My advice to most Caribbean parents is to try their very best to send their children to college in the USA, Canada or England, if they can afford it. And I use the word “if” so no one will misunderstand me.
An education in any of these countries will help them compete anywhere in the world.
There are some who will disagree, but it’s the truth. Even if you are a principal anywhere in the Caribbean you have to go back to school to be a teacher in the USA, unless the degree you have is affiliated with a college in one of these countries.
Someone with a driver’s license in the Virgin Islands can’t drive in the USA, unless he/she takes a driving test again, so an education in the Caribbean can only help you in the Caribbean, not in the USA. That’s why it’s important for most parents to try their best if they can and see that their children get a student visa, and study in one of these Countries.
God blessing to all in Jesus name.
@rev: @rev: I’m leaving all for you,you’re not the only one who has lived in the Virgin Island.I know some one who has lived in the VI since 1983 and went to Atlanta in 2001 and could not drive until she took a test.
@Diva 2 the bone<@Diva 2 the bone: I’m leaving all for you,you are not the only one who has lived in the V.I,I know some one who has lived in the Vingin Island since 1983 and she went to Atlanta in 2001 and could not drive until she took a test.I don’t know anyone by the name of Diva 2 the bone.
@Diva 2 the bone: My sister live in st.Thomas since 1983,and she went to Atlanta in 2001 and she had to take a test,so all state are not the same.do your home work,look like you know it all.
Uncle Rawlins that thing about the drivers license is not true remember I lived in St. Thomas before moving to New York and all they did was switch the license. I did not have to do no written test or road test how can you say that and you never had a Virgin Islands license. This is your niece talking do research before posting things to the public.
May God give you wisdom to be an example to us all.
pastor are you are encouraging parents to send their kids out of Dominica for a college education, or must I say you are looking for an exodus of the Dominica youths . Do you really think those kids are going to return to the island upon completing their education? The cost ot these colleges are so high that majority of the time these kids are unable to complete the college education in the U.S.A. It is not that simple unless you are the one who is willing to pay these college tuitions. I was in Dominica after completing five years of high school and my family could not afford to send me to College in Dominica in the late 80’s but thankfully I got residential status in the U.S.A and I was able to work fulltime while going to school to obtain my Nursing Degree without obtaining any Loans ,otherwise who knows when I would be done paying for student loans. Instead of encouraging parents to send their kids out out of the country for an education why don’t you try working on ways improve the college education system and post College job availability in Dominica. We all know after completing their college degrees these kids are not going to return to Dominica cause there may be no jobs for their degrees.
@Just giving my two cents: Where did you learn that, Please don’t fool yourself,you should be smarter than that.
I think that a Caribbean education is a good basis to start. However, the reality of the situation is – the AMERICAN/CANADIAN degrees are more easily accepted. It is far easier to go back to school than to have your education be accreditted and given the status it deserves.
If one has no immediate prospects of going somewhere else to study – take the Caribbean education. If one is intending to go out to pursue an education – far better chances in the foreign markets with their kinds of degrees.
But do not be fooled – a CARIBBEAN education is far superior than the American/ british/ Canadians. The things we learn in primary school – they learn in college.
try sitting through a college English course and hearing a student ask “is “is a verb”…. then you’d appreciate our what they consider “basic’ education
Sorry – But Caribbean eductaion will always be superior – but it is limited in the number of doors it can open.
lol yall tripping hard on here im reading these comments and lets just learn to agree to disagree …….and its a good idea…. but when young kids like myself travel out of dominica we dont wonna come back so just now da country empty and we need young pple to keep the country afloat..it would be good if we use our energy to help build dominica but unfortunately we helping to build other places because skerrit dem is *(*&^%$#reezz
i had a virgin island license and i was driving in the usa (in tx) so get that fact right i just switched it over no driving test was needed but what you said is true though about the college classes and programs we do in the caribbean when you enter the US they dont accept ur documents you have to do all that over because they dont look at our schools as being accredited
good point ….but the next thing is what percentage of parents can afford to send their kids uphere to get a degree because they can harldy afford college in EC dollars muchless for US im 20 thanks to jah i have a greencard i can work and pay for my school uphere no parents needed
Understand where you are coming from as getting a degree from 1 of these institutions can save you time in some senses however to work in a country where you are not born requires a work permit and that can be pesky as well…
Your sentiment and opinion applies to those who wish to migrate and find work in those countries or who are not exactly dedicated to staying in their country
Also doing a degree with UWI (which is vastly cheaper) can remove up to 2 years in tuition and studies from a US University which saves alot of money
Not everything is so straight forward in the end it all depends on the Individuals as graduating does not guarantee you a top job or make you marketable in all aspects as there are people EVERYWHERE who have graduated, have degrees (some with honors), and live hand to mouth as they cannot find gainful employment
Just because you have a degree doesn’t mean you are guaranteed a job and the GLOBAL unemployment crisis only contributes as evidence
Maybe in some cases that is true, i don’t know. But what i do know is that people here in England who have a degree from an American University are told that it is not equivalent to the UK, and they cannot work in areas they want. So not all cases pastor…. And my UWI degree is highly accepted over here. There are special qualifications needed to teach in the USA, but its not all subject areas that are affected. I have a drivers licence in England, and I was told I would have to do a test in the States. Cannot confirm because I haven’t tried, but i got it from a reliable source. So don’t paint a negative picture of our caribbean.
True facts my brother. You ‘re right, and i understand where you ‘re coming from. Your statement on studying in the U.S is an advantage for our kids in Dominica. People need to realised that an American education is accepted all over the world .That is the truth, so why you guys jumping like frog trying to pretend that he is not telling the truth. You will ask the least educated person in your society this question, and they would tell you he is right. Remember he said competitive if you guys are so smart and intelligent read carefully. It is prestige, and this is not only an international problem. It is also a problem in the United States with students who graduated from Havard, princetown,Howard, penn state, compared to those who graduated from lower class universities. It is not about education it is a class issue. I got a masters in Psychology from the U.S and you got your masters from china or cuba, and we’ll applying for the same job in DA my chances of getting that job is higher. This is happening all around the world.
@naturelover: You are a fool,you have no understanding,read and understand what the man wrote.no wonder we are so backwards,no understanding.
HEY #just noticeing# you got your facts all wrong,-maybe you are one of those wearing Sun-Glasses at night and wondering why you cannot see properly—Fact–more Dominican students have graduated from Cuba, than the Usa,SO WHEN YOU ADD those from UWI,VENEZUELA,CHINA,ETC,YOU KNOW THATA IS SERIOUS HUMAN RESOURCE TALENT FOR A SMALL ISLAND…
Would humbly suggest pastor that you do some research before exposing your ignorance on this issue–seems like you need to be ##seriously re-educated…..Are you aware that Caribbean students are among the top-performers at Universities in the USA , and that many programmes are completed in less time due to credits obtained,,,,,,,,,,Do you know that all the University of the West Indies Campuses graduates are accepted all over,,,,,Do, you know that the Diplomas etc from Graduates from Universities in Cuba are accepted in USA,,CANADA,ENGLAND,etc—and many has done phd`s etc based on the same Diplomas—, Seems like you need to emancipaTE YOURSELF FROM THIS MENTAL SLAvery and Colonial mentality …MY MY MY —YOU ARE SO SO, OFF TRACK
what about Germany, the smartest country in the world. what about European countries?
@eyes: There are Doctors and lawyers from China,India,Japan,etc with their degree that can’t work in the USA. most of them work as dish washer in the states, with a degree from the USA you can work anywhere in the World.so don’t try to fool yourself,your degree in the West Indies is only good for the Caribbean.
maybe you should talk about education in the east.. the west never makes anyone see what happens in the east.. say japan, china etc.. these places too have excellent resources set in place.. though where we study may have an effect on our education.. it is a minimal one.. education comes through hard work, dedication and discipline, and if we try to do so, no matter which country we study.. we will all be equally competent..
something which really bothers me…. why do we always try to flee to the so called bigger nations? why cant we set those resources in our own dominica, our own caribbean, and be proud of what “home” produces?
no matter where you are, people success can be a reality, but only for those who pursue it
..i’m in china and loving it..
I graduated from UWI with BSc First Class Honours. At my work place there are quite a few people who did study in the Unites States. I see nothing, nothing to suggest that anyone of the employees who studied in the US is more knowledgable are even “as knowledgable” than us UWI graduates.
I am doing my Grad programme with a US institution. I believe these may be of a higher quality, However, not the first degrees, for that UWI is superior,
That’s the [stupidest] comment posted ever. Are you saying that japanese, chinese, australians and our own caribbean folks who study at their home universities are less [more foolish] educated than those who study in U.S.A and Canada? That their chances of a job is increased? Wheather they do sh… or not. Not all who study in America or Canada do well Mr. Pastor. A lot of them are still mediocre, doing mediocre jobs. You don’t get an education by successfully paying all your tuition fees. You apply yourself to do good wheather you are in Venezuela, Cuba,U.W I,China or anywhere. The greatest techological advancement came from Japan.
@been through it: This is BS. In all the education systems there are electives and prerequsits to Law
Pastor Pacquette, I guess I am just not seeing the point in this article. Have you ever considered that many of us have NO interest in migrating to North America or elsewhere and plan to remain in the Caribbean to make our contribution? As a proud UWI graduate and someone who could have studied in the US for free, I would be happy to send my kids to whatever university would be best suited to the discipline that they select, whether it be in the US, UK, Canada or the Caribbean. Hopefully, their choice and mine will remain UWI, right here in the Caribbean.
These days there is no guarantee of a job just because you have a college degree. The future looks bleak for those who have graduated in the last year in the U.S.. Borrowing to finance a college education is a no no. Under Obamacare, the U.S. Govt. essentially owns you for 10 yrs. to pay back that money under the Stafford loans. College educations are not what they were trumped up to be. Money is often better spent learning a trade, especially those that are in demand.
There is a lot of brainwashing going on in these “instituitons of higher learning.”
@Park it pastor: You are an idiot,look around and see who has the better jobs anywhere in the Caribbean,fool.most of them get their education in the good old USA.Most Leaders in the Island study in the States,even your own leader.the man knows what he is talking about.
An educational opportunity in North america is really competitive as compared to one in the caribbean. Firstly in universities in UK, US and Canada, you have to complete years of school compared to three at UWI or other universersities. You can selective a number of free elctives. lets take at the law program. In most north american countries, one cant just enter into the law program straight from high school or college. You must first acquire a first degree then move on into the law program. this therefore means that you come out the best of the best.
While I am very pro-education, we also have to be very careful when sending our children overseas. The picture is not as perfect as they portray it.
take a look at you leaders’ children. Where are their children studying. very few (and i mean few) are in Libya, Cuba, China and Venezuela. Their kids are in the US, Canada and UK. Look at Petter St Jean daughter: US Former Press secretary siblings: US, UK and CAN, Former PM Pierre Charles daughter:US. I can continue. Why did some start venezuela even New Mexico and switch to US.
I agree with this article IF you can’t afford it hell go online but choose wisely.
i do not believe that it is the issue of an education in usa, canada or uk that makes us competitive in this world. But i do strongly believe in education as it opens us up to opportunities that were not otherwise available to us.
to park it pastor: education whether in the caribbean or one of the earlier mentioned countries does not prepare us to migrate but gives us an opportunity to fight the injustices all around us.
an example; we who choose to remain on island and pay our taxes diligently should be given an opportunity to buy a car (tax free for say 5 years of continual service to this country at these mega salaries) and or build a house tax free (after say 10years of continual service to this island )
instead , the governments (all of them, dating from back in the days of Freedom ) punish us for living on this island and rewards the retires of canada england and the usa who spent their entire lives paying taxes to another country under the guise of tax exemptemtions to returning dominican.
what about an incentive for us to say.
essentials are priced as luxuries, really what choice do we have but to migrate???
I dont see ur point here. So are ui saying that the education system or the quality of education in the Caribbean is of a low standard or its not competitive. No, come again, I didnt get that clearly. In other words u saying If I can afford it, its better to go to the US than UWI, why? Show me the facts and the evidence. I am a student in Venezuela, I asume that when I graduate I have a very poor chance to b competitive? What do u say to the US students studying medicin in Cuba?
Pastor ! I stated on two (2) occasions , you should give up the idea of writing on this blog.
Everyone has the right to post ,however you have been illogical everytime .Your posts are perrenially contrary to logical thought. You need evaluation and then help.Your ideas are nonsensical. Are we preparing all our children to migrate? What are you smoking Pastor Pacquette?