Photograph: View of ocean from Barbados.

Transportation and Travel

Photograph: Students from the Washburn Law summer study abroad program on a land rover preparing for a field trip.

About Barbados

Barbados is considered to be a very safe and well-developed island for students and tourists alike. It is the easternmost Caribbean island, with a highly developed Caribbean Ocean coastline, as well as a relatively wild and pristine Atlantic coastline. It is 166 square miles (8 miles wide and 21 miles long). As a former British colony, English is the national language. View maps of Barbados.

See also the Barbados Island Tour video on the Visit Barbados website.

Although Barbados is an independent, sovereign nation, it also belongs to the Caribbean Commonwealth and the British Commonwealth, making comparative law studies especially rich.

The climate is warm and humid during the day, and cooler and breezy at night. Temperatures range between 75°F and 85°F year-round. Barbados is also outside of the usual zone for hurricanes.

Unlike many other Caribbean islands, Barbados is made of limestone and is not volcanic. The limestone has created extensive caves for you to explore, but also low mountains in the island’s center that afford breathtaking views of the coasts.

Transportation

Barbados’s international airport is Grantley Adams International (BGI). American Airlines operates daily flights through Miami. Taxis and inexpensive private and public buses are plentiful. The program director will be on-site when students arrive to orient them to the island and the university. Learn more in Student Handbook I.

Passports

You will need a passport to enter Barbados, but will not need a visa. Students do not need visas for short-term study abroad programs. You will be supplied with a dean’s letter explaining the nature of your study, and can provide that to immigration officials upon request when you arrive.

Visitors

Parents and other loved ones are welcome to visit students during the program. Student Handbook I contains advice on accommodations for visitors and for students arriving early. Please consider your exam schedule when planning for visitors.

Weekend Travel

Because classes normally run only Monday through Thursday mornings, you will have time to explore the island on afternoons and weekends. You may also wish to explore other islands in the region. Even if your budget does not permit off-island travel, you will find there are many sights and activities in Barbados to keep you exploring for your entire stay. To learn more about exploring Barbados, see Student Handbook II.

Photograph: Cleotha Daniels.

"I chose to study abroad in Barbados because I've always had a desire to travel and learn about varying cultures around the world. I saw the study abroad program in Barbados as the prime opportunity to take advantage of that desire. I was not only able to enhance my knowledge on the law, but I was also able to build relationships with individuals from different countries in the Caribbean and learn the stark contrasts in their cultures varying from island to island. I would recommend this program in a heartbeat. One of the best decisions I've made bar none."
Cleotha Daniels
Washburn Law