To anyone wary of going to the Caribbean for Med school

[rk403]

I know there are a lot of people wondering if they should go to the Caribbean for med school. To all of you guys (and gals) wary of going outised of the US/Canada for med school, let me tell you this: I too had doubts about leaving my beloved Canada and going to Grenada to study medicine, but having been rejected by most of the Canadian schools on the west coast left me no choice, I had to go away to realize my dream.

When I first got to Grenada, I immediately wanted to get back on the plane and return to Canada. Boy, am i glad I stuck around. I had my share of ups and downs but overall SGU prepared me beautifully for the boards as well as for clinicals and now I'm 13.5 weeks away from graduating and I couldn't be happier with the way things turned out. I have received 9 interview requests so far (with 3 being bona fide University programs) and I hope that's just the beginning.

So, GO FOR IT. Study hard and you will succeed. Thanks SGU

RK403

[uknowwhoitis]

we need more people like you here. Thanks. I start this January

[domino9]

It's so good to hear stories like that. I start in January too

[RussianJoo]

The 9 interview requests are for residencies I am assuming?? What residency program are you applying for? Also you're applying for residencies in Canada right?

[rk403]

Yes, the interview requests are for residency. They are up to 11 now. I'm applying for a couple of specialties: Urology and OB/GYN. Nothing so far for urology, but I was expecting that being an IMG and all (Although I'm still optimistic I'll get a couple of interviews).

As far as Canada is concerned, I didn't apply for residency there. My plan is to go back after residency (if possible).

RK403

[rokshana]

Yes, the interview requests are for residency. They are up to 11 now. I'm applying for a couple of specialties: Urology and OB/GYN. Nothing so far for urology, but I was expecting that being an IMG and all (Although I'm still optimistic I'll get a couple of interviews).

As far as Canada is concerned, I didn't apply for residency there. My plan is to go back after residency (if possible).

RK403
are you thinking urogyn if you don't get the urology residency spot?

[rk403]

You just read my mind. That's exactly what I plan to do.

RK403

[drwanna]

I start in January too and I was really sceptical about studying abroad and at sgu. I did loads of research and spoke to professors and doctors in the UK and no one had anything bad to say about sgu, all very positive. My aunt is a nurse at one of the affiliated hospitals and she did some research too and gave me her own views of working with sgu students, I also spoke to some of the affiliated universities who were a great help. I guess my biggest fear was that I would get into a huge amount of debt and then be unemployed after graduation. I work in a big hospital and have experienced no negative comments from the doctors and staff there, most of the doctors seemed to know at least one person who went to sgu and had a great time. The lady who employs the doctors for my department had no doubts or worries about the quality/employment opportunities of sgu graduates and we generally take on oxford university and london university graduates on their first foundation rotations/sho posts.

I know I haven't been to sgu yet and there are bound to be some problems (like all medical schools and institutions) but I thought it might help other (UK) students to hear about my experiences so far.

Can't wait to start!!!:cool:

[rokshana]

You just read my mind. That's exactly what I plan to do.

RK403
since its so new I think that its totally doable. Have a friend who is finishing urology residency this year and is going to be doing a year fellowship in female urology to do basically the same thing. Good Luck!!

[microphage]

are you thinking urogyn if you don't get the urology residency spot?

he's an overachiever... which is why he's volunteered to wash my car tomorrow.

[Andrew21]

since its so new I think that its totally doable. Have a friend who is finishing urology residency this year and is going to be doing a year fellowship in female urology to do basically the same thing. Good Luck!!

A friend of my parents who has been doing ob/gyn for YEARS is leaving to do a female urology fellowship in CA--the baby part was just too scary with all the lawsuits

[IndianBabu]

Rk403,

What kind of VISA are you applying for with these residencies, assuming you are a canadian citizen?

And did you have troubles getting the VISA? Seems like things are in line for you.

Let us know, thanks!

IndianBabu

[rk403]

Actually, I'm married to an US citizen. I don't have any VISA issues as I have a green card.

Sorry I couldn't help you.

RK403

[emt036]

Babu,

weren't you going to marry someone on the who? thread. I should do a search, but I'm too lazy. (And it's all the way on page 2.) :-)

[cavalletti]

are you thinking urogyn if you don't get the urology residency spot?

What is the pay range for urogyn?

[IndianBabu]

Babu,

weren't you going to marry someone on the who? thread. I should do a search, but I'm too lazy. (And it's all the way on page 2.) :-)

Haha, that plan is still in place hopefully. Babu's just seeking backups, just in case the bubble is burst. ;)

IndianBabu

[summerwind]

Thanks for the post, rk403, lots of potential students feel the same way about considering caribbean med schools.