alright i have been surfing the board for a week or so and i decided to post this in so i have general idea of weather patterns mainly but overall for everyone elses use too...

I. books... i know you guys recommend the BRS and a friend from SGU recommended First Aide for USLME step1 as it has little tips and what not to help you through basic sciences... but basically i want to know do i need to bring those from the US or can i get them on the island and which is cheaper? adding books to my overall luggage might complicate things, but can be done...

II. laptops, mp3 players, digi cameras... basically "ELECTRONICS"... is there a tax for all this stuff? b/c if i remember correctly when i flew into foreign countries they make a big deal out of this and my friends that attended SGU needed to show the "worth" so they can be taxed properly... anything like that happen on st. maarten? if so what kinda documentation is needed and so forth?

III. oh the main reason for my post... CLOTHES... obviously im not bringin sweaters and winter clothes, and i understand the lows are in the 60s and highs in the 90s... i will def have jeans and flip flops but im talkin more like rainy seasons and drastic things like that... im def not bringin a poncho but should i have a good rain coat and decent rain pants or what not? while on the topic are mosquitos a big deal and should we be worried about malayria and possible bring medicine? i have been to india multiple times and everytime we go i have been on a malayria pill, so just curious, since it is a tropical region

IV. more towards clothes... do i really need a "blazer"? i figure my first couple of semesters wouldnt be necessary but who knows... i mean i will have your typical slacks and dress shirts or what not but is that good enough for the first couple of semesters?

V. im pretty sure cellphones and internet have been covered in previous posts but i would like to clear it up a little... bringing a triband cellphone is recommended... or should i get a phone when im down there? i can probably get a decent price on a a world phone b/c i have friends working at motorola, so most likely the RAZR... but what bands are used in st. maarten? as for internet do ppl share throughout the dorm? and if so should i bring a wireless router and maybe sell off access... im def tech savy and could limit acess to ips and what not but would that be recommended and should i start something like that when i come down? and which is better carribserv or IDL? what exactly is IDL... DSL or satillite?

VI. i would like to think i have time to hit the gym or get a decent run in but what kinda workout facilities are in the dorm? do they have a full set of weights (dumbells, benches, weights, etc...) or is it just like treadmills for "aerobic" workouts and what not? local gyms on st. maarten? or should i just sneak into the hotel gyms? haha

VII. im not sure if this was answered or not... but do i need to book a roundtrip ticket to and from st. maarten? probably for the temporary resident then for the school but is there anyway to bypass this or should i just book a roundtrip? and what airlines are th best to book w/? i hear American includes your $30 departure fee in your ticket price but do any other airlines do stuff like that?

VIII. outside groups?... im an indian (guju) so i was curious if there are cultural groups on campus and what not... i only ask b/c my friends at SGU said there was always some cultural show or what not going on... and if not what is the indian population on the island like? and not even that what is the diversity like... and please dont refer back to the ratios of 90% american and blah that is stated on AUC's website... i would really like to know the true diversity of the class (to your best... i know your not counting and tabulating ratios)... i know the majority are US citizens but what origin? just curious b/c i would be interested in joining something like that


alright i think thats good for now... i appreciate all the help you guys/girls are giving us newbs and i hope to be able to pass this info on to newer classes down the road