Medical Electives in the Caribbean

I really enjoyed my placement at Arnos Vale Medical Centre, especially the flexibility as it allowed us to go out and explore the island. Dr. Dougan was great, very good at teaching, and he made us feel very welcome. The nursing staff/reception staff were also very welcoming. Also enjoyed the clinics with Dr. DeFreitas. The support from CEA was brilliant. Khari was very knowledgeable about the area and keen to organize excursions for us. MEA was very accommodating in organizing a ‘last-minute’ elective for us. I would absolutely recommend you to other students.

The support given by CEA was excellent, offering transfers, help with accommodation and getting set up on the island. The team, Khari especially, were extremely approachable. I really enjoyed the hospital placement offered. It was perfectly weighted so we could go into placement and learn how medicine is practised in Saint Vincent as well as take days off for trips to enjoy what the island had to offer. There were several highlights of the elective, whether it be the sunset boat cruise or excursions to Tobago cays to snorkel with turtles. I would definitely recommend the elective. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity which offers both a medical elective and holiday experience.

I shadowed Dr Stephens who was very happy for me to sit in with him and see the examinations. Answered any questions I had and was always very friendly. I also really enjoyed being able to go into the operating theatre for a session. There were so many great trips, I would recommend the Tobago Cays, Bequia, climbing Mt Soufriere, Owia salt ponds and Fort Duvernette. Khari was a great point of contact while on the island, he was available to help with whatever I needed.

I had such an amazing time in the Caribbean! The people, the culture, the music… It is just wonderful. There was so much to see and do. Swimming with turtles at the Tobago Cays and a weekend on the beautiful beaches of Bequia were definitely my highlights. I loved the program, especially the extra community stuff. It made my elective feel that little bit more unique and special, and it was a lovely chance to gain experience out of a hospital setting. I would definitely recommend St. Vincent as an elective destination.

The highlight of my elective was being immersed in a new culture both socially and medically. It was interesting to experience the medical problems that come with a different culture and some I have never seen before. Learning about local culture, trying new experiences, food, dances and making friends! Exploring the beautiful islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, from waterfalls to salt ponds to rainforests and amazing beaches, it has it all! I fell in love with the island. Thank you to CEA and especially Khari for making our elective an experience I will always treasure.

It was definitely much better being based at Arnos Vale Medical Centre rather than the main hospital. Dr Dougan was fantastic, I definitely got a lot more teaching than those based in the main hospital. At the same time it was very relaxed and I was able to take off certain days to explore the island. I also really enjoyed my day in surgery with him. Dr Dougan was definitely the best part of my elective, he was so keen to teach and knew so much.