UVI St. Thomas

Hello Berlynn,
I'm afraid that I won't be much help to you, but I'll try my best. Being that I just moved here a month ago, I'm still not too sure where everything is yet. And I still haven't fully gotten used to the culture & way of life down here. As far as I know, there are two K-Marts on St Thomas. One is right down on the Charlotte Amalie waterfront. That's a mini-Kmart. The other is located at the TuTu Park Mall. From what I can tell, it is pretty easy to get to either one of them, as they are both located off a main road. I try to avoid taking the $5 taxis because they can get a little expensive. If you are on the main roads, you can look out for a dollar-safari-ride. Obviously, they cost you a dollar. They take you practically from one end of the island to the other, and you can hop on/off wherever you choose. The one I ride on passes right by both the KMarts that I mentioned. Sometimes it's hard to tell which taxis are a dollar. From what I can tell, the dollar rides are mostly filled with locals, as opposed to those "tourist looking" types. 🙂
But if you want to tell for sure, as you see a taxi approaching, hold up a number 1 sign on your finger. If the taxi is not a "dollar ride", he will drive right by. If he pulls over, he will be a dollar. Oh, just a little warning, these dollar-ride-safaris usually stop operating appx 7:30pm. So after that, you may get stuck paying $5.
They also have a public transportation system down here called VITRAN. It also costs a dollar. But from what I can tell, it seems to be pretty unreliable & I wouldn't really count on it.
But as I mentioned, I've only been here a month. Other people may have better advice. As for the culture, most of the people I've met seem very nice. But I still don't really feel as though I fit in yet. I'm having trouble understanding some of the accents down here (I'm from Philly). And once in awhile I get the feeling like I'm looked down upon for not being a local. But those times are very few. And all in all, I can't imagine a more beautiful place to live & go to school in.

Berlynn: You will find that UVI students seem to look out for each other. Are you planning on staying in the dorms? One thing I have heard is that the "regular" students may hold you at arm's length as a "temp."They learn that they have to study and a lot of the exchange students DON'T.

Thanks to both of you for the info/advice, I'll especially have to look out for the dollar taxis. And on campus I will be staying in the dorms, and definitely plan to study, but I guess I would probably get 'temp' status at most places if I was only there 1 semester. My area of study is geography/global studies, so I'm going as much for the cultural experience as the regional classes.

Hello Berlynn,

I attended UVI several years ago. If you have particular questions ask them and I will try and help. Also anything in particular about culture/daily life. (If you have 20 questions, its best to just ask them all.) 'Unofficial info.' is too general :).

Transportation: I took the bus everyday for about a year from UVI to downtown and it worked out well. There are two bus stops, one by the golf course and one by the CA bldg. The $ rides work well too.

Staying in the dorms is (tu), you will meet more people this way and the other students can help you out in terms of places to go, culture, beaches, restaurants etc.

UVI has a geography/global studies program now? Or are you taking general courses that are applicable to your major back at your home school? I ask because I took all the geography classes that were offered while there, all 3 of them :). And they were pretty basic/introductory. I recall they were trying to add a couple others.

--Islander

Islander: The UVI doesn't have a geography program, which is why I'm only going for one semester - I'll be taking mostly general electives. =)
I don't have very many specific questions right now, as I've found several helpful websites especially this one. One thing I can think of is that everywhere I have read that one shouldn't neglect to say good morning, good afternoon, etc. which isn't done regularly where I'm from. But I wondered if there were any other social 'faux pas' you can think of which newcomers from the states tend to make that I should avoid.
Thanks again for your help,
Berlynn

Berlynn: Maybe Islander can back me up on this, but my young relative, a recent UVI graduate, said that they were told NOT to say "Good morning" when they came into class (which is what people would usually do when entering a room)- I guess 10 minutes of "Good morning" would be more than the instructor could take!

You will get used to the greetings quickly. It is a nice acknowledgment of fellow human beings crossing paths.

Yes you are right on East Ender. Some professors didn't say anything but a few did right from the start of semester. I remember one professor - it was quite funny - she had started class and one student came in 'Good Afternoon'... we all said 'Good Afternoon' and then a few minutes later another student came in and quietly closed the door and then said 'Good Afternoon' and we all replied. And then... yeap a 3rd student came in late and as they were opening their mouth to say 'Good Afternoon' the teacher said OK OK OK I got it, you were all brought up well and know to say Good Day HOWEVER if you are LATE for my class I find it very rude for you to interupt me to say Good anything - just come in as quietly as possiable and sit down, say nothing.

So yes in a classroom setting, once class has started it can be annoying and disruptive. If class had not started then we still said good morning, good afternoon when entering the classroom to whatever students were in the room and when the professor arrived they would say Good Day to us as well and then get started with class.

🙂

Berlynn, I can't really think of any 'social paus pas' tips. You will have a good time.

--Islander

Thanks all for the amusing stories and the tips. I'm looking forward to my trip even more now! 🙂

Hey Berlynn

I am also going to be attending UVI in the fall ( well august) for my Masters. I was actually wondering if you had any input for me. I got accepted in February and made my deposit and recieved financial Aid, but since then I have heard nothing from the school. I am getting nervous about registering for classes and do I have an advisor?? Basically, I'm wondering if you have had any correspondance that I haven't. Also, do you know if we have a mailbox on campus? Sorry about all the questions!! Maybe we can meet up at school, i have to live off campus though as a grad student. 🙂
~Becky

Islander, is the golf course at UVI open to the public? I've been by it many times, but was just wondering.

Thanks, BB

Hello Becky,

Yes students are assigned an advisor. If you haven't heard anything from them, give them a call and find out what you need to do next. There is a mailbox on campus. When I attended it was for students residing on campus only.

BB, the golf course at UVI isn't a real golf course. There are no holes. I took golf at UVI 🙂 we aimed for a spot - LOL. I am not aware that this has changed. It's open to the public. There are usually one or two people there everyday just practicing their technique.

--Islander

Hey Islander:)

Thanks for the input about UVI. I laughed for a solid five minutes about the golf course b/c my fiance is borderline obsessed with golf and was ecstatic that it was free to the public, and now i get to tell him there are no holes!! LOL. makes my day. teehee 😉 Actually he has been in contact with a man over at Mahogony (sp?) golf course about job opportunities..it is looking good, do you know anything about that place? But on the other side, he will be content just to swing his clubs:)

Becky

Hello Becky,

Mahogany Run Golf Course is a nice one, its a real golf course with holes - LOL... not sure if that is what you were asking. 😉

--Islander

Copying some posts from the Vacation Board regarding Mahogany Run Golf Course.

rojako - Some friends of our went golfing at Mahogany Run in January/2005. Their critique: Interesting and challenging golf course. For the islands, its in good condition. If compared to a course in the Continental - it could use some higher level of maintenance. Very scenic. Pretty tough course. Well worth the fee.....not cheap....~$150 if you have to rent your clubs.
Save yourself a few $$$ and pack some balls that you won't mind losing. I've played the past 3 years and shot somewhere(?) over 100!!
Kurt - I'm usually a bogey golfer, too. The views are awesome so pack a camera for your round. Give them a call and I'm sure you can hook up with someone.
Bubba - Tough? If you can play the three holes on Devil's Triangle without a penalty stroke, you get a free gift!!

Regarding UVI, I have attempted to contact the school through the admissions e-mail because I was wary about making too many long-distance phone calls, however I've yet to hear from them on e-mail. Is calling the only way to get in touch with them? And if so, should I start making arrangements for Spring 2006 semester already, or will they not be able to solidify plans for room, classes, etc. so soon?

Also, since I am going to be there for so long (January-May), would I have to buy a one-way ticket there and back? I've never booked my own flights before, so any tips on how to get good deals on airfare into STT would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Hi everyone!

I have another question regarding UVI and health cards if working in the food industry. Every student has to get a physical in order to attend UVI ( well at least non-territorial students)so I have gone through all the lab tests and the truly hated stool test for school and I was wondering if it is possible to take the results that I have to provide for UVI and use it to get a health card instead of doing all the same testing over again? Thanks!!!

Hello Berlynn,

Your best bet is to call them. Some folks have e-mail and don't check/use it. You have some time, so you might e-mail again and see if you get a response before calling. 😉

I visited the UVI web site and in their schedules I noted that the deadline for filing an application for room is Nov. 15th for Spring 06. And Registration for continuing students is Oct. 31st to Nov. 10th. Registration and Orientation for New Students is January 9th-12th, registration being the 10th. So I'd say if you haven't filed your application for housing make sure to do that before the deadline. If you have already then follow up with them in early October to make sure things are set. And at the same time you can ask about registration; you will likely have to wait until new student registration in January.

As for your ticket. Sometimes one ways work out cheaper then round trips and sometimes they don't. So check it out. You can go to websites such as http://www.aa.com, http://www.delta.com, http://www.orbitz.com, http://www.travelocity.com and put in your dates and airports (St. Thomas = STT) and see what prices you get. Compare, shop around. You can put in one way, round trip, put in a return date in May and see if it lets you and what the price is. Many times airlines have limits for 30 days or 60 days on special rates, but try it just the same. Start looking from now so you can monitor rate changes, that way you sort of know when you are getting a good deal. You could post what airport you are coming from and perhaps folks on the board who have flown from there to here can give you an idea of what they have paid. You can also sign up for discount rate newsletters, you get the notices every week or so with special rates, sales. If you book online, often you will have an e-ticket, rather than a paper ticket (you may know that already depending on how much you travel).

Hope that helps.

--Islander

Hello Becky,

Yes all students have to complete the medical form for UVI attendance.

I contacted the clinic at the hospital about the stool test necessary for the food handlers card. They said the results are only good for 3 months. They don't accept expired results and I am assuming yours would be expired by the time you get here in January?

--Islander

Hiya Islander

Actually, I am moving down on Monday and going to grad school starting in the fall ( well August)!!! I thought I mentioned that in an earlier post (but maybe I forgot), but we've been planning it for a year, so the anticipation is high and the "waiting game" is almost over ( thank god). I just had my physical a week ago, and just sent the physical examination form down to UVI yesterday, so the all the tests are current! So, I hope I can use the results from this test to get a health card?

Becky 🙂

Hello Becky,

Sorry about that, you did mention fall. I had just answered Berlynn's post and she is starting UVI in January... got mixed up.

So since it will be current get a copy of the results from your lab/physician to bring with you, if you haven't already.

Let us know how it works out. (tu)

--Islander

Depending on where you come from, you might be able to take advantage of the low priced one-way flights on Jet Blue airlines. They fly into San Juan many times a day. From there, it is easy to book a one-way flight on American Eagle or CapeAir or even Seaborne Airlines. Check www.jetblue.com to see if Jet Blue flies out of an airport near you. They have been adding a new airport pretty much every month and their website is very user-friendly.