Grenada: One Medical Students Journey
Few people get a chance to live in the caribbean for any extended period of time. I decided to share my journey as a medical student at St. George's University in Grenada West Indies. Yes some of you may have heard of the school. Remember that quick little invasion? Here is a link for a brief history lesson http://www.sgu.edu/about-sgu/history-of-sgu.html.
It has been the fastest two years of my life, with a life time of experiences. I've forged many new friendships with people of different cultures from all over the world. I wake up in the morning to an ocean view and end each day with a caribbean sunset. This is my last semester on "rock" (as we students refer to it). I look forward to starting my clinical years in NYC. I will always remember my time here and I have but one regret. I wish could have experienced even more.
The journey starts with a picture from my White Coat Ceremony. They do it at the start of every semester. It's fun for family members that come down. It's that moment where you feel like you made it. What they don't tell you is you still have yet to earn the right to wear that coat. That comes 4 years, and wondering when your hair started to turn grey, later. That is me on the right. On the left is my older brother. We are both in the same semester.
Our dad came down to help us get settled. We took a couple tourist trips in the first week. These are some pictures from Concord falls and the Nutmeg facotry. They call Grenada the Spice Isle. Nutmeg is the islands largest export.
These are the Concrod falls. They are a smaller set. Side note: There is another set called the Seven Sisters. If your ever down this way I highly recommend you jump them. Its a series of about 4 to 5 jumps depending on the water level. The last jump is about 30 feet to the pool at the bottom. It will get your knees buckling standing at the edge. I don't have pictures of them as I don't take my camera when I'm jumping falls! There is also Honeymoon falls for all you romantics!
From the falls we'll head to the nutmeg factory and snap a few pictures on the way. For those of you who don't know where nutmeg comes from, here is a picture of the fruit.
This is one of my favorites from the nutmeg factory. They leave it to dry in the racks. I forget how long it takes to cure. Its just interesting cause these racks are forever long and just piled high with nutmeg!
This gentleman was working on making a new bed for the truck.
Sunset
Alright everyone on the bus. Lets head to the first of many Fish Fridays!!!!
Fish Friday is a must if you venture to Grenada. Its set in the fishing town of Gouyave. Local venders set up their various tents for you to visit and try whatever it is that they are cooking. I highly recommend you go during lobster season. Fish cakes are a must. To wash it all down, a nice cold Carib or some Rum Punch.
The drummers are always there (at least every time I've been). People dance and they play some traditional music for the crowd.
Don't leave without getting some Kabobs!
So what do the students do to relax. Anyone up for some sailing? Shadowfax has supplied the students with a great ay to cut loose and enjoy a day on the water. They sail you around the southern tip of the island. You stop for some snorkling. Lunch is served on a small little island called Hog Island. The crew BBQ chicken fish and lobster. All the while they keep the Carib and Rum punch flowing. Its always a fun trip not matter how many times you've been.
All Aboard!!
The bar on Hog Island
View from Grand Anse beach.
Another Sunset taken while sitting at Grand Anse beach.
These are pano shots from my balcony. I wasn't lying when I said I wake up and look at the ocean!
The school gives back a lot to the community. There are numerous ways to get involved. Whether you are at OSO (Orphanage Student's Organization) beach day playing with the children, or at a Public Health Students Association (PHSA) health fair in an under-served community. As a student these are some of the best ways to immerse yourself in the island culture.
The students host various other events and fundraisers throughout the year. I documented 2 such occasions, the Vagina Monologues and the first ever St. Baldrick's Day in Grenada (you can read more about that here http://www.stbaldricks.org/). I'll only put up a couple of my favorites. I realize this is getting long.
At the Vagina Monologues I tried to capture some emotions.
St. Baldrick's Day was a blast and a very successful fundraiser.
I'll leave you with some images of a vacation on the north end of the island. My girlfriend and I stayed as a nice little place called Petite Anse loacted in Sauteurs. If you are looking for a true getaway I would highly recommend it. We had our own little villa right on the beach for two nights. The food and service was emaculate. I give a great thanks to Annie and her husband (who's names has left me) for treating us so well.
These are images from Levera beach. It's famous for the many nests that are layed by the Leatherback Turtle. They come to the beach at night and lay their eggs. This beach is second in number of nest to Trinidad. You can venture here at night and watch a turtle climb out of the water onto the beach and dig/lay her eggs and leave. It's a once in a lifetime experience and well worth being up all night! The researchers that are there every night don't allow flash photography. So i only have pictures from our day at the beach. You can read a little more about it here http://www.threebestbeaches.com/grenada/
I will leave you with that. There are so many more pictures I wish I could post them all. Hope you enjoyed. If anyone has any questions, comments feel free. If your planning a trip to grenada and want some advice on places to go/stay feel free to ask. These are only a few things I've experienced and there is still more I didn't mention here. Cheers!!
It has been the fastest two years of my life, with a life time of experiences. I've forged many new friendships with people of different cultures from all over the world. I wake up in the morning to an ocean view and end each day with a caribbean sunset. This is my last semester on "rock" (as we students refer to it). I look forward to starting my clinical years in NYC. I will always remember my time here and I have but one regret. I wish could have experienced even more.
The journey starts with a picture from my White Coat Ceremony. They do it at the start of every semester. It's fun for family members that come down. It's that moment where you feel like you made it. What they don't tell you is you still have yet to earn the right to wear that coat. That comes 4 years, and wondering when your hair started to turn grey, later. That is me on the right. On the left is my older brother. We are both in the same semester.
Our dad came down to help us get settled. We took a couple tourist trips in the first week. These are some pictures from Concord falls and the Nutmeg facotry. They call Grenada the Spice Isle. Nutmeg is the islands largest export.
These are the Concrod falls. They are a smaller set. Side note: There is another set called the Seven Sisters. If your ever down this way I highly recommend you jump them. Its a series of about 4 to 5 jumps depending on the water level. The last jump is about 30 feet to the pool at the bottom. It will get your knees buckling standing at the edge. I don't have pictures of them as I don't take my camera when I'm jumping falls! There is also Honeymoon falls for all you romantics!
From the falls we'll head to the nutmeg factory and snap a few pictures on the way. For those of you who don't know where nutmeg comes from, here is a picture of the fruit.
This is one of my favorites from the nutmeg factory. They leave it to dry in the racks. I forget how long it takes to cure. Its just interesting cause these racks are forever long and just piled high with nutmeg!
This gentleman was working on making a new bed for the truck.
Sunset
Alright everyone on the bus. Lets head to the first of many Fish Fridays!!!!
Fish Friday is a must if you venture to Grenada. Its set in the fishing town of Gouyave. Local venders set up their various tents for you to visit and try whatever it is that they are cooking. I highly recommend you go during lobster season. Fish cakes are a must. To wash it all down, a nice cold Carib or some Rum Punch.
The drummers are always there (at least every time I've been). People dance and they play some traditional music for the crowd.
Don't leave without getting some Kabobs!
So what do the students do to relax. Anyone up for some sailing? Shadowfax has supplied the students with a great ay to cut loose and enjoy a day on the water. They sail you around the southern tip of the island. You stop for some snorkling. Lunch is served on a small little island called Hog Island. The crew BBQ chicken fish and lobster. All the while they keep the Carib and Rum punch flowing. Its always a fun trip not matter how many times you've been.
All Aboard!!
The bar on Hog Island
View from Grand Anse beach.
Another Sunset taken while sitting at Grand Anse beach.
These are pano shots from my balcony. I wasn't lying when I said I wake up and look at the ocean!
The school gives back a lot to the community. There are numerous ways to get involved. Whether you are at OSO (Orphanage Student's Organization) beach day playing with the children, or at a Public Health Students Association (PHSA) health fair in an under-served community. As a student these are some of the best ways to immerse yourself in the island culture.
The students host various other events and fundraisers throughout the year. I documented 2 such occasions, the Vagina Monologues and the first ever St. Baldrick's Day in Grenada (you can read more about that here http://www.stbaldricks.org/). I'll only put up a couple of my favorites. I realize this is getting long.
At the Vagina Monologues I tried to capture some emotions.
St. Baldrick's Day was a blast and a very successful fundraiser.
I'll leave you with some images of a vacation on the north end of the island. My girlfriend and I stayed as a nice little place called Petite Anse loacted in Sauteurs. If you are looking for a true getaway I would highly recommend it. We had our own little villa right on the beach for two nights. The food and service was emaculate. I give a great thanks to Annie and her husband (who's names has left me) for treating us so well.
These are images from Levera beach. It's famous for the many nests that are layed by the Leatherback Turtle. They come to the beach at night and lay their eggs. This beach is second in number of nest to Trinidad. You can venture here at night and watch a turtle climb out of the water onto the beach and dig/lay her eggs and leave. It's a once in a lifetime experience and well worth being up all night! The researchers that are there every night don't allow flash photography. So i only have pictures from our day at the beach. You can read a little more about it here http://www.threebestbeaches.com/grenada/
I will leave you with that. There are so many more pictures I wish I could post them all. Hope you enjoyed. If anyone has any questions, comments feel free. If your planning a trip to grenada and want some advice on places to go/stay feel free to ask. These are only a few things I've experienced and there is still more I didn't mention here. Cheers!!
0
Comments
Great thread!!
Good prose and great pictures.
You got some more, I hope?
Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
Of course I've got some more. Just couldn't put them all up here! That and I've got exams starting tomorrow. Gotta get back to the books! :cry
Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
Welcome, It is a nice Island, of course I was there during the invasion in 1983.
Jovitta
http://jeffovittphotography.com
Member; NANPA
Equipment: Canon 5D, 1DS, 16-35 F2.8, 70-200 F4, 580EX Flash, Galen Rowell GND filters, Singh-Ray Vari-ND filter, Lee filter holder,Gitzo 2227 tripod & monfotto 3221 tripod, Gitzo GH2780QR ballhead,
Epson 3880 pro pinter, CS5, Nik software complete edition, Photomatix.
That looks nothing like my medical school experience in Albany, NY!!:cry
http://clearwaterphotography.smugmug.com/
I have a feeling it has changed a lot since then!!! Have you been back since then?
Thank you for your comments. I'll be moving to NY here in the near future. I'm hoping to start my clinical rotations at Brooklyn Hospital just outside of Park Slope. Ever heard anything about the hospital? Any words of wisdom for a student transitioning from the science years to the clinical years?
I've never heard of that hospital.
My advice to you during clinical years is read, read and read some more. You will be constantly amazed at how little practical information you actually know.
Grab sleep whenever you can. You never know when you will get a chance again to catch some rest.
http://clearwaterphotography.smugmug.com/