Well I am a first termer coming in Aug. I have been in GND for a week and a half and feel I got a great taste of life thats includes the very good, good, bad, very bad.

Overall at times I was like wow, I cant wait to come here...Other times I was like there is no way in hell I am coming here. I spent 10 hr days just exploring the island and making a consious effort to interact with the locals, drive in taxi's, get
a full island tour from a historian of grenada not just a taxi driver who would just drive you around the island and not say a word. This guy give me the in and outs of the very sutble things that would fly over your head and if your not
paying attention could get you into trouble.

So, lets start with my opinions.

Now you have to remember I did things a little different. I learned about SGU from grenada inward (to SGU) vs coming blindly first term and learning from SGU outward (about the island). I hope that makes sense. I cannot stand that
feeling of being trapped and not knowing where to go for basic needs and from what I hear from students the admin pretty much is useless because I think there immune to the stress of the cultural transition, leaving family, starting med
school, wondering if you can handle it type stuff.

Ok now a recap,

Overall coming before Aug turned out to be the best thing I could have done because of the invaluable lessons learned BEFORE starting med school. That last thing you want is to start med school falling behind from day one b/c your
trying to acquant yourself with the island and settling in. Now of course its not impossible but for me its about managing stress. For the most part, students and locals AROUND the true blue area are very helpful to guide you to where
you need to go to set up life in GND. Anywhere past the first roundabout (where the columns are) I dont trust anyone (more on that later) Personally I dont need that stress of everyday simple things turning into huge stresses.

1)Upon landing- I did not have that holy crap what the hell have I gotten myself into feeling. I felt very calm. This is prob because I knew my trip was part school related and part getting to know the island. Customs did not charge me for
my electronics. They did not even ask me to open anything. Now remember I visited during low tourist season and during final exams so everything when smooth as far as my luggage went. I of course do not expect this in Aug with GND
Carnaval Festivities and incoming first termers will cause a mass entrance onto the island. Port Salines is the ONLY major Airport.

A taxi driver ask : Hey Man, Is this your fist time in GND. I said yes and like an idiot give taxi the green light to name his price and rip me off just to drive me to True Blue Bay Resort. 45EC's and I tipped him 5. WARNING: Taxis are NOT
clearly marked. Cars are NOT yellow cabs and there is not uniform on drivers. If the license plate has an H as first letter, it is a gov't registered taxi and they should have ID. If license plate is marked with P as first letter on plate, it is a
private vehicle and get in at your own risk.

2)True Blue Bay Resort - What can I say this place was great (its a resort). Hung out a Stauarts (now called Dodgy Dock, they are renovating the whole bar) One good thing is that they have a two pools that I have seen students use
even though they are not at the resort staying. I dont think they mind as long as you are discreet about it.

3)Renting a car - to make his simple just get a temporary license which is just a form that last um 90 days I think. When it runs out get another one. Much easier that trying to become an "offical GND driver". I would def like to split the
cost of renting a car for the semester with a roomy or something. It is very convenient vs bus systems. I just like the feeling of knowing I have access to transportation 24/7 anytime. They have rental places that rent to stundents on
monthly basis at a cheaper rate b/c your are renting for whole term. Plus every month they will service the car and anytime something goes wrong. (Think Carib AAA, but not 24 hrs a day). They will worry about finding the mechanic and
fixing it b/c after all you are renting the car, it should work 24/7. Just need to keep there number on hanad.

4)Driving in GND - ok this was a big hurdle for me but by the end of the week I felt very comfortable with driving ( a drove avg of 2-3 hours per day back and forth here and there over and over again ) The roads are bad for the most part
around school. SOme areas are smooth and by smooth I mean there are no major potholes and drainage grilles. There are no signs pointing you to the right directions. The roundabout were very confusing. People drive like maniacs. I
learned that people do a lot of friendly beeping if they want to pass you. Now being fron Jersey I thought that meant "come on go faster" well its doesnt for most part all you does is move to left so they can pass. Dont feel forced to drive
faster and yeild to everyone to be safe. I tried driving to downtown St George and it was scary trip. I would not drive past spiceland, grands anse market, lance apex turn (that area, there is no need too) unless your with group of friends,
tour guide, or someone with exp of island. As far as fun things to do you can find diving, tubing, ect around the island but for school purposes no need to travel outside the areas I mentioned.

5)Area Stores- Spiceland Mall seems to have very adequate "American" food but pricey. you pay for conveinence. There are other smaller markets around but thats the main one.

6)Pharmacy's - True Blue was scarce. I didnt like it. Gittens seemed to have an adequate supply and take the school insurance with 10 EC (I think) co-pay. There is on also near grands anse plaza (Mitchels I think). I know I will be bringing
down a Pharmacy of drugs so I have then on hand (read 10). There is a private doctor and dentist and Grand Anse plaza if you want to seek help there for some reason.

7)Saftey - Off campus, police (what police) they seem to all be in downtown St George. I think they are non-existant. There is security. But driving and seeing people with those chopping cleavers was pretty freaky. We saw a huge
burning fire and it was like no big deal, it would go out on its own or the one fire engine at the airport would put it out hours later. Once that sun sets you wont see me far from the school and def not walking alone aimlessly.

8) SGU Tour - Tour was great (from Jay) b/c he gave me the hard facts about SGU and during my offical tour I got the canned answers. I met with student services to see how clinic works and how to get health care if needed immediately
and not having to suffer say over a weekend. I hate feeling sick. Campus is beautiful. SO damn hilly that I hope my back doesnt crap out on me. Plus the rooms are freezing so if you need a sweatshirt it will be for that especially if you get
wet in a storm. The Gym is def adequate for me. That will be my main destressor. (besides Bananas and Stuarts). I was able to open my account at RBTT. ATN card will be sitting waiting there for me. I have to go pick it up in main branch in Grand Anse. Got my cell phone situated too. Easier to do pre-paid vs post paid and you can "top-off" at many places and I think Online (E-top) is this true???

9)SGU Admin - They really worry me. Ex is they talk the talk but not to sure about walking all the walk. Student told me that she went all the way through mid terms until a professor came up to here and said she was not on the registrars
list for the class. She was like What The ?? She went to the Registrars office and they confirmed that she should only be in two classes (I guess she was accepted as deceled, I have no idea) Anyway she was taking two classes she was
not even registered for even though she was doing well in all her classes. After her parents threatened to sue the school, the school accepted her grades for the classes she went through but was never registered for. That is messed up.
I here fron students that networking with other upper termers is the best way to fins out things (BUT TAKE IS FOR WHAT ITS WORTH) Go to SGU Admin too and get whatever is said documented if its that important so you dont get
screwed.

10)My Body's adjustment. Ok dont be fooled by the subway sign at Excel. They subs suck in my opinion. They have the basics and thats it. I dont dare to try KFC. Best bet is to stick with Market food (Spiceland). Anytime I ate out I felt
nauseaus (sick) My stomach popped out like I was pregnant (gasy) and I had an adjustment period. By the end I was able to handle the food eating out. I will be eating out only when necessary. Bottled water for me only to. Tap made me
sick to. But again by the end I was drinking tap no problem. thanks goodness I got the food adjustment thing out of the way. Glad I brought some pepto, gas-x, tums, and nexium. I am used to eating non greasy foods. The fruits and
veggies were very good though.

11)Weather- Its great but the sun will suck the life outta you. Like an idiot I went out for one hour without sunblock at Grand Anse Beach and was tourched. Put me out for two day suffing fron sun burn. I felt like I was sleeping on
sandpaper my skin was so sensitive. Bug spay a must. I do get used to the heat. Off shore breeze at night is nice. Rain can come sudden and down pour buckets and just stop then sun comes out five min later.

12)Places I went to eat - Bananas, Aquarium, Stuarts, True Blue Resturant, De Big fish, Pearls/glovers at school, Some place in northern GND ,Sub way,

13)GND Island Tour - Will talk about that when I get home. All I got to say is I asked if many GND's carry firearms or need license to carry and he went to his side and pulled out a Glock pistol auto. Says its to protect my camera and credit
cards. Guess I felt same be at same time I am thinking Do the people in the north and east coast of GND want to any chance to rob me??? Hurt me???

14)Locals, my intereactions with GND's. I will talk about this later too when home
OK I am tired I will write more when I get back home. Any questions I will be glad to try and answer. But I must say that I do not know what I do not know about GND before the trip. Not only did I get many answers but by coming out I
have a much better context which to develop more "valued" questions. Lastly I feel and hope to find those few "true" friends that will really watch each others back. I think that is vital at SGU. Some people will be fake b/c they are
opportunistic but I know having that trust, respect and support systems with a group of guys/gals will go a long way to making things a lot smoother. I hope to find that in my roomy or whoever. Still looking so PM is interested and
share my core values.
Peace out

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It's someplace simple where we could live. Something only u can give. Thats faith n trust n peace while we're alive, The one poor child that saved this world, There's 10 million more who probably could, If we all just stopped n said a prayer for them. So take these words, sing out loud, Cuz everyone is forgiven now, Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again. I wish everyone was loved tonight, n somehow stop this endless fight, Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days. - GOO GOO DOLLS

Hey Homey,
Thanks for the write up. It was very insightful and useful. Just a few questions though. How much was it to eat on average at the places on campus? I am planning on not cooking 1st term and just buying cooked meals. Can you give me thoughts on that? Types of food, is it nutritious, can I get the food fast?
Uh... I was under the impression that only the police and military carry firearms and that the public was not allowed any. I guess I heard wrong.
Thanks again,

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If it were easy anyone could do it...

Uh, firearms?

Did I miss something? Local people walk around carrying machetes a lot of the time (for work). Technically, they're not really supposed to either but a lot do.

To carry a firearm you need a license just like anywhere else and I don't think I've ever seen people walking around armed except after the hurricane where business men were doing so in case of looters.

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food price on campus range anywhere. if you get food from pearls, there is no set standard charge for a plate of food. the cashier will look at what u have and name a price from the top of her head, its ridiculous. sometime i will get charge for 18ec for a 3 small servings while a few times i get lucky and get 15ec for 3 huge srvings.

glovers price are typically 15ec-25ec

sugar shack is cheaper and run from 8ec for a roti to maybe 25ec for a dinner combo

Thanks for the insight G-force. Sounds like its going to be an adventure but well worth it Im sure. Take care. See ya in August.

You have stumbled across the universal truth that the SGU administration are a bunch of clowns who sit in their little brick red outfits and do nothing all day except give you a bad attitude when you come to them for help. Wait until you try to contact the school nurse in Bayshore. I don't know of a more useless employee on the SGU payroll.

The SGU clinic is a big joke. My first semester, the doctor there said I had a viral infection and then wrote me a prescription for amoxillicin. I had to ASK him to examine my chest.

I found the Grenadians to be some of the most rudest people ever. Now, there were a few nice Grenadians who I became friends with. But for the most part they had bad attitudes and really disliked the medical students. The people from St. Vincent were a refreshing change from the Grenadian attitude. The people over there are extremely kind and polite... just like most other Caribbean nations. Its just the Grenadians and their nasty attitude.... good luck son.

Ummm.... there is something very wrong with that. They prescribe you Amoxicillin which is an anti-biotic for bacteria, INEFFECTIVE against viruses! Are they smoking cracK?! Your write-up is actually good insight as I have heard similar complaints from a LOT of people on this forum in past threads about the adminstration. However, I will keep a positive attitude or I know I will just have added stress on top of school.

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If it were easy anyone could do it...

I just got back from my first term in GND (not a 10 day vacation). Here's my brief account of the good and bad.

BAD: SGU doesn't have a screening process for negative students.

Honestly guys... a bad attitude will not help you move and adjust to Grenada. A bad attitude will DEFINITELY NOT help you succeed in medical school. A bad attitude will not help you become a good physician. And most importantly, students at SGU with bad attitudes are the students I avoid, as do other level-headed students, because they bring us down.

These are the kind of people who would be unhappy and miserable in any situation, let alone going to a great medical school in a beautiful Caribbean island.

GOOD:

-For all those coming in August: don't worry about getting familiar with the island. During orientation the school does many tours (factory, downtown, waterfalls, etc.). Also, the rum runner cruise and other student-events allow you to meet students.

-It was this first week that allowed me to meet my friends for the semester. I now feel like these are friends I will have for life. By the end of your first semester you'll feel as though you've developed a small family.

- While at the airport, common courtesy and politeness will go a long way. Yes, they will charge you for your computer. Big deal! We're guests to their country, and I'm happy to support them in any way I can.

-SGU has many resources to help you succeed academically. There are study groups, private tutors, and DES is available for study tips. The "sink or swim" mentality is not evident here.

-I think we can all agree that SGU's impressive reputation is what encouraged many of us to attend SGU. Who do you think it is responsible for the reputation? Those same administrators that were so flippantly bashed.

-Along with the professors, I've found that many of the students are there to help each other out. Unlike most universities, I haven't found many of the SGU students to be very competitive. Most are encouraging... there is a team mentality.

-The island is beautiful! There are waterfalls, rainforests, and many beaches. With what free time you have, do take advantage of the island and the culture. I feel lucky to experience a culture unlike that of the US.

-You'll get to meet people from all over the world. Let them stretch, shape, and teach you about the world. Yes, the world is bigger than the United States (something I've learned this semester). I have friends from Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, the UK, Trinidad, and other Caribbean islands. It's amazing to learn from other people's life experiences and stories. It's granted me a greater understanding of life.

Remember, when you go back to the states (or wherever) and talk about your experience at SGU, they will judge YOUR school and YOUR education background by how you represent the school.

I love the island, and I have few complaints about the school. I feel privileged to be apart of SGU and look forward to the many things I will learn both academically and personally in the future.

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What does a blonde say after a four-year degree?... Would you like fries with that?

Thanks for your post ajcaligirl. It's nice to hear someone with a positive attitude sometimes.

I'd just like to say that, as a Grenadian myself, I think the laptop tax is a bunch of crap as students are not here to stay. It shouldn't exist as it's a personal item and it's like being charged for the clothes you're bringing with you in my opinion.

I also don't find many students to be all that sharing. I have my friends who are pretty open with things and I pretty much pass anything along that I have. But there are some who seem to have the mentality that if you do well because of some "special resource" they have and prefer to keep hidden, that it will somehow make them do worse. At least, that's how it appears at times with certain people. They tend to "hoard" their things e.g. old exams from people, tips, etc.

Congrats on being finished with your term.

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Lap top tax is ** in my opinion and I was not happy to pay it twice... However, these are things we gotta live with. If I go to Cuba the country where I was born and raised I have to pay for electronics I bring in... but again it is a rip off.

Students noncompetitive at SGU. Hmm we must have gone to completely different institutions. I found people to be extremely competitive and unwilling to share. Sometimes not even friends shared stuff. I always try to share my study sources but I'm becoming less willing to do so to people other than friends... because people don't want to share...

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Yadira