I was wondering, besides a laptop, what things should I buy in the US before I come to the island? Also generally how expensive are groceries on SXM?

Check other threads, most info is there. Pricewise don't worry, about the same as NYC.

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Birth is exciting, death is peaceful, its the transition that troublesome--Azimov

Any ethnic food that you like that you would reasonably not expect a generic grocery store to have.

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Also try shipping from one academic institution to another. I know students who were able to ship from there local university station post office to AUC for remarkably low price. I would always fill my suitcases with powerbars (you can get them on the island now) and Ny-Quil and other drugs of that nature (over the counter) which cost significantly more on the island.

sweaters and such if you get cold easily.
the island is usually ~85 degrees..
but the lecture halls are frigid sometimes..
and so is the library.

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joshua 1:7 have you prayed today?

Hey I typed this up a while back, SOE maybe make this a sticky?


The Unofficial AUC “Suitcase Checklist”:
Essentials:

1. Laptop (make sure you have a DVD player and wireless network card)
2. Passport, drivers license, and birth certificate, perhaps a copy of your immunizations
3. Clothes (bring at least one set of nice clothes i.e. dress pants/shirt/tie)
4. Medicines/prescriptions
5. phone (one that uses a SIM card) for your cell service here
6. ATM card, credit card, and cash (be sure to let your bank know you're leaving!!!!!)
7. flashlight or better yet, battery operated lantern (just in case)
8. Keep valuables and important documents (laptop, birth cert., etc.) in your carry on, not your checked bags

You can actually stop the list here, you can get everything else on the island but here are some other things you may want to bring to save a couple of trips to Philipsburg:

1. camera
2. maybe a towel/bathroom stuff/shower curtain and rings, for your first few nights
3. Sheets/ a pillow, if your place doesn't come with it you might need this if you can’t get to the store the first day you’re here.
4. sweater- I would bring just one, it can get cold in the classrooms sometimes
5. movies/music (honestly you won't have time for it, but movies are expensive here and there’s not much selection)
6. external hard drive (for backing up your laptop)
7. any over the counter meds you may take regularly (the pharmacies are the only place you can get ANY medicine so it can be a pain sometimes, you may want to just bring some of the essentials)
8. headphones
9. small surge protector for your laptop
10. digital voice recorder (preferably one that can sync with your computer for storing lectures)
11. USB memory stick- I would get at least a 1 gig
12. headphones with mic if you plan on using Skype for international calls
13. not essential but some people say a palm pilot (Tungsten E2 or greater suggested)

There's never been anything that I needed that I couldn't get here; the only bad thing is there’s no Wal-Mart or Target. If you need Nyquil, a DVD, Red Bull, and a spindle of blank CD's you’re probably going to have to go to four different places or even more if you’re picky about the brand or particular type. Here a grocery store sells groceries, a pharmacy sells medicine, a hardware store sells flashlights, etc. etc. So I guess the rule of thumb is that if you are picky about the brand or type of something you should probably pack it. Otherwise, don't pack it unless you will need it as soon as you get here, it will just take up too much room.







The following things I would order from the AUC bookstore so that they are here when you arrive:

1. Books- You can usually buy them from upperclassmen when you get here if you wish to save some money. If you absolutely insist on bringing books, just bring Lippincott’s Biochemistry, and Netter's illustrated anatomy/Benchmarks
2. dissection kit
3. lab coat
4. scrubs

Travel safely

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"Not if I don't see you first, sonny..."

Thanks for posting that nl I found it quite helpful.

I'll sticky this, people can add what they want

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-a lot of #2 regular (not-mechanical) pencils.... the best part is, that in no way was actually a joke... mechanical pencils are deemed heritical by our overlord....

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-There must be some kinda way outta here...

-theres not enough time!

Yeah, bring a good eraser too and a pencil sharpener.

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Birth is exciting, death is peaceful, its the transition that troublesome--Azimov