Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with caribbean

Are there any significant disadvantages to going to medical school in the Caribbean?

SeizeTheDay — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:17:14 -0800

Are medical schools in the Caribbean a respectable alternative to the traditional route of going to school in the US? I know a young person who recently got accepted to, and is now destined to goto, a Caribbean medical school in lieu of finishing a traditional undergraduate degree in the US and applying here. I have some major concerns because I'm more of a traditionalist in the academic sense, and I'm very afraid that their education will be subpar and would put them at a significant disadvantage to tradional medical school graduates.

Here's what I know: 1) They still need to apply to, and get accepted to, a residency program in the US following med school. 2) It's a tougher climb to get into residency. 3) They will not graduate with an undergraduate degree, and could put them in a disadvantage should they decide that being a doctor isn't for them anymore.

What I don't know: 1) Does the fact that the school is located in the Caribbean really matter (i.e. is the education actually subpar)? 2) Are there any professional disadvantages that doctors here can attest to? 3) If there's really no downside, why don't more people do this? (or do they, and I'm just unaware) 4) Is my concern justified, or am I simply being an overly traditional academic?

Last minute trip to Barbados?

Area Control — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 09:50:26 -0800

I want to go to Barbados right now! It looks like a nice place for my first visit to the Caribbean. What's the best way to find a last minute deal on a trip to Barbados?

Heading to Trinidad & Tobago

toddst — Tue, 06 May 2008 08:12:56 -0800

A few friends and I are planning a trip to Trinidad & Tobago this summer. We are going to spend a few days in each place. Does anyone have any recommendations on places to stay, things we should do, where we should eat, who makes the best roti, places to see old style Calypso or modern Soca or Rapso, where to find the best rum tour, etc...? I have been researching ideas at the library and on various travel forums, but I would like to hear from any of you who have been to (or live in) Trinidad or Tobago.

Find me a relaxing getaway, QUICK!

kmtiszen — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 08:02:48 -0800

Stressed out. Haven't been on vacation for over a year. Need to get outta this town. Where can I bask in the sun on a budget without getting trapped on a resort? I'm thinking somewhere in the $500-$600 range for flight + hotel, maybe 4 or 5 days. I think the all-inclusive thing is great, and there are plenty of great deals of TravelZoo, but I'm afraid to get stuck in the cozy confines of a cookie-cutter resort. I need the beaches, but I also want to taste local culture. Been looking at DR, Costa Rica and the like. Any good suggestions from a NYC boy who needs some serious unwind time?

Island Diamonds?

malhaley — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 05:03:32 -0800

Hello: My wife and I are going on a 12 day cruise in March in The Southern Caribbean. We will be visiting St. Martin, St. Thomas, Antiqua,Barbados, St. Kitts and Puerto Rico. She has expressed an interest in acquiring a canary diamond of 1/2 to 1 carat in size. Can anyone tell me where to shop and what I can expect to pay for such a purchase. Thank You.

Is there any place in the Caribbean that has a backpacker vibe?

smackfu — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 20:18:17 -0800

Is there any place in the Caribbean that has a backpacker vibe? Or do you have to go to Central America / Mexico to get that?

Caribbean islands when it rains.

crookedneighbor — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 20:18:03 -0800

What to do in St. John or St. Thomas in the rain? I'm taking my sister to St. John for Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, it's supposed to rain every day we're there. Any suggestions for what to do that don't involve Scrabble? We're both in our twenties and fairly adventurous.

Bareboat sailing in the Caribbean.

Jackson — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 18:01:15 -0800

Advice on bareboat sailing in the Caribbean. Four of us intend to spend a week sailing in the Caribbean in early February. Our group knowledge of the Caribbean is very limited. One of the group is a master sailor, so we should be able to rent a bareboat of our liking anywhere they're available. But with so many islands and so many boat rental places, it's hard to know how to decide on an itinerary. Suggestions?

Tropics on the cheap?

greta simone — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 08:00:45 -0800

Where can I go with the stipulations and budget that I have? I will be available to travel from Dec. 9 to Dec. 22 and/or Dec. 28 to Jan 6. I would like to go somewhere warm, as winter now has a firm grasp on home. I have some parameters I have to work within:

1. I can only take a Delta flight that costs under $450 (I have vouchers) or not much over. I know the airline sucks, but that's all I have to work with.
2. I can maybe spend $800-$1000 total for the whole trip (excluding flight).
3. I would like to go for a the longest break possible within one of my two time frames.
4. I have no problems staying in a hostel or homestay situation, but it MUST be safe, as I will be a young female traveling alone.
5. I would like beach and sand and beauty and calm, with culture as well. No frat-tastic party cruise stop-over towns, please.
6. I would need to fly out of RDU, CLT, or ATL.
7. I prefer to be out of the lower 48 states. No Florida please.

I am not asking you to be my travel agent. I'm having trouble searching for flexible dates AS WELL AS flexible locations while not being able to be flexible with my airline. I have looked at Kayak Buzz which was not helpful, as I cannot search for these things under one airline. I have also looked at STA (student travel), which was not helpful. I perused Delta's website, but I have to search dates and locations.

Is there a better place or way to search for these things? Do I need a travel agent? Do you have any specific suggestions? General ones?

Please do not suggest using a different airline. I would not be going if it weren't for the fact that I have vouchers in the first place.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!

What's your favorite romantic getaway?

theoddball — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 11:43:39 -0800

What's your favorite romantic getaway? The lady and I are looking to take a vacation (probably someplace warm) in January on a modest (~$1k/pp hotel and airfare) budget. But where? Where do you go with your S.O. when you want some time away? I'm really open to any and all suggestions (because, hey, I'll file away for future reference what we can't do/afford this year!)

My investigation so far has been island getaways: Hawaii and assorted Caribbean destinations (USVI, BVI, Turks & Caicos, and all the rest). Other destinations (Europe, etc) are also fair game. I'm suffering from option overload, so I turn to you, oh mighty hivemind, asking where you've been and why you liked it.

Details: We're a twentysomething couple, looking at the second week in January. We're aiming for 4-6 nights in the neighborhood of $1k per person for hotel and airfare. (If it matters, we're probably departing from Chicago airports, though an NYC departure is a possibility.) I'm leaning away from all-inclusive resorts, and wouldn't mind something in a little more secluded setting (plantation-type, though I'm not sure that's within the budget.) Stuff to explore/see/do (ruins, historic quarters, etc) is a definite plus.

I've dug through the AskMeFi archives, but haven't quite found what I'm looking for on this open-ended question. Thanks, everybody!

Blow Away Vacation

adrober — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 19:44:29 -0800

Is it crazy to go to the Caribbean during hurricane season? My boyfriend and I are planning a trip for the end of September and rates in the Caribbean are OUTRAGEOUSLY cheap because it's hurricane season. Hotels that are normally $800 a night are now $200. Is it worth taking the chance to go at the end of September or do you think we should take a safer bet and stay up north?? Has anyone gone to the Caribbean this time of year?

Where is the palapa that has my name on it?

lilithim — Sat, 12 May 2007 12:01:23 -0800

A friend and I booked a ten day trip to Cancun at the end of this month last night. We'd like to make our trip as cheap as possible, as we just graduated from college and are currently without paycheck. We're planning on backpacking and only staying in hotels when we have to, but we're into the fishwatching scene. He's fluent in Spanish, I speak enough to keep my head about me, and we've got some time. We're not much into the drunken scene, so we're looking for some nice palapas to go hang out on. What's the favorite MeFi off-the-beaten track?

Beach reads about the Caribbean

Heminator — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 10:22:25 -0800

Anybody know any good novels either about or a good chunk of which is set in the Caribbean? Michner is an obvious choice, but that's been read. A friend wants suggestions for reading about the Caribbean while he's in vacationing Nevis, and is open to pretty much anything, but does want it to be fiction or at least especially compelling narrative non-fiction. Thanks as always.

How do I give small scholarships to at-risk kids

conch soup — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 13:22:49 -0800

How do I disburse scholarships for an after-school program to underprivileged youth, who have little or no parental support? I am involved with a youth sailing club on a tiny (13,000 people) Caribbean nation, and we have a modest scholarship fund. Here's alot of background before I flesh out the question- Sorry for all the detail:

Most of the US sailing institutions at which I've taught have had primarily wealthy cliente (surprise!) but at this club most of the kids would be considered at-risk youth and quite a few come from very poor families, with one or zero parents in their home. This has created it's own set of challenges, but it is also the reason I got involved in the first place. We try to teach sailing in a culturally relevant manner, emphasizing teamwork, confidence, and self-respect.

The club is non-profit, slightly government supported, and one of only a handful of recreational programs for kids to do on the island. Our enrollment fees are extremely low (around $40/ month), especially compared to similar US sailing programs. Even so, alot of families cannot afford to send their kids to the after school program, or the summer sailing camp. Furthermore, residents here are very unaccustomed to the idea of paying for, or even encouraging their kids to do extracurricular activities.

What really inspires me is that some kids will show up, week after week, to sailing classes with no parental encouragement or support. Sailing is the national sport here and has played a huge role in the history and culture of the nation (which was a fishing-based economy until only recently), so they are the most dedicated sailing kids I've ever taught.

So, disbursing the scholarships so far has been tricky. At first, we sent home notes, saying something like, your child has expressed interest in our Wednesday sailing class, the cost for this class is X, but we provide partial or full scholarships that you may request by calling 555-555.

That got zero responses. Forms, in all their incarnations are very foreign here, and not received well. Alternatively, there are some kids who we know could not come up with even a fraction of the money to join the program, so we comp'd them. I know with any educational program, getting the parents involved is key, and we've had some success with that. But contacting some of the parents can be quite difficult at times, as they may be "off-island" for indefinite periods of time, they may work irregular hours, or they just don't see any value in the program. Speaking with the kids about this can have it's own challenges, like explaining a scholarship to an 8-year old who has no noticeable parental role other than a 13 year old brother. It seems unfair to exclude kids because their parents aren't responsive to their interest in the sailing club, but we also can't just say if you don't pay, Ta-da! you have a scholarship. That is setting the fund up to be abused, and the program taken for granted, and we don't have a ton of funds.

Has anyone had similar scholarship programs where you had small scholarships to give out to kids in a youth recreation program? I've considered making the monthly price $5 instead of $40, and then stating to the involved parents that the suggested price is $40, which many are glad to pay. Or, we could say the scholarship will cover $30 of $40, and you can come work for a few Saturday mornings, and earn the $10. Any stories of similar programs and solutions would be very helpful. I don't assume that there will be an exact answer, but I'd like to hear if you've gone through a similar experience and what your solution is.

Beach camping & fishing in Quintana Roo, Mexico?

Jujee — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 20:18:11 -0800

Hubby and I are planning a last minute trip to Mexico. We're going to fly into Cancun and don't plan on renting a car since we're on a tight budget. We'd like to find a beach campground that's along the Caribbean Sea where we can stay away from crowds and just relax and maybe even do some shore fishing. Would be great it's within walking distance to a small local restaurant of sorts or even if it's just stalls. Does one exist? For the life of me, I have not been able to find any budget beach camping information online. I guess what makes it more difficult is that we'd like to be able to get there by bus and/or colectivo, if possible and it will be during the holidays! I knew I should have researched before booking but we got a good price and well...it will be winter and we could use the sun! Anyone BTDT? :) p.s. I'm totally open to suggestions! TIA!!!

Caribbean vacation location

defcom1 — Tue, 23 May 2006 19:12:14 -0800

[Caribbean Vacation Filter] Suggest me somewhere to go to in the Caribbean for two weeks at the end of August. There is My girlfriend, her parents and I are planning a trip to somewhere in the Caribbean. The big question is where. Spanish or English speaking preferred (though we can manage French too). A very nice beach is a must, nice people, and other activities, such as mountain biking, hiking, water activities a nice bonus. Resonable pricing (a few hundred a night for 2 bedrooms) would be good, cheap is always nice, more expensive could be considered, depending on options!

Island Paradise?

Lord_Pall — Sat, 22 Apr 2006 14:55:36 -0800

Any Recommendations for St. John and the area? Me and my wife are looking to go to St. John between september and December (yeah hurricane season).

Any info about the nature of the island, potential alternative islands, and so on would be much appreciated.

We're looking at renting a villa for a week, leaning towards mooncottage, but still unsure.

I'm slightly concerned that the concept of the idyllic caribbean island doesn't exist anymore, and they're all like St. Thomas.

Any comments or suggestions?

Where can I find jobs in the Caribbean online?

brokekid — Sun, 02 Apr 2006 12:12:43 -0800

I'm moving to the Caribbean within half a year and I'm having a hard time finding the best place online to look for jobs. I'm don't know where in the Caribbean I'll be moving yet. My background is in graphic and web design, IT and technical writing.

Where should i go for my Sept 06 Honeymoon?

Bjkokenos — Fri, 03 Feb 2006 15:39:30 -0800

Where should I go for my Sept. 2006 Honeymoon? I think we want to go somewhere in the caribbean... We are getting married on Sept. 16th 06 and my only responsibility in planning the wedding is to plan the honeymoon. I dont really have what you would call an unlimited budget. We had originally discussed going on a cruise, but we have since decided that we would like to just go to a resort. Some where in the caribbean. I was looking into it some and i think we would enjoy Sandals resort or something similar. Any experience with Sandals?? If not sandals, what other resorts or islands would you recommend???

Caribbean Cruise advice wanted

gummo — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 00:23:56 -0800

I'm planning on taking a Caribbean Cruise in April (my first cruise of any kind). Your experience, knowledge, and wisdom would be greatly appreciated. I've got April 21st thru the 30th free. I'm located in AZ. I'm more interested in the following places (but am open to suggestions): Bahamas, Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Jamaica. I will be bringing my girlfriend. Some of the questions that immediately pop into my head are: Are onboard food/drink/entertainment included? How much money is reasonable for the day to day costs above and beyond the cost of the cruise? What are some things to watch out for? Please feel free to elaborate. I don't know enough to even ask appropriate questions I imagine. Thanks in advance!

ps. Finding a strange restaurant down some back road where only locals go: good. Hitting the tourist-filled hot spot 75 yards from the boat for some bland jerk chicken and Americanized reggae muzak: bad.

Short-notice Caribbean vacation suggestions?

nicwolff — Mon, 14 Nov 2005 15:05:37 -0800

Short-notice Caribbean vacation suggestions? My GF and I both have the 17th (that's this Thursday!) through the 23rd off, and minor surgery from which I thought I'd be recuperating has been postponed till after Thanksgiving. I'd love to go somewhere sunny, and with my mind's eye I see comfortable little villas on a wide white beach, with bars and restaurants not far, and maybe not all the world's bugs. And my mind's wallet sees this costing $500 a night or less (which is why this is a different question than this one). There must be such places, but where? So far I'm thinking Providenciales, the BVI, and St. Martin, but I'm open to anything.

Question number 15161

muckster — Tue, 15 Feb 2005 08:40:28 -0800

Belize {mi}

Question number 10789

littlegirlblue — Sat, 09 Oct 2004 21:21:44 -0800

Belated Honeymoon : My husband & I are planning on taking a much-put-off honeymoon next spring, preferrably somewhere in Caribbean/Latin America, and could really use some tips. (more inside)

Question number 9924

jare2003 — Sat, 04 Sep 2004 12:19:54 -0800

I have the possibility of going abroad next summer, fully-funded through a scholarship program through my university, up to $3000 for the summer. Here's the catch -- it has to be a work or intern experience - it can't be study abroad. The only stipulation for work - over the summer i have to do at least 35 hrs/week, and 8 weeks of work - so there could be a study compoenent at the beginning too. I've never had the opportunity to go abroad in college (cause of cash restraints and b/c of transferring schools), and I've really wanted to go to South America or the Carribbean. My Spanish is pretty weak, but i'm working on it right now, until next summer. Any suggestions on programs or countries, or fellow MeFi experiences? I'm pretty much starting in the dark here.

Question number 7041

Jairus — Thu, 06 May 2004 00:16:07 -0800

I got an email today from a headhunter about a tech position in Bermuda that's open. Having never been to Bermuda, and knowing only what Google has shown me, I was hoping perhaps someone here has lived there, and could give me their thoughts on living/working/moving to the area. [More Inside, Naturally]