For Saint Lucian students gearing up to begin their higher education journeys at the University of the West Indies’ Cave Hill or St. Augustine campuses this September, a valuable pre-term networking opportunity is on the horizon. The Lucia Students’ Association at Cave Hill (LUSAC) and the Saint Lucia Students’ Association in Trinidad and Tobago (LUSATT) have partnered to host a special welcome gathering, scheduled for Saturday, August 8 at Pigeon Island National Landmark in Gros Islet.
Unlike many standard orientation events that take place after students arrive on campus, this pre-term meetup is open to three groups of local students: prospective applicants still deciding whether to enroll, incoming first-year students who have already secured admission, and returning UWI students who are heading back to campus for another academic year. Attendees will gain access to a range of useful resources and connections: they will get to interact directly with returning students to hear unfiltered, firsthand accounts of everyday campus and academic life, meet the elected executive leadership of both LUSAC and LUSATT, and learn in detail about the various programs, support services, and community initiatives the two associations offer to their members throughout the school year.
Even students who have not yet finalized their application plans are encouraged to attend, event organizers note. John Tench, current president of LUSAC, shared with local outlet St Lucia Times that the gathering fills a critical gap for students making major decisions about their higher education, giving them an informal space to ask any questions they may have about campus culture, degree programs, student housing, and more before committing to enrollment.
To remove barriers to attendance for local students, the event is fully free to attend, and complimentary round-trip transportation between Castries and the Pigeon Island venue will be provided for all attendees. Light refreshments will also be available throughout the gathering.
Organizers emphasize that building social and community connections before students ever step onto their new campus offers long-term benefits for new students. By creating a pre-existing supportive network of peers from the same home community, the event helps smooth the often-stressful transition from secondary school to university life, reducing anxiety and helping students settle in faster once classes begin. Both associations are urging all eligible Saint Lucian students to take advantage of this opportunity to connect with peers ahead of the fall 2025 academic term.
For anyone seeking additional information about the event, organizers can be reached directly via phone: John Tench can be contacted at 758-284-1330, and LUSAC Vice President Sade Gustave is available at 758-726-4363.