These are some things I thought might be helpful when considering a medical school. I chose to attend medical school in the Caribbean because I did not want to wait another year to reapply to U.S. medical schools. Attending a Caribbean medical school gave me the opportunity to start earlier, which may be a great option for some people who are older, have the freedom to relocate, and have saved or raised enough money to live on an island.
I was also given the option to complete a medical school readiness program, which allowed me to avoid retaking the MCAT. If you are considering attending medical school in the Caribbean, here are eight potential benefits to consider.
1. Great Weather
Depending on the island you choose, you may get to enjoy warm weather throughout much of the year. Living and studying in a tropical environment can be a completely different experience from attending medical school in the United States. For me, waking up to sunshine most days made the weight of medical school a little easier to carry.
2. A New Environment
If you are planning to move to pursue your medical education and want to immerse yourself in a new culture, studying abroad may provide that opportunity.
One thing I wish I had done when moving to a new country was to have greater expectations for the new place I was going. I was so fearful about my future performance in medical school that I did not take enough time to embrace the blessing God was allowing me to experience.
I realized that my ability to remain in this new place was tied to my performance in medical school. The stories I had heard about starting medical school had made me fearful of the unknown. However, God’s Word already tells us that He has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).
One thing I would tell someone moving to a new place is to have great expectations. Find a few things you would like to do every week or every month, and have confidence that as God has brought you to a new position in life, He will also bring you through it.
3. Exposure to Different Languages and Cultures
Depending on where you choose to attend medical school, you may be exposed to people from many different cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
I have lived in Las Vegas all my life, and it is a melting pot filled with people from many different walks of life. However, I often remained within familiar social circles because I could choose my environment.
When I went away to medical school, I found myself in an environment unlike my everyday life. Many of my classmates came from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and other places, bringing different cultures, experiences, and languages into our medical school community.
While exposure to another language does not necessarily mean you will learn it, studying in a diverse environment can introduce you to people and perspectives you may not have encountered otherwise. This experience can also teach you that diversity does not automatically create connection; building an inclusive community requires intentional effort from everyone.
I used to take Spanish electives back home, but I rarely had anyone to actually practice with outside of class. Being here finally gave me that chance. My advice: if you want to learn the language, start early as a pre-clinical student — the further you move into your medical journey, the less time you’ll have for it.
4. You Meet People From Different Places and Backgrounds
Attending medical school away from home gives you the opportunity to meet and become friends with people from different states, countries, cultures, and backgrounds. This can create a diverse environment and expose you to experiences beyond your own.
5. You May Develop a Different Perspective When Approaching Future Patients
Before starting medical school in the Caribbean, I was not fully aware of the health disparities that could exist across different cultures and communities. Many of my friends shared similar backgrounds and life experiences, so there were perspectives and health concerns outside of my own community that I had not yet been exposed to.
Receiving my education outside of the United States has exposed me to people from many different cultural backgrounds and ways of living. Going to school abroad has encouraged me to think more globally rather than only locally.
If I am going to become a great physician, my understanding of the people I may one day serve must extend beyond my own community. Living outside of the United States has also given me a deeper appreciation for aspects of healthcare that I previously may have taken for granted.
6. Limited Distractions
Being away from home may provide fewer distractions and allow you to focus more heavily on school. However, this can also have a downside.
Being away from everyone you know can lead to homesickness, loneliness, or difficulty adjusting to a new environment. Living in another country may also mean giving up many of the conveniences you are accustomed to.
I struggled during my first year because I could not eat at many of the restaurants I enjoyed or shop at my favorite stores. Your environment can affect your well-being and potentially your academic performance, so research the location carefully before deciding where you would like to attend school.
Make sure you understand how much change the move may require — and whether you are prepared for what comes with living somewhere very different from home.
7. Some Schools Offer Readiness Programs That May Provide an Alternative Pathway to Medical School
Some institutions offer readiness programs such as MERP or ARP that may provide an alternative pathway into medical school. I had the opportunity to participate in both programs. MERP was more intense for me compared with ARP. Unfortunately, I did not pass MERP, but I later passed the ARP program. After completing ARP in the fall, I was able to begin medical school the following January.
However, looking back, ARP was not reflective of my actual medical school experience. Although I successfully completed the program and gained admission to medical school, the pace, volume of information, expectations, and overall demands of medical school were very different.
A readiness program may provide a pathway into medical school, but completing one does not necessarily mean you will be fully prepared for what medical school will require. If you are considering one of these programs, research not only what is required to pass the program, but also how well its curriculum and structure prepare students for the medical school experience that follows.
8. Multiple Start Dates May Allow You to Begin Sooner
Unlike many U.S. medical schools that typically have one primary entering class each year, some Caribbean medical schools offer multiple start dates throughout the year.
For someone who does not want to wait another full application cycle, this may provide an opportunity to begin medical school sooner.
However, starting sooner should not be the only reason you choose a medical school. It is still important to consider the school’s structure, curriculum, cost, support systems, location, and what will be required of you throughout the entire journey.
Applying to medical school can become expensive, especially when considering application fees, MCAT preparation, and potential retakes. Although the possibility of starting sooner may be appealing, make sure you are choosing a pathway that aligns with your circumstances and long-term goals.
Final Thoughts
There can be benefits to attending medical school in the Caribbean, but every student’s circumstances are different. What may be an advantage for one person may be a disadvantage for someone else.
Before choosing any medical school, research the institution, the location, the financial requirements, and the academic expectations carefully. Starting medical school is a major decision, and the goal should not simply be to start as quickly as possible, but to choose a pathway you understand and are prepared to navigate.
Wherever you choose to start, know that the same God who brought you this far in your journey will not leave you now. Do the research, make a wise decision, and walk forward with confidence in the path you’ve chosen.
Every path has two sides. If you want the fuller picture before you decide, read The Reality of Caribbean Medical School: Why Living on an Island May Not Be for You.