Student doctors without borders

Is your child worrying about getting into a South African medical school? In Issue 1 of University Speaking, we looked at various options; Issue 2 explores Australian routes to a degree in medicine, and our partners at St George’s University shared the following Q&A about studying on the Caribbean Island Of Grenada.

Choosing to study medicine is the first step towards an exciting and rewarding career, but carefully choosing where you study can also open up a world of opportunities.

There are a host of considerations involved in choosing a medical degree programme: the facilities, the faculty, the support services and more. Your list is even more involved if you’re considering international locations for studying medicine.

St. George’s University (SGU) is a Caribbean Medical School in Grenada, West Indies, which has contributed over 19 000 physicians to the global physician workforce. SGU is truly an international institution, with a uniquely global perspective, poised to help educate students in this rapidly changing world. SGU is the largest source of doctors for the entire US workforce*.

FAQs

  1. WHERE IS GRENADA?

The island, home to SGU’s True Blue campus, lies in the southeastern Caribbean Sea about 100 miles (160 km) north of the shimmering north coast of South America.

SGU Alumni Dr Roxanne Graham, originally from South Africa, says “I’m very adventurous and wanted to see another part of the world, plus I loved that it’s on an island and that I could meet new people.”

  1. WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE IN GRENADA?

If you’re envisioning a tropical paradise, you’re pretty much spot on. Expect year-round highs around 29°C. May through November is considered the rainy season, with precipitation ranging between 180 and 200mm per month.

  1. HOW BIG IS GRENADA?

The island is small, both in terms of population and geographic size. It’s roughly 348 square kilometres, with about 104 000 residents.

  1. WHAT ARE SOME FUN THINGS TO DO IN GRENADA?

The list of things to do in Grenada is nearly endless. There are distillery and chocolate tours, hiking trails through the rainforests, and a slew of water activities.

And remember that all students are surrounded by classmates who are all in the same boat. “I’m really glad that I took the opportunity to go to SGU,” Dr Graham said. “I met amazing people along the way… if I’d stayed at home, I would not have been able to do what I’ve done and to experience the world like I have. I feel like I’m exactly where I need to be.”

  1. WHAT IS ACCOMMODATION LIKE IN GRENADA?

At SGU, the on-campus housing is clean and comfortable. Each suite has its own kitchen and bathroom. Each floor has laundry facilities, and regular cleaning service is included at no additional charge.

START YOUR ISLAND ADVENTURE

As each new cohort of future doctors starts at SGU in Grenada, they are surrounded by like-minded individuals who have chosen to study at a student-centric campus.

With purpose-built spaces making for an optimal learning environment, the academic opportunities available have allowed SGU to have a long history of educating medical students. To learn more about how you can pursue your dream of becoming a doctor, click here.

* According to FSMB physician licensure data, 2021