White Coat Ceremony!

Last night was the “White Coat Ceremony”, and it finally made everything feel real! We all had to recite an oath, which basically just said that we would be professional in all aspects of our lives (aka no more doing questionably unethical things, or drinking too much and acting stupid in public… or anything that you wouldn’t want your doctor to do) and then we had our professors put white coats on us. After that we met with our mentors.  My mentor was pretty sweet! She was from Unionville and went to Western (small world?). I wonder if they did that on purpose. It was so nice to talk to an upper semester student who has been through what I am going through. Yesterday was definitely the confidence boost that I needed. Basically what I learned is I only got accepted here because they think I can pass, so I need to work really hard to not let anyone down, but I definitely think I can do it!

After all the ceremonial stuff, there was a “welcome back” party for the entire school at this bar called “tebejebis” (I think…I have only heard it aid and have no idea how to spell it). It was essencially the “club district” of the Bottom (where I live). It was a big yard that felt like someones backyard with a gazebo/ bar and a DJ. We had a lot of fun. Most of my class came out and we had a few drinks and danced and got to know each other as well as upper semester students. I thought it was a little ironic that we were sent out drinking right after reciting the oath, but no one got very drunk or did anything stupid.

Because of all of the celebrations, I took the night off of studying, but then today I got up at 8 so that I could review all of my histology material before the soccer tournament (which starts at 11:30!)

I have also been going to the gym for the past few days (and my upper limbs are feeling it!) but I figured I needed to do something to counter all the extra muscle mass in my legs from walking up the hill every day! I am pretty much the only girl in there ever time, so its kind of weird, but I figure everyone is so into their own workout that no one really knows what I’m doing anyways. (let’s hope)

We still haven’t gotten the cadavers because of the new dutch customs, but they should be here on Monday, and I think the labs will be so helpful to visualize all the things that I have learned so far.

My general idea so far:

The island is beautiful, the people are great (all of my classmates are friendly and helpful, the profs really know their stuff, seem very approachable, and even make jokes and are very interactive to keep everyone interested in class, and the locals that I have met are so welcoming as well, as long as your treat them with respect which they deserve, as we are their guests here), the workload is a lot, but it is manageable if you study smart, and there is definitely still time to have a little fun in between. I feel happier and healthier than I have been in a while (keeping my brain and body active) Next week we have our first block exams, so let’s see if I still feel the same after that. Last year, I heard 80% of the class failed the first anatomy exam (but only 3 failed the course). It takes some time to get used to the questions, whicha re not strait forward at all. Wish me luck!