• Which airport should I fly to?
Which airport should I fly to? When should I arrive and depart? Will I be picked up at the airport? Where is the first place I need to go once on the BBSR campus? When will the class actually begin? Is there a syllabus available describing the times and meeting areas for the class? Will I need a visa to enter Bermuda? Are ATMs available at or near BBSR? Can I bring a bicycle? Auxiliary cycles can be hired for a few days or weeks. Local companies will generally drop off cycles at BBSR and give a brief lesson. One good carrier is Another option is the taxi. All rates are set
and fares displayed on the meter, so you can't be overcharged. The drivers are usually a pleasure to ride with, but this is an expensive option. The ferry service at the east end of the island is currently being improved. This is a pleasant and inexpensive way to get to certain points on the island. What SCUBA or snorkeling gear do I need? Will there be time for diving other than for course work? How can I pay my deposit?
How can I apply for a summer course scholarship?
Can I get copies of my certificates for summer school? What is the food like? BBSR has 15
acres of grounds, including a field for impromptu sports (i.e. there are no markings to denote a given game). Common games include soccer, croquet and volleyball. There are many benches on campus to while away your leisure time. And of course, there is the Passing Wind, BBSR's social bar. Students are given honorary membership, and more will be explained when you arrive.
• When should I arrive/depart?
• Will I be picked up at the airport?
• Where is the first place I need to go once on the BBSR campus?
• When will the class actually begin?
• Is there a syllabus available describing the times and meeting areas for the class?
• Will I need a visa to enter Bermuda?
• What currency should I bring with me?
• Are ATMs available at or near BBSR?
• Can I bring a bicycle?
• How can I get around in Bermuda?
• Do I need to bring linen or towels?
• Is a deposit required upon check in?
• Can I bring my laptop?
• Who can my family contact in an emergency?
•
Will I have telephone access?
• Can I hire SCUBA gear in Bermuda?
• What SCUBA or snorkeling gear do I need?
• Will there be time for diving other than for course work?
• Can I learn to dive at BBSR, or upgrade my diving skills?
• How can I pay my deposit?
• How can I apply for a summer course scholarship?
• Can I get copies of my certificates for summer school?
• What is the food like?
•
I have special dietary needs. Can BBSR accommodate these?
• What is the accommodation like?
• Is there anywhere to relax?
• May I have Guests?
There is only one airport in Bermuda, and luckily it is very close to BBSR. The Bermuda International Airport is located 10 minutes away. Look over the water when you arrive, and you may be able to see our flagship, the
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Students should arrive the day before classes start and leave the day after classes end. Expected dates for arrival and departure (one day before classes start and one day after they end, respectively) are posted on the BBSR web site for the Fall Program, the REU Program and the Summer Program. Dates
for the Spring Program are posted on the Duke University web site. Exceptions are possible, but must be cleared by Jane Burrows -
BBSR is not allowed to provide a shuttle for incoming students. You should take a taxi to BBSR, for which you will be charged about $10. Airport staff will direct you to the taxis. Buses are available, but only at certain times and are
impractical if you have luggage.
Please go to the reception desk (see the building labeled Reception and Reservations on the
Class start dates are posted on the
Specific details about your class(es) will be provided on the first day of class.
All students visiting BBSR are required to have immigration permission. The Education Department will have arranged this for you. Graduate interns and volunteer interns will need to receive a letter from the Department of Immigration stating the period of the internship, which the Education
Department will acquire. Students arriving for our semester programs (REU, Fall Semester, Summer Courses and Beaufort-to-Bermuda) do not need a letter from the Department of Immigration. Students from the USA, Canada and the European Union do not need a special visa to travel to Bermuda. If you think you may need a visa, check with your travel agent or the Education Department at BBSR.
Bermuda accepts U.S. dollars and travelers checks. The local currency, the Bermuda dollar, is interchangeable with the U.S. dollar in local stores. Top of page
Yes, in St. George's and at the airport, both a short bus or taxi ride away. St. George's is also within walking distance of BBSR.
Bicycles are a good way to get
around the local area. If you decide to bring your bike to BBSR, contact your airline to make sure that they will carry it – they are generally hauled as excess baggage, so expect to be charged. You will need to arrange for a suitable box, which can usually be picked up from the check-in desk at the airport. Don't forget to bring your helmet!
The local bus service is quick and efficient and well used by locals. Visitors staying for our semester programs might like to purchase a monthly bus pass (available from the first of the month only, and from post offices). Otherwise, bus tickets can be purchased from BBSR's reception desk.
One set of Linen and towels are provided by BBSR. You may prefer to bring an extra set of towels and sheets for a twin bed. Bring a couple of beach towels, although BBSR's Housekeeping Department often have some spares. Top of page
Is a deposit required upon check in?
A $50 deposit is required when you check in. The deposit preferably should be made with a credit card. If you do not have a credit card, cash is acceptable. This deposit is required mostly to insure that there is no damage to your room and that it is left clean when you depart. If your room is left in good repair and clean, there will be no charge to your credit card (or your cash deposit will be returned in full). However, if you have unpaid expenses (e.g., visitors who ate in the cafeteria or stayed overnight without paying, unpaid copy charges etc.,) these will be deducted from your deposit or charged to your credit card. Top of page
Can I bring my laptop?
Yes. If students want to connect to the BBSR network while here, they will need an ethernet card or a PCMCIA card (any standard ethernet or PCMCIA card is fine). This should be complimented by networking software for the computer, which should be on the
system disk, so bring your system CD. Your computer must be running up-to-date antivirus software, such as Norton Antivirus or McAfee Virus Shield. BBSR computers are equipped with basic software: a browser (Netscape), telnet and MS Office. Top of page
Who can my family contact in an emergency?
During office hours, emergency calls can be directed to anywhere on station from the Reception Desk. Outside office hours, a message is left on the BBSR answering machine detailing whom to call in an emergency. This will be one of the staff who resides at BBSR. Top of page
Will I have telephone access?
Individual rooms do not have telephones. Telephones are located around BBSR. There are a number of telephones that accept calling cards (these can be purchased at BBSR). Students on the Beaufort-to-Bermuda program are eligible for a voicemail box.
Details are provided on arrival. Top of page
Can I hire SCUBA gear in Bermuda?
No. BBSR does not have gear for hire, and local operators will only hire SCUBA gear to customers diving with them.
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BBSR supplies weights and tanks. You need to bring everything else. European divers may need to bring a yoke adapter if using a DIN regulator.
Longer term visitors (those staying more than one month) may have the chance to participate in BBSR recreational dives – notices are posted by the Dive Master. To participate in field work dives with
BBSR labs, students need to be qualified science divers (current CPR and Oxygen Giver certification required). Local SCUBA operators offer reduced rates for customers with their own gear.
You cannot learn to dive at BBSR, although local operators offer
great rates for basic courses. Longer-term students may be able to upgrade skills, for instance from Open Water Diver to Advanced Open Water Diver. This can be discussed with the Dive Master when you arrive and is dependent on time available and numbers interested. Top of page
You can pay by sending a U.S. dollar check to:
Summer Courses
Bermuda Biological Station for Research
Ferry Reach, St. George's GE 01
Bermuda
If paying by credit card, telephone the Education Department (441) 297-1880 ext. 241, or Reception desk ext. 0, and they will take your details.
To apply for a summer course scholarship, simply fill in the information requested on the application form. BBSR has a certain amount to award each year, and we do this by assessing information such as your level in education, academic merit and financial need. You are encouraged to supply as much detail as you feel necessary. BBSR regrets that travel costs must be borne by the student.
A certificate is provided for each student at the end of the summer course. The certificate describes the course content, expectations, requirements, student actions, contact hours (in lecture and labs), and provides a grade and a rational for the grade. If you wish copies of the certificate at a later date, they will be provided at $20 each. Many students use these certificates to obtain academic credit at another institution for the work they did in Bermuda.
Three meals per day are provided at set times, usually with a few meal options, a salad selection and fresh fruit. Snack machines are located near the dining room and are stocked with candy bars and chips. Microwave popcorn can be purchased from Reception.
Vegetarians are catered for, although notification is appreciated e-mail: education(at)bbsr.edu. If you have other special requirements or allergies, please notify us. Top of page
What is the accommodation like?
Accommodations vary, depending on the location, although all student rooms are on the BBSR campus. Take our virtual tour
to see what you might expect. Top of page
Is there anywhere to relax?
The main accommodation building, Wright Hall, has a lounge with cable TV and some easy chairs. There may be the opportunity to watch videos on a large screen in one of our lecture rooms if arranged with our Reception staff.
May I have Guests? Parents are allowed to visit and stay on station for 1 week.
Visitors must check with the housing manager, Jane Burrows, to confirm availability and rates for rooms. Please make reservations as early as possible to lessen potential problems with Bermuda Immigration when parents deplane at the airport. Meals eaten in the cafeteria must be signed for on the sign-up sheet, with payment at the end of the visit (or on Friday if checkout is on the weekend).
Siblings/friends may visit only during periods that do not interfere with classes/labs. Weekends and Bermuda holidays (not US holidays) are obviously the best time. If visitors want to come at other times, they must seek permission from their course instructors. Visitors will have two options for housing:
Regardless of whether visitors will be option #1 or #2, please check with Jane Burrows as far in advance as possible to minimize problems with Bermuda Immigration when guests deplane in Bermuda. Room rates and facilities fee rates will be provided when booking is made. All meals taken by visitors must be signed for at the time meals are taken and paid before the guest checks out. Meals or facility fees not paid by the guest will be charged to the student account.
If visitors are staying offstation, housing is not a BBSR issue.
Guests must book their own reservations at local hotels, B&B etc, which can be found via GOOGLE search. Visits to the station should be at hours that do not interfere with class/lab work. If parents wish to eat in the cafeteria, they will be charged regular rates, payable at reception before each meal.
