when to arrive before class?

[krust3]

hey all, i'll be there in the fall.

just wondering if there is some universal time people arrive to get settled in?
and where you would stay during that time? are the dorms open for moving in a week in advance or do you stay at a hotel?

[rdecastro]

I came down 10 days before class started - I wouldn't do that again, unless I was not living in the dorms, and needed time to find a place and a car. There's not much to do in the dorms when school is out.

Otherwise, I'd arrive 5-7 days before class - time to get settled, get a little acclimated, buy some basic groceries, etc.

BTW, for those living in the dorms (or the Bottom/St. John) "My Store" (the grocery store) will deliver your food for free - you only need to carry those items that have to be refrigerated right away so you don't need to try and carry cases of water around.

Also, I'd suggest shipping via Hassle-free or ICS EARLY for the Sept semester - it's hurricane season in the Carib and your packages might be delayed several weeks (mine arrived in Florida late August, I got them on Saba mid-October because of the hurricanes).

[LuckyBamboo]

I guess I'm really cutting it late but I don't have a choice because I have to finish up work here first. I'll be arriving a day before orientation!

[rdecastro]

I guess I'm really cutting it late but I don't have a choice because I have to finish up work here first. I'll be arriving a day before orientation!

Well, prepare for culture shock. Good luck!

[krust3]

so the dorms are open to move into a week before class then?

[rdecastro]

so the dorms are open to move into a week before class then?

More or less. If you're arriving early they'll make certain your room is ready.

However, if you're in Matthews, Kenney (the landlord) may have the hot water turned off. He's quite fussy about it since it's heated by electricity.

Here's a strongly worded bit of advice for those living in Matthews Dorm:


MAKE SURE YOU GET ALONG WITH KENNEY!

He can make your life relatively uncomplicated, or a living hell.

The day I showed up, he came around and introduced himself...and started in a spiel about how I shouldn't cause him any grief. I shut him right down and told him that as long as he didn't cause me any, I wouldn't cause him any. We became if not friends, at least very respectful of each other acquaintences, and he's helped me out several times since then - including fixing me up with a very inexpensive car.

Most of the island locals are like that - treat them with respect, be honest with them, don't cause them any trouble, and they'll pretty much help you out. Or at least given a choice of who gets a new refrigerator in the dorm, or getting the AC fixed right away, if you're not a PITA to him, you'll be OK. Just remember, this is not the US/Canada/home, and whats normal there may not be normal here. It just won't kill you here.

[miasma]

i think i'm arriving roughly 10 days before classes start. i'm worried about getting used to the heat. i live in alberta you see...like, today it was about 55 fahrenheit up here, and i was sweating like a pig already.

[islandhopper]

More or less. If you're arriving early they'll make certain your room is ready.

However, if you're in Matthews, Kenney (the landlord) may have the hot water turned off. He's quite fussy about it since it's heated by electricity.

Here's a strongly worded bit of advice for those living in Matthews Dorm:


MAKE SURE YOU GET ALONG WITH KENNEY!

He can make your life relatively uncomplicated, or a living hell.

The day I showed up, he came around and introduced himself...and started in a spiel about how I shouldn't cause him any grief. I shut him right down and told him that as long as he didn't cause me any, I wouldn't cause him any. We became if not friends, at least very respectful of each other acquaintences, and he's helped me out several times since then - including fixing me up with a very inexpensive car.

Most of the island locals are like that - treat them with respect, be honest with them, don't cause them any trouble, and they'll pretty much help you out. Or at least given a choice of who gets a new refrigerator in the dorm, or getting the AC fixed right away, if you're not a PITA to him, you'll be OK. Just remember, this is not the US/Canada/home, and whats normal there may not be normal here. It just won't kill you here.






This is probably the best advice I've heard as far as living on Saba for the newbies goes...Be sure to get along with Kenny or you're life will be a living hell, especially if you are staying in the Matthew's dorm. The guy's extremely influential and ruthless...Many of my buddies have had trouble with him and didn't end pretty...

[rdecastro]

i think i'm arriving roughly 10 days before classes start. i'm worried about getting used to the heat. i live in alberta you see...like, today it was about 55 fahrenheit up here, and i was sweating like a pig already.


You have my sympathies. I arrived in August from Los Angeles (where it was already pretty warm) and I almost got back on the plane to go home.

The heat and humidity here was terrible last august - hot and humid even by Saba standards, temps over 100 and humidity close to that.

Be sure to drink LOTS of water - go to My Store and get a case or two delivered right away (just ask to have it delivered to 'Matthews 10" or "Hillside 4" or whatever) and drink at least 2 liters a day. The first month or so I was here I'd go through 2 or 3 1.5 liter bottles a day.

Oh, the stores take US Dollars and NA guilders - the exchange rate is fixed at 1.80 guilders per US dollar (except at the gas station, they take a premium of 1.77/dollar)

Also, if you're here that early, go to Windwardside to see the sights, and if you're at all interested, it would be a great time to get certified to dive - and diving at least gets you into the water. I wish I had used my 10 days better.

BTW, the library and computer lab is only open 9-5 on some days during the intersession.. During the school year its open 8:30 AM to 11 PM 7 days a week but during the break, it's less. So, get your videos early - I came down with 30 DVD's I hadn't seen, and had seen all of them before school started :)

[miasma]

okie dokie. thanks for the heads up rdecastro. can't say i'm looking forward to the heat and humidity. i just hope it won't interfere with my concentration and studying that's all. looking forward to meeting all you great folks though.

[Kodene]

Yeah it sounds like i'll be sweating off the beer gut, which is a good thing. Likewise, I hope the AC is good in the dorms. I need a cool environment to study. :cool:

[rdecastro]

I don't know about Hillside but I had the AC running at max from August 25 to around December 1st last year.

Except when the power was out, or it iced up (don't have it on 'auto').

[psychMajor]

what a great thread!

i will be leaving in decembers....it will probably be like -10-15 degrees celcius here...and iam guessing like 20 on the island

wow...a big change...

(as i board the plane...i will go from jacket to shorts LOOOL)

[psychMajor]

I don't know about Hillside but I had the AC running at max from August 25 to around December 1st last year.

Except when the power was out, or it iced up (don't have it on 'auto').


If I really want a particular dorm, to be guarenteed to get it, is it wise to pay my first semester tuition early??

does it work this way?? thanks

[rdecastro]

If I really want a particular dorm, to be guarenteed to get it, is it wise to pay my first semester tuition early??

does it work this way?? thanks

Not really.

[psychMajor]

Not really.

so...how can I be sure that I will be guarenteed a particular dorm?

i have many months before I start. It doesnt make a difference for me to pay my tuition earlier.

[miasma]

i don't think it matters what u do, u won't be getting anything for sure. i want hillside for sept., but it might not happen. i'm not certain what factors come into play though.

[psychMajor]

i dont know if its the wrong place to ask...

if you have never lived with someone (ie shared a room) is it better to live alone there or share?

---it may be better to share not to get bored??

[rdecastro]

Prepare for some changes.

I've had roommates before (in the military) and I'm married, and I'm probably older than your parents so my wants/needs/desires are different, but there is NO way I would have lived in the dorm with a roomate. I would have defered instead. In fact, I recommend that if anyone can they NOT live in the dorms at all :)

But, YMMV.

[psychMajor]

thats why i want to live alone for at least the first semester...then decide from there.



1. I know at saba there are lots of more experienced (older) students and younger ones-right out of undergrad.....
How is the relationhip between them? do the younger ones look upon the older students? do the younger ones hangout together?

personaly, i think having more experienced students is an invaluable experience.

[rdecastro]

After the first, you have to move out.

[amyames]

I don't think when you send the tuition matters as much as when you send in your housing forms. I got my acceptance package back in October 05' and sent my housing forms soon after that. I requested the Hillside dorms, and also answered the questions about if I'm light sleeper, ect, and today I found out that I got into Hillside quad 1. Also, I didn't send in my tuition until right before the deadline, one and half weeks prior, so I know that didn't effect my dorm assignment.


hillside dorms gives you a single, so that looks like the best bet for people worried about roomies. I know you're not guaranteed Hillside, but for first semester, I think it would be cool living near the school and near all the 1st termers. Then again, if you got a house by yourself, your house would turn into dinner nights and party central, and that wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing, right? I guess as they say...to each his or her own.

[psychMajor]

i sent my questionaire in Jan for Jan07 semester LOL

so...technically i should be one of the first on the list :)

[Vibes63]

Amy, you already got assignment for your dorm? Damn I sent mine around the same time and they told me that they were still trying to figure out the assignment recently. I hope I end up in Hillside because I think it would be a better studying environment.

[amyames]

Amy, you already got assignment for your dorm? Damn I sent mine around the same time and they told me that they were still trying to figure out the assignment recently. I hope I end up in Hillside because I think it would be a better studying environment.


hey vilash, yes, I got my assignment in my email yesterday. I wasn't expecting an email answer, but that's what I got!

SunDoc also got his assignment yesterday, so I'm sure you'll get one in a matter of days! The suspense really didn't kill me cos I knew I would be residing in Hillside, but knowing which quad and who the girls in my quad would be as the killer waiting part! but hope you get Hillside!

and psychmajor, ha ha ha, yah looks like you've got a VERY GOOD CHANCE of getting your first pick 'cos you've sent in your housing forms a year early:)