Alright so I'll answer the specific questions you asked first and then I'll tell you the top three things I like and dislike.
Availability of professors outside of class is pretty good as far as I know. I haven't actually felt a need thus far to go to office hours or go talk to a professor, but I have never heard of someone having issues getting into contact with a professor. Just last night my roomie emailed one of our anatomy professors at like 10PM with a question and she got a response back shortly after.
I do feel very emotionally and academically supported. There are numerous tutors and TAs for every core class that we have, I can't even keep them all straight. There are also counselor on campus that hold mini classes weekly on things like test anxiety, stress reducing tips, study skills, etc. There is always information floating around from upper semester students like previous study guides, old exams, and stuff like that. What's great about Ross is that we're all in the same situation, we are all going through the same thing so everyone gets it. Campus is JUST a vet school so you know everyone else feels the same way you do. There is such a great sense of community and "family" around here. I'm not saying this to scare you or anyone, but last night there was a criminal incident and it occurred the next street over from me. Within MINUTES of it happening, our phones were blowing up and there were posts all over the student page notifying us to get inside. People care about each other here, we all look out for each other and want each other to succeed. I'm sure this is how it is in the states too but it feels very amplified here because we're so far from home and everyone here does really become our second family.
I can't really comment too much on negative Caribbean school stigmas because I'm not out in the field, although I think it is decreasing. I go to a lot of lunch lectures though and the visiting vets always go on and on about how they would absolutely love to hire a Rossie because they know the dedication we have and commitment to the profession we show by being here in a less than ideal situation.
I have several friends in my class that are in their mid to late 30s and they are all doing wonderfully thus far in the program.
Top likes about Ross: (I am just going to list them without much elaboration but if you'd like me to I can give more details)
1. The sense of community and family here
2. It is a slightly accelerated program so I can get done a little sooner and start working on these dang loans
3. Very easy to "turn vet school off" here for a little bit and truly feel like I'm escaping the stress. Beach volleyball every Friday after class on the shore of the Caribbean Sea and I can get there in less than 5 mins from my house. If I need to get away from it all for even just 10 mins, it is so easy.
4. The program- Ross may be easier to get into but it is not any easier of a curriculum. In just a few semesters I truly know that I will be well prepared and thoroughly taught before I go on to clinics. I am pretty sure we have a little more in depth clinical skills program than a lot of schools too.
Dislikes:
1. There are a lot of inconveniences. Particularly when grocery shopping....it turns into a long process every once in awhile depending on what you're trying to find. Sometimes I'll have to go to three stores just to find a gallon of milk or tortilla chips. Produce is always plentiful here though 🙂 and I know you said you didn't want to hear about debt but some things are freaking expensive here. When it comes time for you to buy a car, your car will be a piece of crap on even crappier tires. Finding a good mechanic is a task that may take you the entire 2.5 years you're on the island. The government is very corrupt here at the moment. Sometimes you can't drive through downtown because there are political rallies and it was rumored (never confirmed so take this with a grain of salt) that when the electric company knows the current prime minister is scheduled to speak they turn off the island's electricity. I could go on and on about inconveniences but you are on campus the majority of the day anyway and the worst that happens on campus is that the power is out, the water is shut off, or the ATM is down lol it is a little like camping 🙂
2. I'm homesick and I miss my boyfriend. Even if him moving here was an option, significant others can't work here. It really sucked not being able to eat thanksgiving dinner with my family or spend valentines day and my anniversary with my boyfriend. But to go back to the positive, everyone here is in the same boat. Which meant a super delicious thanksgiving potluck dinner and a girls wine night on valentines day...people make sure you are not alone and you are ok.
3. It is a year-round program with only three 2-3 week breaks in between each semester. If you are a person that needs an entire summer to unwind this may not be the place for you. A lot of people stay on the island during the breaks due to finances but I just can't- I need to get back on US soil and eat a Big Mac and drink some Starbucks for my own sanity.
4. I don't like the public opinion here that the students are rich and privileged. I don't like that I am in the minority and feel out of place at the movie theater or grocery store. Many people would say suck it up and quit being ignorant but when you are so stressed out from school, sometimes you don't want to get stressed just walking into a store. It is definitely a humbling experience and has really opened my eyes in a good way though. I don't like that the only way my dad and boyfriend approve of me going running by myself is to carry pepper spray with me lol
5. Bugs. Everywhere. In the span of a week we dealt with cockroaches, termites, and centipedes (that bite!) at my house.
I am so sorry- I wrote a novel. But I am passionate about Ross and I am making the most out of my time here. That is the only way to do it- I would be absolutely miserable if I was constantly wishing I was at a US school or wishing I was home. That ship has sailed and I am confident I made the right decision coming here. I will indeed miss this island when I leave in two years. Do I have a countdown to when I get to hug my boyfriend again? Darn straight I do- 21 days 🙂 but I live on a freaking Caribbean island and I am living my dream so I can't complain about too much 🙂 feel free to private message me if you have any more in depth questions 🙂
