Samoa is a peaceful country of warm and friendly people who gained their independence from New Zealand some 40 years ago. While the diving is great, the nightlife and entertainment are quite different from those available in Australia, New Zealand, or other urban areas. Since the medical school is operated in close cooperation with the Samoan government, its future is secure.

The websites below provide helpful information to students and prospective students.

• Official web sites of the Government of Samoa: www.govt.ws
• Samoa tourism site: www.visitsamoa.ws
• US Department of State: www.state.gov/p/eap/ci/ws/

LOCATION

Located in the South Pacific, just south of the equator and to the east of the International Dateline, Samoa is hot and humid. It is the last country to see the setting sun each day. The time zone is GMT minus 11 hours. There are two main islands: Upolu and Savaii. Two-thirds of the population lives on Upolu, which is also where the capital, Apia, and the school are located. The country’s population is approximately 177,000.

CLIMATE AND DRESS

The climate is tropical, with an average temperature in Apia of 28.5C. Relative humidity is high and the average yearly rainfall is 290 cm. mostly occurring during the wet season from November to April. Umbrellas are advisable, as short, sharp rainstorms are frequent throughout the year.

Dress is light and casual. Local Samoan custom dictates that women wear clothing that extends to or below the knees. Students are expected to wear a name badge while doing patient rounds. Short shorts, short skirts, tank tops or other very casual dress are neither appropriate nor acceptable anywhere on the campus.

LOCAL CUSTOMS

All students are given an orientation to local customs, including “dos and don’ts.” In general, Samoan culture is very traditional with a strong Christian element. It is important for visitors to respect local customs, especially when travelling to villages and rural areas. Many villages have an evening prayer time that lasts for about 20 minutes.

CURRENCY AND BANKING

The official currency is the Samoan Tala (WST). Normal banking hours are Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm and Saturday 9:30 am to 11:00 am. New students are advised to arrive with adequate spending money either in the form of cash that can be exchanged, or secured with an ATM card that is authorized to withdraw cash from foreign terminals. Foreign accounts are available, mostly in US, Australian, or New Zealand dollars. The ANZ and Westpac banks have ATMs in Apia and at the airport. Foreign currency services are available at the airport and several banks.

ELECTRICITY

Electric current in Samoa is 240 volts, 60 cycles AC (the same as Australia.) While the electricity supply at some hotels is 110 volts, AC transformers and adapters are generally needed. Students are strongly advised to bring adaptors and have surge protectors for all electronic equipment.

HEALTH INSURANCE

OUM does not provide health insurance but requires students travelling to Samoa to obtain an appropriate international health insurance policy in their country of residence. Upon acceptance, students travelling to the campus must provide proof of health insurance coverage with international benefits. It is also advisable to obtain evacuation insurance in case of a medical emergency. Evacuees typically are taken to New Zealand. Healthcare for minor problems is, of course, available to all students at Samoa’s National Health Complex.

VACCINATION, IMMUNIZATION AND PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITIONS

Before travelling to Samoa, students should discuss their vaccination and immunization status with their personal physician. Since medical students are regarded as healthcare workers, applicants must furnish a health certificate that documents his/her current immunization status.

Recommended travel immunizations include mumps, rubella, pertussis, varicella, and hepatitis B, as well as a booster every 10 years for diphtheria and tetanus. Medical students should also have an annual influenza immunization, along with an annual TB test. Students travelling to Samoa should include additional immunizations for Hepatitis A and typhoid. Students also will have to provide immunization records prior to beginning clinical rotations.

In addition, students should discuss with their physician any pre-existing conditions that may place them at risk or preclude them from studying medicine. Students will be asked to sign a “hold harmless” statement indemnifying OUM in the unlikely event the student contracts a communicable disease during attendance at the University.

AUTOMOBILE TRANSPORTATION

Driver’s licenses from most countries are accepted, although local endorsement of licenses is required. All traffic is required to keep to the left as in Australia and New Zealand. Information on how to obtain an international driver's license can be found at http://travel.state.gov/travel/. Car rentals or purchases are widely available in Samoa, and taxis are both readily available and inexpensive. 

TRAVEL TO SAMOA

Flights into Samoa arrive from Auckland, Sydney, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Fiji, Tonga, and American Samoa. Pacific Blue and Air New Zealand are recommended. Further information may be obtained from travel agencies. OUM students travelling to Samoa are required to notify OUM of their arrival details at least one week prior to arrival.

STUDENT VISAS

Current immigration legislation stipulates that all international students must hold a valid passport and have a student permit before entering Samoa. There is a WST $300 (approximately AU$147) fee for processing a student visa. Upon payment of tuition for the Introduction to Medicine (ITM) module or clinical rotations in Samoa, students will be sent information on obtaining a visa. Permits are issued for a six-month period.  Admission to OUM does not guarantee that a student permit will be issued, but there is generally no problem. Detailed information about obtaining a permit to study in Samoa can be found on the Government of Samoa Immigration website www.samoaimmigration.gov.ws.