It's been a short while since I have touched down on saba, and I've been through a lot of interesting stuff, good and bad, but mostly good.

Natives: For the most part, they're very friendly, and will usually give you a lift if you're hitchhiking around the island. You'll be fine as long as you dont try to get too involved with the locals: keep things at a friendly distance.

Food: Can be expensive if you dont watch out. There are no McDonalds here, it's all local restaurants, so you should really see how much you need to eat to get through the day and plan accordingly.

Supplies: If it's notebooks and stuff, they'll be slightly expensive. Dissection kit? Scrubs? No, not on saba. Maybe on the neighboring island of St. Martin. Gloves? sometimes they do and sometimes they dont.

Water: What's up with water, you say? Well, there's very little on it. They have a water shortage, and you'll soon find out that you have to conserve at all times. That means super-quick showers and flushing when necessary. They have a saying here: "if it's yellow, let it mellow; it it's brown, flush it down". Make your own conclusions.

Classes: Manageable. This is still a medical school and classes are hard. Just study (study hard! every day!) and you'll be fine.

That's all for now. I'll try to post after black monday, which is when we take all of our exams.

Salah

I appreciate you letting us in on your experiences, although I do have a few questions. How is dorm life thus far, since SABA requires first semester students to "bunk up"? Any word about them building a gym on campus? Lastly, what do you think about the professors? From what I understand, they do rotations every three years so the quality is usually hit or miss. thanks

I think the school already has a gym facility on campus, or is currently working on one. Thank God. I can't imagine not being able to workout after school. If you are bringing a significant other or a family member, you won't have to live in a dorm.

The exterior of the Gym is finished (roof on over break). No word yet as to how soon the equipment will be in etc.

Best of Luck!

Just curious...will the gym be for student spouse use too? Are they going to charge us extra fees?

Found out today the gym should be open by mid semester break (October 20). There will be a fee of $25 per semester for those using it. The word is that it will be open to SO's as well as students, faculty, staff.

Best of Luck!