Packing for the Caribbean may sound easy; pack some bathing suits and sunscreen, and that’s all you need, right? Well, packing for MEDICAL SCHOOL in the Caribbean is another challenge.
Why might it be a challenge? Well…
Firstly, Your favorite snacks may or may not be available at the grocery store, and if they are, they may be double or triple the price (peanuts, almonds, any nuts and/or snacks in Antigua were minimum double-triple the price than buying it from Costco in Canada/America). Why is everything so expensive? Because of taxes, importing fees, and customs, remember you will be living on an island.
Secondly, the island receives its shipment once a week. In Antigua, that would be Tuesdays (things may have changed; this was 3 years ago). However, limited produce or groceries would be available if you had to grocery shop on a weekend or Monday. Therefore, you would have to go midweek to get what you hope to meal prep for the week…
Thirdly, if you find something one week, don’t expect to find it again for the rest of the year. Somehow, certain items would appear and disappear on the same day.
Fourthly, electronics, coffee machines, toasters, kettles, and stationery items (basically everything) may be ridiculously expensive, and you are better off bringing them with you. (Especially extra phone or laptop chargers).
Lastly, any face, hair, body, or feminine products. Bring them with you for five months (semesters) worth because chances are they sell them ridiculously expensive, OR they don’t sell the brand you like.
Pro Packing Tip:
Get a suitcase set that fits all in one – large, medium & carry-on.
On the way to the island, fill the big one with space items that could be light, clothing & shoes.
Fill up heavy liquid items such as toiletries in medium size.
And put your books/heavy non-liquid items in your carry-on. Airlines will usually check in your carry-on at the gate, so you won’t have to carry it overhead.
On the way back to Canada or the United States, you will only have to check in one bag because the bags can fit inside one another and repeat again for another semester.
I created a packing list.
Please remember that I brought some of this stuff down over the years and semesters of living there; if I had family or friends visiting, I would also send some stuff to their houses to bring down.
I would suggest contacting your landlord or your housing and seeing what comes with the apartment and what doesn’t. My first apartment didn’t come with much – by the time I left Antigua, I lived somewhere with all these appliances and items. I had double/triple the same items. You also may be able to purchase some items from the student-run Facebook page where students leaving the island will sell items. Also, keep in mind most housings have weekly cleaning services and may provide a dustpan, broom, mop, etc., so really ask what comes with the apartment to avoid over-purchasing.
MEDICAL SCHOOL SUPPLIES
- White coat (ask your school if you need to purchase one or if they provide one)
- Scrubs
- Stethoscope
- Blood pressure cuff
- Reflex hammer
- Tuning fork
- Pen Light
- Clipboard
MEDICAL SCHOOL BOOKS (this may be easier to get off students leaving the island, but some you may or may not want to purchase to annotate yourself)
Check out exactly which resources I used for STEP 1 here.
- First Aid Step 1
- Netter’s Atlas of Human Anatomy
- Moore’s Essential Clinical Anatomy
- BRS Gross Anatomy
- BRS Physiology
- Costanzo Physiology
- Pathoma
- Backpack
- Laptop case
- Notebooks
- Folders
- Binders
- Pens
- More pens
- More pens
- Highlighters
- More highlighters
- Drawing markers
- Whiteboard
- Whiteboard paper on walls
- Whiteboard markers
- Permanent markers
- Paper clips
- Scissors
- Bulletin board/push pins
- Whiteboard calendar
- Planner
- Index cards
- Hole punchers
- Sticky notes
- Tape
- Calculator
- Whiteout
- Stapler
- Flashlight (in case of a power outage)
Electronics
- Phone (make sure your phone is unlocked so you can put a SIM card there)
- Phone charger x2
- Laptop
- Laptop charger x2
- ANKI CONTROLLER (you’ll thank me later)
- USB Drive
- Hard Drive (people may share books/video resources)
- Ipad
- iPad charger x2 (same as iPhone)
- Apple Pencil
- AirPods
- AirPods Pro
- Mouse
- Keyboard
- Laptop stand
- Bluetooth speakers
- Extension cord
- Portable charger
- Wireless router (some places provide internet, but you must bring your router_
- Peanuts
- Almonds
- Chocolate covered espresso
- Awake
- Kind bars
- Kashi bars
- Hi chew
- Protein bars
- Chia seeds
- Protein
Kitchen
- Electric can opener
- Non-electric can opener (in case of a power outage)
- Travel mug x2
- Reusable Water bottles
- Blender
- Toaster
- Kettle
- Nescafe coffee (expensive on the island)
- Ziplock bags
- Aluminum foil
- Plastic wrap
- Two nonstick pots/pans (can be purchased on the island from a student)
- Cooking utensils
- Eating utensils
- Brita water filter (I did this at the beginning and would boil the water first – eventually started buying the 5-gallon water and putting them in this)
- Water jug dispenser
- Water jug pump (some students used this)
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Meal prep containers
Cleaning
- Dish soap
- Hand soap
- Sponges
- Garbage bags
- Paper towels
- Hand sanitizer
- Air fresheners
- Broom & dustpan
- Mop
- Vacuum
Laundry
- Pods (easy to carry and cheaper than buying on the island)
- Dryer sheets
- Bleach
- Sewing kit
- Shout
- Hangers
- Laundry bag or basket
Bedroom
- Bed risers
- Fan (can be purchased off a student on the island)
- Earplugs (the sound of the fans and bugs at night)
- Sleep mask (light will be shining in)
- Pillows (just for comfort’s sake)
- Comforter/blankets
- Bedsheets
- Sponge
- Towels
- Shower curtain + shower mat (contact your landlord before purchasing to see if required)
- Flip flops
- Hand soap
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body soap
- Body cream
- OFF Bug spray
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush
- Dental floss
- Deodorant
- Contacts + contact solution
- Razors + shaving cream
- Lint rollers
- Hair products
- Hairspray
- Oils
- Comb
- Brush
- Hair pins & hair ties
- Hair dryer
- Hair straightener
- Hear curler
- Face products
- Niacinamide
- Sunscreen
- Hyaluronic acid
- Moisturizers
- Makeup
- Makeup brushes
- Foundation
- Makeup wipes
- Tweezers
- Cotton balls
- Q tips
- Cotton pads
- Nail polish/nail machine (getting your nails done on the island could be pricey)
- Nail clippers
- Nail filers
- Retainer + retainer cleaner
- Sunscreen
- Tampons
- Pads
- Yoga mat
- Sliders
- Ab roller
- Bands
- Foam roller
- Jump rope
- Swimming goggles
- If you’re a soccer player – cleats
- If you’re a tennis player – tennis gear
Health
- Vitamins
- Medications
- Tylenol
- Advil
- Cough drops
- Antidiarrheal medicine
- First aid kit
- Band-aids
- Thermometer
- Neosporin or polysporin
Important documentation
KEEP IN A PLASTIC SEALED BAG in case of a flood or emergency.
- Passport
- Drivers License
- Credit & Debit Cards
- Social Security Card/Social Insurance Card
- COVID 19 Vaccination Record
Clothing
- Underwear
- Socks
- Bras
- Pajamas
- Special events attire
- Whitecoat dress
- Formal events at your school: find out about them.
- Everyday/studying attire
- The COMFY
- Leggings
- Jeans
- Shorts
- Casual dresses
- Short sleeve shirts
- Long sleeve shirts
- Sweaters (library and school is Air Conditioned and COLD)
- Workout Clothing
- Leggings
- Shorts
- Sport bras
- Running shoes
- Gym bag
- Hats
- Professional attire
- Blazers
- Dresses
- Skirts
- Dress pants
- Dress shirts
- Weekend attire
- Bathing suits
- Cover-ups
- Going out in dresses, skirts, shirts
- Beach towel
- Purses
- Sunglasses
- Belts
- Shoes
- Sneakers
- Flats
- Flip flops
- Sandals
- Heels
- Umbrella
- Raincoat
Miscellaneous/Entertainment
- Pictures of your loved ones to put around your apartment for the hard days
- Board games
- Card games
- Reading books
- Hobby material – painting, sewing
Enjoy packing for medical school, but know you can find things on the island to purchase from other students for much cheaper than at the grocery stores.