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