PaCE and Hope for My Educational Experience

I received an email today that informed me that I have been accepted into the PaCE program at Ross. Essentially this program will provide me with more opportunities to hone my study skills, prepare for exams and work in individual student groups on case-based learning. I am happy that working my butt off in undergrad gave me an edge in the first two years of medical school. Although I am optimistic about the program, I won't know for sure how helpful it is until I get there later this month.
Only 2 weeks until I leave Austin. That will mark the first time in my life that I have attended school away from my hometown...out of state AND out of country. Scary.

Logistics

My job at Planned Parenthood ends on Monday and I'm looking forward to having some time to prepare for my life as a med student on Dominica.

What I have accomplished thus far:

• buying a plane ticket to the island and a return ticket for December back to the States (very comforting to know that I have a way back in a few months)
  
• mailed a deposit for my new apartment at "Lucy Villa" which is about 3 minutes away from campus...the only apartment that was available was on the ground-floor. I was apprehensive about this at first given the flooding situation but from what I have heard these apartments do not flood and rainy season will be mostly ending by the time I arrive. Also I have an agreement with the landlady that she will let me move into an apartment on a higher level as soon as it becomes available *fingers crossed*
  
• mailed my VISA application (compling all the documents and medical records for this took me months so they better not gripe about some minor discrepancy and make me redo it)


• bought the essential school supplies including my brand-spanking-new laptop which should be shipped to my house soon (!)
  

What I have a month to accomplish:

• LOANS (evil but necessary)
  
• class registration


• textbooks


• hurricane gear including but not limited too: a nice rain coat from REI, a headlamp and iodine tablets


• packing all of my necessary possesions


• opening up a new bank account with Citibank (the only bank on the island)