Thread: Years 1-4 Shopping List

Please add your thoughts - ESPECIALLY older students.

The following questions would really help me out:
Especially if you are on your own.

Before embarking on your 4 year medical education, there are certain items that you need to purchase to last you through this journey. VMD has done a splendid job with the packing list for Dominica, BUT what I want to know is what else is needed along the way?

Looking past Dominica, what else is nice to have that outsiders may not have thought about? Or things that you see useful for all 4 years, NOT just the first 16 months.

I have a few months left of working want to utilize income to purchase whatever I may need.

Now I realize that certain items will have to be updated so there is no use in buying them now.

Thoughts?

I didn't read the packing list entiredly but a collapsible cooler is nice to store any cold products you might buy at the grocery store
Food - canned and non perishable. You're heard this several times but if you want to save money, this is crucial. Just to give you an idea - luncheon meat (12-16 slices) cost $13.00 USD. That's almost $1.00 a slice.
Good luck in your journey

You only have 70 lbs - You need a laptop, clothes, personal items (cologne, deod, ipod, etc) and books - Everything else you can buy on the island - If you ship a barrel, you can includ 2ndary stuff like pots, pans, utensils, fav snacks, appliances etc.

And for the above post....I don't really think you need a cooler unless you plan to visit the beach.....apartments are furnished with fridges (usually the little ones).....and the luncheon meat is not that expensive its more like 20EC (at Tinas) for those oscar mayer packets

A cooler is a GREAT idea if you plan on going to the "supermarkets" in Roseau or a small cooler for lunch is good on campus. Both of these are niceties, not necessities.

Originally Posted by islandthrift

A cooler is a GREAT idea if you plan on going to the "supermarkets" in Roseau or a small cooler for lunch is good on campus. Both of these are niceties, not necessities.

Thank you - that's what I meant.

And I just bought the cold cuts variety pack for $32.85 EC. Even at $20.00, it's still expensive.

Originally Posted by DrMS

Thank you - that's what I meant.

And I just bought the cold cuts variety pack for $32.85 EC. Even at $20.00, it's still expensive.

Just eat local food.......I can get 2 chicken drumsticks, rice and beans COOKED for 9EC why eat oscar mayer......

Originally Posted by DEQNY85

Just eat local food.......I can get 2 chicken drumsticks, rice and beans COOKED for 9EC why eat oscar mayer......

Everyone has their own food preferences that make them happy in Dominica. While the price may be good, not everyone wants to eat fried foods or eat at the shacks.

Originally Posted by islandthrift

Everyone has their own food preferences that make them happy in Dominica. While the price may be good, not everyone wants to eat fried foods or eat at the shacks.

The food I suggested is neither fried nor from the shacks......and since he/she is complaining about the price its not making them happy.....so there is my suggestion to satisfy the desire for a lower priced food

I also recommend the cooler. Get one that is a good size, but collapsable so that it's easy to move around. I made several trips to Roseau to buy frozen chicken breasts and ground beef but by the time you get back to campus much of it has thawed. Won't kill you, but it's nicer to have a cooler to carry it back in, also to keep it from leaking. I never brought any food with me when I flew because for one thing, there wasn't room (or weight) in my suitcases, and also it always took me two days to get to the island, so I couldn't bring anything that needed to stay cold. I would mail myself a box of food sometimes, but if you do that, make sure it is well packed so it won't get crushed (the boxes go through hell before Dominica) and also make sure it is something that has a long shelf life because it could take from 2 weeks to 2 months to get there.

As for things to buy for later, I say just wait. You'll need to get all of your instruments and white coat for 3rd and 4th semesters on the island and that should do it for a while. No need to go buying things that may or may not end up being needed two years later. As far as books go, do a search on the forum. I buy a lot of books, but had to sell the majority of them to leave the rock because I didn't ship a barrel. I bought more from Amazon when I got to Miami.

You'll find that when you get to Dominica you will have brought things you won't use and there will be things you had wish you had brought. Just get them over another break. You'll figure it out. Even if you don't go home over break, you can go to another island and find much more supply than in Dominica. I went to Barbados during 4th semester and came back with grocery items.

All the best.

I was told the following:

1. Buy a nice indestructible super large duffle bag - you'll need it for the island and you'll be living out of it during clinicals, so its a solid investment.

2. Buy a Maglite - it will last you on the island and you can stash it in your backpack for self defense should you opt to live in a shady part of town wherever you do clinicals.

I might be jumping the gun, but I would rather buy something once and have it forever than keep replacing it.