Puerto Rico school feedback?

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Anyone out there have info on the school in Arecibo, PR? It is a 24 month program that begins in August.

I'd love to hear anything, thanks.

zzzzzgirl

Specializes in Emergency.

Since so many of you will be braving the island soon and looking for housing I thought I would post some things you will want to ask/know when looking at places.

1. If you're coming early to find a place, make sure you are clear with your landlord about whether or not you are responsible for paying the months you will not be here, or if they are going to hold it for you without that. Some will, some won't.

2. Electricity and Water Included make a HUGE difference. Electricity is expensive, but it is also something you can control. Decide what is better for you. Also, some places that "include" water and electric, have a cap. Like $50/mo and anything over that you must pay out of pocket.

3. Are appliances included? Just because you see the unit with a fridge and stove...doesn't mean they will be there when you move in. Make sure to ask.

4. If you have a gas (most likely propane) stove, that can bring your electric down a lot. You'll probably cook because eating out is expensive.

5. Washer & Dryer. A lot of places that include appliances do include a washer and dryer. This can be a huge help to you, especially if you don't have a car.

6. Who is responsible for fixing things that break...e.g. faucets, included appliances etc. Some leases require the tenant to pay for any repairs under $500.

7. If your lease is in Spanish and your Spanish is not awesome, ask for one in English. If they refuse, find someone you trust to read the ENTIRE thing to you.

8. Check for water and mold. It's an island and most stuff/places smell musty, it's pretty much unavoidable, but you shouldn't see any mold or bubbles in ceilings that may be from a leak. One student had to move and is suing her landlady over a mold issue.

9. Parking...do you have your own parking spot, and is it behind some kind of locked gate.

10. Screens!! Screens are considered a luxury item here apparently. I couldn't live without them so i put mine in pretty inexpensively. If you need help message me.

This is all I can think of right now, I'll add more if anything comes to mind. Jeb, DM, Yogi, or anyone else, please add more if you can think of them.

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To all you folk stressing out about not getting in for Fall 2011, relax!! Just send in your documents and plan on taking a mini vacation to come down to the island and go to the school in person. Its not like the nursing schools back home, they'll drive you crazy, but NO ONE is turned away by Inter, so as long as your check clears you're good!! and as long as you have a ba or bs you get into the 2 year accelerated program automatically, so take it easy guys and make a vacation out of coming down to the island...

They have Dengue here which is transmitted by mosquitos, so screens are definitely a must have like Cahoon said.

Also, there seems to be a bit more crime here than I'm used to back home. One of my roommates was mugged a couple weeks ago late at night and had to wear a cast on his arm, and there have been two shootings (one guy died in the street) and a manhunt for a person who escaped from jail nearby. This is in the Centro Medico area.

Oh, the school has a long list of housing for students thats pretty cheap, but has a lot of restrictions. I pay $275 a month for the bedroom I rent, all utilities included, with 3 other guys and 1 bathroom. But, I can't have booze in the house or any friends in the house unless they're guys in the house...just to give you an example. It seems like a lot of the students live near the campus in the Los Cumbres area, so people might try checking there first, since you can just walk to school...

Hope that helps a little bit!

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I got accepted to Inter for this August. Toeveryone moving there for this August, are you guys bringing furniture and or cars? I was wondering what I am going to do with all my furniture here in Florida. Let me know what you guys are doing in regards to thatAny past current future students are more than welcome to respond.

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hi pearlgirl am also planning on joining inter this august and since you are,,,,, i figure it would be a nice idea for us to keep intouch, am travelling to PR this weekend to regester and get a feel of the place,:)

do you have your degree already. I don't. I will be attending Inter in August as well. I plan to visit PR in June. I live in Florida. I have no idea in regards to housing there. please let me know about your trip. Thank you.

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I was planning on taking my car but its was expensive to send and you Have to pay a fee to take it out the port in pr. The newer the car, the more expensive.

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I got accepted to Inter for this August. Toeveryone moving there for this August, are you guys bringing furniture and or cars? I was wondering what I am going to do with all my furniture here in Florida. Let me know what you guys are doing in regards to thatAny past current future students are more than welcome to respond.

Most places are atleast furnished with a bed.... I've been here since last august and don't have much im my place, then again i rent a room in a house with 7 other girls, two bathrooms and one kitchen! my rent includes all utilities including cable and internet which is rare.

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MidWest....do you mind me asking what part of town you are living in? Like the area/town??? Cahoon gave us a lot of helpful information that I plan on utilizing when i visit Puerto Rico. I just hope to get as much information about housing/areas to live in...the more the better...the safe for all of us new comers going to Puerto Rico. Alike my future former classmate, I too plan on visiting Puerto Rico in June....but only for a couple of days. I will try and do as much looking for apartments as possible, but I know I wont have that much time.

To all current Inter students: MidWest, WorldTravelingYogi, Designer Mommy, Jeb, Cahoon....

Does the school offer tours???

Also, I kan only imagine all the studying you guys are doing...but would any of you guys possibly be able to show me around school when I do take a visit? If not, that is completely understandable kuz of studying...and afterall, I am just some random person from the internet. lol. I just would like to get some insight from the school from students....US students for that matter. I know if I ask Admissions Department questions or PR Locals regarding housing, they might be bias with their answers as compared to you guys. I hope you guys dont think any of us, the new class are "annoying". I think I can speak for all that we are all quite nervous moving to a different country and quite clueless how the system works down there! Its much easier to converse in person than internet too. Like I mentioned, i understand if you are busy and will not get offended at all if you cant. I'm just very nervous! Im not even for certain when i'll be visiting, all I knwo is in June...i hope.

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@pearlgirl I live in the Centro Medico area, when i first got here i didn't know that the methadone clinic was next door!! But if you dont mess with anybody nobody messes with you. I would recommend that you sign a lease for 6 months bc most likely you will find a better place later on. I have not had any issues living here, one of my friends walks me home when i do not have a ride. The main reason i picked this house was bc it is two blocks from the train station, i knew a girl living here and its one station away from Cupey which is were you can hope on the school trolley (its free and runs Monday-Friday) for those like me that do not have a car it is very convenient. I would recommend living in an area near a train station if you do not have a car. Some classmates are leaving in June and might be selling there car if anybody is interested i can find out more details.

I feel all the anxiety you guys are having but you will meet friends here, we are all on the same boat. I'm taking Pediatrics in June so ill be available to give you a tour of the school. Trust me when i say DO NOT worry about getting into a class or being here on August 1st (first day of class) last august we didn't even have an instructor for one our classes!! and the first week of school you will most likely meet for about one or two hours each class.

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@pearlgirl I live in the Centro Medico area, when i first got here i didn't know that the methadone clinic was next door!! But if you dont mess with anybody nobody messes with you. I would recommend that you sign a lease for 6 months bc most likely you will find a better place later on. I have not had any issues living here, one of my friends walks me home when i do not have a ride. The main reason i picked this house was bc it is two blocks from the train station, i knew a girl living here and its one station away from Cupey which is were you can hope on the school trolley (its free and runs Monday-Friday) for those like me that do not have a car it is very convenient. I would recommend living in an area near a train station if you do not have a car. Some classmates are leaving in June and might be selling there car if anybody is interested i can find out more details.

I feel all the anxiety you guys are having but you will meet friends here, we are all on the same boat. I'm taking Pediatrics in June so ill be available to give you a tour of the school. Trust me when i say DO NOT worry about getting into a class or being here on August 1st (first day of class) last august we didn't even have an instructor for one our classes!! and the first week of school you will most likely meet for about one or two hours each class.

I would love a tour and also need a car.

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Hello all,

Thank you all for such informative posts! I stumbled upon this thread in March and have since applied to La Inter's English trimester program. You all have answered many questions for me over the past few months. I can't thank you enough. I have a dilemma, and I'm wondering if you guys/gals could give me some advice. I spoke with someone over the phone last Monday who pulled up my information and told me to send in my transcripts and a copy of my social security card. I have a BS and am looking to get into the accelerated program. I sent those things in last Monday. I have been calling all day to find out if they received them or if I will be accepted but have not been able to speak with anyone who could help me. I am currently enrolled in summer courses that are prerequisites for other programs that I wish to apply to. If I am accepted I will attend the English trimester program at La Inter and will drop the courses. Basically, I need to find out by June 1 if I will be accepted so that I can drop the courses and get a refund. From reading this thread I'm aware that I am probably OK. But, what can I do to get this information in time? I really want to get started in August. Again, thanks for all of your wonderful help thus far.

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You will Def. Get in the accelerated program if you have a degree already

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@ClemsonTiger. You will DEFINITELY get into the program and you might not get a hold of anyone by June 1st. As far as i know when i applied last August I was the only one that got an acceptance letter everyone that i have talked to got there's when they arrived the last week of June to register. Do not worry about getting a letter or talking to someone on the phone if they have you in the system all you need to do is when you come bring copies of your required information (ie SS card, transcripts, you will also need a record of your immunizations for clinical).

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