Caribbean SGU Students

[kler757575]

Hi i'm a Caribbean girl plannin to go to SGU in 2009, i wan wondering how the experience for other caribbea nationals has been? Has it been harder that coming from the US?

[orthonut]

You'll get better results by using proper English, most of us can't understand slang internet typing (even those that are from the Caribbean)

[NYladoo]

You'll get better results by using proper English, most of us can't understand slang internet typing (even those that are from the Caribbean)

I didn't notice any "internet slang" and I think your response was inappropriate and insulting.

[RussianJoo]

I didn't notice any "internet slang" and I think your response was inappropriate and insulting.

well if there's no slang then the OP should proof read her posts before submitting. This is a professional forum and proper spelling is part of that.

[PikachuMan]

Hi i'm a Caribbean girl plannin to go to SGU in 2009, i wan wondering how the experience for other caribbea nationals has been? Has it been harder that coming from the US?

Please re-type that, with care to avoid spelling and typographical errors. I am not sure what you are asking, which makes it hard to respond.

I've found SGU a pretty good place, all around. The facilities here are as close to "first-world" as you will find anywhere else in the Caribbean. I've met people from many different cultures and learned from professors from around the world. The island outside of SGU is quiet and easy-going, which I appreciate very much when facing an otherwise very stressful schedule. There isn't anywhere near the development we have in Trinidad, so no MovieTowne, no Zen nightclub, no Church's Chicken, no super-pharm, no HiLo, etc (although we do have a small Rituals and Subway). On the plus side, there isn't the robbing/raping/kidnapping/killing either, and you can feel safe going pretty much anywhere during the daytime.

I could go on, but I won't.

I don't know if it would be "harder that coming from the US." I couldn't tell you what a US student feels like when he or she arrives in Grenada.

[kryptik]

Hi i'm a Caribbean girl plannin to go to SGU in 2009, i wan wondering how the experience for other caribbea nationals has been? Has it been harder that coming from the US? i will try to "un-slang" it:p
Hi I am a Caribbean girl planning to go to SGU in 2009, I was wondering how the experience for other Caribbean nationals has been. Has it been harder than coming from the US?

[Never Mind the Bollocks]

well if there's no slang then the OP should proof read her posts before submitting. This is a professional forum and proper spelling is part of that.

Proofread is one word.

[digitalising]

well if there's no slang then the OP should proof read her posts before submitting. This is a professional forum and proper spelling is part of that.

I'm hoping that you were being sarcastic. If not, it's proper English to capitalize the first letter of a sentence. Your infidelity to grammar rules indicates to me that you are unprepared to be entrusted with professional responsibilities (now I'm being sarcastic).

Granted, her sentence may not have been "proper English," but it was perfectly understandable. This is the first incident in all my time on the forums that I have encountered such a response to a post. This is made even more surprising by the egregious way that some members make statements and ask questions. The best one in recent memory was the use of the word "isreal" instead of "Israel." I am almost completely certain that if I looked at the posts of each member who is lecturing the original poster, I can find instances where the code of "professionalism" was not followed.

If this is in fact a purely professional forum, I vote that we remove the option to insert emotional icons. They are extremely infantile and detract from the formal decorum. I also have a personal agenda against them, but that is neither here nor there.

To the original poster - I am not from the Caribbean, but good luck to you, and maybe I'll see you on the island.

[Moderator]

This thread is not to debate the nature of the posters english. if you have nothing on topic to contribute to help the OP then please dont post.

[kler757575]

I'm sorry to those people who I have offended using my "internet slang". Don't worry I am perfectly capable of using PROPER ENGLISH; I would thank you to respond to the thread if and only if you have some sort of USEFUL information!

[Phospholipid]

why cant' we all just get along?

[shadyhtown]

Well, I sure don't fall into that 'most of us' category - the message was perfectly understandable. I didn't even realize there were typos until O'nut mentioned it, and the only word possibly close to slang was 'plannin', which is quite common lingo.

As for SGU, Caribbean students wouldn't experience much change - it's us foreigners who might have some trouble adjusting.

[PikachuMan]

As for SGU, Caribbean students wouldn't experience much change - it's us foreigners who might have some trouble adjusting.

not true :eek: :(

--
Oh darn, I hope this post is professional enough for VMD.

[ecela7]

Please re-type that, with care to avoid spelling and typographical errors. I am not sure what you are asking, which makes it hard to respond.

I've found SGU a pretty good place, all around. The facilities here are as close to "first-world" as you will find anywhere else in the Caribbean. I've met people from many different cultures and learned from professors from around the world. The island outside of SGU is quiet and easy-going, which I appreciate very much when facing an otherwise very stressful schedule. There isn't anywhere near the development we have in Trinidad, so no MovieTowne, no Zen nightclub, no Church's Chicken, no super-pharm, no HiLo, etc (although we do have a small Rituals and Subway). On the plus side, there isn't the robbing/raping/kidnapping/killing either, and you can feel safe going pretty much anywhere during the daytime.

I could go on, but I won't.

I don't know if it would be "harder that coming from the US." I couldn't tell you what a US student feels like when he or she arrives in Grenada.Yes the crime in Grenada hasn't developed to the level of crime in Trinidad.

[ecela7]

This thread is not to debate the nature of the posters english. if you have nothing on topic to contribute to help the OP then please dont post.How do you get to be a moderator with only 500 odd posts? A la Dougie Howser M.D.

OP: Grenada gets easier the longer you stay.

[AUCMD2006]

well if there's no slang then the OP should proof read her posts before submitting. This is a professional forum and proper spelling is part of that.


what is wrong with you people? this is a public internet forum..nothing more the spelling police is always annoying but more so when trying to be self rightous (wanna spell correct that for me?).

this is nothing more than a public internet forum absulutely nothing in it is professional in nature. it is an informal place to get answers not a place to practice english lessons...want that then go to a language forum and you can debate the proper use of proverbs til you puke but why are all you on this girl for asking a simple question?

so is it harder being from the caribbean vs a US school for sgu students?

depends on what you mean by harder..is it more difficult to fit in, is it harder to get rotations, is it more difficult to get a residency?

[PikachuMan]

Yes the crime in Grenada hasn't developed to the level of crime in Trinidad.

Indeed. I believe the figure is something like 220 murders for the year already in Trinidad. Scary stuff, but I think the OP would already have known that.

It really is much, much safer in Grenada. Just follow the school's recommendations (don't go out after dark, lock your doors and windows, wear a whistle, etc), and the odds of something happening to you are really low.

[digitalising]

Coming from the mid-Atlantic U.S., I think the biggest changes will be the weather, the wildlife, and the culture. I went to a school where I had to go toe-to-toe with the administration for stupid bureaucratic things about once a month (by the time I graduated a year and a half later, I was still listed in the wrong division in some departments), so as long as the University staff are competent (and I've heard varying things), I'm happy.

The safety issues seem no different from living in a regular city. I'm guessing there may be more purse-snatchings or similar incidents due to the high unemployment, but I have no statistics to confirm that.

And hey, if it sucks, it's only for two years.

[kler757575]

Acutually I was refering to rotations and residencies. I am a bit worried about post-SGU life; i want to get into Orthopedics and iI know this is a competitive field. I am wondering if I would be at a dis-advantage coming from a Caribbean country.

[digitalising]

Acutually I was refering to rotations and residencies. I am a bit worried about post-SGU life; i want to get into Orthopedics and iI know this is a competitive field. I am wondering if I would be at a dis-advantage coming from a Caribbean country.

Yes, that would change the discussion a bit. What country are you planning to practice in? I would assume U.S. based on your original post, but that's not always the case.

[ecela7]

Indeed. I believe the figure is something like 220 murders for the year already in Trinidad. Scary stuff, but I think the OP would already have known that.
It really is much, much safer in Grenada. Just follow the school's recommendations (don't go out after dark, lock your doors and windows, wear a whistle, etc), and the odds of something happening to you are really low.Not necessarily.

[ecela7]

Acutually I was refering to rotations and residencies. I am a bit worried about post-SGU life; i want to get into Orthopedics and iI know this is a competitive field. I am wondering if I would be at a dis-advantage coming from a Caribbean country.Orthpedics, don't bank on it from SGU.

[kananaskis_girl]

Orthpedics, don't bank on it from SGU.

But, don't rule it out completely, someone from this year's graduating class matched in Ortho at the University of Toronto...VERY competitive.

[shadyhtown]

All those stats about Trinidad murders has me worried. I hope the airports are safer - I have a 7 hr layoff in Port of Spain on the way to Grenada.

[ecela7]

But, don't rule it out completely, someone from this year's graduating class matched in Ortho at the University of Toronto...VERY competitive.Of course that would be orthopedics. I hear you; just very unlikely. I mean you are talking about one person.

[ecela7]

All those stats about Trinidad murders has me worried. I hope the airports are safer - I have a 7 hr layoff in Port of Spain on the way to Grenada.Don't be, the actual airport is sound as a pound.

[PikachuMan]

All those stats about Trinidad murders has me worried. I hope the airports are safer - I have a 7 hr layoff in Port of Spain on the way to Grenada.

Can't remember anything ever happening at the airport. If you were going for a "night out", I'd advise caution, but if you are just going to lounge around the airport for a couple hours... there's absolutely no chance for anything to happen.

ps, the OP's post history indicates she is also Trinidadian. I would think she knows all about our problems.

[FFMG]

Grenada is pretty much typical non jamaican, non tnt, non bajan caribbean island. small not as much to do as in tnt esp nightlife.

As for the school, the education is pretty sound. they teach well (most of the time). Prepare you well for exams (most of the time). Its a beautiful campus with a good library. Pretty much, how hard you work will determine how well you do.

To be honest getting ortho with an sgu degree is near impossible if you were a US citizen and even further from impossible if you are not. But still it is a good option for you because it exposes you to US styled exams and US clinical experience which would help in attaining US residencies and you will still be eligible for whatever training your home country and the wider caribbean offers.

We have had numerous trinis come through SGU and have performed well (some exceptionally well) . Many caribbean graduates from SGU go on to successful USresidencies (including surgery ) but this is determined by how you perform on standardized exams. Many return to their home country and recieve training there (I am not sure how that works out) and the school offers internal exams and UK clinical experience if you are entirely not interested in US residencies

Crime rate is far less than tnt but still stuff happens ie. wrong time + wrong place= bad luck. Still I dont lose sleep at night about it.

As for the experience, the majority of the students are americans so it is difinely a bit different. there are also other students from different countries at SGU. There is still a significant caribbean student body. In the medical school, trinis are the majority of caribbean students followed by grenadians, vincentians and a mixture of everyone else. Grenadians make up about the majority of the undergraduates.

[ecela7]

Can't remember anything ever happening at the airport. If you were going for a "night out", I'd advise caution, but if you are just going to lounge around the airport for a couple hours... there's absolutely no chance for anything to happen.

ps, the OP's post history indicates she is also Trinidadian. I would think she knows all about our problems.I never saw anything in this thread to indicate she was from Trinidad. I never dug his/her hx to find out, either.

[AngryBaby]

Don't be, the actual airport is sound as a pound.
Agreed. You'll probably be able to find fellow SGUers spending the night there as well in the food court just to the right after you exit customs.

[kler757575]

Thanks FFMG for the infomation, its been really useful. And I'll try to be one of those Caribbean people who get the ortho residency.

By the way I am from Trinindad and I can pretty much assure you that u'll be perfectly safe in the airport. A lot the crime is centered around certain "hot spots" and Piarco is well away from them so nothing really to worry about.

[SikhDOC]

I totally agree with you ladoo. Orthonut that was a bit harsh.

[SikhDOC]

dont (improper), it's "don't"..haha..(sorry)

[rokshana]

This thread is not to debate the nature of the posters english. if you have nothing on topic to contribute to help the OP then please dont post.


OooooOOoooOO!!!did you just dress down another mod?:shock:

[rokshana]

Acutually I was refering to rotations and residencies. I am a bit worried about post-SGU life; i want to get into Orthopedics and iI know this is a competitive field. I am wondering if I would be at a dis-advantage coming from a Caribbean country.

unless you have a green card, orthopedics will be very difficult for a non-citizen, so yes there will be a disadvantage coming from a caribbean country.

[rokshana]

Of course that would be orthopedics. I hear you; just very unlikely. I mean you are talking about one person.


actually we had 3 this year- 2 in the US and the canadian one mentioned....

[Kongakut]

OooooOOoooOO!!!did you just dress down another mod?:shock:

Seems a little like it.

I too thought it was out of character for O'Nut to be so harsh, but then her curmudgeon index is like 100.

[ecela7]

actually we had 3 this year- 2 in the US and the canadian one mentioned....So there were two others (US) who ever in question didn't know about. Either way, three is pretty indicative of how hard it is to get bones, coming from SGU.

[ecela7]

Seems a little like it.

I too thought it was out of character for O'Nut to be so harsh, but then her curmudgeon index is like 100.I don't think Rokshana means that, do you dear?

[Kongakut]

I don't think Rokshana means that, do you dear?

I was agreeing with Rok on the smack down.

The "I too...harsh" part was relating my agreement with NYLadoo and SikhDOC's comments.

Be a part of it, Ecela.

[ecela7]

I was agreeing with Rok on the smack down.

The "I too...harsh" part was relating my agreement with NYLadoo and SikhDOC's comments.

Be a part of it, Ecela.Gotcha.....

[cavalletti]

Acutually I was refering to rotations and residencies.. I am wondering if I would be at a dis-advantage coming from a Caribbean country.

This is a good question. Are Caribbean Nationals required to have either a J1 or H1b like Canadians to complete residency? I don't know the answer. Anyone?

[EhJJ]

Acutually I was refering to rotations and residencies. I am a bit worried about post-SGU life; i want to get into Orthopedics and iI know this is a competitive field. I am wondering if I would be at a dis-advantage coming from a Caribbean country.

One disadvantage is that you will need a visa to study and work in the USA (assuming you choose to do so). For your clinical years (3rd and 4th year) you will need a B1/B2 visa. Unlike Canadians, who can get this visa at the border, I believe you will need to apply for this from your home country and wait for it to be approved. The same applies to J1 visas (for residency); a Canadian can take the completed ECFMG sponsorship form to the US border and be issued the visa on arrival; as a non-Canadian foreigner, you will need to apply for this visa before travelling to the USA.

Ultimately, what this means is that you may need to do some of your clinical rotations (3rd and 4th year) in the UK (which is not really a disadvantage, except that you need to move and learn to work in two different medical systems - perhaps an advantage?). The B1/B2 visa is only issued for 6 months, so you'll need to leave and reapply. The UK, however, has a special arrangement with SGU that allows ALL of its students to get visas at the border, so no need to apply ahead of time. Also, after you graduate, you may not be able to start residency in the USA during the same year (especially if you graduate in June and need to start in July... might be doable if you graduate in December).

These are the visa-related issue when coming from a foreign country to study and work in the USA.

[FFMG]

with regards to the visa

for clinical rotations, you will be required to get a B1/b2 visa but this is not an issue. This is the same visa used by caribbean nationals visiting the US for recreational purposes. Quite easy to get, once you documents are in order. If you did not have one before starting clinicals, the school will give you an additional letter explaining what you will be doing in the US. this will make it even easier than it already is. there is no delay in application and it usually takes about 1 day once you are approved and no need to do any rotations in the UK whatsoever

After clinicals and graduation, if you are not a green card holder you will be required a J1 or H1b visa for residency. you can research these online. the big difference is that J1 require you to return to your country after training whilst the H1b does not. One can get a waiver jobs instead of returning with a J1 visa (do some research of the topic and you will get more info)

Many caribbean nationals and international students start in the UK due to the early start date for clinicals this allows them to finish all rotations and get their degree before december(taking as little time off as possible) before the may graduation date of their class. this allows them to start the paperwork for an H1b visa. If one finishes for the May date the following year, to get an H1b they will be required to take a year off which is what alot do

[FFMG]

Also to most caribbean nationals B1/B2 visa is issued for 10 years but only allows you to stay in the USA for a 6 month period. While there you can send additional paperwork to immigration services to extend you stay in the country. This is what most caribbean nationals do. Also others just plan a convenient vacation for a few days back in their home country (like a weekend) and reenter the US. Once again they will look at your paperwork and relevant documents and visa and you will be on your way through. Usually no hassles.

[ecela7]

Best way is to have a UK and a US passport, like my goodself!