Helpful Advice for Incoming Rossies

I tend to get a lot of emails and Facebook messages from incoming Ross students all asking the same questions, so for the sake of simplicity (and saving my poor RSI-injured wrists from more typing), I figured I can address the more common ones here.

As time progresses, I'm sure I'll add to this... if you want me to discuss anything further, feel free to message/email/comment and I'll see what I can do.

** Please remember that these are only my opinions, and in no way are the one and only source you should use! **

"What should I bring?  I mean, I'm limited in space to pack everything!"
Yeah, it's tough bringing everything that you think you may need in just 2 suitcases (or even 4 if you're lucky enough to have someone come with you and act as a pack mule), especially to an island that you (more than likely) haven't even visited.  However, this is my list of what I recommend to people coming down here:
  • Pur water filter:
    If you choose to go with a different brand, make sure it filters microbial cysts--we have Giardia and Cryptosporidium in the water after heavy rains.
  • Sweatshirts/sweatpants/jeans:
    Yes, you are moving to a tropical climate... however the classrooms/library/union tend to be kept REALLY cold.
  • Hiking sneakers:
    If you're an outdoorsy type... there are a TON of hikes to go on, and a bad pair of sneakers can make or break the hike.
  • DVDs or a Netflix account:
    (or a means to download movies... the ones you find down here are bootlegged ones.  Recently, Netflix expanded into the Caribbean... yay!)
  • Bug spray/sunblock:
    You can find it down here, but it's a lot cheaper in the US.  On that note, remember to wear your sunblock every day--the sun is intense down here.
  • Spare battery/charging cord for your laptop:
    I've had BOTH die on me down here as a result of the constant power outages... it's a good idea to bring a spare of both so if your battery dies during finals week, you have a backup.
  • Rechargable batteries:
    Dear god, they are EXPENSIVE down here... regular batteries, that is.
  • Flashlight/headlamp:
    If you plan on studying while the power is out, you'll need some easy way to read your notes that aren't on computer (OneNote has become my best friend while living down here, however.)  Candlelight really isn't the easiest way to do so--especially if you accidentally catch a notebook on fire trying to get closer to the light source.
  • A small, battery-operated fan:
    When you lose power, you lose A/C... and it gets HOT in a bedroom if your windows are rusted shut.
  • Clothes in your class color (shirts, bandanas, etc.):
    During the first few weeks of the semester, we have the Semester Olympics and also it's a great way to get comraderie within your class.  A lot of the school gets into the spirit of the events--even the dogs wear bandanas with the class colors.
  • Professional attire:
    Bring at least one "nicer" outfit in case you go to dinner with a speaker, or to the West Indies Veterinary conference, or have to present a project to your class.               
I honestly wouldn't worry about buying all your books back home (except maybe a Merck Manual, and a Plumb's drug guide), as you can find students selling their old books on our Craigslist-like page (link is below) or at the 7th semester sales every other week.  In the meantime, all the textbooks are on reserve at the library and there are a TON of study guides that are circulated.

You can find mostly anything you'd find in the US in the supermarkets down here... however, be ready to spend about 1 1/2-2 times the cost of what you'd normally spend... and you may not be able to find everything every week.  All the retail items are shipped down and the cargo is brought in once a week, so just plan ahead (and remember milk comes in on Wednesday/Thursday).

"What about phone service?  Do the companies down there have VoIP phones?"
Truth be told, yes.  The Cable has a phone plan... however, from everyone I've spoken to, it's EXPENSIVE (like everything else down here).

The student union has 4 (?) phones in it that you can use to call home--they do request that you're courteous to people waiting to use them, but typically, you can make 15-20 minute calls with no issue during non-peak (a.k.a. not during lunch) times.

Most of us have Skype, Vonage, or MagicJack with us. I personally have Skype.  It's $30 a year for unlimited calls to the US your own phone number and voice mail.  You can set it up to forward to your cell phone as well if you want (just remember it'll eat up your minutes on that).  From what I hear, GoogleTalk also lets you make free phone calls as well.

The school will give you a pay-as-you-go cell phone during orientation week.  You can keep that topped up with credit through the student services desk in the union or online (link below).  Calls/texts to Ross students (from what I've seen) are free!  Just remember they'll give you a REALLY old Nokia-style phone... so if you have a Blackberry, Xenon, or any other phone that accepts a SIM card that you'd like to use, remember to get the unlock code from the company so you can pop in your Digicel SIM card.

"What about cars?  Do I really need one?  Aren't they SUPER expensive?"
Brace yourself for this topic... it's probably not the set of answers you want to hear.

Living on campus, a car isn't necessary for the first semester--you can typically hire a taxi (which costs about $10EC, the local currency, per direction) with a group or take a bus (which is a glorified van) to the supermarkets, beaches, etc.  The perk of living in the dorms is that there are at least 2-3 other people that probably need the same things.  There's also a convenience store in the dorms that you can get last-minute groceries at.

However, once you move off campus, things can get a little more difficult (albeit not impossible) without a car, especially if you live 3-5 miles away from campus.  3-5 miles down here isn't anything like 3-5 miles in the US--it's HOT and the roads aren't straight-lines... there are a lot of curves and roundabouts along the way.  Carpooling is always an option with the other students in your apartment complex or neighborhood.  However, I prefer the freedom of having my own car, so if I decide to go study at the beach or am running late for class, I can just hop in and go.  It's a matter of personal preference.

You'll end up spending between $3000-6000 for a car that you typically would spend $1000 on in the US.  Many of the cars are 10+ years old and we jokingly (although, in most cases it is true) say they're held together with duct-tape.  Don't be fooled into spending more than that--all the cars are old and have their own sets of issues (i.e. I've had to replace the radiator, head gasket, ignition coils, AND recently have the cable for the shifter replaced in the past year).  If you buy a car from a student, save yourself some trouble and have a mechanic check it before you sign the papers... it may cost a bit more at the start, but it'll save you money in the long-run.

Find a good mechanic--it's all based off of word-of-mouth.  I've used many... been screwed over by some... and found others INCREDIBLY helpful.  If you get a Nissan, there's a dealership... it's one of the few places I've found with a real, trained mechanic.  Many of them are backyard mechanics... some are good, some not so much.

Random Hints/Suggestions
  • Hissing is a complement. 
    It sounds odd, but if a guy hisses at you while walking by, it's similar to the cat calls or whistles back home.  
  • Keep your electronics charged. 
    While living on campus and at some apartments, you have the benefit of a backup generator if the power goes out (which happens a LOT... this semester, we've made it a record of 15 days without a power outage). Otherwise, leave everything charging while you're in class just in case.
  • BOP is your friend. 
    I'm sure you've heard stories about the giant centipedes... BOP is your main weapon in that battle.  It's stronger than what you can find in the US (I think it's actually illegal back there), but it's one of the few things that'll kill those suckers.
  • Be safe! 
    I'm not just talking about safe sex (although AIDS rates down here are pretty high).  Keep your wits about you... it's a poorer country than the US, and crime DOES happen.  Travel in a group at night.  Keep your house/car locked and your valuables safe.  Carry a pocket knife or mace (you can get the license and the mace at the student services desk in the union).  Don't leave your laptop near a window that can easily be reached through.
  • Study EVERY day... well, at least 6 days a week. 
    I give myself one day off a week as a mental break... Fridays are volleyball days for me.  Yes, I still watch some TV, but I limit myself to the ONE show I'm really eager to see.  Your classes are cumulative, so it's important to understand your anatomy, histology, immunology, and physiology to build upon.      That being said, understand that one method of studying won't work for all classes and you'll spend some time at the start of the term finding out what works best for you.  Some classes, I use flash cards... others I simply rewrite notes... and some I make charts.  Experiment.  Find what works best for that class for you.  You don't want to wait until the last minute to cram in all the material--you really want to LEARN and UNDERSTAND it so that you can apply it in later classes.
  • Don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it. 
    Professors are approachable!  Visit them during office hours if you have a question or just want to stop by to say hi (and make yourself known).  Email them if you need help while you're studying.  Hire a tutor.  Go to TA sessions.  Befriend someone in higher semesters (most of us like the review opportunities).  Don't wait until 3-4 weeks before the final to get the help you need.  Everyone wants to see you succeed.
  • We're all in this together. 
    It may seem strange to say this, but there is a sense of competition for grades at times.  Keep in mind that we're ALL in the same boat here--we've all left our friends and family behind... we're all working towards the same goal (but there are plenty of job opportunities out there since we're not ALL going into small animal medicine).  Remember to help your classmates out--share study materials, form study groups, remember to smile and lend an ear if someone's having a rough day.  The Ross community becomes your family away from home.
  • Remember to have fun. 
    It sounds pretty common-sense, but you have to make time for yourself.      Yes, you came here to study veterinary medicine, but your mental health is important, too.  Join clubs--even the ones that meet just for fun (i.e. scuba or Nerds Anonymous).  It's a great way to meet friends down here in other classes.  Get involved in the community--go to church groups, help with spay/neuter clinics for the islanders, etc.  Just remember to not get TOO involved that your studies suffer.
  • Try new things.
    You're embarking on a journey that not many are able to do--embrace the new culture.  Try new foods (like the "lobster" here is actually rock lobster, a large shrimp) and drinks (Ting, a grapefruit soda... or mauby, a tea made from the bark of the mauby? tree).  Try a new hobby/sport--volleyball and scuba are great places to start (and a great way to make new friends).  Go to the farmer's market on campus on Wednesday afternoons and try some of the local fruits and veggies... or even go to the cooking class they offer towards the start of the semester.  Live de life!

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