses order their meat from Malcolm Stephen’s and Sons. This is a wholesale distributor who sells meat to the Shacks. We bought a box of 24 large boneless skinless chicken breasts and a box of hamburger patties (from Brazil) for about $120 US (we break the patties down and use it as ground beef). Buying a box of each can be enough meat for an average family in one semester. Other types of meat available from Malcolm are shrimp, bacon, breakfast sausages, ground turkey, ground chicken and pork chops. Various chicken pieces are typically available at Tina’s, as are a variety of other forms of meat. One day it may be ribs, another day Angus burgers, another day steak, or maybe pig snouts… you get the idea. Also, pay attention to the cooler you are buying the meat from. If it’s sitting there barely colder than room temperature, don’t buy it!
Yes, the milk here is different than it is in the States, but it’s similar to elsewhere in the world. You can buy “shelf” milk which will stay good for months just sitting at room temperature (unopened). Many students and spouses find that “shelf” milk is the closest thing available to the milk in the States. Powdered milk is the other popular alternative. It seems to be sold only in full-cream form, giving it a creamier and sweeter taste than a skimmed powder. Try differemt brands to see which you preferred the most. Others buy flavored soy milk which is quite tasty and healthy. Evaporated milk is also available.
15. What other medical school stuff do I need to buy here and take with me?
We bought almost all of the recommended supplies before coming. Buying your school supplies second hand would definitely be a good option and your next best option is to buy them before you come. The prices the bookstore charges for these items are outrageous. They sell a lab coat for about $24 more than what you could find in the States. I suggest finding the closest medical school and shopping at their bookstore. It may cost some money to drive there, but it would probably cost you more to buy all of your supplies through the bookstore here. We checked many medical supply places for the required school supplies, but they didn’t carry most of the items we needed.
16. Where can we buy bicycles on the Island?
The roads here are riddled with potholes, and closely resemble a mountain switchback that was constructed poorly and remains unrepaired. Many roads are made from concrete, dirt, or rock. The inclines alone make even biking treacherous and suitable only for the well-conditioned athlete. It is difficult to take a picture with a camera that does justice to the rugged conditions. Still, there are students who ride bicycles here and you might be able to find bicycles for sale at Court’s and Best Buy in Portsmouth, and several additional stores in Roseau. You may also be able to locate a used bicycle by from other students. The best way to ship a bike it to find one that folds up and place it in your barrel. Don’t forget the lock to go with it.
17. Where can I meet with others for worship services?
The Ross Adventist Fellowship sponsored a special guest speaker at the start of the semester. The Ross Catholic Association meets on campus, both on Sundays and Rosary on Wednesdays. The Ross Christian Fellowship is a non-denominational Christian group of students and families who meet on campus. Services are suspended during breaks. The Ross Evangelical Ministry has a prayer meeting on campus Wednesday nights, and offers bus service from the main gate for Friday evening and Sunday morning worship services. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints meets in a brand new green building in Portsmouth, across the street from Best Buy. Meetings begin at 9:00 AM every Sunday, visitors are welcome. The Coptic Orthodox Student Association meets on Sundays on campus. There are Hindu student services available. The Jewish Student Association meets on Fridays on campus. The Masjid is located across the street from campus, in between the main gate and RUH. Services are conducted on Friday during the campus lunch hour, with 5 daily prayers in Jamat, Daily Iftars, and Taraweeh prayers during Ramadan. Some additional churches located in the Portsmouth area include Jehovah’s Witness, Catholic, Methodist, Anglican, Baptist, Episcopal, Church of Christ and Seventh-Day Adventist (this list is not inclusive, but based on simple observation). The outside walls of the Library feature a large variety of bulletin cases which are sponsored by a variety of student organizations. To find out when and where on campus these religious groups meet you can simply take a quick stroll around the building. There are also a variety of flyers posted in the area with various purposes from students selling items, to party announcements, to invitations to special religious or campus events. Another great opportunity to find a Student Association is at the Student Government Association Carnival which is held in the first month of every semester.
18. Do I really have to do all this stuff to get my VISA / When will I get my VISA?
Yes, just do what they want you to do. Call your bank and have them write you the statement. Really, all they want to know is that you’re not going to come here and become a vagrant, or get the entire island sick. It takes some time and money, but don’t stress about it. Try to get it done before you come because it’ll be easier to get all the requirements done at home, but don’t stress about trying to get it done 3 months before you step foot on the island. Most students get their VISAs somewhere around their third or fourth semester. Most spouses never see their VISA. As you enter the country, they stamp your passport with a “temporary” one that is supposed to be good for like three months, but nobody seems to have had any problems leaving and re-entering either. If you know you are leaving and coming back and just want to be sure there will be no problems you can have the student go to the administration office and have them write a letter saying that you are accompanying your significant other and have applied for a VISA. When you go through customs if they ask about it you can simply say “Yeah, my __________ is attending Ross, and I’m accompanying them. I’ve all ready applied for my VISA but haven’t gotten it yet.” That’s really all they want to know. I even know a girl who didn’t apply for a VISA until she’d all ready been here a couple of months and she’s left the island and come back several times and nobody has ever said anything to her about it. The VISA thing is new for Dominica and Ross, so I think they are still kind of figuring the whole system out.
Yes, if you have young children and do not plan to buy a car, you need a stroller. Even if you live close to campus, you will need a stroller. If your child is four or younger, you will want a really good stroller. If your 3-5 year old isn’t used to walking and you won’t be buying a car and you live over a mile away from campus…. You get the idea. I honestly thought we could do it without a stroller. My daughters were 3 (nearly 4) and 5 (nearly 6) when we moved to the island. Within the first 5 days I made arrangements for my stroller to be shipped to me, wishing I’d just brought it from the beginning. (Check with your airline to see if you can check it plane-side without it counting towards your baggage allotment.)
20. What type of stroller should I buy?
The stroller you bring to the island may be the single most important item you pack, depending on the age(s) of your child(ren). It will function almost as a car. Universally recommended by every spouse who has ever owned and/or pushed a BOB stroller on the island, I was still uncertain if I really wanted to pay that much for a stroller. BOB strollers are worth every penny. If you plan on purchasing a car, then you could quite easily make do with a low to mid quality jogging style stroller. Jeep is another good quality stroller and is classified as a camping/jogging/all-terrain stroller. Another pushes a Bugaboo and loves it. Bugaboo strollers may be the most expensive, but they are extremely versatile, and easy to maneuver. You can also get an attachment that allows for a bassinet which could be a great option for a newborn. I push a Burley, which is technically a bicycle trailer with a jogging attachment. My children are older and I love to bike, I selected it for the large cargo space and because I will love using it as a bike trailer when I return to the States. I’ve seen many lower to mid end quality strollers – even the expensive ones – that do not last more than one semester over the rough terrain (i.e. In-Step). A good test for a potential stroller would be picturing yourself pushing it up and down 3 flights of stairs every day and taking it “off-roading” on a daily basis. If you will be taking advantage of the transports and doing a lot of shopping either in Portsmouth or Roseau an umbrella-type stroller can be useful, but it will be totally trashed if you push it up and down the roads between campus and your home. While you can patch and replace inner tubes on the Island, it is a good idea to bring a few spares, just in case. You can fill tires with the compressor on campus in the building directly opposite the playground, but a hand pump can still be handy. Green Slime in your inner tubes will help them withstand the occasional thorn, and 3-in-1 oil will help you to keep the moving parts from rusting. Rain-covers are a must as they will not only keep your little one(s) dry, but will also protect your investment. Buy a good quality bicycle lock for your stroller.
21. Are there any playgrounds on the island?Yes, there is a playground at the preparatory school on campus. It looks like it came straight out of the 70s – except that it’s definitely not that old. It’s made of wood and includes 2 ‘big kid’ swings, 1 toddler swing, 1 tire swing, monkey bars with a rope tied onto them, 1 slide, and 2 sets of gymnastics style rings. The playground is surrounded by sand, which we were warned contains parasites. You are encouraged to keep shoes on your child at all times while playing on and around the sand. My 3 year old can remove her shoes herself and this is a constant battle. There are some grassy fields that your child(ren) can run around on to their heart’s content. There are also endless piles of rocks and gravel, gutters, and 
other dangerous and highly attractive things to play on and in for your average pre-schooler. My daughters’ favorite place to play is the beach, but we spend far more time on the playground since my oldest attends the school. It can get sweltering in the afternoon, and we always need to cool down after we’ve been to the playground. We also require daily sunscreen to not burn while on the playground. There is also a playground at the “Brizee Mart” one of the Spouses Organization’s favorite shopping spots about a 40 minute drive from campus. This is a great place because it is more shaded than the playground at school AND there is an ice cream palour right next to it.
22. Are there any stores that sell children’s clothing? Yes, but finding what you need in a size that’s useful at a reasonable price… well, let’s just say you would need to do a whole lot of shopping, and it would take a lot of time to find the items you will be looking for. If you have a car this will be a lot more likely, but clothing, like all shopping here, is pretty hit and miss. They have a saying here “If you see something you use, buy all of it because you never know if you’ll ever see it again.” While a bit generalized, this can be a good piece of advice. I brought (hopefully) enough clothes for my girls for the next 16 months, and am very glad that I did. The shopping is much better in Roseau, which is about an hour drive. Having your own vehicle would definitely make shopping in Roseau easier.
23. What have you found to be useful in keeping children entertained there?
The school. Most of the mothers with pre-schoolers tend to enroll them in the part day program and use it at their discretion. This allows them to play in an air-conditioned environment with other children their age. I love being a ‘stay-at-home Mom’ but my daughter would have benefited from the social interaction at the day school, even on an occasional basis. We brought some toys that my girls play with every day, and bought some toys from a student getting ready to leave the island, and I still feel like they don’t have enough to play with. I shipped some coloring books, paper, markers and crayons which are also very popular with my children. We also converted our entire movie collection to iPod format and watch movies on the laptop or the iPod, or even hook the iPod up to the TV which has been extremely useful. If you don’t have an iPod, a portable DVD play would be a great idea. We go to the beach quite regularly, and having sand toys, life jackets, and snorkeling equipment makes our time at the beach much more entertaining. The pool has re-opened since the May ‘08 semester and can be used by all Ross University affiliates. Kids LOVE going to the pool so this is a great option as well.
24. What was the most difficult thing your children faced in adjusting to the island?
You will be amazed at how your child will adjust to life on the island much faster than you will. We have times when the girls will get unreasonably irritable, and I’ll realize they are just too hot, so we’ll find a way to cool down – the beach, an air-conditioned room, the Ross University Housing pool or even just playing in the shower for 10 minutes. For us, personally, the hardest thing is that the girls are picky eaters, and the foods they like most can be difficult or near impossible to find here. They also miss their friends and family, so video calls through Skype has become one of their favorite activities, and the way we spend Sunday afternoons. Another common problem for the older children is that there might not be any other children their age (or of the same age and sex) attending the school. This can make it difficult for them to develop close friendships with another child. Having a way for them to communicate with friends at home is a must.
25. Where are good places to live with children on the island? How much is the rent?
Many of the families live in Glanvillia, or on the edge of Picard towards Glanvillia. There are different options and it depends on your family’s needs. There is a higher chance you will find a place with a washer (and dryer) in Glanvillia than you would in places closer to campus. Some families are okay with sending out their laundry while others prefer to have a place where one is included. You can find 2 bedroom apartments closer to campus, but they tend to be smaller and/or more expensive. I’ve seen beautiful 3 bedroom apartments so close to the campus that the walk is simply a stroll for $1400 a month. We hike a mile to get to campus and there’s a great hill that can really get your heart pumping, but we’re only paying $650 a month for 3 bedrooms. Two bedroom apartments range from about $700 -$1200.There are places a little closer at a better rate, but it’s kind of hit and miss as to when they are available. Many of the apartments around campus do not allow families with children. The best way to secure housing is to find a sponsor who can help arrange housing for you. Spouses are often aware of good apartments that are going to be available for the next semester and they can help you secure it. There are also homes available to rent around the island that would be a good option if you have your own transportation.
26. Can you find baby food? Baby cereal?
There is a very limited selection available at Tina’s grocery store, and occasionally you can find a decent selection in Roseau. Many parents choose to make their own, which is probably the best thing to do. Making your own is much more economical, and you can control exactly what your baby is ingesting. I would certainly recommend bringing one of those tiny food processors/grinders that you can use to make baby food with, all though you can occasionally find them on the island for more than double what they cost in the States. In addition, there are some grocery/barrel services that you can employ to ship groceries to the island which cost more than you would normally spend, but less than what you’d pay at some of the stores on the island. One of these services is called Beach Groceries and you can look them up online (beachgroceries.com). If you can, ship what you think you need - especially baby formula. If you run out, you can get some but more than likely you will have to go to Roseau to buy it.
27. If it’s not too personal, what is your monthly budget?
This has a lot of do with how much rent you pay, how much electricity you use per month and your grocery/dining bill. We were really stressed about this when we were preparing for our move, but the families we were in touch with on the island reassured us that our loans were going to be enough for us to live off of. Not as comfortably as we did in the States, but that is to be expected I suppose. Electricity is pretty expensive here. The electricity consumption is different for everyone because this is dependent on your needs. It can range from $150 up to $500. We were told about $200 a month, which is probably average for the whole year . 
We spent $300 in May and only ran our air conditioners at night and unplugged everything when we weren’t using it and only used lights if we were in that room. You will probably spend more during the summer months (May- Sept) and less during the winter. It is not uncommon for a family to run out of money before the start of the new semester, nor is it uncommon to take out a Sallie Mae loan for assistance to arrive on the island with your entire family. Remember, the amount of Staffor and Grad Plus loan money you receive is the same whether you are a single student or a student with a family of four (or more). If you are careful, and budget wisely, you can reasonably live and stay within your student loans. That may seem contradiactory, but my point is that both situations occur. Whether your family falls into one or the other will depend on how comfortable you live on the island, how many members there are in your family, and whether or not you know how to set a budget and live within it.
28. How is the children’s library?
It is basically a row of shelves on one wall in the Preparatory School. They are working on expanding the library. Each child is allowed to check out 3 books at a time. There is also a book locker that belongs to the Spouse’s Organization with novels in it for adults, and additional novels available to borrow in the Student Government Association’s lounge. There is a small library in Portsmouth which you can borrow books from. Living on Dominica also gives you the right to use the Portsmouth Library, near St. John’s elementary school.
29. How do I get my infant/child immunized while on the island?
Immunizations cost about $200 EC per trip (about $75 US). Receiving immunizations is not like the normal visits that you have in the States, the doctor does the height and weight and does the shots but does not give you information like percentiles for height and weight. The doctor doesn’t go over developmental questions. In Roseau they are much more thorough then the doctor on campus in regards to these issues, but it will also cost you slightly more money. You may also show up at your scheduled time only to find out the Doctor will not be there that day. Welcome to the island. They’ll reschedule you and then you can try again in a week or so. A note to breast-feeding mothers many new mothers lose their milk after arriving on the island due to combined factors such as stress and dehydration. You will need to drink a lot more water than you did at home to maintain an adequate milk supply, and you will also need to drink plenty of milk. You may want to bring a bottle to the island so that you can supplement your baby with water/Pedialyte/Gatorade/gelatin water to keep the little one from becoming dehydrated. (Bring some Pedialyte with you for an emergency)
30. Can you recommend any baby products that will make our stay easier?
Baby Bjorn and other infant carriers are highly recommended. You can also look into Amby Baby for a baby “hammock” that turns into a jumper as baby gets older (in place of a crib). If you don’t want to ship a crib or purchase one here, a pack and play would be a great alternative to a crib. Diapers - lots and lots of diapers. Many of the Moms who have used the local diapers have reported that their baby has ended up with a fungal infection. If you can’t ship diapers to the island you may want to look into re-usable diapers with the disposable inserts. Baby wipes (and lots of them). A baby food grinder operated by hand is a great option. Disposable baby towels that have the baby bath soap all ready in them are fantastic for traveling or just on-the-go. The Dominicans have great compassion and love for children, and practice and preach “It takes a village to raise a child.” It is also appropriate in their culture for a young mother to stay home all the time with her newborn. Most will not expose their baby to a public setting until they are about walking age. You will get a lot of advice on how to care for your baby. It is all meant well, and it is not unusual for it to be contradictory. They also understand that we are accustomed to taking our babies with us in public.
31. Can you recommend any other products that will make a family’s stay easier?
A really good quality stroller (see #2.) Keen sandals/shoes or high quality hiking sandals. They are worth every penny. I’ve worn out a good pair of flip-flops within a 2 week period, my daughter wore through the bottom of two different pairs of crocs last semester – our Keens still look like they are hardly used and we wear them ALL the time. If your child will be growing through shoes quickly try to find the sturdiest cheap shoes you can find. Think along the lines of hiking shoes, only you want them to breathe well. An external hard drive for the student. A video iPod and external hard drive with your entire movie collection. A second laptop for the spouse at home. Small containers of play-doh. Games. High quality water bottles for everyone old enough to carry their own (children attending the school must bring a water bottle from home for use during the day, even if it’s an old rinsed out Gatorade bottle). If you are going to use Vonage bring a box from the States. Ant traps/poison. It’s a good idea to have a way to store water for emergencies. Wal-Mart sells lightweight collapsible 5 gallon water jugs for a great price. (You should store a minimum of 3 gallons per person at all times). Magic Erasers. Toys, toys, toys!!! Especially water toys for both the pool and the beach. Bring snorkling gear for the whole family.
32. Do you think that car seats are necessary or would you recommend that we have them for the kids?
No unless you plan on purchasing a car. Even then, most people do not use carseats. If you have an infant, it might be a good idea since they lock into travel system strollers. I don’t think most of the transports even have seatbelts. It’s nothing like the States in this regard. There’s not even a speed limit. The drivers also routinely pack their transports completely full. We’re talking something the size of a mini-van that has extra fold down seats down the left hand side where the aisle is. The average transport you’ll catch on a daily basis seats 12 including the driver, but then again, sometimes there are 15 squeezed into one. Young children are expected to sit on the mother’s lap when the transport fills up, but they are also free to ride with (usually). There’s not really a hard and fast rule for what they charge for children and at what age they charge for the child. We pay 0.75 EC for the oldest and assume the youngest is free. So far all the drivers have seemed fine with that. In a nut shell, no, they’re not worth bringing unless you’ll have your own vehicle. Even then I would probably only use an infant car seat rather than trying to pack booster seats for every child between the ages of 1 and 13, but yes, if you will be buying your own vehicle an infant carrier or a car seat would be a great idea.