Martinique Studies
@ Albright College
** The electricity in Martinique is 220V 50HzHz (compared to 110V 60HzHz in the US); so, you will not be able to recharge any electronic devices requiring a plug-in.
When flight plans are finalized, you should make plans to be at the airport at least two hours ahead of time. Since 9/11, check-in takes longer than you think. Make sure you allow yourself enough time to do so.
A Few Packing Hints: You may want to pack, carry, and repack before doing your final packing. On most international flights, you may take two check-in pieces and one carry-on bag that conform to airline standards. We recommend for our trip that you bring one medium-sized piece of check-in luggage and one carry-on bag. You may want to put an empty piece of luggage inside your check-in luggage just in case you buy souvenirs and need more space to bring them home. Luggage weight may also be checked. Since the luggage you check in may get lost, put a change of clothes and your swimsuit in your carry-on luggage. It is suggested that you never pack money, medicine, or valuables in check-in luggage. You are required now to pack all sharp objects in check-in luggage. Furthermore, try to carry money and identification on your person rather than in bags that will be stored in overhead bins.
FOOD: You may want to bring a sandwich, cookies, fruit, and/or snacks with you for the flight from the US to Martinique. Airline food service is spotty at best these days and airport food tends to be expensive and not particularly good or appetizing.
Point of Departure Etiquette: Know the contents of your bags and make sure you can open them quickly if necessary. Expect your luggage to be searched at least once.
* Plan to wear layers of clothing that can be taken off and put in your carry-on bag as you go. Try not to bring a bulky winter coat. Wear a heavy sweater to the airport in the US.
In Martinique, you may be required to walk outside between the plane and the airport. The weather will be hot and humid.
* During the flight to Martinique, you should receive customs forms. On the form, you will need to indicate your nationality, passport number, and where you will stay in Martinique.
Fort-de-France Airport, Martinique: Be polite to all officials. Martinican folks have been known to scold people who appear disrespectful. Once inside the airport, wait in the line for non-European Union citizens.
Packing List
*****Do not pack too much or bring too much clothing since we will only be in Martinique for two weeks.
Required and Recommended packing:
1. All necessary items from student check list including your PASSPORT and COURSE MATERIALS
2. Suggested First Aid Supplies:
If you are on medication, you will need to bring an ample supply (enough for the two weeks) of your medicine. It is also suggested that you bring an official document from your physician verifying your need to take this medication. The program coordinator (Dr. John) should be informed of required medication and medical needs (for example, allergic reactions to food products or insect bites). If you require medical attention or professional intervention in Martinique, inform either Dr. John or Dr. Thompson immediately.
We will carry first aid supplies for minor instances of physical discomfort (these would be the incidents in which you, if you were on the Albright campus, would go to the drugstore for over-the-counter remedies or buy band-aids or other supplies and treat yourself). We repeat, serious problems (and this means any problem in which you even question the seriousness of the occurrence) require consultation with the programs leaders.
3. You should seriously consider bringing the following items with you (All in small quantities):
Pain reliever of choice:
*acetaminophen (Tylenol) reduces pain and fever
*ibuprofen (Advil) reduces pain and fever
*naproxen (Aleve) reduces pain
Cold, cough medicine of choice:
*Robitussin cold caps have combination expectorant, suppressant, and decongestant -- handier than liquid
If prone to allergy problem due to environment (e.g., pollen), consider antihistamine of choice
Anti-diarrhea medication (Imodium, AD or Pepto Bismol anti-diarrhea caps)
Antacid of choice-Tums, Pepcid AC, Zantac OTC
Sore throat lozenges
Band-aids
Bacitracin ointment
Hydrocortisone cream 1% (for rashes)
Personal care products (tampons, etc.)
Eye care supplies as appropriate
Money Issues
Spending Money on the Program:
Most of your expenses will be covered while in Martinique. However, the program does not cover some personal expenses. The amount of extra money you will need varies with each individual.
We recommend taking an additional $250.00 to $350.00. To determine what your personal costs might be, remember that the cost of living in Martinique is higher than in the United States. Most things are more expensive. You should count on having some additional expenses for souvenirs, gifts, and public transportation for non-group activities.
Exchanging Money:
Since Martinique is part of France, the Martinican currency is the euro. One euro is roughly the equivalent of $1.30 (As of 5/30/2006). You may want to carry some cash with you ($75.00-$100.00), but you should obtain the majority of you money through more secure forms. The cash could come in handy when purchasing souvenirs since some prices are posted in both euros and US dollars. Usually, the price is lower when in US$ when figuring in the exchange rate.
MAC/ATM cards
We suggest that you withdraw cash at from an ATM machine with a MAC/ATM card. Most ATM machines are linked to the Cirrus or Plus systems. Using your MAC/ATM card will usually get you the best exchange rate. Please inform your bank that you will be using your MAC/ATM card in Martinique before you leave.
Traveler's Checks:
If you take money in traveler's checks, American Express brand checks are still the most recognizable and easiest to exchange. Most banks will exchange traveler's checks (look for a little sign on the bank's door or above it w/lots of flags from different countries). If you take traveler's checks, make sure to keep a record of the numbers of the checks and leave a copy of the numbers in the United States as well as carry a record of the numbers in a different place than where you carry the checks. When you go to exchange traveler's checks, you should carry your passport for identification (some places will absolutely require it) and you should never countersign your checks until you reach the teller window. All exchange places charge a commission. Usually, the commission is based on a percentage, which is usually higher for small amounts of money. Thus, exchanging $20 at a time can be more expensive or the same as exchanging, say, $100.
Credit Cards:
You can acquire money through credit cards-either by going into a bank or by using an ATM. If you choose this option, make sure your card is internationally accepted (some student Master and Visa cards are not) and that you know your PIN in numerals (some keypads do not have letters). Also, remember to record the card numbers for safe keeping (with copy left in the U.S. too). As with all credit card cash advances, there will be service charges.
As with credit card usage anywhere, you can pay with plastic in most restaurants and businesses but you will probably use cash at many neighborhood locales. Credit card debits are sometimes delayed a month or so on your account, so you should keep record of your purchases by retaining your customer copy until your statement comes. Please note that some credit cards tack an additional fee onto international purchases. You may want to check with your credit card company to find out if it does or not. For regular credit card users (at restaurants, for purchases, etc.), Visa/MasterCard is often more useful than an American Express card. Again, make sure you inform your credit card company that you plan to use the card in Martinique before you leave.
Banking Hours:
Banks will most likely be open from around 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Some banks are open Saturday morning. There are also some agencies set up for foreign currency exchange. These agencies tend to have better exchange rates, shorter lines, and more flexible hours. As part of the on-site orientation, these agencies will be pointed out to you.
Some Helpful Hints:
Sometimes it is very easy to lose track of how much you spend during the trip. One suggestion is to keep a small notebook (pocket size) and write down your expenditures (as small as they may be) as you go along. Another is to discipline yourself to record daily transactions every evening (very tedious but effective).
Tipping:
Tipping is not like in the US. In restaurants and bars, a service charge is usually added to the bill. Taxi tips are optional.
Price Comparisons of Common Items: Prices in US$. The prices in euros are somewhat lower.
Logically, prices for any item will vary. Prices may be higher in "touristy" or trendy places like the Galleria or Rond Point shopping centers. Here you find some average prices of items that can be purchased in both the US and Martinique. Prices are as current as they can be.
Food products (primarily in cafés and restaurants – prices will be considerably lower in supermarkets):
Coke or Diet Coke (Coca Light) $2.75
Bottled water (about 1 liter) $3.00
Cup of coffee (very strong) $3.25
Fruit juice $3.00
Combo meal at McDonalds $7.00-$9.00
Sandwiches (w/baguette) $4.25
Cookies $3.00
M&Ms or chewing gum $2.00
Keeping in touch with friends and family in the US
Students may purchase a calling card in Martinique for about $27.00 that will allow them about twenty minutes of calling time to the US. It is much cheaper for relatives and friends to call students in Martinique, especially with an international calling plan or card. If you have an AT&T calling card from Sam’s Club, the rate is about $0.32 per minute to call from the US to Martinique. If you have an MCI calling card from BJ’S, the rate is about $0.35 per minute. Rates of calling cards from other merchants such as Wal-Mart, Giant, and Target will vary. You will need the international access number to use your AT&T or MCI calling card to call from Martinique to the US. Rates for calling from Martinique to the US with a calling card are slightly higher than calling from the US to Martinique. Call the toll-free number on the back of the card for more information.
There are a number of cyber cafés in Fort-de-France, the capital city, where students can check their email account. Most charge an access fee of about $2.00 for fifteen minutes and $4.00 for 1/2 hour.
{Home}