matthew or hillside?

[jenlee402]

for all those who are currently at saba- i was wondering what are the pros and cons of the matthew dorm and the hillside dorm? are the single rooms worth the price difference? thanks in advance!

[amyames]

now, as I sit in the Hillside jacuzzi chatting anatomy with my classmates, I find myself in awe of the fact that I'm actually here...and sitting in a jacuzzi!


ha ha joking..no jacuzzin in Hillside though I think they should have one, no?

I like the Hillside dorms....the single rooms are big, and having a kitchen (even if there is no stove) is the biggest asset. We also have TV and most of the major channels, and I like that. If there's not jacuzzin to unwind in, at least I have TV! We have some mosquito's and we have lots of small and big ants, but WE DO NOT HAVE COCKROACHES.....so I'm satisifed with the bug situation until we find a better way to kill the ants.

I hear the Matthew's dorm has Cockroaches, but I haven't seen them for myself, though my classmates say they have seen them. The Mathew's dorms also have a big mosquito problem, but students say if you light those smelly bug candles everyday, the bugs normally stay away from your rooms.

So, that said, most pick hillside for the comfort factor...but keep in mind we have six quads with four people each with a total of 24 students...we have about 60 kids in our class, so you can see that nearly half the class live in Mathews, and so I think those students are getting to know each other better. Why? Because Mathew's has this great porch area with a make-shift bar area with tables and chairs, and everyone meets out there and chats.


Upper term students have said that in the beginning it was hard and that there was a mathew's vs hillside rift, but that after the classes got more intense, all the classmates got really really close. They say our class will get close, too. It's not that one is better the other, it's just hard to interact with the other dorm outside of class because no one wants to trek back and forth from the massive hillside hike. But I know that after our first term party (which was yesterday!!) and after more classes together, we will get close as well....these things just take time.


so as far which is better just see what you want the most: if you need more comfort in order to study, well pick hillside. if living dorm style again with no kitchen, a roommate, and just a microwave works for you and still allows you to study, then pick mathews.


in the end folks, it's just three months of your life, so whatever dorm you have...just deal with it and focus on kicking butt on the different block exams...what's three months of bugs when you are fulfilling your dream of becoming a doctor, EH? :) (see, I can be Candadian, too!)

[psychMajor]

what do you do to be guaranteed Hillside?

i have sent my form already for the Jan semester ;)

[TheShriner]

No one is guaranteed Hillside. You're extremely early application could help out, but it is not a guarantee from what I see.

However, Matthew is still great, unless you dislike people. And even then, just come back only to sleep.

Trust me - even the Matthew dorms are much bigger and allow for more privacy than what I had at university - and I survived in that for 8 months.

[psychMajor]

what if you pay my tuition much earlier?

its not that i dont like people, infact i would prefer the social aspect.

-i have never lived with some one in the same room, and
-i want kitchen

[Bruce]

My son starts in Sept. and has requested Hillside. Gardner, of course, won't guarantee this residence but indicated that full payment of tuition prior to July 15 may make his chances a little better.
Amyames... Do you suggest bringing a GF grill? I assume that is not an isssue with Hillside!! EH??? :p

[Bruce]

Another (probably simplistic) question that has been asked 1001X, BUT... Should he bring a small printer with him?

Signed "A Kanuck with a Kid in the Karibbean" Eh!!

[Bruce]

Amyames.. Just read and printed your post regarding "THINGS TO PACK".. great help.. I'm sure his mother will add to your list whether he'll need it / use it or not!! I can see it now.. 27 rolls of toilet paper!!! Thanks for the advise..

[sabaspouse2006]

I have to respectfully disagree with Amy's list about what to bring/ship. I don't think the cost of shipping/carrying garbage bags, toilet paper, and dry goods is worth it. Things on the island are not that expensive when you begin to factor shipping/carrying costs in.

The only exception I would make is for something you HAVE to have in a certain brand. For example, my daughter loves peach instant oatmeal. I can get instant oatmeal on the island but not peach. I had it shipped in. Other things I wouldn't have bothered with.

Just my 2 cents. I think the stores are adequate and not too badly priced.

R/

[Bruce]

Thanks SS... As long as I can keep my wife out of this forum I'll feel relieved.. Certainly don't want to have to charter thar freighter she talked about last week. ha ha.. Guess we'll just stick with the essentials and go from there!! My son is lactose intloerant, so I assume that other than the case of Lactaid he'll have to pack that Soy Milk is available on the island??

[jenlee402]

thanks to amyames for such an informative reply! i'm under the assumption that the mathew dorm is right on campus....so how far of a walk is hillside from campus? if there's no stove, how do you cook? do students eat out a lot? how's the internet connection at hillside vs mathew, and are the prices the same? i've heard that students don't have to pay the minute by minute charge now- is this true? thanks!!

[TheShriner]

Soy milk is available - I just say some at My Store today.
But yes, at the last minute, I saw the weight of my luggage and ditched a whole bunch of household items, because it is not worth it.

Matthew dorm is just across (and a little up the street) from campus. Very close.
Hillside isn't that far away, but its, well, on a Hillside. I'd say maybe a 5 minute walk tops. Just a lot harder to get BACK to the dorm.

The Foreman grill is apparently a no-no (its basically like a hotplate, which is a no-no), so you run a risk if you bring it.

Internet charges are the same for Hillside or Matthew, and run (I believe) $70-80 per month. There is also a phone line you have to get installed ($500 deposit and $27/mo IIRC) However, in either location, you should easily be able to get 4 people to pitch in on the monthly costs, and split it via a wireless router. That takes the cost to a reasonable level, and the speed isn't bad for browsing/checking e-mail. I've even done VoIP, as long as no one else is around. (No per minute)

I cook microwaveable foods, and find creative way to microwave other foods. A rice cooker/ foreman grill could complete your kitchen to the culinary extreme, though I have no time for that at the moment.
Eating out, although isn't bad pricewise, could break the budget.

[Bruce]

Shriner... So Foreman is out? Seems like quite a few still use one!! Where are you Matthews / Hillside? Should he bring a router with him?
VoIP?? No comprendo!! But it sounds like something I should know about!! Thanks for the info.. much appreciated

[sabaspouse2006]

Thanks SS... ...............that other than the case of Lactaid he'll have to pack that Soy Milk is available on the island??

Yes, bring the Lactaid. And yes, soy milk of various kinds is available here. He may have to check this store or that one but usually one has the kind we like here at our house.

VoIP is a telephone service I believe. Many use skype but we like Vonage. Do an internet search to find out more. What is nice about Vonage is we pay a set monthly fee and call home to the Toronto area without any long distance charges. Also, it would allow you to call an Ontario number (you can pick something local to your house) and when you call him, it would be a local call too. It uses the internet wires to call instead. I don't know how effective it will be in the dorm but it is great once he is in his own place. It is worth researching.

www.vonage.com (http://www.vonage.com)

www.skype.com (http://www.skype.com)

Any other specific questions, just ask. I'm sure someone here knows.

R/

[rdecastro]

I have to respectfully disagree with Amy's list about what to bring/ship. I don't think the cost of shipping/carrying garbage bags, toilet paper, and dry goods is worth it. Things on the island are not that expensive when you begin to factor shipping/carrying costs in.

The only exception I would make is for something you HAVE to have in a certain brand. For example, my daughter loves peach instant oatmeal. I can get instant oatmeal on the island but not peach. I had it shipped in. Other things I wouldn't have bothered with.

Just my 2 cents. I think the stores are adequate and not too badly priced.

R/

I agree. You can find pretty much whatever you need here on the island, as long as you don't require a special brand of toilet paper to exist.

And if you do, what will you do when you're on clinical rotations?

[TheShriner]

Foreman grill is officially not allowed at the dorms I believe, but if you're at Hillside, THEORETICALLY (not that anyone would do it) you could just hide it after you were done using it.

Skype is nice because it runs purely off your computer, so if you can snag an internet connection from somewhere, you're off to the races. (it also allows the call-in feature of Vonage, though I'm unsure of where you can get "local" numbers)
Vonage is nice because you can use a physical telephone, especially a cordless phone. I'll probably be acquiring such a service come 2nd semester.

I'm in Hillside. And I might suggest bringing a wireless router.

I'm trying to think of what else I wish I had brought, but most of those things are easily purchased on the island, I'm just too cheap/tired to head over to Windwardside this weekend and pick them up.

One thing I did that helps out quite a bit is pick up a second power supply for my laptop, so I didn't have to keep bringing the one from my desk (so its all neatly wired). Well, that and I bought a laptop with a 7-8 hour battery, so I don't even need the charger.

Bring a laundry bag.

And a big Canadian flag, so we can wave it around on Canada Day.

Yeah, feel free to ask any questions. If I don't know, I will ask around.

[rdecastro]

Shriner... So Foreman is out? Seems like quite a few still use one!! Where are you Matthews / Hillside? Should he bring a router with him?
VoIP?? No comprendo!! But it sounds like something I should know about!! Thanks for the info.. much appreciated

Bring a wireless router / IP phone adapter, like this one:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6825331&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat25300050001&id=1091101680485

This will allow people to split a DSL connection, and also use a service like Vonage (www.vonage.com) to call the rest of the world for FREE (after paying for the DSL, and the $30/mo vonage fee that is). This also allows you to call down for essentially free - you get a local phone number to you.

Vonage works quite well - I have the slow or medium ($82/mo) DSL service and the connection is crystal clear as long as I'm not doing anything on the computer. I had indifferent results with skype and goggletalk, btw - lots of static, delays and echos.

[lacycakes]

If you get caught with a toaster oven or gfg or something of that nature you are told you will lose your deposit in Matthews. No-one I know is real clear about the rules in Hillside because i know at least one place that brought their gfg, electric skillet and a crock pot I believe, they haven't been caught, but aren't sure what would would happen if they were. SS is right about toiletries and what not, they are reasonable here. There is a store on St. Maarten, Cost-U-Less, that is like a Costco or Sam's Club that will ship things over to you if you want them in bulk, like t.p. or dry goods, but you don't have a whole lot of storage in dorms for that stuff.

[amyames]

Apparently, some dorms in Hillside had a list posted on the fridge of the appliances that were and were not allowed in the dorms. Our quad had no such list, so we figure we can use anything! ha ha ha. I'll try and see if anyone has kept the list.

When I asked ***** she said the GF was okay to use, but only for Hillside. I know hotplates are not allowed, but as for other things such as a rice cooker, I'm not for sure. We have a rice cooker, too, but have yet to use it.


Okay, so don't bring toliet paper :) It is readily available on the island and on Wednesdays and Saturdays My Store in the bottom gives %10 discounts. I do, however, still stand by the other items on my list which included sneakers, a good strong flashlight, printer, printer paper, printer cartridges, ect and the dry goods of your choice! so there!!!! ha ha ha.

[miasma]

And a big Canadian flag, so we can wave it around on Canada Day.

haha, i'm down with dat.

[Bruce]

Hey thanks a ton ladies & gents!!! I / we / he really appreciate the feedback! So now we can deep-six the 4 cases of 2 -ply tp and replace it with Lactaid! ha ha. Sounds like you folks have the telephone issue well under control, once again thanks!! Will take your advice! Cost-U-Less on SFX-- is there a membership fee? (i.e.Costco in Canada).. Canadian flag will be packed!!!
SS/06... will keep an out for your daughter's instant peach oatmeal and we'll throw a couple of packets in the luggage,(if you can wait until Sept) I guess there's nothing nicer than that warm bowl of peach oatmeal for those cold winter nights on SABA!!!
Thanks again guys for all your help..

[lacycakes]

Will take your advice! Cost-U-Less on SFX-- is there a membership fee? (i.e.Costco in Canada)..
Thanks again guys for all your help..

No membership required, you can even fax orders to them once on Saba, and they will ship it for you, frozen and refridgerated goods also.

[Bruce]

Thanks Lacy... Good to know.. Do many students use this service? I would imagine that shipping may get a little costly. It may be a little more cost effective if several students got together with an order to offset shipping costs!

[SunDevilDoc]

Definitely bring a GFG if you get assigned to Hillside! If you get assigned to Matthews, you could always bring it and stow it until 2nd semester.

Let's just say (hypothetically speaking) that something such as bacon-wrapped filet mignon ($20 for a case of 4 at Big Rock Market) might taste better on a GFG than out of the microwave. Not that I would do that! :D

Back to studying for Tuesday's block exams!

[amyames]

Definitely bring a GFG if you get assigned to Hillside! If you get assigned to Matthews, you could always bring it and stow it until 2nd semester.

Let's just say (hypothetically speaking) that something such as bacon-wrapped filet mignon ($20 for a case of 4 at Big Rock Market) might taste better on a GFG than out of the microwave. Not that I would do that! :D

Back to studying for Tuesday's block exams!


Hey now, how come I wasn't invited to eat microwaved bacon-wrapped filet mignon? Come on, you know it's my favorite food! ;)

It's all good though. We saw how deseparate SunDevilDoc was for real food, so we invited over for dinner. Yes, we have GF, and even though it's the dorm size one, it does the job well! then again, when you can have microwaved bacon-wrapped filet mignon, who needs a GF, right SunDevil Doc? :)


and now...it's back to the wonderful world of Histology. theory exam on Tuesday-wish us luck!!!

[TheShriner]

Histology?
Man, I'm doing high yield studying for informatics!

I'm panicking here.

Oh, and the filets on the GFG = GOLD. Seriously, I bet we could use them as currency for the folks at Matthew.

[Bruce]

No bar-b-ques anywhere close to Matthews / Hillside? Realize that this is not Club-Med but!! Would the school allow one if it was provided by.. let's see a parent!!! Not talking propane here.. simple briquets.

[rdecastro]

No bar-b-ques anywhere close to Matthews / Hillside? Realize that this is not Club-Med but!! Would the school allow one if it was provided by.. let's see a parent!!! Not talking propane here.. simple briquets.

Kenny used to have one at Matthews - it got stolen or something. If you want to get one, get it (generally the Ace Hardware, or Cost-u-less on SXM is the place).

You can use either gas or propane...Personally I bought a small (travel) sized propane BBQ for use at home.

Mmmm, grilled steaks. A GFG is ... ok... but compared to a real BBQ?

[Bruce]

hmmmm... Briquets available on the island? Stole a bbq... I thought there was no crime on the rock?:) :)

[rdecastro]

hmmmm... Briquets available on the island? Stole a bbq... I thought there was no crime on the rock?:) :)

You can find briquets without too much trouble (Big Rock and Unique certainly have them, not sure about My Store). Lighter fluid, too.

However, this place is humid.....very, very humid. I'm not sure how the briquets will hold up.

Missing, Stolen, fell apart and tossed out, whatever. Kenny said he had one, then it wasn't there. Maybe he took it home?

BTW, there is petty crime on the island. I left a cellphone on the seat of my car one day (unlocked) and it was stolen, while parked in Windwardside.

Don't leave bright shiny things in plain sight and you should be OK.

[Bruce]

Got it!! Chain the bbq & carry the phone!! I can imagine how hot and humid it gets down there.. Does it cool down much in the evening?

[gianefiasco]

HILLSIDE SUCKS!!! :D

lol

[TheShriner]

Temperature thus far has been 30-31 daytime, 24-26 night.
When the sun goes down, it does make it more bearable.

I've even felt a chill once or twice. But it could be because I've got an impressive cold.

HILLSIDE SUCKS!!! :D
lol
Pay no attention to him. He's just bitter that he failed informatics.

[sabaspouse2006]

You can find briquets without too much trouble (Big Rock and Unique certainly have them, not sure about My Store). Lighter fluid, too.

However, this place is humid.....very, very humid. I'm not sure how the briquets will hold up.......

Don't leave bright shiny things in plain sight and you should be OK.

Bwahahahahaha! Cracked me up RD.


Anyway, we have a briquet bbq that we leave outside. It works great, even in the humidity. You can also buy the actual bbq at G&C now. (G&C is like a tiny department store here...) I think they were about $50 US with a little side shelf and everything.

R/

[rdecastro]

Got it!! Chain the bbq & carry the phone!! I can imagine how hot and humid it gets down there.. Does it cool down much in the evening?

Not much...

[rdecastro]

T


Pay no attention to him. He's just bitter that he failed informatics.

Thats truly an impressive accomplishment.

[SunDevilDoc]

If you're Canadian, from the northern U.S., Greenland, or the Arctic Circle, I can imagine that it feels a bit warmer down here. It was a little sticky during the day yesterday, but otherwise I think it feels great! The only problem is being in The Bottom where there isn't as much airflow as WWS and Upper Hell's Gate. My friend in UHG has only used his A/C twice this year and it always feels nice at his place.

"Cooling down" is very relative.