Dominica. Here I come! (in 2 and 1/2 months...)

Hello friends and family! Welcome to my blog.

As most of you have heard, I will be leaving for the Caribbean come this May. My home for the subsequent 16 months will be the island nation of Dominica (more on this beautiful, exotic land later). Here I will embark upon the most difficult challenge of my life: medical school. With much effort, determination, and maybe a touch of luck, I will emerge 4 years later with the title of Dr. Jim Stone M.D.

Throughout my time in Dominica, I will occasionally be posting pictures of my surroundings and adventures, along with descriptions of my day-to-day experiences. Pleeeeeeeease POST COMMENTS! Any link to home will be greatly appreciated as I will be mostly cut off from the outside world, and the friends and family who I will miss dearly.

Below I have provided some background information on Dominica and Ross University.

Ross University:
Founded in 1978, the Ross University School of Medicine is one of the most reputable and prestigious international medical schools in existence. Ross students have traditionally performed extremely well on the U.S. Medical Licensing Exams, and Ross currently has more graduates in US residency programs than any other medical school in the world. Its academic facilities in Dominica are some of the most technologically advanced anywhere, and Ross grads have received residencies in all specialties and sub-specialties and at many prestigious institutions.

USMLE Exam 1 pass rate for first-time takers: 96%
US Residency placement for first-time applicants: >95%
Accreditation: all 50 states

A unique aspect of a Ross University medical education is the total amount of time spent abroad. Compared to all other international medical schools, Ross students spend the shortest period outside of the United States: 16 months. This period of time covers 4 semesters of basic science education. The 5th semester is spend at a teaching hospital in either Saginaw, MI or Miami, FL. The final 5 semesters involve clinical clerkships at one of over 70 teaching hospitals around the U.S.

Links for more info:
Ross's primary website
Wiki
Nice Overview

Dominica:
Known as the "Nature Isle of the Caribbean" for its unsurpassed beauty and relatively untouched landscape, Dominica is one of the most exotic and remote locations in the Caribbean and world. Only 72,000 people populate this nation, which covers just 291 square miles. That's about 30,000 less citizens than South Bend alone possesses, and about 60% the size of St. Joseph County. The official language is English, but some french creole (a characteristically Caribbean french dialect) is spoken by the locals.

The most mountainous and youngest island in the Caribbean, Dominica is in fact still growing. Much like Hawaii, geothermal activity continues to push the island upward out of the sea. Signs of this activity are visible all over the island. For instance, a hike up into the highest peak will take you to the world's 2nd largest boiling lake. Also, a popular snorkeling spot is just off the shore of a town called Champagne, named because of the air bubbles that rise to the ocean surface from thermal vents on the ocean floor.

The primary commercial activities on the island are agricultural in nature, with farmers producing mostly fruit crops. Fishing is also important to the economy. Ross University, its faculty, and students are responsible for 60% of Dominica's GDP, which goes to show both how small the nation and economy is, and how valued Ross is to the country's economic well-being.

As the days count down towards my departure, I will continue to update you on my preparations. In addition, I'll add more information and background on Dominica. Below are some pictures I found online of the island.

Ross University School of Medicine and all of the student housing is located near the city of Portsmouth, the 2nd largest city. Portsmouth is found on the coast in the north east region of the country. Roseau (pronounced "Roe-zo") is the capital and locate along the southeastern coast and is about an hour drive from Portsmouth.

View of Roseau from a cruise ship at port.


The Ross University campus with Portsmouth in the background.


Another picture of the capital, Roseau. Yes, Dominica is a popular port-of-call for Caribbean cruise lines. So come visit!