UVI

I know i asked about the cars on STT but info on either campus and surrounding are will be grealty appreciated.

thanks again

Jeremy,

I attended UVI St. Thomas campus....

Marine Biology super program, Science and Math division is strong!!

Affordable apts. near UVI.... well across from UVI is the airport, the left is a residential area and commercial area, and to the right is open forested area and further right is residential. If you get an apartment to the right which will put you in Bordeaux..... you will want a car, you can find good priced apartments, 800 for two bedroom, two baths, full living room, dining room, kitchen, porch, view..... however hell of a driveway... there are other homes/apartmens that are nearer to the road so less of a driveway. But all the same difficult to get to and from if you are living out there.

If you find a place not so tucked into the mountains or valley then perhaps you could do without a car, if you stayed in the dorms yes you could function using the bus to get to Pueblo for groceries and to K-mart.... if you work in town the bus goes there, rely on friends you make for going out.

The Dorms are nice, there are boys dorms and girls dorms, one set closest to the tennis courts are newer... rooms are small some are single others double, lots of windows for breeze, desk, small bed and thats it. Lots of students get a small refrigerator to keep some drinks, water, food....

You can find work at K-mart as a teller, packer, photo shop at Cost U Less also and Home Depot will be opening soon so that might be an option for you as well. The restaurants and maybe beach and watersports booths at the resorts often hire young college folks to work.

I would say first 2 months would be a good idea, you will more then likely find some type of work in the first month but just to be safe.

Perhaps get a Moving Guide - Settlers Handbook so you can be informed about what to expect and about island living.

Oh also, as a marine biology major - definately look at Coral World for jobs.... all the marine biology majors I knew got jobs there, either as tour guide, feeding the fish, diving for fish to put in the tanks....

Also - in my experience in meeting new transfer students from the states while I attended UVI, I would say close to half of them got messed up by the island time and slow way of life and partying and drinking ..... its easy to do it. Go out at night late, can't get up to go to class.... eeek becomes a mess.... enjoy the island life but be strong about what you came here to do - get a good education about marine life and enjoy the islands!!!

--Islander

I have a relative currently in the program and I have to agree with Islander's last comment- BEWARE THE ROCK!! If you let the lifestyle rule you, you will be down the drain and in the leech field in no time. Most of the marine biology students are students first. They have a tough curriculum and small classes- everyone knows you and if you are late or missing from class, it is noticed. There are lots of students who do not have cars and are pretty good with the safari system and hitch hiking. The dorm rooms are pretty small and a lot more rule-governed than in the states- no co-ed, no visitation, etc. One thing, if you want to stay at UVI, you might want to establish residency for the lower tuition and time in the dorm does not count. The area of Bonne Esperance seems to attract students. Besides Coral World, some other jobs for hard-working college students would be in the marine industry- beach attendant, crew on day boats, working at marinas, etc. Of course waiting tables and bartending are big ones too. Good luck, Jeremy.

Thank you you both. I was looking at the Coral World website and they said they are only hiring UVI students so thta's definitely a plus. As far as island time goes and the partying, well let's just say I'm not exactly leaving high school and coming down. Actually my 10 yr high school reunion is next year. But being prior service and all I'm just now finding a chance to attend school full time. And believe me as most ex-military can tell you, you'll burn yourself out a lot faster in their than at college. Believe me!!!!!!!! 😉
Once again thanx for the tips.

Jeremy, Good to hear you are getting back to college - All the best with your persuits at UVI and in the islands!!!

--Islander

Jeremy (and all new uvi students),

FYI, I read in the VI daily news today that there is going to be an increase in tuition (10%) in spring of 2004, dorms and meal plans (20%) fall of 2003 and other nominal increases in registration, transcripts, etc. Thought you might want to know since money will be tight. For more detailed info check out www.virginislandsdailynews.com.

Elle

thanks elle but as far as money for school goes i'm not to worried because i have the G.I. bill which right now is about 20 grand. But thanks for the update. 🙂