The Caribbean Experience…

It has been dubiously echoed across generations that history has a way of repeating itself. I keep thinking to myself, “That’s just pure rubbish!” All that will change tomorrow morning. Yes, that’s right. Tomorrow morning, my body may rise but my mind will still remain miles away. Tomorrow morning, we prepare for battle! Tomorrow morning, we tackle on the five-hour monstrosity that is the Premedical Science Comprehensive Exam (PMSCE)… Just thinking about it sends chills down my spines!

Whenever my brain registers the words “comprehensive” and “exam” within the same sentence, my sympathetics start to kick into overdrive. Trying to prepare for such a massive brain frying session is no laughing matter for us FTM students, considering that we have only 48 hours to revise our course material. Two days to cram about two inches worth of note pages is just pure insanity, I think. Hence, we have arrived at the proverbial stalemate between a rock and a hard place. What is one medical student to do?

After much internal dialogue (I’m not crazy… yet!), I have decided to unleash the slacker from within. Here’s the way I see things… If you’ve carefully taken the time during the course of the term to really filter all that knowledge into your brain, then there is really no need to kill yourself here. If you don’t know the material by now, then you’re screwed! Alas, I’ve decided to permanently discard of my class notes, except for biochemistry. I have a gut feeling that holding unto those pages will serve me well going into next term. I’m still contemplating whether I should simply leave them in the trash bin or start up a bonfire…

Upon further review of the matter, I have come to the conclusion that the PMSCE is about as pointless as the veriform appendix in the large intestine. I’m sure many of my esteemed colleagues will agree with me here. How can one justify giving us only two days to study for four months worth of information? It’s simply not enough time! Hopefully, the higher ups that construct the PMSCE will strip the material down into its most basic concepts and avoid all the specific details… hopefully! It’s the only logical and fair course of action to take, considering the circumstances.

Well, whatever happens, I’m sure everything will work out for the very best. Life has a funny way of making sure things unfold as they should. Tonight I’ll try to get some good sleep (if my neighbors at Grand Anse Campus will let me). Tomorrow morning, after a quick shave, I’ll look at that handsome fellow staring back at the mirror, and I’ll say, “Damn! You’re such an awesome physiologist, anatomist, biochemist, and psychologist! Let’s do work son!” Wish me good luck… Wait, no… I just remembered some wise words from Dr. Davidson…

“It’s not about good luck. It’s about good grades. I wish you all good grades!”

The more I try to run away from this absolute truth, the closer and closer it creeps into my mind. Life is full of ironies, full of little unexpected coincidences. For example…

The overall pace of life on the island is very relaxed and slow paced… But the speed at which some of the locals carry out a conversation can be quite quick and abrupt…

Customarily, we accept the notion that ladies go first. Yet when we study the reproductive system, the man precedes the woman…

We’re already well into the heavy portion of the rainy season. But there hasn’t been much heavy rain lately–except for today, which was the first time we had extended rainfalls throughout the entire day.

Hmmm… Curious…

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”

– Mahatma Gandhi

Halloween may be right around the corner, but you really can’t tell from looking around. The weather outside still resembles a tropical paradise; it always feels like summer down here on the island. I doubt anyone has seen any trick-or-treaters roaming the streets, although there were some kids walking around campus, all dressed up by their parents. That put a smile upon my face, and provided a much needed mental relief, especially after a heavy study session at the library. Nope, I seriously doubt there will be any calls to the dentists around here…

Halloween is about that time I find myself blasting the late Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video on repeat mode (it’s a guilty pleasure!). It’s also the time when “the freaks come out,” according to some of my pals. October 31st is all about spookiness. But if there’s anything to be really freaked out and scared about, it would probably be the upcoming final examinations. Additionally, us FTM (CFP) students have to worry about the PMSCE, which, supposedly, will resemble the MCAT. Argh! I thought we were already done with that hurdle!

But enough about that! Hope everyone has a fun but safe Halloween celebration. I’m sure I’ll see some ghouls and goblins, and maybe some pirates! Argh!

With midterms finally within sights of my rearview mirror, I can finally let my mind take a small vacation. Looking back on the first half of the Charter Foundation Program, I can wholeheartedly admit that this experience has been a blessing in disguise. The first few weeks here have been rigorous and highly demanding, full of explosive diuretic attacks, unwelcome wake up calls, daily mosquito feastings, and everything in-between. The food selections on campus, while not the most appetizing, definitely provides the energy for the next three-hour study marathon. Campus life also has its fair share of perks and nuisances.

The academic aspect of the program, although not the most brain-frying of course loads, provides a great transition into the actual medical school curriculum. Generally speaking, the classes (Physiology, Anatomy, Biochemistry, Abnormal Psychology, & Learning Strategies) contain a good portion of review material. I’ve discovered that many of our lectures covered topics previously taught during my undergraduate studies, so the information was still fresh on my mind.

But it should me made perfectly clear: you must be willing to commit hours upon hours of dedicated study. The benefits here are two-fold. For one thing, this study plan is the tried-and-true method for excelling in the midterm examinations. Additionally, adopting this format will make the transition into the rigorous medical school academic program that much less of a hassle. The CFP content pales tremendously in comparison to the MDP. It’s not even close! Some people may get away with stuffing their brains a couple days before exams in the CFP. But I’m of the impression that these same crammers will have a major dose of medical school reality come the first term.

So, now we have one half up, and one half down! CFP, Part Deux, HERE WE GO!!!

Although the wet season is quickly approaching, one thing is for sure… It doesn’t have to rain cats and dogs… They are all over the place!!! Very rarely can anyone walk across campus and not find themselves staring at their four-legged neighbors, who are almost always looking for an easy meal.

If Grenada were part of a ballot, the country would most certainly emerge as the top vote-getter under the friendly scale. Not only are the local populations geared toward making sure your stay is a pleasant one (for the most part), but the student body is equally benevolent. Almost everyone is willing to offer an ear or a few words to in explaining that difficult physiological concept. If ever you find yourself surrounded by question marks (which you probably will), always know that help will be right around the corner…

If there’s one thing you learn quickly during the early autumn months down here on the island, it is this: Mother Nature has a twisted sense of humor. How else could you explain the dramatic shifts in weather that develop throughout the day. One minute, the atmosphere is a beautiful portrait of sunny skies and gentle breezes. But pretty soon, the clouds start to gather around, full of bad intentions. Before you know it, you’re finding yourself completely drenched because you forgot to pack your umbrella.

Take it from someone who’s been stranded in this situation… Always have your umbrella or raincoat nearby, even on a seemingly sunny day.

Our rag-tag receiving corps took the field, very anxious, but full of potential. We were all worried, probably still recovering from the first game. During last week’s season opener, Team Carib was handed a thorough beating by the Con Vicks (32-0). It was a rude awakening of epic proportions. Everyone felt like they had hit rock bottom. Well, at least there’s nowhere to go but up… Today is another day.

For the first few positions, things were already appearing bleak. It felt as if someone had pushed the replay button, and we were once again transported back to the previous week’s onslaught. With every dropped pass, five yard penalty, and interception, one could almost sense the energy being sucked out of us. Pretty soon we were down by two touchdowns. This was getting very ugly indeed…

But then we finally got our long-awaited glimmer of hope. Ironically, it was yours truly, the reluctant introvert, that took center stage and made the big play. Everything happened so fast in real-time… I took my position at the defensive line, hoping that someway, somehow, we would get a much needed stop. Alas, our prayers were finally answered.

My primary duty as lineman involves pressuring the quarterback into making bad decisions. Sounds easy enough, right? Well, not so much when you’re lined up against three or four chunky dudes blocking your way. As I learned progressively throughout the game, trying to pass through these offensive linemen was like running into a brick wall… You just can’t do it without hurting yourself… So I started to add the element of intelligence into the equation…

During this one particular play, I decided to retreat behind the line of scrimmage to add extra coverage against one of the receivers. My hope was that this temporary switch would confuse the quarterback, who was probably expecting me to once again blitz/rush the line. And boy did it do just that!

The inside left side receiver cut into the middle portion of our defensive net, which is where I had precisely planned to camp out. After a few seconds of surveying the field, the quarterback targeted this receiver. Without me even realizing it, the football had fallen aimlessly into my arms, as if the man upstairs had sent down a gift from the heavens. I was momentarily dazed. Do I run left or right? As soon as I heard the screams coming from the sideline, I ran like there was no tomorrow. The only other time in my life that I had run that hard was several years ago, when I found myself been chased down by a really ill-tempered canine.

That interception for a touchdown led to our first six points. Not quite how we had drawn it up. But nevertheless, Team Carib was finally fired up! After that one play, morale and team spirit climbed through the roof. Although we eventually lost that game, 27-13, our team felt as if we were the true victors. Every player gave his all. Win or lose, at the end of the day, that’s the only real thing we can expect of each other. Not just in football, either…

Even while airborne over 30,000 feet, you can tell just how beautiful the island appears. The tropical setting favors a healthy population of plants. Lush green vegetation surrounds the landscape within a backdrop of mountain valleys. The ocean currents gently brush against the long stretches of beaches… I have never ever seen such clear waters. Western-moving trade winds feel cool to the touch, and it’s very easy to get lost in nature’s beauty.

Grenada, the island nation situated in the British West Indies, is probably the last place anyone would ever expect to find a medical school. And yet, here we are, working towards our dreams while simultaneously basking in the wonders this place has to offer. There have been many words spread about life in Grenada, both positive and negative. But honestly, I feel very fortunate and blessed to have such a special opportunity bestowed upon me.

The Caribbean island life down here is simple and very laid back. The locals are some of the most kindhearted and considerate populations I have ever had the pleasure of encountering. It’s almost as if people live life moment to moment, enjoying every single breath, sensation, and thought. Depending on your lifestyle, this can be interpreted as a benefit or a nuisance. For me personally, the transition from a fast-paced environment has been quite difficult. But, like everyone else here, I’ve learned to positively adapt to this new environment. It’s truly amazing how much you can calm the mind and awaken the soul by applying the brakes a little.

Although affixing oneself to the contrasting cultures is in and of itself a great challenge, pursuing a medical education here is no joke. It takes great commitment and extreme discipline to stay ahead of the curve, so to speak. You must learn to devote at least five hours of independent study, while also trying to juggle your precious time with social activities. From what I’ve heard from some of my fellow peers, the material can be very demanding. But with proper care of mind, body, and spirit, any challenge can be conquered. Remember: all things in moderation! Study hard, party hard!