Studying Veterinary Medicine in the Caribbean

Studying Veterinary Medicine in the Caribbean

We talked to George, a U.K. national, who currently on his last year at Vet school in the Caribbean. On the island of Granada, at the St George's university.

George explained, the challenge of the course and Studying Veterinary Medicine in the Caribbean is not the standard of teaching, more the logistics and living in the Caribbean. 

We asked George a few questions and his responses are below.

Is Studying Veterinary Medicine in the Caribbean experience in the Caribbean something that you would recommend as a viable alternative to U.K. based course ? Yes very much so. If you have done science A levels if can be done in 5 years. You get a lot of time to see the islands as well. Plus, it provides a wonderful international experience.

What was your year group made up of?

Typically, my cohort consisted of 10 percent did an under graduates in the US. before they started the vet school. While a number were vet nurses and technicians from the US.

While the rest often have done some sort of science degree from a range of international universities around the world.

Note: George arrived on the island with no qualifications.

George felt being in his early 30s he the average age of the course.  The One obvious advantage of studying Studying Veterinary Medicine in the Caribbean are that one qualifies for both U.K. and US right to practice.

With only The London Royal Vet school and Edinburgh ‘dick vet school also being duo qualification. Allowing one to practice around the world. 

George decided to study veterinary Science with out any science A levels.

George used the college’s per entry science course to get him up go a level they were able to accept him. A pre vet science course. 

Where did you live ? The first two terms you have to spend in campus. Then after that you can move out and rent apartment. You are unlikely to get rooms on one own. While room shares are done on a random generator.  The on campus housing is expensive.

However if you get 4 kilometres away you get some very good deals. Plus if you live off campus there is higher opportunities to see and build a social life outside the school .  While the price of the course will be higher than the U.K.s and living costs of island life can be somewhat higher. George did say there was good support from cohorts who found low cost accommodation if you banded together.

A real bonus: The fourth year of the course they send you abroad to other vet schools. Including back to the U.K., Ireland and as far as Australia. 

Where do the majority of the students end up practicing? The majority of students tend end up working in the US. Though plenty go to the U.K. and Australia. A high proportion of the vet professors / lecturers who run the course were previous Vet students 20 years ago and have returned to teach. The vet school lends itself to attracting quality professors. With excellent retention because the island life is so conductive.

The reputation of the school is quite well regarded now. However, use to be a touch of snobbery. This has a-baited as the school has become further established. 

George' year is around 110 students. It does change as there is a bit of changing. Through the 4 years of being on the island. You get to work across your year group. Including lab groups and team studying. 

All in all George would throughly recommend studying Studying Veterinary Medicine in the Caribbean.

See here the blog on medical schools in the caribbean