DMU student compares the UK to Saint Kitts and Nevis

An international DMU student from Saint Kitts and Nevis is enjoying his time in England despite the frosty weather. 

 

Dennis Mc Call Jr is enjoying his time at university making new friends and playing American Football for the first time. 

One of the major differences between the UK and his home in the Caribbean is the weather, with temperatures never getting below 20 degrees on the island. 

 

This week has been tough for Dennis, who said:” I have never been this cold in my life. I have never seen snow before until this week.”

 

The difference in weather is obvious as his island nation has clear beautiful blue skies all year round while the UK has dark and cold winters. 

 

The Saint Kitts and Nevis islands are Christian, with 94 per cent of the population being Christian, with 81 per cent of those Protestant. 

 

This means Christmas is a huge event for the island nation as they celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. 

 

Dennis added:” Christmas is the best time of year back home as everyone comes together to celebrate in the street with J’ouvert.” 

 

J’ouvert is a Christmas parade that happens in the early hours of Boxing Day as people head out into the street to party and celebrate Christmas. 

cathedral interior

Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash

Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash

In Saint Kitts and Nevis, the traditional meat of Christmas is ham which is cooked on Christmas Eve and ready for breakfast and Christmas dinner. 

 

As the islands are Christian, Christmas morning begins with heading to church to celebrate the birth of Jesus in a very traditional ceremony. 

Education differs in Saint Kitts and Nevis with only the first 12 years of school being free. 

 

Dennis added:” I was fortunate to go all the way through school but some families aren’t so lucky.” 

 

Despite having to pay for school after the age of 12, only 9 per cent of the population do not enrol in secondary school, with the literacy rate being 98 per cent. 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Windsor_Campus.jpg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Windsor_Campus.jpg

taken by British School The Hague

https://www.flickr.com/photos/unawe/9014811525

https://www.flickr.com/photos/unawe/9014811525

The main differences between the UK and Saint Kitts and Nevis is the weather which Dennis is struggling to adapt to.