Study Abroad and Internships in Sint Maarten

Find information about studying abroad, internships abroad, exchange programs, language courses and research opportunities in Sint Maarten.
Explore internship vacancies, study experiences and practical tips for living, learning and gaining work experience in Sint Maarten.
Prepare for your journey abroad, check your packing list and find suitable insurance for studying, internships and student travel.

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Studying and internships in Sint Maarten

Find internship opportunities, study abroad information, travel preparation advice, packing lists and insurance

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Preparation & Packing

Packing list for Sint Maarten, travel insurance for Sint Maarten and taking your belongings

Packing list for Sint Maarten, travel insurance for Sint Maarten and taking your belongings

What to take to Sint Maarten: brief

To pack and check
  • Documents and money: a passport valid for at least another 6 months. Many European travelers do not require a visa for a tourist visit. The official currency is the Antillean guilder (XCG) in the Dutch part and the euro in the French part. US dollars are also accepted everywhere and are often even preferred. Credit cards work almost everywhere.
  • Clothing: airy and light tropical clothing for the warm climate. A thin cardigan can be pleasant in restaurants and hotels where the air conditioning is sometimes turned up intensely high. A smarter outfit for evenings in fancy restaurants. And, of course, beachwear and swimwear.
  • Shoes: flip-flops or sandals for the beach and the promenade. Water shoes are handy because of coral, rocks, and sea urchins. Sturdy sneakers or hiking boots are only necessary if you want to explore the more remote parts of the island.
  • Personal care and hygiene: reef-safe sunscreen with a high SPF. Due to the combination of sun, wind, and sea, many travelers burn faster than expected.
  • Packing and protection: a dry bag or waterproof bag for boat trips, snorkeling trips, and unexpected tropical rain showers.
  • Insects and animals: a set of mosquito repellents containing DEET or picaridine.
  • Medicines and travel first-aid kit: a first-aid kit with ORS, bandages, painkillers, and something for insect bites.
  • Outdoor items and handy tools: sunglasses, quick-drying towel, cap or hat, and a reusable water bottle.
  • Technology and equipment: Sint Maarten has type A and B (American model) power outlets on the Dutch side, and type C and E (European) on the French side. So bring a universal adapter.
To consider
  • A snorkel set.
  • UV-protective swim shirt.
  • Waterproof phone case or underwater camera.
  • International driving license for a rental car.

Are there mosquitoes on Sint Maarten?

  • Mosquitoes are a known problem on Sint Maarten, especially after rainfall and around the salt pans and large lagoons.
  • Active warnings are issued because diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika occur on Sint Maarten or have occurred in the past. Good protection against mosquitoes is therefore actively recommended by the local government, especially during the day and around sunset.
  • More about protection against mosquitoes and insects.

Are there sandflies on Sint Maarten?

  • Sandflies can occur on some beaches and sheltered coastal areas, especially around sunrise and sunset.
  • They particularly love windless days, so extra caution is advised then.
  • Their bites can be quite itchy, even though you often barely see the critters. Fortunately, your set of mosquito repellents can offer a solution.
  • More about sandflies and sand fleas.

Can you buy DEET, or other mosquito repellents, on Sint Maarten?

  • Sint Maarten attracts large numbers of (American) tourists. DEET, picaridine, and other mosquito repellents are therefore easy to obtain at pharmacies, supermarkets, and tourist shops.
  • Popular brands include OFF! and Cutter.

Can you buy a joint or weed on Sint Maarten, or bring it to Sint Maarten?

  • Sint Maarten might be relaxed, but on both parts of the island, cannabis is still prohibited in all forms.
  • It is sometimes offered openly in tourist areas, but this is not without risks.
  • The rules, risks, and consequences differ per part of the island. On the Dutch side (Sint Maarten), they are discussing (partial) legalization of cannabis in the future (so it is still illegal!).

Health, Insurance & Safety

How does healthcare work in Sint Maarten, and what travel insurance, health insurance or expat insurance do you need?

How does healthcare work in Sint Maarten, and what travel insurance, health insurance or expat insurance do you need?

What is the quality of healthcare in Sint Maarten?

  • Sint Maarten is an island divided between two countries: the Dutch part of Sint Maarten and the French part of Saint-Martin. Both parts of the island have good health care with high medical standards, but fall under a different health care system.
  • There are two hospitals on the island, one in each part. There are also private clinics.
  • Many of the facilities on the Dutch part of the island are public and often larger than those on the French part. On the French part you will find more private facilities.
  • Sint Maarten also has a foundation for mental health care, the Sint Maarten Mental Health Foundation. This is located on the Dutch part of the island. Both admission and day visits are possible here.
  • Although the care is of good quality, not all care can be provided. In the event of major medical accidents, an evacuation to, for example, Curaçao or the US is probably necessary. So make sure you are well insured!
  • Call 912 for medical assistance.

How does the public healthcare system work in Sint-Maarten?

  • The quality of public health care is excellent. You can expect medical care of the highest standard.
  • The public hospital in the Dutch part is the Sint Maarten Medical Center (SMMC). This hospital is the largest healthcare facility on the island and serves people from Sint Maarten as well as people from other islands such as Saba and Sint Eustatius.
  • In the SMMC you can get all the modern care that you can expect in other developed countries. The hospital has 30 medical specialists and more than 70 hospital beds available.
  • In Saint Martin, the French part of the island you have the Louis Constant Fleming Medical Center with at least 80 beds and good, specialized care.
  • In the Dutch part you can qualify for the ZorgVerzekering (ZV) the Sociale Ziektekostenverzekeringsfonds (SZV) as a resident or employee if you meet certain conditions. This makes healthcare more affordable because part of the care is compensated in case of illness.
  • Residents of the French part have access to the French social security system Caisse Générale de Sécurité Sociale (CGSS).
  • Public care in the French part is better subsidized and cheaper for residents than in the Dutch part.

How does the private healthcare system work in Sint Maarten?

  • In Sint Maarten, private clinics offer faster and often better care, but at higher prices. For specialist treatment, patients often have to travel to other islands.
  • French standards for private care apply in Saint Martin, and healthcare costs can be partly covered by French social security for registered residents.
  • Without French or Dutch health insurance, healthcare is very expensive. Good international health insurance is therefore important to cover the high costs.

How is the family doctor or general practitioner arranged in Sint Maarten?

  • There are medical clinics on both parts of the island that offer GP care.
  • In general, you have to make an appointment in advance, but some practices also work on a walk-in basis. Check in advance whether your GP is contracted with the SZV.

How is the dental care and dentist arranged in Sint Maarten?

  • Dentists can also be found on both parts of the island, in Saint Martin and in Sint-Maarten.
  • Dental care is of very good quality and is mainly provided by private clinics.
  • Ask locals or other foreigners for advice to find out which dental practice is best for you!

How is pregnancy and maternity care arranged in Sint Maarten?

  • On Sint Maarten, pregnancy care is offered in SMMC and private clinics.
  • Through the SZV, women are entitled to 16 weeks of maternity leave, with 80% of their salary paid.
  • Women with complex pregnancies can be referred to Curaçao, Colombia or the US.
  • Standard pregnancy care can also be found in the French part, often free or cheap for residents with French health insurance.
  • Deliveries take place in the Centre Hospitalier Louis-Constant Fleming. Abortion is legal and is performed at the SMMC and through some general practitioners.

How safe or unsafe is a trip or stay in Sint Maarten?

What should you pay attention to in terms of safety in Sint-Maarten?
  • Sint Maarten and Saint Martin are reasonably safe, especially compared to some other Caribbean islands.
  • Petty crime does occur, especially in tourist areas such as Philipsburg and Marigot, and on busy beaches.
  • Break-ins also occur, for example in hotels and cars. So it is better to store your valuables well and not leave them in the car!
  • Crime that involves violence is rare.
  • Another danger is natural disasters. Sint Maarten is located in the hurricane belt. Strong hurricanes can therefore occur during the hurricane season from June to November. Make sure you are well prepared for these types of situations!
What should you look out for in terms of diseases in Sint-Maarten?
  • Mosquito-borne diseases occur in the Caribbean. You can get dengue, chikungunya and zika, which will not make you happy. So protect yourself well against mosquitoes, especially in the rainy season!
  • In general, tap water is safe to drink and food hygiene is good.
  • Beware of sunstroke and dehydration, because it is quite warm and the humidity can cause you to lose a lot of fluids without noticing.
What should you pay attention to when it comes to traffic in Sint-Maarten?
  • Sint Maarten is known for its extremely slow and blocked traffic. The island is full of cars and has narrow roads, which means that traffic often comes to a standstill.
  • What also doesn't help is that bridges have to be opened regularly for the large yachts that have to enter the harbors. As a result, cars often stand still for a long time.
  • The roads are also not very good. The French part had better roads than the Dutch part for a long time, but even in the French part there are more and more holes in the road.
  • In the Dutch part, the speed limit is 50 km/h on some roads, in the French part you are even allowed to tear over the holes in the road at 70 km/h. If you are going to live on the island alone as an expat, a scooter is your best option. This saves a lot of hassle with parking and you are faster in traffic!
  • Public transport mainly consists of minibuses. These are also called Martin buses. Figuring our their routes may be a bit difficult to figure out at first, but if you live there for a while, this is the cheapest way to get around the island.
  • Marigot Bus Terminal is the starting point for many of these buses.
  • Water taxis are also an option. These are sometimes faster, but more expensive.
  • Taxis are available, but an expensive form of transport if you need them often.

What are the best insurance options for backpacking, traveling, doing an internship, studying, volunteering, or working in Sint Maarten?

What types of insurance should you get if you're planning to emigrate, work as an expat, or live in Sint Maarten?

What is insurance for studying abroad, and why should you take out specialized travel insurance for your education abroad?

What is insurance for studying abroad?

  • Insurance for studying abroad means that you take out insurance that continues to provide coverage during your studies, your education, and your related activities abroad.
  • Insurance for studying abroad is also referred to as study insurance. This study insurance is specifically for when you go abroad for a long period of time to take courses, study, or conduct research abroad.

Why should you take out specialized travel insurance for a study abroad?

  • Study insurance is specifically designed for studying abroad, whereas regular travel insurance policies may offer coverage on paper but handle this situation differently in practice.
  • Study insurance offers coverage for longer stays than regular (vacation) travel insurance.
  • Study insurance is also suitable for many types of activities, ranging from various sports to hiking at high altitudes.
  • Study insurance continues to provide coverage if you start working during your trip, whether planned or unplanned. If you have not taken out insurance before departure that allows you to work, there is no guarantee that you will be able to take out insurance abroad that provides coverage.
  • Study insurance continues to provide coverage if your own country's health insurance no longer provides coverage.
  • Student insurance also covers your healthcare costs above the rates in your own country; with regular insurance, you have to pay the extra costs yourself.
  • Student insurance can also continue to provide coverage if (study) visa issuers impose additional requirements on how you insure yourself, for example if you are going to the US and applying for a J-1 visa.
  • Student insurance continues to provide coverage if you are staying abroad for a longer period of time and want to visit your own country in between.

What is important to insure when you are going to study abroad?

  • That you have insurance that is valid in the country or countries where you are going to travel and work.
  • That you are adequately insured for the sports and activities you are going to participate in during your period abroad
  • That you are insured for emergency assistance and early return if something happens to you or your immediate family.
  • That your medical expenses are insured up to the actual cost and not just for the standard costs. The costs per medical treatment vary greatly between countries.
  • That you insure your luggage and take sufficient precautions against theft or damage.
  • That you are well insured against personal liability.
  • That you are well insured in case of accidents.
  • That you only insure yourself for legal assistance if there is an immediate reason to do so, unless coverage is already automatically included in the insurance.
  • That you pay close attention to choosing the right coverage when performing work alongside your studies.

Check out more about international insurances

Why should you take out specialized travel insurance for an internship abroad?

What is insurance for an internship abroad?

  • Insuring an internship abroad means taking out insurance that continues to provide coverage during your internship abroad
  • Insurance for internships abroad are also referred to as internship insurance. This internship insurance is specifically for when you go abroad for a long period of time to work as an intern, take courses, or conduct research abroad.

Why should you take out specialized travel insurance for an internship abroad?

  • There may be several reasons why you need separate insurance for an internship abroad.
  • During internship activities abroad, additional requirements may apply as soon as you start performing work that involves additional risks. Only specific insurance policies offer coverage during these activities.
  • During your internship, the risk of accidents is sometimes greater, for example because you are doing work with which you have little experience or because of the nature of the work.
  • During your internship, local employers generally do not offer insurance, or offer limited insurance that does not provide sufficient coverage.
  • During an internship abroad where you receive financial compensation (or, for example, food or accommodation), your home country's health insurance coverage will potentially lapse. You will then need special insurance to remain insured for illness and accidents.
  • Regular travel insurance policies generally provide coverage for trips of a limited number of days. If your trip or stay abroad exceeds the maximum number of days, this generally means that for the entire travel period, you will not be covered.
  • Regular travel insurance policies generally only provide coverage for recreational trips without work activities.

What is important to insure when you are going to be an intern abroad?

  • That you have insurance that is valid in the area where you will be traveling and doing your internship.
  • That you are adequately insured for the sports and activities you will be participating in.
  • That you are insured for emergency assistance and early return in case something happens to you or your immediate family.
  • That your medical expenses are insured up to the actual cost (what it actually costs), and not just for the standard costs. The costs per medical treatment vary greatly between countries.
  • That you insure your luggage and take sufficient precautions against theft or damage.
  • That you are well insured against personal liability and, preferably, also for liability during your internship.
  • That you are well insured in case of accidents.
  • That you insure yourself for legal assistance if there is an immediate reason to do so, unless the coverage is already automatically included in the insurance.
  • Make sure you choose the right coverage for internship work in healthcare, with wild animals, or with dangerous machinery!

Check out more about international insurances

What insurance can you choose as backpacker, emigrant, expat, intern, nomad, student, volunteer or traveler abroad?

What are the main international insurances through JoHo and WorldSupporter for activities, backpacking or travel to or from Sint Maarten

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Insurance

What are the main international insurances through JoHo and WorldSupporter for emigrants, expats and nomads in Sint Maarten

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Activities abroad: home page

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From language courses to a gap year abroad, from work experience to volunteering abroad, from paid work to an internship abroad, from mountaineering to diving, and from backpacking to traveling around the world

    What social activities can you do abroad?

    • Opportunities are found in the areas of helping, learning or studying.
    • You can get involved and volunteer in a social project at a school in Africa, Asia or Latin America.
    • You can get involved in nature, in a project with animals or cleaning the sea or beaches.
    • Those who want to learn more can choose to do, for example a language course in Latin America, Spain or South Africa.

    What work related activities can you do abroad?

    • When you aim to gain work experience and/or also earn money, go and work abroad.
    • You can combine backpacking in Australia with temporary work.
    • You can work on campsites in Europe or bush camps in Africa.
    • You can almost go all over the world to work in the hospitality industry, hotels, and hostels, in the healthcare sector, or, for example, at a diving school.

    What sports activities to do abroad?

    • Have you ever thought of mountain biking, rafting (going down a wild river on a raft or rubber dinghy, climbing, or canoeing), survival (which involves building rafts, climbing or canoeing), abseiling (descending a rock face while secured to ropes), zip-lining (whizzing down a cable), canyoning (starting at the top of a river and then climbing, swimming, diving down the bed) or caving (scrambling, wriggling and crawling through caves and crevices)?
    • Maybe you feel more comfortable on a bodyboard (on a half-wave surfboard, you surf the high waves lying down with flippers), on a hang glider or while paragliding (with a parachute you float down a mountain or dune), hydrospeeding (on a bodyboard with flippers and a wetsuit on you go down a wild river via rapids), or Tiefschneeskiing (racing down through powder snow)?

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