I know it’s been forever since I’ve blogged, but I haven’t
had much to write about while in Georgia! I officially leave 1 week from today
and I’m totally excited. I started this blog not only so my friends and family
can follow me and see how I’m doing in vet school, but also for future vet
students or even med students studying abroad. I have been planning this trip
for a while now and I’ve learned a few lessons.
Here are some things I’ve learned during the past few weeks:
1.
DO NOT PROCRASTINATE. I know we’ve all been
taught this our whole lives, especially during college and grad school… but
seriously, you’ll feel prepared and less nervous if you get everything done
early. I started packing some things early, but I wish I had done everything
else sooner. And don’t over-pack. Apparently going over suitcase weight limit
can get expensive.
2.
GET HEALTH INSURANCE. I recently got my vaccine
records filled out by my physician (as in last week) and I still have another
vaccine to get – meningitis. Also, rabies is really expensive (500+ for the
series). Don’t forget about all the other shots they make you get that you
remember getting years ago… MMR, TB skin test, polio, tetanus, etc. These
vaccines are not cheap. Also you need a physical. Most professional schools
make it mandatory to have health insurance. I didn’t have health insurance
before I got accepted, and I had to wait for the school’s insurance to kick in.
This was January 1st. Don’t forget, I start school January 13th.
This is definitely pushing it.
3.
BE PREPARED TO LEAVE EVERYTHING BEHIND. I don’t know this from experience, but I can
assume that when I get back “home” in 4 years, everything will be different.
Friends will move on to great opportunities in life. People do change and no
one is going to sit around and wait for you to come back from vet school. Remember
WHY you are doing it, that this is what you’ve always dreamed of and nobody or
nothing is going to slow you down.
4.
START FRIENDSHIPS WITH CLASSMATES BEFORE YOU
LEAVE. Everyone and their mother have facebook. It is more than likely that
your class has a facebook group and you can meet people on there.
5.
EVERYONE IS ON THE SAME BOAT AS YOU. My Georgia
friends keep asking me if I’m scared because I know nobody there. I mean, I don’t
personally KNOW anyone there, but we’ve all been talking on facebook and
getting to know each other. One thing you have to remember (and so do I) is
that EVERYONE is in the exact same boat as you. If you’re afraid of moving out
of the country alone or sad that you had to leave your boyfriend back home, you
are far from being the only one.
6.
HAVE ALL YOUR DOCUMENTS TOGETHER. This is
something I’m still working on! I made a folder on my computer of all the
documents I have to print. Some people told me to bring like a portfolio or a
folder to hold everything important. This includes passport, letter of
acceptance, and any attachments they sent you when you were accepted. The last
thing I want to do is miss my flight because I can’t find my letter allowing me
to enter the country. That would suck.
I’m sure I’ll have plenty more tips when I get there! But
this is what I’ve gathered so far before I leave. Also, if you’re ever sad,
afraid, frustrated, or anything, there is ALWAYS someone to talk to. Everyone
wants you to feel comfortable there. The upper term students have been telling
us this so I want to spread the word. They have been so kind enough to already
make us feel welcome, before we even left the states! Hopefully this helps
someone out in the future! Best of luck!
