A Christmas Miracle!

I got the best news ever yesterday from Facebook- of all places-. . . . WE HAVE LOANS!!!!

I began my journey with UMHS in 2010 and they had student loans available at that time. In my first semester of ARP Citibank canceled their contract with UMHS in light of the student loan situation in the states. I was devastated. I ask my (at that time) husband and he suggested I continue- he could help to support me with tuition and living expenses and I could work a masters degree to fill in the gaps.

We divorced. The gap became larger. The task of paying tuition was monstrous. I was devastated, but committed.

Many of our students went seeking other schools that had loans. I stayed. I had faith. I had spoken on numerous occasions with Mr. Ross and his family and they were all very reassuring that we would get loans again. They were very helpful and I believed that Mr. Ross would work tirelessly until he came through for us- the students.

Three years later, I had not given up hope. I have been at home with my children, and a new baby for the last year. I have been studying for the Step 1, but mostly I just had not felt the timing was right to take it.

Just recently I began feeling that I had to take the step by the end of December. I just knew that this was it. I have scheduled my test date - again!- but this one I am feeling much more optimistic about. I know that this is the date that I have been given to write my exam and I am so excited that the news of student loan availability came only two weeks after sending my notice to UMHS that I had an exam date scheduled.

Once I get my test results back I can immediately begin my rotations. Money is no longer an issue! I am screaming hallelujah. A huge prayer has been answered, not just for myself but for so many UMHS students and future students.

Do I recommend UMHS?  A resounding HECK YEAH! Would I have recommended them even without loans, yes indeed.

I have so much respect for the Ross family and for what they have been able to accomplish. I am honored and blessed to have been chosen by them for my medical education. I have never regretted a moment of caribbean medical school. I have never regretted not applying to US medical schools. I highly recommend UMHS. I have nothing but wonderful things to say about UMHS.

Missing my island friends quite a lot. Hugs to the bookstore women- and the library ladies- I miss you all tons and I wish I were there to hug you and jump up and down and celebrate with you.

All the best,
Amy Jones

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Holidays in St. Kitts

There a lot of holidays in the US. We generally know exactly when they are because they are written into almost every calendar you ever buy. From the time that we are little children we learn that everyone stays home on holidays, and the banks close and the government offices close, and the post man doesn't come. There are some holidays that grocery stores and resturants close for like Christmas Day and sometimes Thanksgiving. Then there are some holidays for which there are limited operating hours, perhaps Easter and Independence Day. Generally the larger stores are open for all holidays except Christmas. Well, as you might would expect that is not the case with St. Kitts.

Today is a holiday as was yesterday. It is the independence holiday and everything closes. The grocery stores, the retailers, the resturants. . . I don't even think I saw that many goats grazing today!

It is the weirdest thing. There are some tourist traps that remain open like "The Strip" and "Rituals" (a tourist trap but I like it), and the Mariott (enough said). It isn't like you plan for this either because their isn't a sign on every door prior to the holiday stating that there is a holiday coming up. It is just an email from the University on Friday afternoon around 3pm that states that the island will (for all practical purposes) shut down on Monday and Tuesday. Well by that point it is too late to make arrangements for anything and if you have business to do it is already too late because even on normal days the banks and business offices shut down at four o'clock at the latest and generally 2 o'clock is quittin' time 'round here.

This is probably the most unusual and difficult practice to get used to. I plan to go to the bank and realize that it is 3pm. They're closed. I want to call the cable company and it is 3pm. They're closed. Everything closes by 3 or 4 pm which is about the same time I get out of classes. Granted by that point my brain is fried or I would remember prior to calling that they close at 3 or 4.

Therefore, I find myself saying "tomorrow, I will".

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Rainy Night on St. Kitts

It seems that it rarely rains on St. Kitts. When I am out and the skies turn grey I generally ask the locals if they think that it will rain. Usually I am told that the only thing we, kittians (kit-`tee-shuns), can guarantee is "no snow". When it rains on St. Kitts the ppl usually stand under the eaves or in the alleyways because generally they rain passes stops just as suddenly as it begins. Today, however, it seems that the rain is here for the evening. It has been grey and overcast all day and the rain has been coming waves as well as thunder and the occassional lightening bolt. It doesn't seem to stop the activities on the golf course or at the beaches. The tourist and others just continue their regularly scheduled program.

I should add that the rainy season, which coincides with the hurricane season -- August to October, is just about to begin and that in the rest of the year the rainy days are few. So the thunder, lightening and rain are a welcomed event when they occur.

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