The Roommate Factor

So, as I mentioned before I have a single studio apartment. Most other students when hearing this, or seeing it say, "wow, you are so lucky! How did you manage that?" And most of the time, I agree, I am lucky and I love my room and privacy. Its nice to be able to study in my underwear and have two closets to myself. (Now I just need Dr. Boyfriend to send me all those clothes and shoes I didn't have room for in my luggage so I can fill both closets!)

But there have a been a few times over the last week and a half that I've discovered I am missing out. Not having a roommate (or suitmate) means no one to quiz me on the divisions of brachial plexus or review histo slides with. No roommate means that I don't have a built in person to sit next to in lecture hall, or go to dinner with, or grocery shopping with, or to Bananas on Saturday night, etc., etc. Now I've made friends and I will have study groups and every night I walk to Mocha Jumby where at least other upper termers are also studying (I'm making progress on this front, yesterday two other first term students where there as well, but guess what? They were roommates.)  

I keep hearing stories about best friends who met each other first term, when they were put into the same living space. That makes sense... but it deosn't help me. And so I have yet to find my Vinny and that is okay but I wonder, how different it would be if I had decided to do the roommate thing? Most likely I'd live in one of the Superdorms down the hill instead of in my very quiet place up the hill. And roommate or not the dorms are another experience in and of themselves I am sure. I did that once in undergrad and I can't say I'm anxious to repeat it. And yet as I reflect I realize that several of my very good friends to this day where those that lived in my same dorm.  But please, don't feel too sorry for me, I do have ample space, quiet and a queen sized bed. So maybe I'll keep my single and look for Vinny somewhere else.  And for all of you who want to escape that roommate of yours, come on by, if you can make it up the hill...

A New Life and a Way to Dawn...

I have to admit the first night I arrived to Grenada, I hated the place. Small airport, no lights of the island when flying in, customs taxing my computer, hot humid weather, no food, and a room that reeks of mold and is hot/humid as the air outside. By far, it seemed to be a nightmare. I don't know how people explain it is a beautiful place by my first impressions, but the next day seemed to change my mind. With the sun out, life seemed far better. Registration, getting a cheap phone, and meeting new friends led to a trip to the Grand Anse beach. The beach was awesome, the IGA food market and security guards were not. The food marts are extremely overpriced charging 2.5 EC for each apple, 5.5 EC for each pear, and an outrageous 75EC for a small bag of coffee. Luckily I don't drink coffee, but the price of these items in USD is roughly $1 per apple, $2 per pear, and $30 for the small coffee bag. Outrageous as I said. I ended buying only a few items of food and paying about $60 for it. The security guard at Grand Anse are also mean as they refused to allow me on the bus back from the beach because my t-shirt was mildly wet. I was stuck for about an hour before being able to go back to campus.

Nightlife is out of control. Club Bananas is the main bar people go to and it is open 24hrs a day literally. I have gone to this place almost every night, and it seems to never get old. Other clubs I went to were Stewarts (where the guards frisk you before going in) and Aquarium which was a wicked bar that was also on the beach. Nightlife is sweet as I said, but you will always encounter douches along the way, such as I did at a open bar in Bananas. A 4th termer came up to me and started talking shit about how 1st termers is dumb shits and how he was better than me. I pointed out the obvious that he was drunk and being a complete douche to people he has no idea of. He then send his posse to start fights with me, but I came out on top by straight talking them back down. There is no need for upper classmen to be rude to new students, so they needed to get their heads straight, which I did. Go TEAM VENTURE!

Overall, my general impression of the school and island prior to classes (as they start tomorrow) is that I actually just want to finish my two years as quickly as possible and go home. Grenada is great, but in large dosages, it is hazardous to one's health (both mentally and physically). Administration (well mostly the IT department) seems not that great either, but I have always faced poor adminstrations.

SFO ==> JFK ==> SJU ==> GND

Was exactly what I wrote, on both my checked-in luggage bags, in fear of one or both of them getting lost. Guess it must’ve worked. When I got into the airport in Grenada, my bags were already there waiting for me. Overall, I had a very smooth journey. When I needed a hand w/ putting my very heavy (almost 40 lbs) luggage into the overhead compartment, someone was there to give me a hand. When I had to wait over 5 hours in JFK for the flight to San Juan, I quickly passed the time reading a book that my friend had given me. So, even though it was a day’s journey to Grenada, I really enjoyed it.

I arrived in Grenada on the 13th at night, and immediately, I thought “wow, it’s pretty hot here”. At first, I was afraid that I would have to get a taxi by myself to get to my dorm, but the welcome party was there and the driver took me and another girl to our designated dorms. After stepping inside the dorm, I realized that there are no elevators. Correct me if I’m wrong, but out of all the superdorms (SDs), the only dorm that has an elevator is SD6 which is the newest one. And to my dismay, my room was on the 2nd (3rd US) floor. Needless to say, it was not fun trying to carry 2 50lbs luggage up 2 flights of stairs amongst other luggages. On top of that, I was super hungry because I didn’t eat a proper meal at the airport. I had two cups of coffee, scrambled eggs, and a smoothie for the entire day and by the end of the night, I was ready to eat anything that’s edible. I thought about going around campus and looking for edible plants but then decided against it. Figured, I was probably too hungry to be rational. I did get some food that night, though not from wild plants but from an upper classman who was nice enough to give me something to eat.

The next day, I got a new phone, registered for my courses, got a mailbox, and went to the local supermarket (IGA). The phone plans in Grenada are more like pay as you go plans. You add credit to your sim card and depending on where you call your minutes cost differently. During the orientation week, the phone providers (digicel and bmobile) would give out specials like if you buy for a certain amount of credit (EC) then they would double it. So, I got my phone and my double minutes and then went to the library to register. Registration went pretty quickly because I remembered to bring my registration voucher w/ me. I got my ID card, mailbox, the student manual, and my refund check at the registration office. Afterwards, I went to IGA (the local supermarket). When you hear that things are expansive here, believe it! My eyes almost fell out after looking at the price tags. I paid about $3.60 (US) for 2 liter coke that I could’ve gotten in the states for about $0.99, amongst other things.

The realization that I’m in a new country is definitely starting to hit me. I’ve noticed that some of the things that I can take for granted in the states, I can’t take for granted here. For example, back in the states if I get caught eating in a lecture hall (which I have), I would just put the food away after a reminder by the professor not to have any food or drinks in the lecture hall. Here, I feel that things will not be the same. Here, any little rule breaking will get me a ticket and a fine. I feel like I’m back in Burma again and I have to abide by all the rules or else get a sound lashing (in Grenada’s case tickets). And the rules don’t just extend to classroom eating restrictions. Treating others with respects and talking nicely are also rules that you wouldn't want to break. Patience is also an important aspect these rules because if you don’t have enough patient then you lose your temper. And if you lose your temper and teat others w/o respect, you can also get into trouble. You might not necessarily get a ticket unless the person you lost your temper to was a security guard, a staff member, one of the professors or deans. So, in short this past week has been a cultural shock for me. Even though there are a lot of US students here on campus, I think that we’ll all have to change our ways a little bit to get along in this crazy paradise of ours.

Liming in Grenada NOT!!!

What does it mean to “lime”? It is a term used here to describe how people laze around doing nothing productive. This term came into common use when the British (the limeys) landed on the island and the sailors would just sit around taking up space and using up oxygen. So am I liming around on the Spice Isle??? Heck no! It has been a few days and in that time I have set up my dorm room (single bed, small closet and a desk with a shelf above), scouted out supermarkets (outrageously priced food everywhere), registered, bought a cell phone, introduced myself to about a third of my classmates (about 100 of 300ish), picked up my books using a suitcase to haul them across campus, figured out how to get money, started to find some of the things I couldn’t bring in my already heavy suitcases, wandered around getting acquainted with the campus and took some pictures to add to this post. The reality that the honeymoon is almost over set in when picking up books (11 books about 40 lbs.)

I had a great time touring the nutmeg and mace factory and the Concord waterfalls. Grenada is one of the principle suppliers of nutmeg, mace, cinnamon, cocoa and some pretty potent rum. I have found the best fruit and vegetable stand outside of Food Fair close to Grand Anse campus. The woman that runs it is so friendly and gave me and my room mate some cashew fruit to try... she has me hooked for life!
It is beautiful and hot, the people are friendly and the diversity of the students amazes me. I start my classes on Monday and I know it will be intense, but I am looking forward to seeing what I can do. I stopped by the anatomy lab during a tour of campus and the smell of formaldehyde/formalin filled the air.... can't wait to start learning!

I feel Welcomed...

So, by now we should all be here. I'm curious to hear what all my other group bloggers have to say but as for me, I am enjoying my new home. Is it hot? Yes. But I'll take my flip-flops instead of ice storms and winter hat. At least for now...

We had our first mandatory session this evening regarding Humanism in Medicine and I thought it was a nice way to set the tone. If you are interested here is the link http://www.humanism-in-medicine.org/intros/2nd_Place_Khera.pdf

So far I am happy and impressed. I got the single in married housing as I requested and my RA couldn't be nicer or more helpful. As are the upper classmen and pretty much everyone around campus. Having lived in NY the last 8 years of my life I had forgotten what it is like to be greeted walking down the street. It is nice.  Speaking of which, I have a gorgeous view of the campus from my window and of the Caribbean Sea as I walk down the hill to go to the Student Center or anywhere else. I'm feeling very happy to be here. The last two days have been packed with tours of the island and I've learned quite a bit of Grenadian history as well as had the opportunity to see the Capitol and the Concord Waterfall. Our Orientation leaders are locals that now attend SGU and they are the perfect resource for us. (For pictures of the aforementioned, see my blog:  http://notesfromspiceisland.blogspot.com/)

I've met some of my classmates (coming from Cali, Ohio, Texas, Jersey, NY, Vermont, Rhode Island, Russia and England-just to name a few) and am beginning to recognize faces when I walk around campus, it is a wonderful feeling... like I belong here.

Welcome!

Hey Everyone!

Some of you have already arrived and most of you should be arriving within the next few days so I just wanted to take a second and say Welcome! You made it! Hopefully with all of your bags and your sanity intact.

It's hot here eh? Even I'm readjusting. Don't worry, I promise you won't be sweating buckets forever every time you step outside your room. Your body adjusts eventually.

In my last post I promised to discuss 4 more things so here goes-

Bus Routes- SGU runs free buses for all students throughout neighboring towns. Right now the route that is probably most important to your life is the True Blue/Grand Anse bus route. This will take you to IGA [the American-esque supermarket] which is located within Spiceland mall as well as Grand Anse beach [last stop on the route]. If you're craving American food, Subway and KFC [the only two fast food chains in Grenada] are along the bus route as well. You can catch the bus at the top of the hill at the bus stop. There are signs in all the windows telling you exactly what route the bus takes. Buses usually run about every 15-20 minutes and it's about a 15 minute ride to the beach. If you're a newbie and don't know exactly where to ring the bell to get off, just ask the bus driver to let you off at the stop you want to go to.

Cell Phones- Digicel and BMobile have set up their booths. Digicel at the library and BMobile closer to the bus stop. Check out both places and see what deals they have before you decide on a company. The only reason I went with Digicel is because they were the first people I saw when I walked out of the library after registration. So be wise, look for the best deals and go with that one! Typically you'll buy X amount of credit and get the phone for free. Grenadian cell phones work on a pay as you go system so everytime you run out of credit you can just top up at the D store on campus.

Registration- In the East wing of the library, the times should be in your Orientation schedule. Bring your registration voucher with you! And any/all SGU documents. Financial aid stuff can also get cleared up here although they most likely will direct you elsewhere depending on what your problem is. Once you're registered you'll get your ID card, class schedule, SGU handbook, mailbox #/address, and a couple of other things that escape me right now. It also marks you as an official SGU student so don't delay on that!

Banking- RBTT is on campus in the student center. They have extended hours this week for people opening up new accounts. You'll need to bring your SGU ID, acceptance letter, and two forms of ID- a passport and something else (driver's license). There's a sheaf of forms to fill out and I warn you now that the entire process will take awhile because there's a lot of you guys and not a whole lot of the RBTT employees.

I think that's it. Enjoy your orientation week! Go on all the tours, get to meet as many people as you can, definitely check out the Welcome Back Party @ Aquarium on Friday night. It's a 20 EC cover but there will be drink specials and free shuttles running back and forth between campus. No better way to get to know your new classmates than to party with them! Make sure you don't miss the Booze Cruise on Saturday morning and definitely check out the Orientation Bazaar on Sunday.

If anything's amiss or you have a particular question about stuff- feel free to comment here or just call me- 473.420.6997. My Internet access is a little shady right now so if you need something quick- just call, otherwise just comment and I'll try to get back to you within the day.

Cheers!
Srav

Dear Newbies,

Greetings!
It's about a week before you guys are due to set sail for a small island off the coast of Venezuela where you will begin your long, arduous, but ultimately rewarding journey towards having those two coveted initials next to your name- M.D.

How are you feeling about it all?

Scared? Excited? Overwhelmed? Uncertain? All of the above?

I know that I was a mixture of all three during the week before I left. Mostly I was in a state of disbelief. In spite all the shopping and the packing and all the goodbyes it took until the very morning that I got to the airport for it to sink in for me. Yes, I was leaving behind everything and everyone I knew and loved to fly some 3,000 miles away to become a doctor. How the heck did I convince myself that this would be a good idea?! I'm really not quite sure but I'm glad I did.

The beauty of going to SGU is that everyone is in the same boat as you when they first get there. Everyone has left behind the life that they've been used to for the past 20 odd years for the chance to pursue their dream. You wouldn't be here if you didn't want to. And SGU would not have accepted you if they didn't see the potential for a great doctor in you. So have faith in yourself and this decision that you made [which I'm positive took a lot of time and consideration] and just wait and see what lies ahead.

On to lighter things- stuff to expect/know when you get to Grenada:

• Immigration will take forever. Your plane is likely to be full of SGUers, most of them first-termers. You all need to be processed and this takes time. Make sure you bring the "Letter to Immigration Officer" that you received with your acceptance package. But be patient, give them the documents they request, and you'll be cleared.
  
• Luggage does get left behind! Don't be surprised if some or all of your bags don't make it. Full flight = lots of bags = not enough space to store all of them. If your bag isn't on the same flight as you it'll be there in a couple of days. This is why you should pack a couple of changes of clothes and any essentials in your carry-on. Freaking out at the airline officials at the airport will not get you your stuff any sooner. Fill out the necessary forms and be patient. Patience is one thing you need A LOT of on this island which takes some getting used to. Trust me- I'm a New Yorker and we do everything at the speed of light.
  
• The customs officers know SGU students carry laptops. Don't try to be slick and hide it. Show it to them along with your receipt, pay the duty, and save the receipt they give you! The laptop tax is a one-time fee only, after that everytime you pass through customs all you have to do is show them your computer and the receipt they give you.
  
• Getting to your dorm- SGU reps will be waiting outside the airport to give you your dorm assignment and to put you in a cab that will take you to your dorm. This cab ride is on SGU but they will only pay for you. If you have family members, significant others, etc. with you, they'll have pay their own fare which may range anywhere from 25-35 EC.
  
• Food- depending on what time you arrive, you have a couple of options.
  
• Glover's and Pearl's are located in the Student Centre [huge building behind the basketball courts] and they serve stuff like wraps, fries, burgers, pasta, pizza, etc. Open til 11 p.m.
  
• The 'D' Store is also located in the Student Centre and serves as a convenience store/deli/bodega etc. Candy, soda, bottled water, chips, eggs, ice cream, cigarettes, prophylactics, and basic toiletries can all be found here. Open til 11 p.m.
  
• Sugar Shack is kind of hidden on campus [ask your RA, they'll point you in the right direction] and they serve more traditional Caribbean fare, i.e. rotis
• Mocha Jumby is down the street from campus and is the closest coffee shop.
• Kwality Indian food is right next to MJ. You'll see both places on your drive to campus.
• Bananas is about 3/4 of a mile walk from campus. More traditional bar/pub fare- burgers, quesadillas, pizza, etc. Open late!
  

Orientation week is chock full of activities that will help you get to know your classmates and your new home. Go to as many of them as you can because your opportunities for sight-seeing will decrease quickly once term starts. Expect hikes through Grand Etang National Forest and to the waterfalls [bring your insect repellant], tours of St. George [the capital], a visit to the Nutmeg factory [the spice of Grenada], and the eagerly anticipated Saturday morning booze cruise on the Rhum Runners I and II. Warning: Caribbean rum is SUPER potent.

Grenada is HOT. [Duh, I know]. January marks the start of the dry season. Your body will get acclimated to the heat eventually but the first few days are brutal. Drink lots of water and stay hydrated. All the water on campus is filtered and safe to drink. Buy bottled water if you're off campus. And don't forget the deodorant! ;-)

That's all I have for now- the next post will involve bus routes, cell phones, registration, and banking!

Happy packing!
Srav

In the driver’s seat this time

I don’t know about you but when I am a passenger in a car I don’t really pay attention. I take in the scenery, listen to music, nap and although I know vaguely where we are going I miss more than I see. And for me, medical school is kind of like that ride. I lived with Dr. boyfriend during his first three years of medical of school so I have a vague idea of how much I will have to study and how it will likely be among the most amazing, difficult and rewarding periods in my life. And yet all of my experiences were as a passenger and now I’m about to be behind the wheel. In 13 days I leave for Grenada and classes begin January 19th. And while I am absolutely certain of where I want to end up, I just don’t know exactly how I’ll get there...yet I guarantee there will be a few detours and speed bumps along the way.

However, I also know that medical school is not done alone (or at least it would be lonely and boring that way, and I’ll never learn all that anatomy without a study group). And since its always more fun to caravan I’ve invited a few others to share their experiences. I hope we support from one another as we navigate our way through medical school. This is our blog… Buckle up, and enjoy the ride, I know I will.