Canadaguy
05-06-2007, 01:12 PM
I know that much of this information is available in other threads, but I was always looking for updated information when I was applying, so I thought I would post before I get too busy to do so.
I'm starting the May 07 semester tomorrow and I've been on Saba for two weeks. My wife and I arrived early so that we could get our apartment set up and arrange to buy a car.
1. Impressions of the island
The island is beautiful. I have to say it is unlike any place I have been before. It is very clean, especially compared to St. Martin. My wife and I spent a couple days on St. Martin before coming over here and were very glad to leave. Junk cars and litter everywhere and huge traffic jams at least twice a day. On the other hand, St. Martin is much more Americanized, so I guess it depends what you're looking for...
2. Recreation
I've had a chance to hike on some of the most challenging trails and do some of the best snorkeling that I've ever done here. There is a nice little beach. Apparently it is present/absent depending on the weather/waves. It has been present both times we have gone and is a perfect place to relax and have a swim when not in school.
There is a gym in Windwardside for those that like to lift weights. It is $100 per semester. The equipment is old and rusty, but I find that I'm able to do most of the workout that I did at home. The school also has a gym for $50 per semester. A maximum of 6 people are allowed in the school gym at a time, which other students say can be a problem during lunch breaks. I think it is the place to go if you are interested in cardio compared to weights.
3. Food
I have yet to come across anything that we regularly eat that we could not get at the grocery stores here. From pop tarts to tropicana orange juice, it's all available. However, food is very expensive. I should have been prepared from reading these forums, but I was still shocked. Some items have similar prices compared to home, but I would estimate that 1/2 to 3/4 of the products on our list are 1.5 to 2 times more than home prices. The word is that Big Rock in Windwardside is the cheapest. I think My Store in The Bottom has the most selection. Corner Imports in Windwardside seems to have the cheapest bottled water.
4. The School
The school looks exactly as it appears in the pictures on the website. It seems to be very well maintained. I noticed that they were doing a thorough cleaning job and were painting some areas before the beginning of the semester. The library is nice and has a bunch of cubicles for students to study. There are also a bunch of computers for student use, although most students probably use the wireless internet with their laptops.
I had a look in the anatomy lab (through the windows, because the school is closed for the break). It looked well equipped with plenty of space. Of course, it reeked of formaldehyde.
I met some of the people in Administration. They seemed extremely nice and capable. They were actually happy to meet a new student! During my undergraduate degree I don't ever remember a person at the Registrar's Office or Cashier's Office at my university being happy to see me.
5. Students
I've met a bunch of different students from 2nd to 5th semester. All of them have very positive things about the school, and all of them were willing to go out of their way to help with notes, advice, etc. The word is that there is a huge amount of information that students are expected to learn and that spare time is nonexistent during the semester... Especially if you want to get good marks in your classes.
6. Transportation
Having seen the layout of the island now, I think that it is probably easy to live without a car for first semester if you are living in The Bottom at the dorms.
However, it can be a different story if you are living further away from the school. I can't imagine trying to do groceries without a car, as there or no grocery stores in Hell's Gate (where we live). In addition, my place doesn't have laundry facilities, so I have to bring bags of laundry to The Bottom (only laundromat is there) to get it washed. Even to go to the beach or hiking... it would get really expensive to take a cab everywhere. We tried to get an apartment closer to school, however most places would not accept pets, and we brought our two cats with us. I also think that Hell's Gate is one of the nicest places on the island (ocean views).
I do know some first semesters who want a car but have not been able to find a suitable vehicle on the island. I bought one from a 5th semester who has now left the island. I was really worried about a school parking pass, but the car came with a pass for first semester and I was able to buy one for the next year already at administration.
7. Work for significant others
I was originally told that it was almost impossible for a spouse to find work on the island. I don't think that is entirely true, however, I don't think you can expect a full time job that pays well. Some of the restaurants were hiring recently, and the school library was also hiring. I believe these were all part time jobs. My wife got a part time job at the school library. This will give us a little extra money and it will give her something to do. If you are coming to the island with children your significant other might be too busy to work anyway...
8. Water issues
Most people make a big deal about the water issues. I think it really depends on where you are living. You do have to be careful with the amount of water you use; however, I still take a quick shower every day. It hasn't really impacted my quality of life at all. Maybe some other students could comment on this?
I really haven't seen any negative things about the school or the island in the first two weeks. However, it is obviously a big deal to leave your family and friends back at home and move to a Caribbean island for two years. I find it helps to have Skype set up on your computer with a webcam. We have the 80 dollar per month internet package and it seems to work OK with video.
I hope this information is helpful to future students. I'll try to update when I actually know something about the classes, but from what I hear, I might be too busy!
I'm starting the May 07 semester tomorrow and I've been on Saba for two weeks. My wife and I arrived early so that we could get our apartment set up and arrange to buy a car.
1. Impressions of the island
The island is beautiful. I have to say it is unlike any place I have been before. It is very clean, especially compared to St. Martin. My wife and I spent a couple days on St. Martin before coming over here and were very glad to leave. Junk cars and litter everywhere and huge traffic jams at least twice a day. On the other hand, St. Martin is much more Americanized, so I guess it depends what you're looking for...
2. Recreation
I've had a chance to hike on some of the most challenging trails and do some of the best snorkeling that I've ever done here. There is a nice little beach. Apparently it is present/absent depending on the weather/waves. It has been present both times we have gone and is a perfect place to relax and have a swim when not in school.
There is a gym in Windwardside for those that like to lift weights. It is $100 per semester. The equipment is old and rusty, but I find that I'm able to do most of the workout that I did at home. The school also has a gym for $50 per semester. A maximum of 6 people are allowed in the school gym at a time, which other students say can be a problem during lunch breaks. I think it is the place to go if you are interested in cardio compared to weights.
3. Food
I have yet to come across anything that we regularly eat that we could not get at the grocery stores here. From pop tarts to tropicana orange juice, it's all available. However, food is very expensive. I should have been prepared from reading these forums, but I was still shocked. Some items have similar prices compared to home, but I would estimate that 1/2 to 3/4 of the products on our list are 1.5 to 2 times more than home prices. The word is that Big Rock in Windwardside is the cheapest. I think My Store in The Bottom has the most selection. Corner Imports in Windwardside seems to have the cheapest bottled water.
4. The School
The school looks exactly as it appears in the pictures on the website. It seems to be very well maintained. I noticed that they were doing a thorough cleaning job and were painting some areas before the beginning of the semester. The library is nice and has a bunch of cubicles for students to study. There are also a bunch of computers for student use, although most students probably use the wireless internet with their laptops.
I had a look in the anatomy lab (through the windows, because the school is closed for the break). It looked well equipped with plenty of space. Of course, it reeked of formaldehyde.
I met some of the people in Administration. They seemed extremely nice and capable. They were actually happy to meet a new student! During my undergraduate degree I don't ever remember a person at the Registrar's Office or Cashier's Office at my university being happy to see me.
5. Students
I've met a bunch of different students from 2nd to 5th semester. All of them have very positive things about the school, and all of them were willing to go out of their way to help with notes, advice, etc. The word is that there is a huge amount of information that students are expected to learn and that spare time is nonexistent during the semester... Especially if you want to get good marks in your classes.
6. Transportation
Having seen the layout of the island now, I think that it is probably easy to live without a car for first semester if you are living in The Bottom at the dorms.
However, it can be a different story if you are living further away from the school. I can't imagine trying to do groceries without a car, as there or no grocery stores in Hell's Gate (where we live). In addition, my place doesn't have laundry facilities, so I have to bring bags of laundry to The Bottom (only laundromat is there) to get it washed. Even to go to the beach or hiking... it would get really expensive to take a cab everywhere. We tried to get an apartment closer to school, however most places would not accept pets, and we brought our two cats with us. I also think that Hell's Gate is one of the nicest places on the island (ocean views).
I do know some first semesters who want a car but have not been able to find a suitable vehicle on the island. I bought one from a 5th semester who has now left the island. I was really worried about a school parking pass, but the car came with a pass for first semester and I was able to buy one for the next year already at administration.
7. Work for significant others
I was originally told that it was almost impossible for a spouse to find work on the island. I don't think that is entirely true, however, I don't think you can expect a full time job that pays well. Some of the restaurants were hiring recently, and the school library was also hiring. I believe these were all part time jobs. My wife got a part time job at the school library. This will give us a little extra money and it will give her something to do. If you are coming to the island with children your significant other might be too busy to work anyway...
8. Water issues
Most people make a big deal about the water issues. I think it really depends on where you are living. You do have to be careful with the amount of water you use; however, I still take a quick shower every day. It hasn't really impacted my quality of life at all. Maybe some other students could comment on this?
I really haven't seen any negative things about the school or the island in the first two weeks. However, it is obviously a big deal to leave your family and friends back at home and move to a Caribbean island for two years. I find it helps to have Skype set up on your computer with a webcam. We have the 80 dollar per month internet package and it seems to work OK with video.
I hope this information is helpful to future students. I'll try to update when I actually know something about the classes, but from what I hear, I might be too busy!