Getting to Know RUSVM and St. Kitt's

I arrived on St. Kitt's on Thursday, April 28th 2011 around 2pm.  As soon as I stepped off the plane I was greeted with the warm island climate and constant breeze.  Made my way through immigration and customs...really was not as difficult as I had expected!  Got all my luggage that I checked at the airport in Columbus, OH!  Thank goodness!  After I grabbed my luggage, the school had a wonderful group of helpers to put our bags on dollies and roll it all outside to meet our orientation leader (OL) and group.  After everyone in my orientation group gathered from the airport, they transported us to campus where we unloaded our luggage and got slightly situated.  From there it was off to dinner.

I have spent the orientation period with an amazing group of 1st semester students and an OL who is moving into his 5th semester at RUSVM.  Most of the days until Monday (the first day of our scheduled orientation) have been filled with fun ways to get to know our surroundings (ie the island, the culture, the school, the food, etc.).  It's been an amazing experience and I'm extremely thankful for everything that has been offered to me.  The island is very rich with history and culture.  I'm extremely excited to continue to explore it and discover all the amazing local specialties.

One of the most interesting discoveries was our island tour and being told by our bus driver the extensive history of the island (i.e. settlement, sugar cane industry and all the plantations around the island, etc.) and getting to see where specific events occurred (ie. Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park).

Reality really started to sink in on Monday when the entire bunch (1st semester and VP semester students) was sitting in one of the huge classrooms and Keith Kramer (assistant dean for student life) spoke to us and really instilled a feeling of greatness in me for my presence at such a special and really blossoming university.

I think I've mentioned this to a few people, but I'm going to say it again...I truly believe that this is where I was meant to end up.  I know I had horse blinders on the last couple of years and was too focused on getting into OSU's program to pay attention to other opportunities that were out there.  But luckily the door and opportunity to attend OSU closed...so it led me to RUSVM.  I wouldn't have it any other way. Just as much potential as RUSVM has to blossom into an even more successful university, I know I have a huge amount of potential where I am to blossom into a wonderful veterinarian and colleague.  I truly feel like this is my opportunity to grow in ways that I might not have if I had ended up at OSU.

There's a ton of things planned for the rest of the week!  Can't wait to let everyone know how it all goes!

                                                       view while standing in front of my dorm

One of the beaches we drove past where the Atlantic and Caribbean Oceans meet 

Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park

Pretty scenery :)