THE CARIBBEAN ISLANDS There are 13 sovereign states and 17 dependent territories in the Caribbean, and the predominant languages are English, Spanish, French, Dutch and Antillean creole. The Caribbean sprawls across more than 1.06 million square miles and is primarily located between North America and South America. The Caribbean islands are located in the region of the Caribbean Sea. The Caribbean Sea region is located southeast of the Gulf of Mexico and the North American mainland, east of Central America, north of South America and West of the Atlantic Ocean. The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands, considered as the Lucayan Archipelago and do not border the Caribbean Sea, they are technically part of the West Indies but not the Caribbean. The mainland countries of Belize, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana are often included as Caribbean Islands due to their political and cultural ties with the region. The Caribbean Culture Modern Caribbean culture has been heavily influenced by the culture and traditions of Europe, along with hints of African culture and others that have come to the islands through immigrant populations. These various waves of migration have formed a truly unique blend of cuisines, music, art, customs and traditions in the region. One of the most recognizable aspects of Caribbean culture is the region's music. Although they have roots in both European and African culture, the sounds of reggae, meringue, calypso, rumba and zouk music are distinctly Caribbean. Although the Caribbean islands share aspects of a common culture, each nation offers something unique and distinct to visitors. For stunning scenery and luxury resorts, they head to the Cayman Islands. St. Kitts and Nevis attract with their seclusion and lively music festivals, the unique flair of Barbados combines horse races by day and calypso dancing at night, and the US Virgin Islands draw visitors with their plantation tours and unspoiled beaches. The Caribbean Lifestyle Nature enthusiasts can explore the botanical gardens underwater limestone caves and offshore reefs of the Bahamas, then gamble at twinkling casinos and delve into pirate lore without ever leaving the islands. In St. Lucia, they can unwind on an isolated beach, then indulge their adrenaline by zip-lining through a rainforest or climbing the Pitons. These are just some of the many unique experiences visitors can have while exploring the islands.

The Caribbean presently acts as a Medical Education Catalyzer and Facilitator on a largely global scale, and is becoming an increasing choice for all overseas medical students. Let us analyze the reasons briefly below : AN OPPORTUNITY OPEN TO ALL: Students who are implicitly willing to become serious Medical Professionals in their lives with dignified Specializations of their choice, but are however not able to find a place or win a potluck in intense merit lists, who are lost midst a huge throng of applicants and pursuers, have now got this opportunity, and a platform to unleash their best potential without confronting any further challenge FLEXIBLE ADMISSIONS: The admissions in the Caribbean Universities take place thrice a year. Therefore, students don’t have to following stringent timelines in order to enroll in a particular year, and can also enroll immediate after their UG program LICENSURE A school listed with the World Health Organization (WHO) or the International Medical Education Directory (IMED) still may not qualify for licensure in the United States. What really matters is state approval. The Caribbean medical schools like American University of the Caribbean, Ross University, Saba University, St. George’s University and the University of the West Indies, are approved by all fifty states in the United States. COST OF STUDY Studying in the Caribbean schools reduces the education costs in multifold as compared to USA, UK or CANADA, thus enabling students to direct the expenses in other areas like lodging, fooding and other requisites. GET RID OF TIRING ENTRANCE & ENDLESS QUALIFIER TESTS Students are not required to go through the strenuous tests of MCAT, SAT, IELTS / TOEFL Scores which are not required in the Caribbean Schools. Therefore, any student who are not willing to take these tests can freely apply for higher medical education via the Caribbean Schools. A non-biology student may easily apply by only enrolling for an additional pre-medical year STATE SUPPORT The islands of the Caribbean have come together in support of superior high education, with the Association of Caribbean Tertiary Institutions acting as a catalyst for collaboration and cooperation in higher education NO COMPROMISE IN EDUCATION Offshore medical students are teaching students in completely USA pattern keeping total education system exactly same and globally acceptable. They run periodic tests and conduct regular seminars, and clinical rotations to ensure that students are imparted the best quality education. Thus passing out from a Caribbean school, all students are eligible to choose for a FREE PG PROGRAM with lucrative stipend, or for further study and local residency in any of the countries worldwide

MBBS IN THE CARIBBEAN The Caribbean Islands is the new hope for MBBS aspirants in modern times. Due to the endless benefits and advantages mentioned above, thousands of students land in this region to pursue medical courses and establish themselves worldwide Caribbean medical schools can be divided into two categories : Regional and Offshore. While regional schools only provide graduation and residency from their own region, the offshore schools have global accreditions and generally have their curriculum based on US standards. They also allow the students to apply for residency in US or Canada. So the Basic Sciences program is generally completed in the campus while for Post Graduation students get an opportunity for residency and clinical practice in US, Canada or UK. The offshore medical colleges offer an MD degree in the same pattern as the United States. For example, in the Caribbean Medical University students first need to enroll for a Premed program of tri-semesters (14 weeks each), upon completion of which students can directly enroll for the MD program The MD curriculum consists of 10 semesters, out of which 4 semesters of Basic Sciences are taught in the College, and 6 semesters of Clinical Medical Sciences taught at affiliated hospitals or approved training centers in the US, UK or Canada. A USMLE review course is dedicated to review students preparation for USMLE Step 1 exam. It consists of five core system based courses, supported by Kaplan materials and delivered in a classroom environment. Upon completion, students are certified for the Step 1 exam. Upon completion of the first two years of the MD curriculum, i.e 4 semesters students need to take the USMLE STEP 1 Exam before they are eligible to apply for Clinical Clerkship. WINDSOR UNIVERSITY : A BADGE OF PRIDE Having set its goals to IMPROVE, INNOVATE & INSPIRE, Windsor is a name that is becoming increasingly popular among students. It’s main campus is located in St. Kitts, West Indies, now a major location facilitating development, culture and communication, all in one place. Unlike other traditional Universities it majorly focuses on Practice-Based Learning and Improvement (PBLI) and Systems-Based Practice (SBP) to ensure all students have “the ability to investigate and evaluate their patient care practices, appraise and assimilate scientific evidence, and improve their patient care practices”. Its interim and multi-faceted curriculum covers all aspects of medicine and healthcare including Anatomy, Genetics, Biochemistry, Physiology, Microbiology, Immunology, Pharmacology, Bioethics, Preventive Medicine etc. Its accreditations include : Medical Council of Canada

ECFMG

Government of St. Kitts

St. Christopher & Nevis Accreditation Board

Directory of Medical Schools

Medical Council of India Windsor University School of Medicine Housing Department helps students secure the right accommodations to suit each individual’s needs. The University also provides subsidized transportation for all students.

POST GRADUATION IN THE CARIBBEAN & LICENSURE However, after having passed years as student, it is the major turn for students when they need to select their preferred specialization and finally apply for a professionally licensed doctor. Medical Residency offers you the chance for this, and hence become the most critical decision to make. Although by choosing regional medical schools, students get to do their post-graduation in the local hospitals and clinical centers. However OFFSHORE MEDICAL SCHOOLS offer a revolutionary platform to the students In the Caribbean having completed graduation in half the costs, that too with US curriculum, students are now prepared to face the world. But it does not end here, students after an MD degree are offered a FREE POST GRADUATION WITH STIPEND that too from major locations as USA, UK, CANADA, NEW ZEALAND or even any other country. The Average Salary of Residents in USA varies somewhere between $52000 to $62000 a year, depending on the specialization one chooses, and generally includes other benefits like vacation, insurances, leaves, meal allowances, retirement plans, laundry services etc. However, in order to choose your state of Residency and your preferred Specialization, studying hard for the USMLE Examination and cracking the deal at the first go will definitely help. But as students need to know about State Restrictions and other limitations before they apply for any Specialization or Residency, OEG recommends you study the ERAS residency application process and do an extensive research with OEG We are there to guide you on any challenge that comes your way to becoming a successful doctor. All residency programs as part of the application process require: all attended medical schools transcript(s),

a Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE formerly known as the “Dean’s Letter”) from the current school

three letters of recommendation LICENSURE : Licensure to practice medicine in U.S. for Caribbean medical schools graduates is governed by each individual state, and each state has its own specific requirements. In order to better understand the requirements of the state(s) in which students intend to practice, they should contact the state licensing board and request an application for medical licensure. Currently, all U.S. states require a diploma, an ECFMG certificate, and passing scores on USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK and Step 2 CS, and Step 3. Additionally, all states require completion of some residency training, with the number of years varying from state to state. The addresses of all the state licensing boards can be found on the website of the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB.org).

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE IN THE CARIBBEAN: There are huge number of state-funded and few University funded Scholarships & Financial Aids available to students in various Universities, only few of them mentioned below : DR. SRINIVAS GADDAM SCHOLARSHIP : WINDSOR UNIVERSITY In memory of their founder and past president, Dr. Srinivas Gaddam, Windsor University School of Medicine has established an academic scholarship. Those students selected will receive $500 per basic science semester (applied to the tuition). CLINICAL ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP : WINDSOR UNIVERSITY Students are granted USMLE course material without any additional charges for scoring over 230 in STEP 1 USMLE and need to maintain the same in STEP 2 MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL SCHOLARSHIP/ INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP / ORGANIZATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP : Windsor University $500 per basic science semester with maintenance of 3.5 GPA during the program ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIPS : CMU Each semester several tuition scholarships will be awarded to students, who have achieved academic excellence during their study on Curacao. Recipients of these scholarships must also meet the high moral and ethical standards set by the Student Honor Code. The Dean of Premedical Program and the Dean of Basic Science make the final decision on applications for these scholarships. SGA SCHOLARSHIP – CMU One scholarship per semester will be granted to a current or former member of the Student Government Association, who has participated in extracurricular activities, community services or Caribbean Medical University School of Medicine developments. Applicants must have been associated with SGA for at least one full semester.