Life in Antigua
SGA WELCOMES YOU TO AUA AND ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
Check out the AUA Student website: www.theauasga.org
This website is a project of the SGA Executive and is available for students. This site contains general information about SGA, forums for each class, student group information, classifieds, academic and non-academic forms, book lists, contact information for faculty and administration, helpful tips to make life on the island a bit easier etc. The site also contains links to scheduling information, blackboard, library, student newsletters & the AUA-COM website.
We suggest that you familiarize yourself with the content of important documents like the AUA Honor Code Pledge and the Student Handbook. Please take time to explore the site as it provides you with most of the information you need!
***(Your AUA email is required to login to the student website)
This site is different from the school website www.auamed.org
Please feel free to email us at sga@auamed.net with your questions or comments.
Good luck studying and have a wonderful and fulfilling experience at AUA!
Sincerely,
AUA Student Government Association (SGA)
The links below may be used as a guide to make your life on the island much easier:
Global Emergency Services – United Health Care
Student Services Important Information
BANKING:
There are several banks available on island with ATM machines strategically posted in various areas. Scotia Bank, ECAB and ABIB representatives are usually available during orientation to assist you. Should you wish to open an account here, you will need your passport as well as a letter from the school confirming that you are a student at AUA. This can be obtained from the school at registration.
ScotiaBank- Banking Services (ATM available on campus)
ABIB – Banking Services (ATM available on campus)
Caribbean Union Bank (CUB) (ATM available on campus)
Royal Bank (RBC)
Antigua Commercial Bank (ACB)
First Caribbean International Bank
***ATMs are also available at the Epicurean Supermarket and bank locations
*** There are also Money Transfer Services available on the island (Western Union, Moneygram, Laparkan Trading) where you can have money wired to you or where you can wire money.
COMMUNICATION SERVICES:
Having a local cell phone is recommended! Cingular, T mobile, Nextel, Verizon, etc. services are not offered on the island. Cell phone provider details are available below. They offer pre-paid as well as post-paid plans. The post-paid plan is slightly more expensive than the pre-paid, and the rate for a pre-paid plan is approximately .70 cents (EC) per minute locally and 1EC per minute internationally. The post-paid plans are slightly more economical.
Both companies offer SIM cards for about 50 EC. Should you have an unlocked phone, you can purchase a SIM card only, minutes and be ready to call home. If your phone is locked, you have two options – you can either go into St. John’s and get your phone unlocked (Make enquiries with the LIME or Digicel representative during registration or visit the local office(s) in St. John’s. You may also purchase a basic phone from either provider at approximately 100 EC or more depending on the phone you get).
Once you are ready to get Internet access, go to Radio Shack, located next to Epicurean. Internet is offered through Cable and Wireless and is wireless. A wireless card can be purchased month to month or for a few months in advance. Buying a card for a full four months is more economically friendly than month to month. There are several different standards of plans. (Make enquiries with the LIME or Digicel representative during registration or visit the local office(s) in St. John’s)
INTERNET & MOBILE SERVICES:
Digicel – Internet & Mobile Services
LIME – Internet & Mobile Services
Groceries can be purchased from any of the local supermarkets or fresh fruits and vegetables from the public market in St. John’s. The best days to shop at Epicurean are Fridays, Saturdays and Wednesdays (restocking days). Epicurean provides most of the things you would miss from home, but should something not be available, you can always find a manager and ask him whether or not this food is orderable from the states. Most store take major credit/debit cards but will require a government issued photo identification to confirm your identity and your signature will also be required. The identifying number will be written on your receipt and the last 4 digits of the credit/debit card number will be printed. ***If discarding the receipt be sure to shred it very carefully.
GROCERIES (listing available for download)
Need an academic break or too busy to cook? Order Take out / go for a day/night out on the town! Antigua is filled with places to go when you need an outlet from the stresses of studying. Below are just a few of the fun places Antigua has where students can go for the true Caribbean experience!
RESTAURANT & NIGHTLIFE LISTING:
http://www.antiguanice.com/v2/restaurants.php
http://www.antigua-barbuda.org/Agres01.htm
AUXILIARY SERVICES
If additional assistance is required while on the island; shipping, brokerage, housekeeping, laundry services, etc. please feel to contact Concierge Management 268 (CM268 Request Form)
Check the local directory listing http://www.antiguayello.com/Jan13/ or call (411)for directory assistance.
CONGRATULATIONS ON JOINING US AT AUA – COLLEGE OF MEDICINE!
Now the fun begins. Remember, with hard work ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!