USM Welcomes CAFY Students in St. Maarten, Saba & Statia
August 21, 2025
USM is kicking off the Caribbean Academic Foundation Year with a dynamic orientation for new students. Students from St. Maarten will gather on campus, while peers in Saba and St. Eustatius will join online when classes officially begin Monday.
The University of St. Martin is proud to welcome its newest group of students to the Caribbean Academic Foundation Year (CAFY) program during the New Student Orientation taking place Friday, August 22, 2025, from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the USM campus.
In addition to students gathering in Sint Maarten, CAFY students from Saba and St. Eustatius will begin their journey through live online classes starting this Monday, ensuring full inclusion across the islands.
The orientation serves as the first step in preparing CAFY students for success, offering them the opportunity to explore the campus, meet their instructors, and connect with fellow classmates. Throughout the half-day session, students will:
- Receive a warm welcome from USM leadership and faculty
- Learn about the CAFY program and its academic requirements
- Be introduced to student services, including academic coaching, counseling, and tutoring
- Participate in an interactive campus tour
- Engage in activities designed to build teamwork and student community
CAFY is a tuition-free, 10-month foundational program supported by the Kingdom‑wide initiative Strategic Education Alliance (SEA) and funded in part by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports of St. Maarten. Developed in collaboration with educational partners throughout the Netherlands and the wider Caribbean, CAFY equips students with vital academic skills, technology competence, communication proficiency, and personal development tools to successfully transition into tertiary education.
USM President, Dr. Antonio Carmona Báez, highlighted the importance of this milestone:
“Orientation is the gateway to an exciting journey of growth and discovery. At USM, we are committed to ensuring that every CAFY student feels supported, prepared, and inspired to succeed.”
The University encourages all newly admitted CAFY students to attend orientation and begin their academic journey with confidence.
For more information about CAFY or student services at USM, contact the Student Service Center at +1 (721) 542-5171.
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In addition to students gathering in Sint Maarten, CAFY students from Saba and St. Eustatius will begin their journey through live online classes starting this Monday, ensuring full inclusion across the islands.
The orientation serves as the first step in preparing CAFY students for success, offering them the opportunity to explore the campus, meet their instructors, and connect with fellow classmates. Throughout the half-day session, students will:
- Receive a warm welcome from USM leadership and faculty
- Learn about the CAFY program and its academic requirements
- Be introduced to student services, including academic coaching, counseling, and tutoring
- Participate in an interactive campus tour
- Engage in activities designed to build teamwork and student community
CAFY is a tuition-free, 10-month foundational program supported by the Kingdom‑wide initiative Strategic Education Alliance (SEA) and funded in part by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports of St. Maarten. Developed in collaboration with educational partners throughout the Netherlands and the wider Caribbean, CAFY equips students with vital academic skills, technology competence, communication proficiency, and personal development tools to successfully transition into tertiary education.
USM President, Dr. Antonio Carmona Báez, highlighted the importance of this milestone:
“Orientation is the gateway to an exciting journey of growth and discovery. At USM, we are committed to ensuring that every CAFY student feels supported, prepared, and inspired to succeed.”
The University encourages all newly admitted CAFY students to attend orientation and begin their academic journey with confidence.
For more information about CAFY or student services at USM, contact the Student Service Center at +1 (721) 542-5171.
Latest News →
