Easter Monday

So it is a national holiday here so I have plenty of time to relax, unpack, and blog.
Last night was a typical night sleep for me in a foreign country--so many strange and new sounds and smells. If you have traveled outside the country you know what I mean by saying that the air smells different--even that is a small adjustment. Most of the night sounds consisted of dogs howling, lizzard noises (barks? squeals? I have no idea--but they make noise!), and neighbors drinking outside laughing loudly.


The woman I am staying with is so warm and friendly and has really been going out of her way to make me feel at home. She has two major exams coming up this week so she is plenty stressed! She had several other medical students over last night to study pathology. It brought back so many memories. Most of them were still here this morning at 7am already studying again! (So glad those days are behind me). So far I only remember one of their names since he was here when I arrived. James--he is a third year and he is originally from England. Maurilee is originally from Belize. So many nationalities under one roof!


It is interesting to hear them discuss their frustrations with their school. So similar to what American medical students complain about.
Too much to learn!
They don't teach!
They ask obscure questions!
We will not use it!

I guess some things are universal.

Their schooling differs from ours in many ways. First, their medical school is five years training. 2 pre-clinical years and then 3 clinical years. We take our licensing boards in 3 different steps. Step 1 is after two years, Step 2 after 4 years, and our final step, Step 3 after our first year of residency. They only take one final examination which they need to graduate. Then they can go on to internship which ranges from 12-18months. Then they do an other year of internship as a Chief Officer and THEN they can go into their residency which can range anywhere from 3-5 years depending on the speciality. From what I can gather they don't really have fellowships here. They also call their Attendings differently. They are known here as Consultants.


My first morning here has been so beautiful. Maurliee made some breakfast for us. An omelet with beans, corn, onions and peppers and some national bread. It was quite good. I think that I am going to read by the pool and hopefully meet up with some friends from school who are here too. I just can't get a hold of anyone yet!


I will probably post again on Tuesday. Tuesday I go into the hospital for some paperwork, ID stuff and then to get a phone and some grocercies. I think I start my rotation that afternoon and will be in the hospital for the rest of the week. We'll see!!

The pictures are all from the morning and the view from our living room. Breath taking!