To Paradise from Paradise

Vet School Professionalism

Sat, 06 Apr 2013 17:38:49 -0400

Things happen in vet school that I don’t quite understand…like this conversation, for example:

Wow. Just wow.

#americanairlines #gogowifi experience over the #beautiful...

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 17:34:00 -0400

#americanairlines #gogowifi experience over the #beautiful #ocean #amazed (flying over the Atlantic)

#savma #symposium #2014 #beautifulbuildings #batonrouge #LSU ...

Sat, 23 Mar 2013 14:22:59 -0400

#savma #symposium #2014 #beautifulbuildings #batonrouge #LSU (at Hotel Indigo)

#ontheroadagain to #SAVMA #symposium #LSU

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 10:30:00 -0400

#ontheroadagain to #SAVMA #symposium #LSU

Hi! I saw one of your posts of Ross on one of my many searches on tumblr lol :) and I wanted to go to Ross, I loved the seminar I went to about the school! :) I just wanna see how it is going for you? Would you recommend it? Someone scared me and told me not to go out of the country :( So that got me scare and paranoid! :/ Is it really hard to get back in the USA? To do the clinical and get a job because you graduated out of the country? THANKS!

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 20:15:00 -0400

Hi There!! I’m SO glad that you asked someone who is actually going through the program! Firstly, did you know that Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine is accredited by the AVMA, just like stateside schools such as Texas A&M, University of Florida, and Cornell?? This means, that we go through the same tests (NAVLE) and licencing as those graduates. Ross students also qualify for US government financial aid (FAFSA). To answer your questions:

How is it going for you? It is going great! I have been at RUSVM for two years now. So far, I am VERY proud of the education I am receiving for a number of reasons. One, the curriculum is accelerated and challenging (this is preparing me for my future career). Two, the professors are the best in their fields and come from all over the world to teach here (they care about the students and I will have good connections later). Three, location, location, location! My backyard is the Caribbean Sea and that makes for some beautiful scenery while studying and some awesome fun during study breaks…
Would you recommend it [RUSVM]? I get asked this question every semester on the Student Satisfaction Survey and on a scale of one to ten with ten being the highest, most excellent chance of me recommending it, I always give it a TEN. Granted, it is not for everyone. I have friends from the deep, most inner parts of the “city” and they can’t wait to get off the island (they miss the conveniences of a corner store, shopping at the mall, and, of course, their six dollar cup of Starbucks coffee goodness). However, if you love travelling, want to experience a new culture, and can’t get enough of the beach and beautiful sunsets, then a Caribbean-sited veterinary school may be for you. Oh yeah, and did I mention that the education is top-notch and VERY challenging?
Is it really hard to get back in the USA — to do the clinical [year] and get a job because you graduated out of the country? I understand your worry, because I thought the same thing before I did my research. I was scared too…Let me share a little insight on how our accelerated program is mapped out: We go to school year-round and our year is split into three, 15 week semesters (technically called “trimesters”). There is a 2 week break between the Spring and Summer semesters and another between the Summer and Fall semesters. Between the Fall and Spring semesters (or between December and January), we get a three week break. Students do a total of seven semesters (2 years and 4 months) on the island and then return to the States to finish their last 3 semesters (or clinical year) at an affiliated vet school. During a student’s sixth semester, they will submit their top 3 clinical schools (out of 20+ total) and then find out their placement at the beginning of their seventh semester. So, Ross actually places you at a stateside school for your clinical rotation. There is no question as to how hard it is, because it happens just like that! Now, regarding finding a job…graduating from RUSVM will in no way impair you of this. I know many alumni from Ross that graduated and had a job within one or two months! It doesn’t matter where you graduate, what matters is the career within veterinary medicine that you choose to pursue.

It is really hard for me not to keep raving about Ross, but I will leave it at that. As with any school there are always some things that could be better…I guess if I had to pick one out in particular, it would be that they need to figure out a way to rid this island of the evil centipedes. Also, on a more personal note, I visited your tumblr and realize you are from Miami, FL. I have a few colleagues here at Ross that are from Florida, and, even specifically from Miami. I was born in Florida, myself! I hope you don’t mind me posting your question and my response publicly on my blog. There is a chance that someone else out there may have the same questions as you, and it provides them an opportunity to get the answers as well.

I invite you to check out my Q&A page and my Vet Ready For It! post, if you haven’t already. They may also help answer your questions and calm the ‘scariness and paranoia’ that accompanies searching for a vet school.

If you have any other questions, no matter how specific, please don’t hesitate to ask…and if you prefer me to answer privately, just let me know :) The best of luck to you in all your endeavors!

love and sunshine.

tia.

One of my favorite beaches…Shipwreck Beach, St. Kitts

On campus early this morning to get a head start on my...

Sat, 09 Mar 2013 06:28:00 -0500

On campus early this morning to get a head start on my studies…6am sunrise :o)

What the World Can Learn From Veterinarians

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 16:11:43 -0500

What the World Can Learn From Veterinarians:

“Vets will always be needed to treat cats and dogs. But it is their ability to link animal science to human well-being, advance food production and safety, and provide critical defense from global pandemics that needs to be better understood.”

When I said I wanted to be a veterinarian, I meant I wanted to help save the world…

NEW LIFE - A Behind the Scenes Look at Foaling

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 15:03:10 -0500

NEW LIFE - A Behind the Scenes Look at Foaling:

Interactive PDF sponsored by Hagyard Pharmacy. Excerpt —> “In equine medicine, “foaling” (parturition, or labor) refers to the time period commencing with onset of uterine contractions, lasting until the mare fully passes the placenta (afterbirth), and is typically divided into three distinct phases.”

Zenyatta and foal, of Winter Quarter Farm

Whales playing @ St. Kitts and Nevis…

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 15:00:19 -0500

Whales playing @ St. Kitts and Nevis…

hi i am new to blogging,(more of a therapeutic thing to ease off ..) your blog space is one of few i go through every week. I really like it. this last post of yours [Vet Ready For It!] really caught my eyes and to avoid any form of plagiarism, i need your permission to post it as a link or verbatim on my wall thanks for your swift response

Sun, 03 Mar 2013 14:09:00 -0500

Welcome to the blogging world “Anonymous”. I am always happy to hear that my blog is enjoyable to others. I appreciate your thoughtfulness in asking for permission prior to posting…you are more than welcome to reblog anything from “To Paradise From Paradise” that you find interesting (just remember to site your source :o)). Thanks so much and happy blogging!

(The rights to all original posts from To Paradise From Paradise remain the sole property of vetandready)

Vet Ready For It!

Sat, 02 Mar 2013 20:07:00 -0500

If you are a NY Times reader and also a fan of the veterinary profession, you probably have heard about the most recent article (February 24, 2013) on the cover of the Business section titled, “High Debt and Falling Demand Trap New Vets”. Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine was one of the vet schools featured in the article. As a student leader of RUSVM, I was invited to an interview. Along with a handful of other students, I met with the journalist, and author of the piece, Mr. David Segal. Unfortunately, much of what we offered from our first hand experiences as veterinary students, went without mention in the article.

As a person who was obviously an outsider of the profession, I applaud him for traveling to vet schools and asking questions to get a better understanding of veterinary medicine and our education. Before I introduce the article, there are a few points that I have mentioned in my previous posts that I would like to highlight again:

I, along with many others, did not choose this profession because of the money. We chose it for our own personal reasons, many of which started with a dream to work in the veterinary medical field at a very young age.
I, along with those same people, chose to pursue veterinary school with the understanding that it would cost an enormous amount of money (much like other medical professions in the human field) . And, I would venture to say that most of us have a well thought out plan as to how we will pay off that debt. We will also work hard and be able to live off of our salary. Despite what some may believe, we are financially competent.
Maybe I haven’t stressed it enough, but for those of you who are unaware, Veterinarians are not only small animal practitioners. The career options don’t stop there! We are Public Health Officials, Cancer Researchers, Epidemiologists, Lab Animal Doctors, Theriogenologists, Large Animal Surgeons, Opthamologists, Cardiologists, Army Veterinary Corps Officers, Agricultural Bio-terrorism and Emerging Infectious Disease Researchers, Shelter Medicine Doctors, Wildlife Biologists, Marine Biologists, Exotic Animal Doctors, Zoologists, Professors… I could keep going, but I do believe that would take up quite a bit of space in this post. Needless to say, a DVM degree can take you anywhere! The possibilities are pretty much endless if you have an open mind and the will to succeed.
I would like to state again how much I love my school - my FOR-PROFIT, Caribbean-sited, foreign-student-attracting, veterinary school. There is always room for improvement at any school and I am proud to say that RUSVM is always striving for excellence and working to provide the best learning atmosphere and resources for its students. They (faculty and administration) are never satisfied, and that is a good thing! (check out this picture <—)
I choose to attend RUSVM. And I would choose it again. I will graduate with the assurance that I will be a practice-ready veterinarian, able to find a job within a few months (should I decide not to participate in an externship) of graduating…and that is a GOOD thing too!
As I have stated before, I encourage everyone to find answers for themselves, regarding which vet school they wish to attend and regarding life itself. The answers will never be in black and white. It is up to each individual to find meaning and understanding in everything they read, hear, see, and experience. This brings value to life. Never settle for what is presented to you, even if it is wrapped in gold. Always dig deeper.

Now, here are a few articles, and letters, including the one previously mentioned from the NY Times that I found quite interesting (they are all related and I highly recommend reading each thoroughly):

And my favorite —>

Employment Survey of Recent US DVM Graduates

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some studying to do…I know, what’s new?

Love and sunshine from paradise.

photo credit: Brian Spugnardi Photography

Early morning exam. #candlelight #studying #poweroutage (at The...

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 09:38:00 -0500

Early morning exam. #candlelight #studying #poweroutage (at The Adventure House, St. Kitts)

“We grew up rooting for the underdog because we see...

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 19:15:08 -0500

“We grew up rooting for the underdog because we see ourselves in them.”

Coolest organs in veterinary anatomy! Ginormous cecum of the...

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 18:55:59 -0500

Coolest organs in veterinary anatomy!

Ginormous cecum of the equine
Double cervix of the lagomorph
Lobular kidney of the bovine
Beautiful liver of the porcine

Our #pet #hermitcrab #blaze found a #funnyshell ! (at The...

Sat, 16 Feb 2013 08:22:00 -0500

Our #pet #hermitcrab #blaze found a #funnyshell ! (at The Adventure House, St. Kitts)

Clinical Pathology Soundtrack

Sun, 10 Feb 2013 21:24:04 -0500

Studying Clinical Pathology, Counting Crows and Cells and Stuff…

Underwater Sunshine - Full Album 2012

Top: Lateral, medial, and cranial views of the stifle. Then,...

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 19:48:20 -0500

Top: Lateral, medial, and cranial views of the stifle. Then, lateral, medial cranial views of the carpus (of the horse).

Middle Left: A dorsal view of the superficial muscles of the head, dorsal view of the bones of the skull, caudal view of the muscles associated with the ear…

Middle Right: Right lateral views of the superficial muscles, veins and arteries of the head, also showing muscles and cartilage associated with the ear.

Bottom: Lateral, cranial, and medial views of the left forelimb from the elbow distally.

More anatomy drawings commonly studied by veterinary students…as requested by kiocoyamoto.

Proud Rossie!

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 20:25:00 -0500

Are you looking for a vet school that suits you? Curious about life at Ross or why students choose to come to Ross? If so, you should check out the links below…and if not, you should still check out the links below. I am a proud Rossie and wouldn’t change my veterinary school experience for anything!

RUSVM Student Life

RUSVM Faculty

Why Ross?

photo credit: brian spugnardi

Dingos Breakfast Club Deviant Art It’s the equine anatomy...

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 12:03:14 -0500

Dingos Breakfast Club

Deviant Art

It’s the equine anatomy that intrigues me, really…

Don't Wait Until It's Too Late!

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 12:06:43 -0500

Don't Wait Until It's Too Late!:

Know what vets consider an “emergency” situation. From a reputable source!