• Forum: St. Eustatius Medical School Forum
• Location: Netherlands Antilles
• Basic Science Tuition: $7,800/semester
• Clinical Science Tuition: $8,400/semester
• Year Founded: 1999
• USA Clinical Rotations: Yes
• Special: You don't have to pay for books, computers, lab fees and other fees. (All included in the tuition).
• Mentors in Medicine Accelerated Program
• Website: University of Sint Eustatius
• Email: Email USESOM
• Survey: USESOM Review

A Brief History of Netherland Antilles by The World Factbook

Once the center of the Caribbean slave trade, the island of Curacao was hard hit by the abolition of slavery in 1863. Its prosperity (and that of neighboring Aruba) was restored in the early 20th century with the construction of oil refineries to service newly discovered Venezuelan oil fields. The island of Saint Martin is shared with France; its southern portion is named Sint Maarten and is part of the Netherlands Antilles; its northern portion, called Saint Martin, is an overseas collectivity of France. Read More.

Weclome to the University of Sint Eustatius School of Medicine

The University of Sint Eustatius School of Medicine invites you to discover your future: fulfillment of a dream to practice as a medical doctor. This occurs on the Caribbean island of Sint Eustatius (locally known as Statia).

Committing oneself to study medicine at a foreign medical school in a remote Caribbean locale presents special challenges, particularly to those considering a change in career. Nevertheless, for those bearing strong character and intellect with the intense desire to provide service to those in need, the experience is educationally, socially, and professionally enriching. To those seeking such enrichments, the University of Sint Eustatius bids you welcome.

OUR HISTORY

The University of Sint Eustatius School of Medicine was founded by experienced and highly regarded medical school educators and administrators committed to educating future physicians in a student-centered physician-driven learning environment – one that promotes academic excellence with personal and professional integrity at an affordable cost.

The founders obtained the support for a medical school from the enthusiastic native people and government of the island of Sint Eustatius (Statia). Subsequently, the University of Sint Eustatius was awarded a Charter, which was signed by the Minister of Education, the Minister of Health, and the Governor of Sint Eustatius on April 21, 1999.

On May 27, 1999 the Education Committee on Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) confirmed the eligibility of graduates from the University of Sint Eustatius School of Medicine to register for the United States Medical Licensing Examinations (USMLE).

The University of Sint Eustatius School of Medicine opened the doors to its first class of students on September 1, 1999, and was subsequently listed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2000.

OUR MISSION

The mission of USESOM is to develop skilled and compassionate physicians, through innovative educational approaches in conventional and complementary health sciences, to serve the expanding global need for comprehensive, quality health care.

RECOGNITIONS

Students and graduates of the University of Sint Eustatius School of Medicine will be eligible to be registered by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) for Steps 1 and 2 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). Our medical graduates will therefore be able to enter a residency or fellowship program in the United States that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

CURRICULUM

The University of Sint Eustatius School of Medicine invites you to discover your future: fulfillment of a dream to practice as a medical doctor. This occurs on the Caribbean island of Sint Eustatius (locally known as Statia).

Committing oneself to study medicine at a foreign medical school in a remote Caribbean locale presents special challenges, particularly to those considering a change in career. Nevertheless, for those bearing strong character and intellect with the intense desire to provide service to those in need, the experience is educationally, socially, and professionally enriching. To those seeking such enrichments, the University of Sint Eustatius bids you welcome.

BASIC SCIENCES PROGRAM

The Basic Sciences program takes place during 15-week terms on the island of Sint Eustatius. Depending on the student's background and needs, the Basic Sciences program will be completed in five or six terms. Summer and winter breaks between terms are only a few weeks long allowing students to complete three academic terms in any given calendar year rather than just two terms, as in most U.S. medical schools. Thus, students following the five-term program may complete their Basic Sciences medical training and enter the Clinical Medicine phase of training in under two years.

Five-Term Program
In the 5-term program, students complete Basic Sciences courses over five terms as illustrated below. Courses are typically taught in 45-minute blocks and are held between one and five days per week, depending on the course.

First and Second Terms

• Biochemistry
• Genetics
• Gross & Developmental Anatomy
• Histology
• Physiology
• Public Health

Third, Fourth and Fifth Terms

• Clinical Medicine & Physical Diagnosis
• Medical Ethics
• Medical Psychology
• Microbiology
• Neurosciences
• Pathology
• Pharmacology
• USMLE Review Course

Six-Term Program
The six-term program is provided to students who may need extra preparation in pre-Basic Science disciplines before undertaking Basic Sciences courses. Students who have had a long interval between college and matriculation into medical school or those who need additional credit hours for medical school eligibility may benefit from following the extended six-term curriculum. Eligibility will be determined by an academic review.

The first term of the six-term program is known as the Introduction to Medical Sciences, with the remainder of the curriculum being identical to the five-term program as previously described.

Testing Center
At the University of Sint Eustatius, Basic Sciences students become proficient in taking USMLE-style computerized examinations in the University’s dedicated Test Center. The Test Center contains multiple partitioned booths containing individual computers. Each semester during designated weeks, students meet at the Test Center to take their exams. Consistent with USMLE Step I, exams consist of clinical vignette questions, often including images and graphs, with answers presented in multiple choice format. The computerized testing program allows for easy navigation of test questions, automatic log off when the time limit for the exam has been exceeded, and instant feedback as to the student’s score on the examination.

The Introduction to Medical Sciences term comprises the following five courses:

• Medical Biology & Cell Biology
• Organic Chemistry
• Medical Physics
• Health (including Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Preventive Medicine)
• Introduction to Basic Medical Sciences (including an introduction to Anatomy, Embryology, Histology, Physiology, Neuroscience, Clinical Medicine, Molecular Biology/Genetics and Biochemistry).

The disciplines taught within the Introduction to Medical Sciences term are taught within the context of medicine so as to enhance learning and success in completing the remaining five terms of the Basic Sciences. The Introduction of Medical Sciences term consists of approximately 325 hours of classroom and laboratory training (23 credit hours).

CLINICAL MEDICINE PROGRAM

The third and fourth years are devoted to 72 weeks of Clinical Clerkships/Rotations at selected hospitals throughout the United States, UK and Canada. Core Clinical Rotations comprise 48 weeks and provide a solid foundation in the essential clinical knowledge and skills for future physicians in all specialties. The remaining 24 weeks are designated for Elective Rotations which provide medical students an excellent opportunity to pursue areas of clinical interests or to explore other specialties. After completing the 72 weeks of Clinical Rotations, our medical students have matched at some of the most prestigious hospitals and Post Graduate Training Programs in the United States.

CORE ROTATIONS

Internal Medicine (12 Weeks)
Students participate in the comprehensive clinical management of adult patients. Students gain insight into the common medical problems and disorders seen in the specialty of Internal Medicine. This is achieved under the close supervision of Attending Physicians. Formal lectures, informal discussions and student case presentations supplement the experience gained during the Internal Medicine Clinical Rotation.

Surgery (12 Weeks)
Students are introduced to the basic knowledge, skills and behaviors unique to Surgery and is fundamental to the clinical practice of all physicians. Students are exposed to Pre Operative, Intra-Operative and Post Operative care of the surgical patient. Students also, become familiar with the effective use of language, critical thinking skills and conduct unique to the specialty of Surgery.

Obstetrics & Gynecology (6 Weeks)
Students learn the fundamentals of Prenatal and Postpartum care and the management of normal labor and delivery of the newborn. They also gain experience in the diagnosis and treatment of Obstetric Problems and common Gynecological Disorders.

Pediatrics (6 Weeks)
Students learn the similarities and differences unique to the diagnosis and the treatment of pediatric and adolescent patients. Students develop an understanding of normal patterns of growth and development as well as common abnormalities and illnesses of childhood.

Psychiatry (6 Weeks)
Students participate in the care of patients with psychiatric disorders. Students develop skills in taking a psychiatric history, performing a mental status examinations and psychiatric assessments. Students gain familiarity with the common pharmacologic agents and other modalities in the care and treatment of psychiatric patients.

Family Practice (6 Weeks)
Students are introduced to the Primary Care approach to the diagnosis and treatment of common problems encountered in the Family Practice setting. Students gain an appreciation for healthcare maintenance and disease prevention in this diverse clinical setting.

Elective Clerkship (24 Weeks) Fourth Year
Elective rotations are available in hospitals and medical centers throughout the U.S. and U.K. for fourth-year students of the University of Sint Eustatius. Students have opportunities to explore specific areas that have sparked interest during Core Clinical Rotations or expand knowledge and skills acquired in Core Rotations. Some students use electives to enhance their applications for Post Graduate Training Programs.

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE

Aspiring medical students of the 21st century are entering the healing profession at a time when more than fifty percent of their patients will likely desire to incorporate or turn to systems of healing from other cultures and philosophies. At the University of Sint Eustatius School of Medicine we believe our students need to be prepared to address this reality in the practice of medicine. Therefore, we are integrating into the basic science curricula and clinical experiences a broader focus which includes the history, culture and philosophy of numerous systems of healing as well as essential data on safety, research, and implementation issues in the current context of patient care.

We believe it is important for our students to have a broad understanding of approaches to healing that include acupuncture, herbalism, nutritional supplementation, massage and manual therapies, as well as spiritual and energetic approaches to healing. These diverse approaches to healing are commonly used world-wide and being informed and learning to approach these issues without bias is essential for the health care professional of the 21st century.

This advanced approach is called integrative medicine or an integral health approach. An integral health approach considers and communicates a multi-dimensional view of life and living that understands that people are more than physical beings. Integral medicine approaches the person as a physical, mental, emotional and spiritual being living in a complex cultural, life experience, and environmental context. It understands the conventional models of health maintenance, maximization or restoration, while it also considers the value and efficacy of complementary and alternative therapies, approaches, and lifestyles applied in a scientific manner. It is an approach delivered in a caring, sensitive, process-oriented way to promote optimal health, self-awareness, happiness, and longevity.

In line with the practice at such premier medical institutions as the National Institutes of Health’s Clinical Center, we teach our students be open-minded rather than rejecting of a patient’s philosophical and cultural desires and while building upon the tenets of good science and strong ethics, seek the optimal synthesis of multiple medical modalities provided in harmony with the needs of the patient and deliver care with reverence and humanism. Our approach recognizes that the body has a remarkable capacity for healing that can be facilitated by addressing the underlying causes of illness and suffering and understands that each person has unique needs that must be attended to in every therapeutic setting and encounter. We also believe it is important that our students take to heart the root meaning of the title, “Doctor”, which in Latin translates to “Teacher”. In this, we seek our students to learn, practice, and integrate teaching the tenets of wellness, disease prevention, and self-care into their routine interactions with their patients and community.

The integral health premise is based on an approach articulated by modern philosophers that human life can be understood from the following four inter-related aspects:

1. our internal experience of self-awareness,
2. human existence as described by science,
3. the inter-subjective world of culture, and
4. social systems and the environment.

Any truly integrated vision of health and healing must understand the person from each of these aspects. These same philosophers further postulate that optimal health is best achieved when the individual builds and incorporates a program of self-transformation involving changes in diet, nutrition, exercise, recreation, social interaction, and psychological and spiritual development. A model of integral health directs individuals to these necessary and personal transformations.

It is the goal of the University of Sint Eustatius School of Medicine to be at the forefront of advances in medical education curriculum development through an adoption of an integral health approach. We believe that this approach meets both the desires of our students as well as the needs of their future patients.

UNDERSEA AND HYPERBARIC MEDICINE

The University of Sint Eustatius, in association with the Antilles Institute for Hyperbaric and Undersea Medicine, offers elective programs of study in hyperbaric medicine.

The expanding field of hyperbaric medicine involves the breathing of high-concentrations of oxygen at significantly elevated pressures to provide therapeutic benefit in several clinical conditions.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy confers demonstrable benefits in select patients, chiefly through the reversal of hypoxia and the hastened removal of pathological gases (e.g., carbon monoxide). By these means, hyperbaric oxygen has become a prominent front-line or adjunctive component in the treatment of 13 clinical conditions:

• Decompression Sickness
• Gas Emboli
• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
• Gas Gangrene
• Blood Loss Anemia
• Necrotizing Soft Tissue Injury
• Radiation Necrosis Injury
• Intracranial Abscess
• Problem Wounds
• Thermal Burns
• Crush Injury
• Refractory Osteomyelitis
• Compromised Skin Grafts and Flaps

For students whose medical studies are well managed, participation in a hyperbaric program provides the opportunity to expand scientific and medical experience.

Medical students undertaking elective training in the practical and theoretical underpinnings of hyperbaric oxygen therapy may experience enhanced competitiveness in the pursuit of residencies in a variety of fields.

• The diverse pathologies underlying the illnesses treatable with systemically active hyperbaric oxygen suggest that hyperbaric oxygen therapeutics are best understood and deployed in a multidisciplinary context.
• Hyperbaric medicine is recognized as a subspecialty of Emergency Medicine and Preventive Medicine.
• The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has approved Board Certification for physicians in Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine.

An additional advantage enjoyed by participants in the Programs of Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine is that the opportunity for hands-on patient contact may occur as early as the first term of medical studies.

The clinical populations most likely to be encountered by medical students on Sint Eustatius in this context reflect the geographic intersection of scuba diving (recreational and industrial), which can lead to decompression sickness and gas emboli, and endemic systemic disease (e.g., diabetes) that commonly leads to the expression of problem wounds.

To accommodate the varied aptitudes and interests of medical students pursuing training in hyperbaric oxygen therapeutics on Sint Eustatius, four academic programs have been engineered. The Master’s Program, which culminates in a Master of Science in Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine, requires three academic terms of study (with additional time often being required for the completion of the Master’s thesis). The Diploma Program, as a rule, requires two academic terms for completion. The Advanced Technical Program is typically completed during a single academic term. Requirements for the Introductory Technical Program can be met in as little as a few days.

Medical students should note that studies in the Programs of Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine are typically undertaken concurrently with courses in the Basic Sciences in the University of Sint Eustatius. As such, enrollment in the Programs of Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine need not prolong the stay of medical students on Sint Eustatius.

Health care practitioners and other interested persons are also welcome to participate in the programs. For further information related to this opportunity, please visit contact us.

ADMISSIONS

The volumes of information to be digested during medical schooling are enormous and often overwhelming. For many prospective students, however, the mere management and submission of documents leading to acceptance and registration can seem equally daunting. At the outset, applicants should become familiar with the time-frame for the processing of completed applications. At the same time, to prevent delays in processing, applicants should ensure that all required admissions documents are submitted in good order, noting any special requirements that may be relevant to applicants from outside of the US and/or those applying for admission as transfer students with advanced standing.

The receipt of a letter of acceptance does not signal the end of the admissions process. For students seeking medical training on Sint Eustatius, subsequent hurdles pertain to immigration. In recent years global political conflicts have impacted immigration practices and standards worldwide. Sint Eustatius is not exempted from these changes, and applicants must ensure that they understand basic requirements that dictate eligibility for immigration into Sint Eustatius. Next, applicants must ensure that all documents required for immigration are prepared accurately and thoroughly.

FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION

Students enrolled at the University of Sint Eustatius School of Medicine on a full-time basis may require financial aid to assist them with tuition and/or living expenses.

Given the current state of the U.S. economy, and the effect it has had on the availability of traditional student loans, deferred educational loan sources have become a limited commodity. Some loan sources that have become available in recent months require the payment of excessive fees and exorbitant interest rates. Other, more reasonable (but non-student) loans have been located, however, not all students are prepared to begin repaying immediately.

The University of Sint Eustatius School of Medicine has been diligently cultivating relationships in the financial markets in an effort to secure traditional student loan sources with customary fees and interest rates.

Please check back on this web page, or contact our Financial Aid Department for further updates on the status of our progress.

CANADIAN STUDENTS

Dear Citizens of Canada,

It is with great pleasure and excitement that the University of Sint Eustatius School of Medicine has been fortunate enough to receive approval and recognition from the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)! 

With this recognition Ontario students are eligible for educational funding with OSAP.  If you are a resident of a province other than Ontario, you are encouraged to inquire with your resident Province about The University of Sint Eustatius’s designation in that province.

On the following pages you can find information, documents and procedures that must be followed in order to apply for OSAP as well as links to access the various Province websites. 

The University of Sint Eustatius OSAP code is ZUBY!

TUITION / FEES

Tuition Information:

Basic Sciences Program Tuition includes:
US $500 seat deposit (non-refundable and due within 30 days of acceptance), registration and orientation fees, laboratory and manual fees, microscope and slide rentals, technology fee, library fee, health and evacuation insurance (with term break coverage), island administration fees, high-speed internet access fees, and supplemental course fees.

Clinical Medicine Program Tuition includes:
US $1,000 deposit ($500 non-refundable and due within 30 days of acceptance), clerkship administration fees, health insurance (once you begin to rotate, your health insurance cost will be paid through your tuition, students may elect to purchase insurance prior to the start date of their Clinical rotation), malpractice insurance (during Clinical Medicine Program), and USMLE Step sponsorship.

Additionally: Please check with the Clinical Medicine Department in New York, as some sites may require additional fees.

For added convenience, students may use major credit cards for transactions (e.g., payment of tuition or deposits for admission). The Bursar's office accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

Tuition is due 30 days before the start of the term. Tuition costs and fees are subject to change without notice. Please refer to the Student Handbook for specifics regarding the financial policies of the University.

ADMISSIONS FAQs

When did the University of Sint Eustatius start?
The University was established in April of 1999. It started training doctors in September of 1999.

How many students are at the University of Sint Eustatius?
As of January 2007, there are approximately 150 students in the Basic Sciences (on island) and 260 students in the Clinical Medicine Program.

What is the professor to student ratio?
One professor for every ten students.

What is included in the tuition?
Tuition includes the costs for lab equipment and fees, library use and fees, use of microscopes and histology slide sets, administrative fees, technology fees, high-speed Internet connections, personal health insurance, evacuation insurance, and liability insurance during clinical years. Fees exclude room and board, textbooks and personal items.

What percentage of the student body is from North America?
Currently, 85% of our students come from the U.S. and Canada.

What countries other than the U.S. are students from?
The Netherlands, Canada, England, Venezuela, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, India, and Pakistan are currently represented in our student body.

How long is the intersession between terms?
Breaks between terms vary from 14-21 days. The longest break of the year usually follows the September term.

In order to enter the Basic Science Program, what/how many Premed subjects must be completed?
A Bachelor’s degree or a minimum of ninety hours of "college-level" study including one year with labs in, Biology, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Physics. These are minimum state licensure requirements for someone holding an M.D. degree.

Do the credits that I earned in a postgraduate nursing and/or PA program count towards my medical degree?
No, all credits for the M.D. degree must be completed while formally admitted and matriculated in a full M.D. degree program. Although some courses (e.g., Anatomy and Physiology) taken while studying Podiatry or Chiropractics provide good preparation, these courses nonetheless are not transferable into the M.D. degree program.

Does a medical school degree/certification from Poland, Israel or other foreign schools allow a student to go directly into Clinicals?
If that certification has made them eligible for the USMLE Step 1 exam, then there is the chance of admission into our Clinical program. The school, at minimum, must be W.H.O.-recognized and ECFMG-approved. The student must pass the USMLE step I exam prior to starting any rotations. Our own Basic Sciences Program coordinator usually analyzes course work to ensure that there are no voids in another program's curriculum.

What GPA is taken into consideration as part of the admissions process?
A student's GPA in the hard sciences is considered in the context of an overall GPA of 3.0. If you are not sure if you qualify or if you have a question, please email us.

Do you evaluate an aggregate GPA or just the GPA from the past two years?
We look at all aspects of each student's academic credentials and maturity, as well as the reputation and level of programs attended. We specifically examine trends of improvement over time.

Is the University recognized by the World Health Organization (W.H.O.)?
Yes, the W.H.O. has recognized the existence of the University of Sint Eustatius in a formal newsletter and on their website.

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