Employment & Finances

Employment-

There are many employment opportunities available on the island for spouses and significant others of students.   We highly recommend that spouses take the first semester to get used to island life before seeking employment.  While there are many employment opportunities, they are generally limited to the list below:

-Teaching at the private schools located on the island, CIA and Learning Unlimited

-Tutoring at the private schools

-ICM at AUC (Working as a practice ‘patient’ for students)

-Working at local restaurants as waitresses, bartenders

-Private babysitting for spouses/students with children

-Working at the AUC Library/Notes Service

-Working the Spouses Coffee Cart at AUC

 

Banking and Purchasing on St. Maarten-

Banking-

Most students pay using cash on the island, however, ATM fees are charged and can range from $3-$5 per withdrawal, depending on your withdrawal amount.  There is a ScotiaBank on the island that Canadian students can open an account with and have no ATM fees.  If you are a U.S. student, you can open a Bank of America account before you arrive on the island, and use the ScotiaBank ATM, and you will not be charged fees.  Bank of America and ScotiaBank have an agreement for use of their ATM’s.  Please visit here for details.

If you are planning on using credit cards on the island, be sure you talk with your credit card issuer and your bank before arriving and make sure they make a note on your account for how long you will on St. Maarten.  Many times the bank and the credit card issuer will freeze your card if they see suspicious transactions, which include international transactions.  When using your credit card on the island, you will be charged an additional 1-3% per transaction fee.

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