Trivial, small, miscellaneous questions...

[snitzle]

Hello all...

As Grenada draws nearer and nearer, my mind is beginning to race with details! I know I can't possibly cover everything before I leave, but there are some little things that just occured to me that I wanted to ask of the veterans here on the forum. I realize that these are going to be some of the most trivial, seemingly insignificant questions ever asked... but please indulge me, if you would! :roll:

1) Any need for a duffle bag/backpack? I ask because a) I'm wondering how we get our books back from campus after registration; b) I don't know how much "stuff" people usually take with them to class; and c) I plan (yeah, right!) on working out at the school's gym regularly, and don't know if they have lockers.

2) Is Cable and Wireless, now that Digicel is there, still charging outrageous deposits to students? I'm still going to get a cell phone as opposed to making land calls (it's cheaper to the U.S., right?), but off-campus I'll need a phone line for internet access.

3) What are the men's clothing stores on the island like? Anything remotely comparable to the States, or should I plan on wearing what I bring only?

4) Are we supposed to tip customs officials? (I saw something to this effect in a recent mailing from SGU - that memo with information for S.O.'s or parents traveling to Grenada with students for a short time.)

5) Any need for U.S. stamps?

Like I said... trivial questions. But hey, I just want to be as prepared as possible! :wink:

Thanks!

[SouthernBell]

hope this helps

1. I would bring a book bag. You are going to need it to tote all your books to the library. Duffel isn't really necessary. I lived on campus so I don't know if you need to take one to the gym. I think most people who live off campus just bring gym clothes in their book bag

2. I would suggest getting a head set for your computer. Lots of people use dialpad.com to call home, it is a lot cheaper. But I would still get a cell for the island to call friends and other students on the island. without internet in people's rooms, it's hard to get in touch with them

3. Clothing stores there are almost non-existent. You will not find very much, if anything, to buy there. so stock up on summer clothes and plan on just wearing what you bring down

4. I didn't tip custom people

5. No need for US stamps, you buy grenadian stamps at the student post office

[Picard]

Tipping the Custom's officer is a bad idea. It's called bribry, and will land you in a heap of trouble.

P

[stephew]

do not, do not offer anything to customs officers. It will be taken as bribery. Grendians work on the old European system of everyone has there role in society and folks take it seriously; everyone excepts to be respected for their role. To offer a bribe is an insult that can land you in jail and at very least raise disgust with the american assumption that cash can get you anything. Corruption exists as it does everywhere but do not make the mistake that you can grease the wheels of the authorites and this will be considered sophisticated. It will in all liklihood be considered insolent and illegal. Do have fun in grenada; its different but there's lots to learn from and do.
Steph

[snitzle]

Guys, I was NOT asking whether or not to try to "bribe" customs officials!!! I was asking about a memo which was sent by SGU regarding "Visa issues for significant others" which states:

Upon Arrival:

1. Have your passport and all important documents ready when going through customs. Tip porters $1-2 U.S.

2. (Etc., etc....)

I meant the word "tip" literally, as stated in this memo. Who are these "porters" that we're expected to tip?

[azskeptic]

Guys, I was NOT asking whether or not to try to "bribe" customs officials!!! I was asking about a memo which was sent by SGU regarding "Visa issues for significant others" which states:

Upon Arrival:

1. Have your passport and all important documents ready when going through customs. Tip porters $1-2 U.S.

2. (Etc., etc....)

I meant the word "tip" literally, as stated in this memo. Who are these "porters" that we're expected to tip?

Oh, boy, Steph and the gang saved you some problems......porters carry your bags and aren't govt. officials.

[drnick07]

Don't use a porter. Kindly deline their offer. The distance from baggage claim through customs and to the taxis is the shortest of any airport i've been in.

[The Trifling Jester]

Guys, I was NOT asking whether or not to try to "bribe" customs officials!!! I was asking about a memo which was sent by SGU regarding "Visa issues for significant others" which states:

Upon Arrival:

1. Have your passport and all important documents ready when going through customs. Tip porters $1-2 U.S.

2. (Etc., etc....)

I meant the word "tip" literally, as stated in this memo. Who are these "porters" that we're expected to tip?

It's ridiculous for the school to send you that. Don't use any porters. Carry your own bags, since it isn't a long ways to your taxi.

-The Trifling Jester

[5th Termer]

Well of course you will need a backpack or messenger bag, especially if you live off campus. It will be your locker. As far as picking up your books for first term, you should bring a small suitcase for that. The books are heavy.

Believe it or not I used U.S. stamps. Sometimes it was faster to hand visitors a stamped letter to mail in the states rather than sending a letter from Grenada. There are certain letters which need to get back fast and sometimes you need U.S. stamps for those.

The clothing stores here are fine. There are two or three men's stores in Spiceland mall alone.

My advice is not to bring too much, as you will have to get rid of it when you go to St. Vincent from Grenada. The airlines have weight limits which might not cover all your stuff. I bought 200V appliances here (like blender, mixer) so they would work right and have better resale. The cost differential was worth it to me so I had less to carry in and worry about how much I would be arbitrarily charged by customs.

Good luck!

[stephew]

sorry, misinterpreted your post. But I agree, dont bother with porters. its 10 feet to the cab outside. (and still dont bribe)
Steph

[Tami]

This may sound like a strange question, but can someone tell me what the bed legs are like in super dorms?

Reason why I ask = I noticed that the rooms aren't all that big & storage space is almost non existent, so I'm bringing bed elevators to maximize storage space for suitcases etc.

I want to make sure the beds are compatible with the elevators. If someone's in the super dorm & has a dig cam, I'd love to see a picture.

[geo]

hey i was just wondering if Rohen's Atlas of Anatomy is one of the books given to us when we get down there, or if we should bring this one down. Which edition is preferred? Also, has anyone received their book list in the mail? thanks.

[Jay]

hey i was just wondering if Rohen's Atlas of Anatomy is one of the books given to us when we get down there, or if we should bring this one down. Which edition is preferred? Also, has anyone received their book list in the mail? thanks.

I didn't think I saw any Rohen's on that booklist.....the list in that packet Information for Entering Students Jan. 2004. Netter's is on the list.

[26andcounting]

Strange, I never recieved a book list either. I do believe that there is a guy here (renobguy?) who actually photographed all of the first term books he received, so that might help.

Anyway, having taken neuroanatomy, I am certainly picking up the Rohen atlas. Anything that can help with practicals is worth it's weight in gold.

[drnick07]

Bring bed elevators if you like. It can help tremendously by allowing you to store stuff under your bed. I put my suitcases on top of my closet and kept boxes there too as my parents were nice enough to send stuff to me.

We used Netter's atlas, 3rd edition for anatomy. Many people brought down Chung's anatomy BRS book, and Rohen's Color atlats of anatomy or McMinn's color atlas, but hardly anyone brought any other extra books down. Personally i brought down Rohen's but i would have preferred McMinn's. But as levar burton says, "don't take my word for it."

The gym has lockers so you should bring your own lock or keep your bag off to the side. I can't wait for kickboxing to start!!!

[stephew]

you get all your books down there; I dont reccomend bringing many others as too many books is a major mistake of students: get one, stick with it. Or use the library if the chapter in another book really floats your boat. Dont waste the time and space of bringing down lots more. One item that is the exception to this rule is a photographic atlas for anatomy: will boost your practical anatomy score manyfold. Netter is great but not for that bit of the xam.
steph

[hopefulMDfromMD]

hey guys,
I was thinking of picking up Rohen's Anatomy Atlas, but I also heard that there were a couple others that are good: Board Review Series Biochem, and Wheater's Histology. Anyone recommend these to lug down with me or know of any others that are better?

After all, as G.I. Joe says, "Knowing is half the battle..."

[Hburg]

I agree with Steph, there really isn't a need to bring down too many extra books. First term you just won't have the time to look at extra material. What you're given in histo is more than enough. You get one book, a color atlas and a couple CDs which are quite good. A photographic atlas for anatomy would be quite useful but most people do just fine with out one. My biggest advice for anatomy is learn the book concepts very well and you'll find out on the lab exam you can just figure out what the structure is. I'm not saying don't put any time into the lab component but many students feel that they have to spend every waking hour in the lab to do well and this just isn't the case. Ask Dr. Brahim about this approach and he will agree. Best of luck.