Bad news first.

The gov't of Sint Maarten has found a way to milk another coupla hundred grand right now and a hundred grand a year or so more from the student body here. We're now all going to be required to get Sint Maarten driver's licenses. These will cost (after all the hassle) about $233 per person. Every adult driver will need one, and International Driver's Licenses will NOT be accepted, contrary to what we were told last semester. So plan another $250 into your budget. Just a heads-up. License is good for 5 years, like that does us any good.

I know they say these measures aren't meant to target medical students, they are meant to help get rid of illegals in general in Sint Maarten, but it just seems odd that at least once a week or every two weeks, we have a roadblock/checkpoint on the only road from the school into town, but you seldom if ever see them anywhere else on the island.... makes you wonder, eh? Just keep everything legal, and you won't get carted off to jail. And if they try to ticket you for a hole in your muffler... make 'em show you the hole. That's an old stadard they try to use to ticket you when you do have all your papers in order.

Good news:

Looks like we will have another full clinical site (our first in the SOUTH! WHOO HOO!!!!) in a few months. AUC is currently in the final paperwork and inspection phases with a hospital in Houma, LA. I understand that Saba, and maybe Ross also rotate there, too? Good to see another full site opening up. While the hospital itself doesn't have a Psych rotation, I think they said there are 2 psych hospitals close by where you might be able to do that rotation.

Also, negotiations are already underway for several more clinical sites in NY, and some in FL as well. We were all also assured by the Dean that sufficient clinical spots are already open now for everyone to do full US clinicals, should they choose to do so. Yet again, the naysayers are wrong (surprise!)!

Keep up the good work AUC and Dean Thurman! You're doing great! I wanna see some more clinical sites in the SOUTH! Come on, now!