I hope I'm not repeating what has been mentioned in earlier posts but I think it differs from what I have read in previous posts.

First off, when I used Live Help, I was told that Housing will be arranged by the school unless you wanted to venture off on your own and take your own chances. And with this, the housing situation will be set up before you arrive at Bonaire.

Next on the list was the question of Hot Water. I have been told that they do have Hot Water and so that should not be an issue. ( I was told otherwise by someone else. Hence the reason I had to look into it!.) And just in case some of you had doubts, there are private bathrooms opposed to public ones in which everyone jumps in and has a hose down. Private in the sense that only the people you live with will be able to use it along with yourself.

As for prices of the apartments. They range from $200-$300 but this also includes utilities. Good price if you ask me! And yes, cable t.v is available and as for the internet connection, they do have cable which is set up from flamingo t.v. It's supposed to be a 'high speed internet connection' but who knows, we are living in Bonaire after all. The quality of service is probably different so don't expect download speeds of 200kb+. I'll be happy with 100kb. Even 50kb!.

Also, another note on housing. When you decide to attend St. James, contact the office of admissions and tell them when you are arriving and what type of apartment you want so they can set this all up for you ahead of time. (You can do this whenever you want but I'm assuming the sooner the better)

I hope this helps and if I just repeated what everyone else has said... Call me an idiot and I will post no more! :P

pdawgcentral

...what do we call you to encourage you to keep posting?

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Hi all,

There seems to be much confusion on the housing situation. When I talked to housing online they said you would have to stay no more than 2 days at a hotel and there still is not a housing coordinator - that was 2 weeks ago or so. Also, the students that I talked to told me there really are no dorms per se but then I hear there are dorms. And best to come early and get your own housing situation figured out hence my earlier posts from students. Another prospective student (Yubin) I talked to says that the Admin told her that it would only be a day at the most in a hotel and to try and get there early.

Who do I believe!!!! I believe everyone to tell you the truth. I think all of this is is good information for whatever you run into when you get to St. James. So here is what I am gonna do. I am leaving here at the end of April. About 2 weeks before I leave I am going to contact the Admin and let them know what I am looking for. About 2 days before my flight I will call them to see if they have something lined up for me. If they don't I will contact 3 rental agencies I know of on Bonaire and let them know I am coming so, still, I am going early enough to set up my own housing if necessary. But everyone probably agrees, that the school setting up the housing is the best way to go. So I hope that works out the way it is supposed too.

I say use all the info about housing and be prepared for anything. EITHER WAY I AM CALLING THEM MONDAY and getting the skinny on the whole situation. So stay tuned.

Frankenstone

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Now..I'm confuse... What should I do....
I would have call them if I read this earlier.
Now I have to wait till Monday...

pdawgcentral,

When did you get this information? Was this recently?

Frankenstone

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just some advice for people looking for housing in the caribbean...make sure you go there a couple of days early and actually see where you will be living since some of the landlords in the caribbean are not as organized as in america...i attended my basic sciences at auc, which is also dutch like bonaire, and when i arrived thinking my housing was in order, and i came to find out that my house was still being repaired...i was lucky in the sense the rental agency put me up in a hotel free of charge...most of the rental agencies in the caribbean are very friendly towards students b/c they know they are making big bucks in commissions from us....and another thing, when signing a lease, sign a 6 month lease with option for renewal since that will get you some time on the island and maybe you can find a better place or cheaper place once you start living there...also, in the caribbean you have to pay your utility bills in person at the Gebe (elctric/water) office, so try to make arrangements with your landlord to pay him/her, so you don't have to go and pay them in person...good luck!

Frankenstone,

I received all this information this past Friday. February 27, 2004 to be exact. In the afternoon as well :P

And I would not give you guys false information! I hope you realize that

Ask the Live Help on Monday. Hopefully responses to that don't differ. Perhaps I was lied to!?!?

I don't think so though. Who knows.

pdawgcentral

Pdawgcentral,

I was just wondering if that was recent info because I thought you might have gotten that info a while back but now that it is clear to me that it is recent then I understand that itis even more confusing. Your word is good in my book.


But now that we all have received different info slightly makes me wonder what we should do exactly. I am going to call them on the phone. Monday. Let's see if the procedure changes......

Frankenstone

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Hi all,

I called and this is what they told me.........

They said to let them know as early as possible when you are coming. A month before you get here IF possible. Then, send this information in writing to them, by email (admissions@sjsm.org) or snail-mail, with itinerary and what kind of apartment you would like. That means cost, size, bedrooms, etc.) Again, the said they will have an apartment for you "within a day or two of your arrival."

Frankenstone

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I think Docsahib's advice about short-term leases is wise. Once familiar with the area, you might want to adjust your environment.

On another level, although I can understand wanting to pare expenses by having a roommate, I'd plan on fronting all the expenses yourself the first six months until you get to know people. I mean, I'm the best room mate one could ask for--but I do fear that this small island might object to my thunderous snoring Some people like to tap pencils when they're concentrating, whereas I might want to stick that pencil in their ear....if I liked them...maybe eraser end first It's those little things you have to watch for.

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