Visitor MS0303 
| Visitor |
| Sex? |
male |
| Profession/occupation? |
medical student |
| Home country? |
Switzerland |
| What made you want to go to
Solomon Islands? |
talking to a previous visitor |
| Arriving in Solomon
Islands |
| When did you arrive in Solomon
Islands? |
May 2003 |
| Did you encounter any
bureaucratic difficulties? |
no |
| What was your first impression
after arrival? |
oppressive heat, poverty in paradise |
| Living in Solomon
Islands |
| What did positively surprise
you? |
the warm and friendly nature of the locals with their
contagious smiles |
| What did negatively surprise
you? |
"Solomon time" makes organized and productive work
difficult |
| What took longest to get used
to? |
the tropical heat that makes you tired |
| What did you miss most in
Solomon Islands? |
a decent meat dish |
| What should you have brought
along? |
an ant trap and less long-sleeved and long-legged
clothing |
| What did you do to prevent
malaria? |
Lariam prophylaxis |
| Place and province where you
spent most of your time? |
Honiara, Honiara-City |
| Where did you stay? |
Kiwi-House; Transitflat, Seventh-day Adventist
compound |
| How long did you stay at each
location? |
3 and 6 weeks |
| How much did you pay for
each? |
[-] and SBD 2,250 |
| Where did you usually eat? |
home, hospital cafeteria, Seoul Cafeteria
(restaurant) |
| What did you typically pay for
a normal meal? |
SBD 10 to 15 |
| What local food/beverage did
you like most? |
fresh fruit and vegetables, mango drink |
| What local food/beverage did
you like least? |
meat dishes |
| Working in Solomon
Islands |
| How did you usually go to
work? |
walk, by bus |
| Where did you work? |
NRH |
| What was your occupation? |
medical student |
| What were your working days and
hours? |
7.45 - 12 am, 1.30 - 5.30 pm |
| What was particularly difficult
in regard to your work? |
too many local registrars during the first month |
| Did you feel accepted by the
locals? |
yes |
| What did you usually do in your
spare time after work? |
cooking, eating, internet, partnership, reading |
| Leaving Solomon Islands and
looking back |
| When did you leave Solomon
Islands? |
August 2003 |
| How long was your stay? |
3 months |
| How do you judge the length of
your stay? |
just about right |
| What did you learn from the
locals? |
no stress |
| Your advice to prospective
visitors? |
inform yourself, keep your expectations low, be
flexible |
| What did you miss most when
back at home again? |
the marvelous landscape |
| What did you enjoy most when
back at home again? |
fine meat dishes, family, friends |
| Would you go back for another
stay? |
yes |
| Estimated total cost of your
stay (including travel costs)? |
CHF 6,000 |
| Additional comments? |
It was an unforgettable time with many ups and downs I
would not want to miss. I am glad I did part of my elective
in Solomon Islands. |
