What is Saba Really About

[Tellingitlikeitis]

If you are like me, than you are used to living in a country where the people who are in control have more than a 3rd grade education. Welcome to saba, where the locals are all powerful, and you the student are nothing. SUSOM was allowed by the island of Saba to open a medical school here, as long as the locals were to be allowed to be the absoute economic beneficiaries of it, meaning that all housing and basiclly everything else supplied to the school was by them. You an see where this is leading. Your first semester here on the island, you will be forced to live in the so called "dorms" which have nothing to do with the school itself, so when you have a problem, the school will do nothing to help you out, even though they ahve forced you to live there in the first place. Kinda strange huh? And then when you do complain, you realize that the person in administration you are complaining to is a sister brother, aunt, of the person that you are talking about. Welcome to a small island life.
Now for the real crime. yea the locals will rip you off at almost every opportunity, but the real problem was with the teachers here at the school. Some of them are really good, but some of them are real shady. There is a strict attendance policy here that you can only miss so many classes or they make you repeat the semester, unless it seems, you are good buddies with your teacher. Ok maybe thats not so bad, but what about teachers that straight up prep you for those tests? I am not trying to get this school in trouble ( I am trying to graduate ), I just wanted to prepare those of you coming for what you are in for. Yes this place will make you into a doctor, but there is only one person that you can really rely on here, and that is yourself. Dont ever think that if something were to happen here that the school would help you out, especially if the administration thought that it would damage it relations with the locals.

[sabaspouse2006]

Perspective, opinion and attitude is everything. This is obviously your opinion. You've stated it. I don't think everyone would agree with everything you've said. It isn't like Canada or the US but it definitely is preparing you to be a doctor.

Yes, it is a small island with the influences that go with a small island. I think the key is to adapt to the island. Not expect that the island should change for you.

Good luck to you.

R/

[Tellingitlikeitis]

maybe if you went to the school than you would have an idea of what you are talking about. But thats just my opinion

[sabaspouse2006]

You are quite correct. I am not a student and as such, often stay completely out of student issues on ValueMD. But I am fairly involved with the SOS. We often discuss our significant others' experiences at school.

I wonder, telling, how long you have been here?

R/

[rdecastro]

I'm a student, and I lived in the dorms. And you need to quit whining. Nobody has said that living in the Carib is the same as being home, or that the locals aren't in control.

As a matter of fact, I've made several posts over the past year that describe just that, and how to get along with the locals. Here's one: http://www.valuemd.com/saba-university-school-medicine/110291-some-last-minute-advice-newcomers.html

But, if it sucks so bad to be here, go home. No doubt things will be better there, right? After all, you came to Saba for the education, and turned down a half-dozen schools back home?

[Tellingitlikeitis]

I just wanted to give my thoughts on some of the things that go on here. Interesting that you guys seem to have gotten so riled up about it. But thankfully Castro, you will always be around to give your opinion on things since you seem to have a knack at failing classes.

[sabaspouse2006]

Actually, I'm not riled up at all. I just think that, like most things in life, attitude is everything. I think it is great that you want to give your opinion. Everyone should be able to see both sides of a situation and decide for themselves.

I guess I just see how hard it might be for the school and the administration here. Without accommodating locals, the students wouldn't be able to get alot of the stateside products we are used to. The housing market is almost entirely owned by locals. We need them to have housing after 2nd semester. I'm sure not every student has been kind or courteous to the locals or respected their customs. I can see why the locals may not feel 100% gratitude for having the students here. We drive up the prices of groceries and housing even though we bring an economy too. The fact is that the school and the students are dependent on the locals for many things.

My only point was that rating Saba is a subjective thing. In my opinion, it all depends on what you want the school to do for you, what you are willing to do for yourself and how tolerant you are for a different way of life.

R/

[rdecastro]

I just wanted to give my thoughts on some of the things that go on here. Interesting that you guys seem to have gotten so riled up about it. But thankfully Castro, you will always be around to give your opinion on things since you seem to have a knack at failing classes.

No problem, whiner. BTW, my name is de Castro, I actually have the guts to use my real name here, and I only failed one class.

But what the heck....nothing ventured, nothing gained. Something you've yet to learn.

[wolfvgang22]

I guess we take the good with the bad when we set out on this adventure...look at the bright side, you could be attending St. Kitts School of Psychic Surgery. I hope things get better for you this week!

Okay, everybody sing along:
"Every rose has its thorn
Just like every night has its dawn
Just like every cowboy sings his sad, sad song
Every rose has its thorn"
(Does that song date me as old??)

[JLea]

As in everything, attitude matters!

I, for one, am thankful that I will have the opportunity to study medicine on the island of Saba. The school is giving me the chance that the American schools would not; the chance to become a physician.

Is island life hard? You bet, been there and done that... the T-shirt got blown away by a hurricane!

Is everyone related to everyone else? Hmmm, there are only about 1600 residents?

There are lots of places right here in the USA where things are the way that they are in Saba. (Try where I live, on the Outer Banks of North Carolina...) The bottom line is that you need to be nice to people, no matter where you live. You'll get much more accomplished with honey than with vinegar. We're all trying to become doctors and doctors are supposed to care about people!

Try being nice, it just might work!

[Tellingitlikeitis]

you can have as big a positive additude as you want, but at some point it becomes denial. Funny how none of you have really even addressed the issues I have brought up, and if you read between the lines, you would really know that there is alot that is not being said.

[anencephalic]

To the original poster:

Saba, like any other reputable caribbean school, represents a second chance for the majority of us. I, for one, am thankful for the opportunity to chase my dream of becoming an MD, even if it means I have to make some sacrifices for it.

Attitude is everything.

[wolfvgang22]

you can have as big a positive additude as you want, but at some point it becomes denial. Funny how none of you have really even addressed the issues I have brought up, and if you read between the lines, you would really know that there is alot that is not being said.
Do you just want to gripe? If so, it's cool, get it off your chest!
Those of us on the island as students are all in the same (or a similiar) boat, and have had both good and bad experiences here on Saba. I do not mean these remarks in a condescending way or to make light of anything. Most of us have been there, too.
I could give a half dozen examples off the top of my head where I perceived injustice in med school or on Saba.
But, what do you want us to say about such issues, in all seriousness?


It may be unwise for us to criticize the island, the school, or local citizens in a negative manner because of possible reppercussions. We are, as you have noticed, at their mercy. The reality is, if you want change, "money talks and you-know-what walks". If we as consumers don't like the island or school we should let our wallets do the talking and transfer. It is in fact the only leverage we have.

Wishing you all the best,
~W

p.s. - Don't get me wrong, I'm generally happy with Saba. I'm just philosophizing. :D

[Tellingitlikeitis]

hey wolf
You know, i do just want to get it off my chest. I am going to leave this alone now, because it ISNT going to change. And the truth is if I did say more, I could be identifyed and there are repercussions, because administration does read this. On a final note: To those of you who attended the " secret " teacher meetings, where you locked the door behind you so no body else could stumble in by accident just remember, nobody is going to be there to help on the USMLE, and for sure, nobody is going to do anything like that during clinicals. So good luck in future cheating.

[ol' man]

There are lots of places right here in the USA where things are the way that they are in Saba.
But can you get in your car on Saba and drive 100 miles to the local Wal-Mart?

Just trying to lighten things up. Living on any of the islands is hard. It's not the US. If you wanted the US, you should have been a 4.0 student in undergrad (like me - I went the Carib route because I relished the challenge lol).

In case anybody wants to flame me on that, my real GPA was between a 2.5 and a 3.5. Not going to say exactly what.

[ducman]

Please note that insulting/flaming other users shall not be tolerated

[stephew]

no. just questionable taste in music...
I guess we take the good with the bad when we set out on this adventure...look at the bright side, you could be attending St. Kitts School of Psychic Surgery (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychic_surgery). I hope things get better for you this week!

Okay, everybody sing along:
"Every rose has its thorn
Just like every night has its dawn
Just like every cowboy sings his sad, sad song
Every rose has its thorn"
(Does that song date me as old??)

[anencephalic]

no. just questionable taste in music...

Here's one:

"If it's not love, than it's
the bomb that will keep us together."

[wolfvgang22]

no. just questionable taste in music...Ouch! Good one Steph! I laughed so hard I fell out of my chair! The other people in the library are staring at me...and
...I think I hurt my pancreas...:shock:

[Strength&Honor]

...Castro, you will always be around to give your opinion on things since you seem to have a knack at failing classes.

Poor form, TLII. You're stooping to Stephew level. No reason to drop -- your point would have been much better received/believable had you not gone there.

[stephew]

Here's one:

"If it's not love, than it's
the bomb that will keep us together."that's much better.
How about
"in the end it took me a dictionary/to find out the meaning of unrequited/while she was giving herself for free/ at a party to which i was never invited"

or "but I never made the first team/ I made the first team laugh/and she never came to the phone/ she was always in the bath"

But I warn myself - back on topic.
-btw was just playing abou the music thing.

[stephew]

Here's one:

"If it's not love, than it's
the bomb that will keep us together."that's much better.
How about
"in the end it took me a dictionary/to find out the meaning of unrequited/while she was giving herself for free/ at a party to which i was never invited"

or "but I never made the first team/ I made the first team laugh/and she never came to the phone/ she was always in the bath"

But I warn myself - back on topic.

[Tellingitlikeitis]

Poor form, TLII. You're stooping to Stephew level. No reason to drop -- your point would have been much better received/believable had you not gone there.




I dont know who Stephew is. But what I can say is that I listen to "some " people in class day in and day out who seem to think they are already doctors, and must give their opinion on every little topic when the reality is that the people around would really prefer if they would just stop talking. "Some" people love the sound of their voice both online and offline. Well, Ill probably get banned for this but it was worth it.

[MylifeatDominica]

or that the locals aren't in control.


I agree. They were slaves before. Now most caribbean islands are controlled by rich people who are descdents of the european masters.