First off, I would like to say hello to everyone since this is my first time posting a message here. Sooooooo.... Hello!

Now on with the message. I was a bit curious to know if anyone knows anything about the Saint James School of Medicine. As in, have you heard decent things about the school or have you spoken with some of the students there? If so, what impressions have you received from them and do you know anything regarding the school itself?

I know this message is a bit vague but in a way, I intended it to be like this. I just want an overall impression from people living on the island and their thoughts about it and what they have heard about the school.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Even if you just feel like saying, 'hi', that's better than nothing.

Well, hello! Welcome! I'm rather new myself my first trip to Bonaire being in December, and while I liked and enjoyed Aruba for the island temps/etc I love the laid back low key no gazillion tourist boats of Bon and I love to snorkel so Bonaire was perfect for me! I'm going back!

I will be curious to know what YOU find out. I am a registered nurse so just was naturally curious myself.......if I wasn't so damned old........<g>

Ginni in WI

We don't really hear much about the classes since we don't play in the same circle of friends. Not much interest in the older crew with kids and fulltime jobs :-).

We have seen the students grocery shopping, going to the movies, even bowling. They seem nice. They didn't complain about housing or island life, just your usual college classes.

Our local hospital has recently gone through a major renovation and doubled in size. Whether or not that is related to the school I don't know.

I understand the people who work in the infirmary at the school have snappy blue scrubs.

Ate lunch around some students a couple of times and they seem to be quite pleasant and well behaved (I've become my mother). They didn't seem to interact much outside of other students, but I guess when so many of the people are transient (i.e., tourists) you'd kind of put your efforts into keeping friends in your own circle

According to the school's website, they meet the requirements or accreditation standards for being able to sit for a U.S. medical licensing exam.

I had a nice conversaition with several of the students last summer at the exhibition we (Linda and I) held at Pasa Bon. They told me that the school provides only the theoretical portion of their education and that they then return to a program affiliated with a teaching hospital for their practical experience. (First two years versus last two, if my memory is correct). So I don't believe they get any hands on experience in the hospital on Bonaire.