January 04 -- Official Newbie Thread!

[jonwilson]

Hi! I just wanted to introduce myself. I am a Jan. 5 beginner...

Name: Jon

Location: Tucson, AZ

Age: 26

Married?: Yes

Kids?: No

Pets?: No

Last occupation: Stroke and Diabetes Research Specialist

Approx. arrival on island: Around Dec. 29th

Comments: I am very excited to finally start medical school, but I'm still worried about all of the details.

[anencephalic]

Originally Posted by fillupg

Pets: YES, two Miniature Schnauzers and a Beta Fish, coming with us. *****Any info on bringing pets would be much appreciated*****

Do a search for "pets" in the AUC forum...there's a ton of resources there!

Aloha,

[beach bum]

One more thing on pets that is probably not mentioned-

We brought down two pets and had all their forms up to date. One thing St Maarten has (and most nations) is a requirment that they have to have valid rabies vacines PRIOR to one month in advance. Essentially the problem we had was this- Some airline worker insisted that this somehow meant that this meant that it had to be done IN THE last 30 days. He called up people to verify this and basicly would not let them one the plane. They then my wife couldn't change her flight, but they could be sent down solo ( called verified this also) the very next day. Come the next day- they were not allowed to travel down alone. Basicly since we were here with our dogs in the US and no one who could really take them long term till things got sorted out, we had to spend $1,600 on a last minute flight to fly my brother down with the dogs.

To the airline's credit- They later agreed to reimburse us for that flight, so my bro ended up with a 3 day free vaction, but it was a rather stressful event and something we don't want to go through again.

My suggestion- Get all your forms straight and then spend the extra $15 to get the totally unneccesary shot within a week of your trip just to be safe. Or get a letter from your vet LITERALLY explaining the meaning of the word 'prior' and how the rabies vacine takes 30 days to become active... (That is what it took for us to get the refund.)

Also- Ingore everything you see about transporting pets on an airline's website and make the call early to verify it. Our airlines website contained detailed instructions and price differences for how they fly pets over 500 pounds (circus? Who knows...) When I bought our ticket, I was suddenly informed that our 100 lb dog was above their limits and had to scramble at the last minute to find new and pricy way to get her down.

Hope that helps. Can't beleave I'm writing all this rather than studying for fridays's anatomy exam.....

[microphage]

Isn't it odd that there are more sept 03 newbies posting on the Jan 04 newbie list than the Jan 04 newbies?

[df]

cut

[Flash]

Jan 3rd arrival? I would give yourself at least a week before class starts. Two weeks would be better. At least thats what the wise old non-newbies of the sept 03 class said. Anyway Congrats

[damoose]

Stuart L

App for January in, anticipating interview soon...

NYC

No pets

No dependents

Background, Chem-Bio 3.0, CNA, current occupation Lab Rat

Currently accepting all million dollar donations

[seattleite]

I will be joining you guys in Jan., I'll be there on jan 1st.
Ok, here are some stats...
Name:Amanda
Location: WA
Age: 23
No kids, no pets
Undergrad: U of WA


I'm really looking forward to AUC!! And opening a new chapter in my life...!

[batina17]

hey...i just found out today!!!!

Boston, MA
Female
24
single
no kids
no pets yet....but was thinking about getting a dog for company


and can't wait to meet everyone....

[damoose]

Just got in for Jan 1st!! Hope to see you all soon. (Now for living arrangements...) Aack. The nightmare begins. -Stu from Oregon/NYC