AUC Spouse’s Organization is calling all Loved Ones of AUC students

[msbookite]

If you are interested in applying to AUC or have already been accepted, and you are bringing someone with you, then please contact the AUC Spouse’s Organization. We can be reached at aucspousesorg@gmail.com and our group site is www.groups.msn.com/AUCSpousesClub.

We are a diverse group of spouses, girlfriends/boyfriends, life partners, fiancés and fiancées, best friends, and even the mother of an AUC student! Through our Sponsor Program, an incoming Loved One is assigned a Sponsor. This sponsor is a current member of the Spouse’s Organization who will be directly involved in answering any questions about the island, the transition to living here or even about school for you. They also help resolve concerns, assist you with finding housing/ cars, arrange for you to be picked up from the airport, and, if you want, they can give you a "tour" of the island so you know where everything is like supermarkets, utilities offices, banks, etc.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Lara Lee Buchheit
AUC Spouse’s Organization
Vice President and Sponsor Coordinator

[microphage]

you guys are lucky I didn't have the heart to spam the spouses board.... :)

[msbookite]

;) thx micro for your continuing support...even off island.:D now how 'bout you place an order "to go" for some breakfast burritos to get the ball rolling on your plugs for those and spark some interest here so we know if we should continue the sale of them? :p

Ms

[wagnerk0]

Hello - I'm planning to transfer into the 3rd semester at AUC for Jan 2006, is there anyone I can write to that has a spouse that is still in the states due to work, school, etc...? How difficult is it? Thanks

[islandwife]

"Hello - I'm planning to transfer into the 3rd semester at AUC for Jan 2006, is there anyone I can write to that has a spouse that is still in the states due to work, school, etc...? How difficult is it? Thanks"

My husband is there as a 1st semester and I am here in California. He has only been gone for a month, but it seems like a year. I would be there now, but I didn't want to miss my little brother's wedding (the twerp had BETTER be grateful!!!!). I will be flying out in a couple of weeks.

I try really hard not to give advice, but since you are asking:

I don't suggest separations. There are too many distractions on the island (I was there for a week in June), too many opportunities to do things 'no one else will know' for the spouse on the island and the spouse back at home. And even if you are faithful to the end, there is a lot of chance for suspicions when you aren't home for the phone call or you don't return the email fast enough.

Also, I can't imagine what would be more important than supporting your spouse in their goals. Is it your house? Sell it or rent it out - homes are replaceable, but despite what popular culture tells you, your spouse is not. Is it a job? Take a leave of absence and enroll in some online classes to keep your marketablity good. Is it family? I am sure if they want to see you bad enough they will come visit. Is it your kids? Take them - it will be an adventure and they will benefit from the security of knowing that nothing in the world can separate their parents.

Another thing to consider is that medical school is not only the 20 months on St Maarten. There are clinicals too, and you really don't know where you will be. After that is residency - where will that take you? I have decided that my career is going to have to take a back seat to my husband's - that's what marraige is about - it's about doing what's best for your spouse, even when it isn't necessarily conducive to your own goals and dreams. Sacrifice is hard, but I can tell you there is no better feeling in the world than knowing a.) I have done the right thing, b.)my husband loves me to death because he knows I will follow him literally to the ends of the earth, and c.) I gave the most important thing in my life - my marraige - my very best. That is the most rewarding thing anyone can do.

I hope this helps.

:)
Sarah

[julestx]

Awww...Sarah you gave me goose-bumps and that warm fuzzy feeling - very sweet!

We went to St Maarten as a family and enjoyed every minute of it. The kids had a ball, and will never in their lives forget their experiences living in the Caribbean. No one suffered, in fact, everyone in the family grew from the experience. We met friends that we'll have for the rest of our lives.

I will mention, however, that while you can choose to do your core rotations in a location that allows you to remain for the entire 3rd yr, 4th year it gets tricky. I say that because unless you have plans to remain in those locations for residency (Kern, Providence, Ireland, England, NYC), you WILL want to do 'away-electives' so you can spend time in the facility where you are going to be applying for residency. If you have kids (who will likely be in school etc), you cant just uproot them and run off to another city for a month, or two or three. Even if you dont, you'll have some kind of rental agreement where you are, and may not be able to leave for those few months of away-rotations. This boils down to you and your loved one being apart for a few months potentially, during electives. Its not fun, not easy, but doable. You'll be so busy the time will fly, but you still dont want to have any issues with trust.

Anyways, I just mention this to sort of prepare those who have managed to stay together as a family. There is a pretty big possibility that at some point after core rotations, you will have to 'do your own thing' for a while. I'm so happy we have msn messenger for the free communication - even if hubby does only type with one finger (makes for some frustrating conversations, heehee).

Jules

[julestx]

I almost forgot...for those who are interested in knowing more about life beyond St Maarten's basic sciences, please visit http://groups.msn.com/aucspousesclub-clinicalsciences. We are happy to answer questions and share photos and stories!

[islandwife]

If you have kids (who will likely be in school etc), you cant just uproot them and run off to another city for a month, or two or three.


Jules[/QUOTE]

Thanks, Jules. Nice to meet you.
I started homeschooling my son so we could avoid what you mentioned. I was uprooted MANY times from school as a kid, and it was hard for me to keep up academically since curriculum varies so much from one district to another.
We are using a web-based curriculum that is set according to Colorado standards - the highest in the nation - that way he will be ahead no matter where we go. If anyone is interested, it is www.k12.com (http://www.k12.com) It has been a ton of fun, and a real life-saver logistically. Johnny studies, I do my studying for my schooling, and Brett does his school work all together. He is growing up assuming that everyone goes to school, and homework is just part of everyday life.

:)
Sarah

[stateofequilibrium]

Will you guys help me find a spouse? =(

[marvelmaniac]

Sarah...very cute..add me to the list for giving the goosebumps and the warm fuzzy feeling...

[rjpieke]

Sarah, I envy you so deeply. My girlfriend of 8 years (with the exception of the ring and vows, we might as well be married) just started at AUC this fall, and after only two months things have fallen apart so suddenly. She doesn't want me to come down because she thinks I'll resent her for having put my career on hold, but she also doesn't want to "settle for a partial relationship".

I'm sorry to put a damper on Sarah's happy message. I guess I just needed an outlet to say how scared I am, especially since this caught me totally off-guard (4 days ago, I thought everything was just fine).

[rjpieke]

Sarah, I envy you so deeply. My girlfriend of 8 years (with the exception of the ring and vows, we might as well be married) just started at AUC this fall, and after only two months things have fallen apart so suddenly. She doesn't want me to come down because she thinks I'll resent her for having put my career on hold, but she also doesn't want to "settle for a partial relationship".

I'm sorry to put a damper on Sarah's happy message. I guess I just needed an outlet to say how scared I am, especially since this caught me totally off-guard (4 days ago, I thought everything was just fine).

And it's over. It took eight years for us to build this relationship, and it took her less than one week to decide she didn't want it any more. She wasn't willing to let *us* work on *our* relationship, but had decided what she wanted, and it wasn't this. :cry:

Sarah, I wish you the absolute best of luck. You sound like a tremendously sweet person. I hope your sweetheart is more immune to the changes that medical school seems to have on some people.

[microphage]

And it's over. It took eight years for us to build this relationship, and it took her less than one week to decide she didn't want it any more. She wasn't willing to let *us* work on *our* relationship, but had decided what she wanted, and it wasn't this. :cry:

Sarah, I wish you the absolute best of luck. You sound like a tremendously sweet person. I hope your sweetheart is more immune to the changes that medical school seems to have on some people.

Wow... :cry:

[islandwife]

And it's over. It took eight years for us to build this relationship, and it took her less than one week to decide she didn't want it any more. She wasn't willing to let *us* work on *our* relationship, but had decided what she wanted, and it wasn't this. :cry:

Sarah, I wish you the absolute best of luck. You sound like a tremendously sweet person. I hope your sweetheart is more immune to the changes that medical school seems to have on some people.

I'm so sorry to hear that!! It's hard to believe after 8 years, someone could make a decision that quickly.
If you don't mind me being nosey (you don't know me anyway) why didn't you just get married ater 8 years? Is that why she broke it off? I am probably one of the most impatient people in the world, and I can tell you - if Mr. Islandwife hadn't acted quickly, I'd have thought he was stringing me along with no intent of ever marrying. I also would never move to a foreign country with someone who I wasn't solidly committed to (married to in other words).
Call me old fashioned, but I think women tend to get impatient after that long. I bet she did that just to get your attention.
Women....

[shyilguy]

shara
im glad your comming down with your husband. it sounds to me there are a lot of insecurities in your relationship. as u mentioned distractions and things the spouses could be doing behind ur back. Im pretty sure if a spouse had to cheat on you they don't need the distance to do it. Espicially in a field were do many people work hand and hand together. anyway just my observation.

[islandwife]

shara
im glad your comming down with your husband. it sounds to me there are a lot of insecurities in your relationship. as u mentioned distractions and things the spouses could be doing behind ur back. Im pretty sure if a spouse had to cheat on you they don't need the distance to do it. Espicially in a field were do many people work hand and hand together. anyway just my observation.
:lol: That's actually funny. I wish you knew how funny that is.
Well, you are definitely seeing things that aren't there. When I spoke of those things, I was thinking of other relationships - not mine. If you knew my husband and I, you would see better I guess. We are best friends, and he is the person I trust the MOST in the world. Otherwise I wouldn't have married him.
Thanks for your concern though.

[Dr. Joe]

Hey everyone,

I am new here and will be applying for admission to the August '06 class. I am married and have 3 children that I plan on brining with me. My oldest would be starting kindergarten the same time I start school. I am just wondering about schooling for her, and what type of housing (preferably with cost estimates) we might be able to find. I am one of those people who can't stand to be away from my sweetheart and the kiddos for too long. Thanks in advance.

Dr. Joe

[islandwife]

Hey everyone,

I am new here and will be applying for admission to the August '06 class. I am married and have 3 children that I plan on brining with me. My oldest would be starting kindergarten the same time I start school. I am just wondering about schooling for her, and what type of housing (preferably with cost estimates) we might be able to find. I am one of those people who can't stand to be away from my sweetheart and the kiddos for too long. Thanks in advance.

Dr. Joe

Dr. Joe -

There are a couple of options for schooling your daughter while you are here. There is also housing available that can accomodate families. My hubby is at school right now, and I am at home on the island with my two kids. We homeschool so my son will have a consistent education. That is just my thing. Some parents send their kids to the Caribbean International Academy (CIA), which I have only heard good things about. That school is right next to campus, so it is convenient.
If your wife wants a sponsor to help find housing, a car, schooling, help getting adjusted, and some built-in friends, let me know and I can hook her up with a sponsor. Here is a website/message board she will probably like to have:
http://groups.msn.com/AUCSpousesClub/welcometotheaucspousesclubwebpage.msnw

She can join and post with any questions her sponsor doesn't know or questions she may want answered before a sponsor is assigned.
:D

[wagnerk0]

Hello Sarah - thanks for the advice. Unfortunatley, my husband can't uproot himself right now. He's in residency and has about 2 years left. I am planning to go in Jan or May 06 so I'm not sure yet. We were separated for 9 months last year while I was in school overseas (I"m planning to transfer into AUC). Although it was difficult, I was happiest when I was in school doing what I set out for myself a long time ago. Fortunately, my husband is very supportive and we don't have any children. So we figured.........if I was going to do this, I need to do it now before I have any more responsibilities. Anyhow, I would love to talk to you more. Let me know the best way to get a hold of you. Take care - Kim

[islandwife]

Hey, Kim. You can email me at elsarai78@yahoo.com