Welcome they say, but there was a discord in the greeting to what I among other students were met with. We shuffled into customs in hopes that our bags would meet us there. To our dismay most of us received one piece of luggage at most... the one we were carrying. Therefore, we ventured into a taxis which dropped us off at campus to get settled in. Yet it is difficult to settle into such a harrowing situation, but there was still a glimmer of hope in most of us because we made it to medical school, and that for most of us was half the battle
We went to orientation wearing the warmth of our smiles and day old clothes in hopes that our luggage would soon arrive. The luckier of us received our baggage within a day others went a whole week. Our woes don't end there. The school is currently under construction, therefore there are a few kinks that the dorms have to fix; like the water. There are hours where we are without, therefore if you are in the shower or using the bathroom when it decides to turn off, you are in for quite a treat.
They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Well most of the above was just inconveniences that has caused immense growth for most of us. We are learning to be flexible, grateful, and minimalists. We realize that the simple luxuries of life we've begun to take for granted. We have to learn how to subsist with what we have currently. Too often we are addicted to material things, that hold no real value. We can't take these things with us, and they certainly aren't how most of us will be remembered. We are doctors in the making, therefore our impact is made through how we heal others, but first we are starting from within
If you are traveling to Grenada for medical school or just in general some things you should note:
Don't fly Caribbean Airlines especially not Liat They tend to be stingy with the baggage they allow on a flight. You are only allowed one checked baggage and your carry on MUST weigh 10kg. You are also allowed a personal item. When booking a flight go directly through the airlines, that way your baggage is guaranteed. American Airlines has some direct flight to Grenada. If you upgrade to priority then your first two bags are free and can weigh up to 70 pounds which counters having to pay an overweight fee. Go light on packing clothing, and bring more personal care items and appliances
Here's to the next couple of years on the island, and the many more sunsets I get to catch as I embark on my own horizon
