Living in Grenada: 3 things I’m excited about

I’m moving to the island next week for the start of my 2nd term of med school. I’ve been really dreading this move and being away from my family, but I’m trying to keep a positive outlook. I’ve realized that I can choose to spend the next 1.5 years being miserable or enjoy this experience to its fullest. And it all begins with my mindset. So, in an attempt to shift to a more positive perspective, here are 3 things I’m excited about living in Grenada.

Living in Grenada means no Canadian winter

For term 2, I’ll be in Grenada until December and then come home for a short break before term 3 starts in January. Which means I won’t have to deal with the cold, rainy days of October and November. I know a lot of people love the fall months but I really dislike them.

The trees are barren, it’s raining every other day, and the part I hate most – the days get shorter and shorter. It’s just so dreary all around. I hate the short days so much that I actually prefer December onward, even though that’s when the cold and snow really begin. At least the days start to get longer, which gives me hope of the beautiful spring months ahead.

I’ll be able to avoid all this dreariness in Grenada. Funny enough, I’ll still have to deal with the rain. June to December is rainy season so I’ve been warned to expect sporadic onslaughts of rain. Although, the sky is supposed to clear up shortly after so hopefully it’s not too bad. After many reminders from classmates, I’ve packed an umbrella. But I’m not sure how helpful it will really be if I get caught in a rainstorm.

Luckily, the dry season begins in January so very few rainfalls. I don’t love the heat but overall, it will be a nice change from the dreary fall days and freezing winter months in Canada. I’m also excited to see if the warmer climate will do some good for my skin.

Letting go of some responsibilities

Another thing I’m looking forward to about living in Grenada is letting go of some responsibilities. Campus dorms and many places off campus, including mine, offer weekly cleaning services. Which I’m really looking forward to. Plus, I’ll only be cooking and doing laundry for one person, instead of 2. These changes should clear up a lot of time and reduce some stress so that I can relax a little more.

While I’m grateful that I could attend my first term of medical school online, I learned that although I’m in med school now, the people around me are not and life carries on. So there were a lot of unforeseen events and unexpected family members coming and going during term 1. Some moments were nice but it was a lot to manage with such a full plate.

When I’m on the island, life will still carry on, but my ability to help or contribute will be limited. Which will help take some responsibilities off my plate and allow me to focus more on school.

The great thing about doing term 1 online was that I didn’t have to worry about adjusting to a new environment while also adjusting to all the challenges of med school. I was able to focus primarily on the academics. To get familiar with the volume and pace of learning, and the effort needed to achieve the depth of understanding and the grades I want.

Now that I know what to expect academically, I’m more comfortable tackling the challenges that come with this big move. And hopefully, after the initial adjustment period, I can hit the ground running with term 2 classes.

Going on an adventure and making new friends

Finally, living in Grenada is definitely going to be an adventure. I’m naturally a homebody, which definitely has it perks. But it also means that I’m often staying in my comfort zone, rather than trying new experiences that will help me grow. Having to live on an island for med school is definitely going to push me out of my comfort zone.

I’m excited to explore the island, meet the locals, and try new foods. A classmate gave us a heads up that “island time” is no joke, so that will definitely be a challenge. Maybe it will force me to slow down and learn to be a little more patient.

It’s also pretty exciting that I’ll be meeting my friends and classmates soon. Most people say their favourite part about medical school was their friendships. So I’m looking forward to making memories with friends over the next few years. As we navigate the ups and downs of med school and try to figure out the next steps in our journeys. As we explore the island together. And as we motivate and support each other to grow and be the best versions of ourselves.

That’s both scary and exciting.

What experiences have pushed you out of your comfort zone? What did you learn in the process?

-M

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