I am writing this post in response to the response that certain people are having concerning the complaints and attitudes of some of the future physicians from the USA are having about the living conditions. Let me start by saying that I am from the USA and in fact from the fly-over country, this means not in NYC or LA but somewhere in between. I am also one of the older students, I grew up when the TV show the Brady Bunch was first run,which means I am no longer in my 20s. I realize that many of the students who will be entering SGU are in their early to mid 20s. As someone who is a little older and a wee bit wiser I just see the complaints as they truly are---coming from PEOPLE who are young, inexperienced—and yes most likely a bit afraid of going into an situation that they have never experienced before
I find it a bit offensive and confrontational that some people would attribute to all Americans behaviors that they consider to being childish, selfish and inconsiderate. I can tell you that it is not the “American Attitude” to expect that everything be perfect, and that the suffering of others come secondary to Our own personal state of comfort. What these people are doing is expressing their—dare I say—God given as well as Constitutionally Granted right of freedom of speech. America is a special country where people of different creeds, nationalities and sometimes-even languages all come together to live as neighbors. Just like true neighbors Americans sometimes get along and sometimes they don’t. Americans are used to being able to express themselves, both in the positive and the negative. I understand what they are saying, I may not agree about how they are saying it and I would have to say the same about those who are complaining about the so-called “American Attitude”. Please do not toss about blanket negative stereotyping, and never assume, because one never knows who may be listening. Can’t we all just get along hhhuuummm.

Hi everyone,
I'm actually an SO (significant other, wife) who was in Grenada during Hurricane Ivan. Pre-Ivan, this is how the computer thing worked:

Do not bring a desktop computer. V. bad idea. I can't even imagine how you would get it there.

Bring a laptop AND its receipt. They will charge you import duties based on what you paid for it. Obviously, the cheaper it was, the less you'll be taxed. We paid $50US, and my husband's "receipt" was a printout of the sale price on BestBuy.com. In other words, you can be creative about your receipt, but it better look good to the customs official. GOOD NEWS: Once you pay the tax and keep that receipt, you won't have to pay it again when you go back and forth the Grenada.

There are computers available at the campus in the library, but they are usually all taken during the day.

If anyone needs more advice on what to pack, please ask me at mkpantazopoulos@yahoo.com. I recommend bringing lots of your favorite shampoo, soap, etc. That stuff is REALLY expensive down there--I'm talking $8US for a bottle of Suave, and it goes up from there!! Don't expect to find your exact scent of anything. Also, bring lots of OFF bug spray/c it's also very pricey on the island and a necessity!

Happy and safe holidays everyone!

[Grand Anse is a mess! The only people living at GA now are the workers who are repairing True Blue! ]

I am wondering in exactly how much of a mess the Grand Anse housing is. The last time I spoke with an upper classman I was convinced that GA would be a better option than the hotels and after reading the above statement I am confused.

Also, are ALL rooms on GA going to be triples????

If someone can shed more light on these issues it will be helpful. Thanks and Happy Holidays [/quote]

I would probably say that the hotels are a better choice over GA. GA was a hotel many moons ago, so the set up is the same as any other hotel room. There are no cooking facilities in the rooms, you could rent a regular size frig to put on the balcony of the room. There are cooking ranges available in a central location at GA (don't know if that is a possbliity at the hotels). The hotels that have been discussed (Grand Beach and True Blue Bay) are much newer and again if you get a couple of hot plates, a microwave, and a frig, you'll have the same type of cookin facilities that are available in the dorms (the dorms don't have ovens either).

As for the "American Attitude", you're correct, not all Americans behave in such a manner, but the the image of the Ugly American didn't just appear. Having travelled a great deal in my life (and I'm not in my 20's either) I have seen how we have a tendency to expect US standards and behavior everywhere we go (for example, we except everyone to know and understand English and can't believe how uneducated the people are in other countries are when they don't understand English). Yes, many of the students that are coming down are young, and many have never left the US(some even their home state!!) so they don't know what to expect. Yes, of course everyone has the right to express how they feel, but let's face it there are right and wrong answers sometimes and you may WANT the perfect world, but its better that you learn now that Grenada is NOT the US and that it IS a third world country and that you WILL have to adjust to the way things are done down there, that they are not going to accommodate to your expectations. If you don't, life will be really really hard.

Are there study desks available in the Grand Anse rooms?

when do we get our class schedules? what are our days normally like?

I just spoke with A R , housing coordinator, and she said the new housing packets were going out this week - choosing between 2 hotels and Grand Anse.

Grenada here we come!

Cheers,
JeninKC
SGUSOM Class of 2009

Thanks for the update Jen!


IndianBabu

__________________
SGU SOM, Class of 2009
An ex-samosa technician with a big heart from Canada.

Cool, I was wondering when we were going to get those...