Logistics of Attending Caribbean Medical School

Photo Credit: Google Images

Shortly after receiving my acceptance letter from Saba University I immediately went out and purchased a short white coat, overjoyed that medical school was now a reality. I felt as if a huge burden lift off me and I could breathe again. It was as if the wind filled my sails again and I could take on anything! If you have gotten accepted to Saba University School of Medicine then you already know that the admissions department is very thorough in giving you check lists and correspondence regarding the next steps. The following is my recap of all the things to consider and get in order before your ship-out date.

• Letter of Intent to Enroll and seat deposit ($750)
• Financial Aid: fill out your FAFSA in January, complete Master Promissory Notes for the Direct Loans available, and Loan Entrance Counseling before Admissions sends your Aid Offer ($17,850/semester on the island, $20,700/semester for 3rd & 4th years)**Note: they won't disperse the financial aid until after the start of the semester so there's really no tuition or housing fee payment deadlines if you're utilizing U.S. Direct Loan.
• Passport, you'll have to send copies to your New Student Coordinator
• Housing Application and Fee, on-campus housing is required for the first semester ($2950)
• Student Health Record/Proof of Immunizations, you'll have to get a TB skin test and labwork proving you have all necessary vaccines and get the newest flu shot before you leave.
• Health Insurance & Insurance Letter, the school uses Insurance Center of New England ($556/year) while you're on island
• Apostilled FBI-issued police clearance, you have to get fingerprinted by a detective or other approved company like IdentiGO to complete the background check ($37.95 + $150)
• Travel itinerary: I found cheap one-way plane tickets from Nashville to Atlanta to St. Martin through Jet Blue for $116 and booked a ferry from St. Martin to Saba for $56

What to bring to the island: 

• Laptop, I purchased brand new because my undergrad laptop is 7 years old and low on hard drive space. You will also need to purchase a 2-year international warranty, Microsoft Office, Anti-virus/spyware, and HDMI video output ports, also bring a surge protector. 
• Scrubs and a white coat, bring at least two pairs of scrubs: one for gross anatomy and one for clinical. I think it goes without saying, but you will be expected to have appropriate attire for class so bring business casual and professional clothes as well as light summer clothes, the average daytime temperature is 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
• You will need to bring school supplies, dissecting kit, rubber gloves, and textbooks with you, there is no bookstore and the office supply stores on Saba will be very expensive.

Personally I'm big into meal prep, so I will bring all my spices with me, I have no doubt that food expenses during the two years on the island will be costly and I still want to enjoy the familiar flavors of home and eat healthy while on Saba. Some other things to keep in mind, if you have certain products you know and love, say.... Crest 3D White toothpaste, Garnier Fructis Style pomade, Orbit Wintergreen chewing gum, or Celestial Seasons blueberry tea, stock up on it!!

Since I have been working in healthcare full time since finishing my undergraduate degree, I was able to build up decent savings, an HSA, and several small low-risk investments. I recommend you to purchase as much as you can with the cash you have available now, within reason-don't drain your emergency fund or savings, and utilize the financial aid disbursement for tuition, housing, and expenses that incur after day one of classes. For me financial aid has hands-down been the most intimidating part of this process. I finished undergraduate debt-free so the thought of having an excess of $200K in student loans is frightening. 

Meaning & Inspiration

"If there's no meaning, there'll be no inspiration" ~August Burns Red, Lifeline

Photo Credit: August Burns Red 

This quote holds such deep meaning to me. When I first listened to the song in 2017 I was at a pivotal point in my life both personally and professionally. I was a non-traditional pre-med student working an entry level job in healthcare as a medical billing specialist. Setback with my MCAT scores was keeping me from acceptance into medical school. I was in a bad place mentally because I was hanging everything on the prospective job: my sense of self-worth, happiness, and professional identity. Yes, I was committed to doing whatever it took to become the physician I desire to be, but my MCAT proved to be the biggest hurdle in my pursuit. More than pushing myself intellectually and academically to do well on the exam I realized my tenacity wasn’t lacking but rather I was my own worst enemy in my ‘no compromise’ aspiration to become an osteopathic physician. I was self-limiting opportunities because, “it’s not in my plan”

My biggest mistake in the process of pursuing medicine was the blinders I held to my own eyes. It really started in 2014 when I began my first application cycle investigating medical school programs. From 2014 through 2017 I pursued entrance into osteopathic medical programs while studying and re-taking the MCAT. Osteopathic philosophy was the most attractive feature and captivated me as an idealistic pre-med student, I was convinced it was the most practical way to practice medicine. As I’ve matured and worked in healthcare now for 4 years I’ve realized I don’t have to compromise those philosophies. A physician is a leader who leads with conviction – osteopathic medicine was the movement, the subsector that I closely identified with.

More than anything in 2017 I came to terms with my faith as the driving force, the motivation and inspiration behind my pursuit and desire to serve others with medicine. I returned to my theist roots and pressed into my spiritual community which has since become the best decision I could make. Personally I have never experienced liberation like I have in admitting that I don’t have all the answers and I’m not dictating my own life purpose. It’s a relief to trust in a higher being that guides and leads me in accordance with His plan and purposes. My tattoo reminds me that despite my failings and shortcomings, I have a unique purpose and all I have to do is ask. No matter if I’m in the highest of highs or lowest depression I can look up amidst the chaos and know there is a God and he works all things for my good – given I serve, trust, and love him with all that I am and have to give.

Inspiration and creativity for me personally is contingent on my spiritual state and faith. When I get impatient and act in my own strength I lose sight of my own sense of purpose. In the fall of 2018 a thought came into my head – one that I said I’d never consider: applying to international Caribbean medical programs. At first I immediately thought back to my commitment as an undergraduate that I would not consider Caribbean schools even as a last resort because of the “stigma” and reputation. After seriously considering my options and researching different programs I realized the “stigma” was overstated, inaccurate, and exaggerated. After just 3 months of strong consideration I pulled the trigger and applied. I never had any doubt I was/am a good candidate for medical school despite my low MCAT scores and I wasn’t surprised when the invitations to interview rolled in my email inbox.

I’m overjoyed that I received an offer to attend Saba University College of Medicine. I couldn’t have made it this far without the support of my community or without the inspiration from my creator who motivates me to live and love Him and others with all that I am.