University of the Virgin Islands??

[mbcatac7]

Hello,

I was thinking of attending University of the Virgin Islands. I was wondering if anybody here is thinking about it, or nobody somebody that did.

Thanks

Billie

[hedalyn]

Hi all,

I'd thought I would weigh in since I am passionate about UVI (St. Thomas) and I am a nurse. I attended UVI as an exchange student in 2005 and then returned as a new graduate nurse to work in the hospital there. I later returned as a travel nurse. I hope one day soon to return as a nurse practitioner or possibly as an instructor at UVI.

I think many of you would find life in the VI wonderful and greatly fulfilling. Some of you would not. I've seen people move down there who didn't realize the island was mostly black heritage and who then didn't like it for that reason. I've seen people move down there who aren't adventurous at heart and spend their time there complaining about lizards and caribbean food. Don't move there if you don't like heat, humidity, the beach, interesting culture, and small community feel. You might face hurricanes not to mention that there are water shortages or power outages sometimes for no apparent reason. Most of the people I know that live there, however, love it everyday and consider themselves blessed to spend whatever time they can there. You don't really go 'without' anything; there is a mcdonalds if you like that sort of thing, movie theater, Kmart, organic food, mexican restaurants, sushi restaurants, Coach store, blah blah blah. Although, if you are concerned about that sort of thing....might not be the best place for you. I would HIGHLY suggest a reconnaisance visit. Actually, it should be required.

It is a small island, like 9 x 3.5 miles. Many areas are very touristy. There are very high rates of murder and HIV. That said, don't have unprotected sex or join a gang and you should be fine. Don't be stupid. I would say that there are areas that you should not live in; just ask someone who has lived there before to tell you in what area the address you are considering is located.

Many students cannot get housing on campus. If you can, do it! Surrounded by a beautiful, lush campus, a million friends, low stress living (cafeteria food, no utility bills, etc.) and you will have a guarenteed good time. If you do not get housing, consider the fact that you can get resident tuition after you complete a year (Get your driver's license there asap). However, it can be difficult to obtain an apartment in St. Thomas long distance. Not impossible, though. Check out the virgin islands daily news apartment listings as well as the Island trader apartment listings. There is also a great site USVI Moving Center - The Ultimate Resource for Relocating to and Living in the Virgin Islands

Your best bet might be to find a two-week or month long rental then scope it out and pay for it then. Your US credit cards are fine but consider how you can get a bunch or cash or money orders since most landlords there require first, last, and an additonal deposit. $$$. Cost of living isn't anything to get worked up about although I might not move there if you were very financially challenged because the move WILL be more expensive than you thought. Try to find roommates to help prevent any loneliness. If you live off campus, you'll probably need a car. You can have your car shipped there from Galveston, TX or Miami, FL which I would consider if it you have a nice SUV or mighty sedan that is all paid off. Otherwise you can buy a decent car for $3000-$5000. There are used car dealerships there. Yes, there are the safaris but many of the best places to live are not even walkable to the safari line. Bicycling is not an option unless you are a triathlete or like the thrill of danger.

Some people mentioned that they were concerned about 'temptations'. I'm not going to lie; I've seen many college students get sucked into the easy drinking lifestyle. But I wouldn't say it is that much worse than some university settings. Drinking age is 18 so there is that. I think you are fine if you are actually interested in becoming a nurse and doing the required learning. You might gain weight from drinking so much rum but then you also are very active - swimming, snorkeling, diving, plus UVI has great phys ed classes. It is not the locals that would provide the temptation - as a whole the VI culture is respectful, religious, etc. but the people who either are, or feel like they are, on vacation.

As to the low pass rates: the Virgin Island High Schools are not the best. Many students go from High school there to UVI and are not prepared for college/are behind mainland students. So the low pass rate might be more associated with that - poor preparation with writing, etc., poor study skills.

I think you should be good with the nursing program. I would plan to take an intensive NCLEX review after graduation, before the NCLEX, like HURST, etc. The hospital is a small community hospital but does get some very intensive care patients. There are some staffing issues there but nothing that should affect you as a student, only if you chose to work there after graduation.

If your parents are concerned, have them visit too! Many people hear bad things from people who are, to at least a small extent, ethnocentric or small-minded. Tell them you will do a trial year. Tell them to buy you medical evacuation insurance. Tell them you can do an exchange program at a stateside university for a semester or a year and come back to them. You might get island fever so hopefully you can afford to fly home at least once a year.

Feel free to email me at [email protected] if you have any other questions. I loved every minute of living there.