Author: Benji Ho

As a fourth semester medical student, one of the classes I am taking is Pharmacology. It is such a practical and useful class, and one that teaches the large overarching concepts of how medicines work and why we dose the way we dose, as well as the small, nitty-gritty, yet practical details of pharmacological agents. We learn different treatment plans… Continue reading

When I was younger, I’ve traveled quite a bit through Canada, but never have I personally known as many Canadians as I do now after coming to AUC… they are my friends, my colleagues, and even my professors. Despite being completely different countries, for the most part we are similar culturally, socially, and linguistically. Yet, there are just some differences… Continue reading

Last night the Asian Student Medical Association (ASMA) held its annual Halloween Costume Contest and Party at Tantra Nightclub. As I didn’t go last year, this year some friends and I decided to go as Alice in Wonderland characters. I went as Ace of Hearts (with a Wenckebach, of course). It was really fun seeing some of the costumes out… Continue reading

As the new historian, one of my tasks is to maintain the SGA bulletin board on a weekly basis, posting the newest student body news, minutes from the SGA meetings, and list of upcoming events. As the board was last updated in 2006, anything would have easily made the board look nicer. Here are some changes I’ve made! But first,… Continue reading

About: La Belle Creole was formerly a five-star hotel located in French St. Martin. It was destroyed by Hurricane Luis in 1995 and was never rebuilt. Today, the hotel lies in ruins, but its beauty and former glory still shines through. Highlights: Beautiful architecture, Amazing views of the ocean from the ruins, Exploring ruins and wondering how this could all happen. Continue reading

I am happy to announce that I am now the first SGA Historian at the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine. Originally last week, there was going to be an election as there was one other person interested in the position, but as the other candidate backed out last minute, I remained uncontested, and therefore all I needed… Continue reading

Yesterday on Friday night, the Canadian Medical Students Association (CMSA) held a school-wide hockey tournament to help fundraise their new organization. As hockey was Arif’s national sport (he’s Canadian), one of Chris’ favorite sports and something he used to play, we decided to go check it out and cheer for our friends. The tournament was held at the basketball court… Continue reading

Whether you are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh, Hindu, or don’t identify with any religion, AUC overall is a very diversity-friendly community. There are students and faculty from all backgrounds and faiths here, coming together, united by the common passion to help others in medicine. For those of you who are interested in worshiping with your fellow classmates, AUC has… Continue reading

On 10-10-10, St. Maarten celebrated with a flag-raising ceremony and fireworks as the Netherlands Antilles was disbanded and St. Maarten becomes a constituent country of the Netherlands. With a history of 56 years, the Netherlands Antilles had been one of the three constituent countries that formed the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the other two being Aruba and Holland. Sint Maarten,… Continue reading

To fulfill the long-overdue need for documenting events and updating news among the student body at AUC, last week (9/29/2010), the members of the Student Government Association at AUC amended the SGA bylaws and voted to add a new position to the executive board, the SGA Historian! The following new amendments describe the roles of the Historian: (V) Historian The… Continue reading

Last semester, the AUC camera crew came to the island to shoot footage of the school and island, and interview students and faculty. I was one of those interviewed. They are now making a series of documentaries that showcase the school. I’d like to share with you all their most recent work about the fun activities that students enjoy on… Continue reading

This northeastern corner of the Caribbean that we are at is a crossroad of countries, an international hotspot. Just from an eye’s view away I can practically see a mini-version of the United Nations everyday here. On a clear day from campus, it’s easy to see the UK, France, Netherlands, and St. Kitts and Nevis! Let me show you some… Continue reading

About: Fort Amsterdam was the first fort built by the Dutch in the Caribbean to protect the Dutch St. Maarten capital of Philipsburg. Today, a few bastion walls remain and ruins of subsequent developments of the fort can be seen. The fort is located within Divi Little Bay Resort. Highlights: Amazing views of Great Bay, Learning about the history of St. Maarten and the fort, exploring the old bastion walls and cannons. Continue reading

In September 2009, the largest class in AUC history set foot into the largest lecture hall in the school, a room of 300 seats. Lecture Hall 1 was the place that will be the place of instruction for the next three semesters for these 199 new students. I remember clearly on the first lecture of the first day of school,… Continue reading

About: Pic Paradis is the tallest peak on the island of St. Martin. There is a trail that starts in Loterie farms and reach the top, as well as a series of trails that take you from peak to peak on the island. Highlights: Amazing views of the entire island of St. Martin. Wildlife, hiking in some of the last bits of rainforest left on the island, Wildlife. Continue reading

Anatomy is a subject that every school teaches differently. Some med schools use intact cadavers while other use already prosected cadaver parts (or even plastic models!). Some med schools teach it in 2 semesters, while others only 1. Some schools have an entire class crowd around an instructor teaching on a cadaver, while other schools have small groups of students… Continue reading

I have saved my 200th post for my favorite person in the world. Irene, you are the best!… Continue reading