University Of St. Eustatius School Of Medicine

Here's a look at what student life is like for Josh and what he gets to see each day being a medical student in a Caribbean University. Student life isn't easy thats for sure.  Long days of studying, little family time and lots of stress. He's lucky if he sees the beach once a month. I just thought I would show you all a look into the school life as well.

The University of Sint Eustatius School of Medicine (ESEOM) is known as a premier Caribbean medical university along with having small class sizes and one of the best Clinical Medicine programs in the region.

Unique among Caribbean medical schools, we know our students by name, not by their student ID number. With a low 10:1 student-teacher ratio, professors’ doors are always open for assistance. Every student has an opportunity to participate in group study, or find a space for quiet, self study time.

The University of Sint Eustatius School of Medicine provides students with high-speed wireless Internet access. Lucky, I'm jealous as our internet at our home is slow. Classes at the university are taught in English. Classrooms are fully air-conditioned, this is why Josh still hasn't adjusted to the heat as he practically lives in a refridgerator. 

The Clinical Program of the University of Sint Eustatius (what we will be doing after we are on St Maarten) offers a wide range of rotation opportunities. Instead of rotating in a single hospital or clinical group, USESOM students rotate at over 60 clinical sites throughout the U.S. Students can elect to rotate in a specific geographical location, or choose multiple sites across the country.

ISLAND LIFE - The island of St. Maarten is approximately 33 square miles in size.  USESOM is located on the Dutch side, which comprises nearly 40% of the island geography and is bordered by the Caribbean Sea.  The French side is to the North and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean

Language - The official languages of St. Maarten are Dutch and English.  French and English are officially spoken on the French side of the island (St. Martin). You will also hear a lot of Spanishsh

Weather - Like the other islands in the Caribbean, Saint-Martin has a tropical climate.  The average annual temperature is 27°C, peaking at around 32°C. Temperatures rarely dip below 20°C.  But with the feel like temp. it can feel between 40-50°C. The temperature on St. Martin is stable and benefits from the trade winds.  There is no rainy season as such and the showers are rather short.

Time Zone - St. Maarten is within the Atlantic time zone (-4 UTC).  During the Spring, Summer and Fall months, when the United States observes Daylight Savings Time (DST), St. Maarten’s time zone is in sync with the U.S.’s East Coast (Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)).  During Standard Time (November – March), the Atlantic time zone stays ahead one hour while most countries “fall back” one hour.  Hence, North America is behind St. Maarten by one hour during this period.... In the spring/ summer months we are 2 hours ahead of back home and in the fall/winter months we are 3 hours ahead of back home.

PHONE - Dialing to/from St. Maarten is similar to calling to/from the United States.  In late 2012, St. Maarten joined the North American Numbering Plan and now uses the Country Code “1″.  The local Area Code is “721″.  For example, to call the local phone number for USESOM Administration, dial 1-721-xxx-xxxx.

The University of Sint Eustatius School of Medicine.

A look at a classroom.

And the students in a lecture (all wearing their bright green scrubs)

The Anatomy Lab

In the Anatomy lab they have plasticized bodies and a lot of other cool stuff that Lincoln loves to look at when he comes to visit dad.

  Hands on learning.

Here's a fews view of the University from the Simpson bay lagoon dock.

 This is the street that the University is located on.

This is the Medial Center students get an opportunity to do rounds at in St Maarten in their 5th term. Josh will do his rounds in September- December.

Here's some pictures to show you what the hospital looks like here.

Front Entrance

This is looking out from the hospital across the street.

The rest of the pictures are more pictures of the island and what it looks like here.

This picture above in Simpson Bay.

 The Yacht Club- Isle De Sol is the main place that Yachts are docked in the Lagoon.

Yachts docked at the Simpson Bay Lagoon

Local House

Cruise Ships

A view from the View point on the road going around the hill into town. On the left is Simpson BAy and on the right is Cole bay, where we live and the University is.

We get to view some amazing sunsets here.

I love all the different tropical plants they have here.