Prepare for Natural Disasters
The two most common natural disasters that could happen during your stay in Barbados is an Earthquake and a Hurricane.
In the case of an earthquake, these only last for a small period of seconds so don't panic and get under a door way or desks to protect your self just in case anything comes tumbling down.
In the case of hurricanes, your screwed.
This semester, a category 1 hurricane, Thomas, hit Barbados while I was there on exchange. This is the weakest type of hurricane with winds between 74-95 mph. Here are some things to know and do when you are under a storm watch and warning.
A
HURRICANE WATCH means a hurricane is possible within 36 hours and you should stay tuned for additional advisories. A
HURRICANE WARNING means a hurricane is expected within 24 hours.
You will need to tough out the storm in your hall. Stay inside, however tempting it may be to videotape or take photos of the storm, be sure to shoot from indoors - where it's safe, and dry!
Board up and close all windows. If the doors to your living room are giving trouble to close call security to close them for you but it is important to be safe. I would even recommend moving you bed as far away from the window as possible so you can sleep.
Here are some things to make sure you have: clothes, extra cash, batteries, flash lights, bottled water, toilet paper, non-perishable foods such as cereal or crackers, canned goods, a can opener, candles, prescription medicines and any over-the-counter remedies you use regularly. During the hurricane we had the campus mart remained open so get there early and stock up when you here a storm is coming.
Overall, hurricanes are serious business. Weather forecasters can only predict so much. Educate yourself and stay on top of hurricane updates in your area. There is no harm in being overly cautious. In most cases where a hurricane is concerned, it truly is better to be safe than sorry.
After Thomas, several trees were ripped up all over campus and there was damage to the water main on FWH. This lead to four days of no water to shower, cook, drink, wash clothes or anything else. Students were left in the dark about the situation for the weekend and only tolds about measures to take on the fourth day shortly before water was returned. The news blast went as follows:
"
The FWHC wishes pleasant day to all. We the council are well aware of your current concerns regarding the water situation on hall and efforts are ongoing to curb the problem. Please be informed accordingly:
-The hall currently has water shortages because the main pipe to the hall is being fixed. In the event of water shortage, to take a shower either use the security baths by the entrance to the hall or go to Sherlock Hall.
-When the water comes back on let it run for at least 2-3 minutes to alleviate the smell of glue and after that for the next two hours all water should be boiled to reduce the risk of infection. "
So for you the future exchange students, the most important things to remember are: if you ever have no water on FWH, take a shower by security or go to Sherlock Hall. (or fly home till the school fixes the Problem or go to a hotel)
Prepare for Non-Natural Disasters (sometimes due to lack of maintenance and knowledge)This is probably not funny to the students who are still going through the hardship of having there rooms and personal items damaged but you have to love the irony of the situation. One week after water was returned to FWH, Block 3 got flooded due to a broken pipe in one of the water heaters in the attic rooms above the third floor. Part of the official announcement went as follows:
"
This morning at 4:45am the occupants of block 3 had the tragedy of waking up to a flooding block. The situation was truly grave and very disheartening. The flood waters were eventually swept off due to efforts of block 3 residents and others who came to assist from certain blocks."
This could happen to you. to make sure you are not seriously affect by such incidents, keep your important documents in plastic Ziploc bags at all times. You would hate if that got wet and the ink began to run. Also keep your laptop and its charger off the ground. Clothes can be washed so that's not too much of a worry but keep your papers and textbooks off the ground also.
It took over forty minutes to turn off the water main to that block because security did not know where it was. It is difficult to imagine all the water that was they and because the third floor was flooded the water went down to all the floors. Everyone in the block was affected.
The universities response was unsatisfactory as students were left in cold wet clothes as security personnel strolled over to the block and commented "Boy, das alot ah water" while slowly trying to find a solution to the problem. One of the housing administrators comments were more on how much water was wasted rather then on the students left in shock after being woken at 4:45 in the morning with their world under water.
As a student on exchange, you need to be independent, and have the ability to take care of yourself. No one here will do it for you and no one in the university even cares about the stresses that you are facing as an exchange international student. Be confident, know what you need to do in advance, and do it when the time comes because no one is going to help you.
Here are some other things you need to be prepared for when living on hall:
- Some animal may die in the ceiling, maggots will develop and burrow through the gypsum and fall on you face when your sleeping, you've been warned.
- Under the sink in you room might leak and your going to have to put a bucket to catch the water because no matter how many times they come to fix it, it will still leak.
- The kitchen sink will get clogged.
- Depending which block your on, every time it rains the access to your block through the door will be blocked by an inch of mud.
- You will be woken up at 7am during each country club's week which occurs first semester.
- The internet is fastest between 3 - 8 am.
- Someone will steel your food.
- Utensils will go missing along with plates and bowls etc.
- If you hang dry your clothes someone might steel your underwear.
- You may get dengue
- You will not be trained to use the fire extinguisher so if there is a fire your also screwed.
- Although they say there will be a fire drill, there will be none.
- and basically in case of any emergency, your on your own... ... ...
The two most common natural disasters that could happen during your stay in Barbados is an Earthquake and a Hurricane.
This semester, a category 1 hurricane, Thomas, hit Barbados while I was there on exchange. This is the weakest type of hurricane with winds between 74-95 mph. Here are some things to know and do when you are under a storm watch and warning.
Board up and close all windows. If the doors to your living room are giving trouble to close call security to close them for you but it is important to be safe. I would even recommend moving you bed as far away from the window as possible so you can sleep.
Overall, hurricanes are serious business. Weather forecasters can only predict so much. Educate yourself and stay on top of hurricane updates in your area. There is no harm in being overly cautious. In most cases where a hurricane is concerned, it truly is better to be safe than sorry.
After Thomas, several trees were ripped up all over campus and there was damage to the water main on FWH. This lead to four days of no water to shower, cook, drink, wash clothes or anything else. Students were left in the dark about the situation for the weekend and only tolds about measures to take on the fourth day shortly before water was returned. The news blast went as follows: