Whats up Ramon,
I'm going to the DR to get my MD for various reasons, here they are: Number one, the DR is where my father is from, it is good to get some culture back into my mind and not to mention that we still own our apartment in cancino segundo. Secondly, in April of this year (2003), I was driving while intoxicated and that was on my record and no medical school here will jump up and accept me in with that to my name. I just found out a month ago that the DWI has been deffered because of my good behavior after that and during probation but I still wanted to go to Santo Domingo. Reasons? Well the cost of living is pretty great and just like you, my dollar should stretch out rather nicely. I'm planning to attend UNIBE or INTEC, whichever is easier to attend; though I'd prefer UNIBE since they offer the majority of the classes in English as well.
Oh yea, also here in New Mexico I suffer from annoying allergies! The allergy season just passed and it was the worst, over there in the DR it'll be so good not to mess with that type of shit. Also, I want to eat some cocos! Just playin, but its just better there for my studies since schools over here in the US are only two semesters per year while UNIBE in the DR is 3 semester per year, which in turn means that I can be practicing medicine alot sooner than if I were to stay here. In fact, I am in my third year of my Biology degree here and would finish in a year but I am putting all of that aside since a degree is not needed to attend school overthere, while here in the US it is. If I were to continue majoring in Biology during my senior year then it'd be a complete waste of time. I am thankful for it however since half of the courses required in the school of medicine program I have taken over here and already I have a strong background in genetics, physiology, molecular biology, cell biology, and organic chemistry.
The car thing... heh, it sucks. Right before getting my DWI I purchased a 1999 Mazda Miata MX-5. Well, turns out after my DWI my license was revoked and till this day I haven't driven since because of the fear of going to jail and messing up even more. When I move down there, in 6 days to be exact, I will not have a car. I will have to rely on public transportation and taxies for at least my first semester and then and only then (have to learn my way around and get used to the traffic, etc) I'll try and purchase a car. A nice cheap one for me and my sister.
Now I got a question for you, are you there in SD already? If so, how long have you been there, where where you originally from?
Best Regards,
Roberto