Most commodities and modern services (e.g., wireless internet, cable TV) are available on Sint Eustatius (Statia). The cost of living is generally greater than in the U.S. but is still within reasonable limits for medical students. However, these costs are dramatically lower on Statia than on many neighboring islands, as import duties are not imposed on goods entering the island. Nevertheless, the selection of goods and services is limited in comparison to what students may be accustomed.

Statia Life
No price can be placed on the stimulation offered by living and studying on a Caribbean island like Statia. Statians are friendly and hospitable, and students should take full advantage of the opportunities to get to know their hosts.

Although students should expect that a small Caribbean island like Statia may lack some of the conveniences taken for granted at home, they soon discover that with a little initiative they find all the essential ingredients for a fulfilling, satisfying existence.

Students can look forward to taking home much more from their experience abroad than simply a knowledge of the basic medical sciences: they inevitably leave Statia to enter clinicals with new perspectives on themselves and on life.

Language
Although Dutch is an official language of Statia, English is customarily spoken by the populace.

Weather
The annual average high temperature on Statia is approximately 85 degrees F. In the winter months, the temperature in the evenings can drop to the mid-to-high 60's. Although the weather is mostly sunny, tropical rains sporadically occur during most months. Every Fall, during hurricane season, inhabitants of the Caribbean watch carefully for unruly weather. Statia and the University have well-established protocols for dealing with such events.

Time Zone
Statia operates on Atlantic Standard Time (AST) all year round. In Fall and Winter, AST is one hour ahead of time in the eastern U.S. In contrast, in Spring and Summer when the U.S. sets its clocks forward for daylight savings, AST is identical to time in the eastern U.S.

Money and Banking
The official currency on the island is the Netherlands Guilder. However, U.S. cash and Euros are widely accepted.

There are two major banks on the island: First Caribbean National Bank (FCIB) and Windward Islands Bank (WIB). To open an account, students are required to present a letter of reference from their home bank, which should identify the name, address, and phone number of the student's bank, the length of time that student has had an account, and that the student is in good standing with their bank. Also, the banks on Statia require an official letter from the University verifying that the student is enrolled and living on Statia (available on request). FCIB requires a minimum deposit of $300.00 to open a savings account.

Students are not eligible to open checking accounts at FCIB. WIB requires a minimum deposit of $5.00 to open a savings account and $600.00 to open a checking account. U.S. personal checks take six weeks to clear and may be associated with a fee (minimum U.S. $10.00 at WIB; no charge at FCIB); other foreign checks may take several months to clear and be associated with a higher fee. The time involved in depositing a U.S. cashier's check in a WIB account may be reduced by using a cashier's check issued by Bank of America, the clearing house for WIB. Banks will cash personal traveler's checks immediately, with a variable fee (1% at FCIB, U.S.$0.50 per check at WIB).

Banks will transact cash advances from major credit cards (FCIB charges a fee of 1.15% in addition to the credit card company's interest charges), and bank accounts may be opened by this method. Please note that there is one ATM on the island located across the street from WIB. There is also a bank (no checking privileges) within the local post office. The account is in Netherlands guilders only; therefore other currency will automatically be converted. Personal checks are not accepted.

Money in the postal account accrues interest at 6% per year. The postal bank is also the agent for Moneygram, a worldwide money transfer service. Thus, students who anticipate utilizing wire transfer services frequently may find the postal savings bank more convenient than the other two banks. Students should bring enough money to cover housing costs for the term and other living expenses. Although we cannot specify exactly how much cash you should bring, we suggest at least U.S. $5,000.00 for one term.

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Food
The grocery stores on the island have a large selection of U.S.-type goods. Their hours of operation are sometimes limited, particularly on the weekends. Students arriving on Statia on a Sunday evening may not be able to purchase food immediately from a grocery store. However, students should be able to dine at restaurants that may be open late. Alternatively, students may wish to bring food to tide them over until stores open on Monday. Students should note that the University of Sint Eustatius does not currently provide a meal plan but some restaurants do. A current list of options is available through the Statia Administration Office. Grocery items may be found on island at prices generally 20-30% higher than those in the United States.

Water
On Statia, water conservation is an essential way of life. For the most part, the water supply for the island comes from rainwater that is collected from individual rooftops and stored in concrete cisterns at each residence. During the dry season and/or with frivolous use of water, the water supply can be depleted. When this happens, truck loads of water for the cistern can be purchased from the small desalination plant on Statia. Although water on Statia is untreated, it is considered by most to be safe to drink. Nonetheless, some students prefer to bring a method of water purification with them to the island. Bottled water is also available for purchase almost everywhere.

Electricity
Electrical outlets supply alternating current at 110V (as in North America). Power surges and brownouts are fairly common, so students are advised to protect computers and other electronic devices with a surge suppressor/uninterruptible power supply.

Phone
Telephone connections may take several weeks to establish. The local phone company charges approximately U.S.$70.00 for installation, plus a U.S.$500.00 deposit that is fully refundable upon disconnection. The service fee for a phone is about U.S.$30 per month. The phone rate from Statia is about U.S.$0.67 per minute to the U.S. and U.S.$0.90 per minute to Europe. Pre-paid cellular phones are available. For information, contact the local phone company, Eu-Tel, at 011-599-318-2320 or ACAgency at 011-599-318-2595 (acagency@goldenrock.net). Phone calls from the States to Statia can be expensive. Student families may wish to purchase international calling plans through their local phone companies.

Mail
The post office on Statia is open Monday through Thursday (7:30 a.m.-noon and 1:30-4:00 p.m.) and Friday (7:30 a.m.-noon and 1:30-3:30 p.m., Tel: 011-599-318-2207/2678). To mail to the U.S., single sheet letters cost approximately U.S. $1.61 and post cards about U.S.$0.44. Postal mail service to and from the Caribbean can be slow. It commonly takes two weeks or longer for mail to be received on either end. Federal Express and DHL service is also available on the island. In addition, those people who return to the U.S. during the term will often act as couriers of pre-stamped mail to be posted from within the U.S. Students often bring a supply of U.S. stamps for such occasions. United Parcel Service (UPS) also provides expedited mail service to the island. This service takes about 3-4 business days but is somewhat expensive and probably should be reserved for urgent matters.

Medical Care
The 22-bed Queen Beatrix Hospital Medical Center on Statia that is staffed with three full-time physicians (Tel: 011-599-318-2371/2211). The center small serves as both the emergency room and the place to go for routine doctor's visits. Upon arrival students may opt to inform a Dean concerning any major medical condition. This will better prepare the Administration to handle an emergency, should one arise.

Day Care
For students who plan to bring young children to Statia, there is a day care center, the Buzzy Bees Inn (Tel: 011-599-318-2329), which provides part-time or full-time care. According to faculty members who utilize this service, the center provides excellent small-group care at an affordable cost ($100/mo for full time daily care).

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Activities
Recreational activities abound on Statia. Athletes may participate recreationally or competitively in soccer and softball. Tennis and volleyball are also popular. Statia also offers hiking trails that permit intimate exploration of Statia’s natural wonders such as the Quill, a long dormant volcanic cone. The trails offer spectacular vistas of the surrounding Caribbean Sea and neighboring islands. Plant and animal life are rich and diverse, adding to photographic opportunities.

As would be expected, water sports attract many participants on Statia. Swimming and snorkeling are favorite activities in the protected waters of the western (Caribbean) side of the island. Scuba diving also presents magnificent opportunities are explore a mysterious world of fantastically colored fish and corals. Ocean kayaking tours present an intriguing alternative for the sight-seer, and deep-sea fishing may provide a welcome dose of action.

Nightlife
Nightlife on Statia is casual and relaxed. Absent are the distracting glitz and glitter of casinos and elite nightspots. In their place, students unwind in more peaceful surroundings. Small reasonably priced restaurants and quaint road-side bars and barbecue pits dot the landscape, providing a distinctive unrushed atmosphere in which to sample local favorites while making new friends. Nevertheless, at select times of the year, public festivals and other events take the parties into the wee hours.

Transportation
Most students can easily navigate the island on foot. However, bicycles are becoming a popular mode of travel for students. A limited selection of bicycles are available for sale on the island, and many students opt to purchase bicycles from Sint Maarten for shipping to Sint Eustatius. Nevertheless, some may consider the hills of Sint Eustatius to be too difficult to navigate on foot or by bicycle. These students may opt to purchase a scooter, quad or other motor vehicle (it is common for students to share expenses for used motor vehicles as a cost-saving measure). In such cases, students are urged to procure valid licenses for the legal operation of motorized vehicles.

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Additional Information
Further information can be found in our Student Handbook, FAQs, or by contacting us via email.