Month: October 2009

Solving a Mystery

Posted on October 30, 2009February 16, 2011 by Benji Ho

In anatomy lab, we’re currently working on the thorax and abdomen region of our cadaver. When we first met our cadaver, we didn’t know anything about her. What did she do in life? What did people called her and how old was she? All we knew was that she was old and thin. But as we work more and more… Continue reading

Would you pay $275 more for convenience and quality?

Posted on October 26, 2009March 6, 2011 by Benji Ho

Recently I’ve been looking into apartments and have visited numerous real estate agents. I’ve been looking at this place that would cost $825 per month and another one that is $1100 per month. You might be thinking… wow why do you need such a bling-bling expensive place Benji?.. but the truth is… these two places are the cheapest that are… Continue reading

Suturing Workshop!!

Posted on October 24, 2009March 25, 2011 by Benji Ho

I normally sit in the front of the lecture hall, but earlier this week on Tuesday, my friends and I moved to the back. Why? So we could leave as soon as class ends to rush upstairs to the rotunda to sign up for the AMSA Suturing workshop. We made it in time, but by the time we got there,… Continue reading

Is St. Maarten A Safe Place?

Posted on October 23, 2009August 5, 2012 by Benji Ho

One concern many prospective students have before coming to AUC is whether or not St. Maarten is a safe place to live. Crime does happen on the island, and for that reason it is a legitimate issue... Continue reading

Interview and MERP at AUC

Posted on October 22, 2009March 6, 2014 by Benji Ho

It used to be that AUC gave direct admissions and only interviewed applicants whose applications they thought needed clarifications. However, as of 2013, AUC now interviews all applicants who they think are competitive. I think this was a good decision because it sets the admission standards higher, makes the school look better (especially since interviews are standard in all US… Continue reading

Application Process for AUC

Posted on October 21, 2009March 6, 2014 by Benji Ho

A couple of readers have asked me about what the procedure was like when I applied to AUC, so here, I'd like to address it. The application process for AUC is very swift and straightforward. This is because after AUC receives your online application, they assign all applicants an admissions advisor who guides you throughout the whole process and answers all... Continue reading

Saturday in Anguilla

Posted on October 20, 2009March 27, 2011 by Benji Ho

About: Anguilla is a British Island about 8 miles away from St. Martin. It is accessible by a 30-minute ferry from Marigot Harbor. Unlike St. Maarten, Anguilla is very rural, and very flat. There is a different type of charm and mentality here, and the beaches are beautiful. Highlights: You HAVE TO go to Shoal Bay East (not to be confused with Shoal Bay West). It is often considered by travel magazines to be one of the top 10 best beaches in the world. Continue reading

This Is What I’m Having For Dinner.

Posted on October 16, 2009October 23, 2011 by Benji Ho

The picture says it all. I am in dire need for grocery shopping. My roommate and I have decided in the beginning of the semester to rent a car every three weeks to stock up on groceries for the next three weeks. For the first time around, I overestimated my appetite and bought more than enough of what I need.… Continue reading

AUC Dorm or Apartment for First Semester?

Posted on October 16, 2009March 5, 2014 by Benji Ho

Not long ago I received a question from a reader asking: Would you recommend the dorm or apartment for first semester. Can a parent live with me in the dorm for a few days when I move in at the start of the semester? I've decided to post my reply here because I'm recently in the process of finding an apartment for next semester, and have had enough experience living in the dorms. Continue reading

Pictures from Family Visit

Posted on October 14, 2009November 8, 2011 by Benji Ho

Here are the long awaited pictures from my family’s visit to St. Maarten during the September 2009 American University of the Caribbean White Coat Ceremony. Thanks Jason, Justin, and Irene for your pictures! I had a memorable time and appreciate the support! In the pictures are my two brothers Jason and Justin, my mother, and my girlfriend Irene, Irene’s mother,… Continue reading

AUC Garden Tour

Posted on October 13, 2009November 8, 2011 by Benji Ho

One thing I really like about AUC’s campus is its gardens, elevated and overlooking the lagoon and the ocean. Everyday I pass by them to and from class, and just a small, simple glance at them along the way brightens up my day. The study of medicine isn’t merely the practical knowledge to prepare me for the work environment, but… Continue reading

Progress

Posted on October 12, 2009March 25, 2011 by Benji Ho

BLOCK TWO EXAMS ARE FINALLY DONE!!! There was so much more material on this second block as I learned how you can die from picking a pimple, how streptomycin works as an antibiotic, and how to find the vagus nerve among an entanglement of vessels, muscles, connective tissue, and nerves in the neck. But with an improved study methodology, and… Continue reading

My Focus Against All Temptations

Posted on October 8, 2009February 16, 2011 by Benji Ho

Today I was feeling tired and was tempted to skip an optional anatomy wet lab review after my morning classes. I had had a big workout yesterday, and feeling sore all over, I was really tempted to go home and eat a big, warm meal, kick off my shoes, and crawl into bed and get that extra rest to recuperate… Continue reading

AUC Campus

Posted on October 7, 2009April 26, 2014 by Benji Ho

I remember when I was applying to medical schools I've always been curious as to what the campuses of these schools look like, besides what they show on their websites. St. George's University, of course, has pictures of their campus all over their site, because they are the largest school, and obviously have a very large, very beautiful campus as well, worthy... Continue reading

Eyes and Earthquakes

Posted on October 6, 2009February 16, 2011 by Benji Ho

I felt pretty good yesterday. In anatomy lab, we had a pretty well-dissected eye on our cadaver, and so many people from other tables came to our table asking “Hey I heard you guys have a pretty good eye, can you show it to us?” and “Hey I heard you can see the superior cervical ganglion on your body! Can… Continue reading

October Night

Posted on October 4, 2009November 8, 2011 by Benji Ho

Last night was a beautiful night, and I just couldn’t pass it up for studying in an enclosed room. A nice place to study I discovered are the study rooms on the topmost floor of the dorms, right on the roof. Hardly anyone’s there, and they have plenty of desk space, dry erase boards, internet access, air conditioners (which make… Continue reading

The Art of Dissection

Posted on October 3, 2009October 5, 2011 by Benji Ho

Within the past two weeks, we’ve gotten to know our first patient (our cadaver) to a more personal level. After dissecting the back and arms, we finally met our patient face-to-face. We explored the nerves and muscles that make her smile, frown, cry, and express herself to us. We explored the components of the eyes through which she saw the… Continue reading

On Note Taking

Posted on October 2, 2009March 25, 2011 by Benji Ho

Since the last block, I have changed my note taking habits dramatically. During the last block, I wrote everything down in lecture in a little notebook. I found it useful to take notes because in order to write a summary of the main points, I had to integrate and truly understand the information in my brain. Writing everything down onto… Continue reading