A medical student who left her program in the UK to continue her studies elsewhere Caribbean She has mentioned that she enjoys the more relaxed tempo of her new lifestyle, which allows her to dedicate her free moments to relaxing at the seaside.
Tamara Leslie, aged 20, had just started her first week of a biomedical science bachelor’s program at the University of Sussex when she decided to search for an alternative route to get her certification more affordably and finish faster.
The recently inaugurated New Anglia University, located in Anguilla—a British Overseas Territory situated east of the British Virgin Islands—offered an ideal program. This curriculum compressed her pre-med studies into just one year followed by a four-year track for her medical degree.
She was set for a three-year undergraduate program in pre-medicine at Sussex, succeeded by an additional five years of medical studies.
“She shared that her application was submitted to the university and she received acceptance on the very same day,” The i Paper “I quit my studies in the UK and relocated here in January. I felt prepared for this move. I understood it could turn out to be a wise or foolish decision.”
Leslie, whose dad works as a geriatrician at an NHS A hospital located in East Sussex, grew up moving between Papua New Guinea and the UK during childhood, and has resided in Eastbourne for the past three years.
Since she is an international student, she would have had to pay £16,000 annually just for her tuition fees.
Although her parents were willing to cover some of the costs for her studies, she grew resolute in finding a method to complete her education at an accelerated pace.
"It is affiliated with a British university, which means students can undertake their clinical rotations within the United Kingdom and follow the curriculum set by the General Medical Council (GMC)," she explained. "This allows me to pursue my studies here and gain recognition for practice in the UK." Additionally, it comes at a lower cost compared to many institutions; annual tuition fees range between approximately £7,000 and £12,000 per year, varying slightly based on the academic stage.
Leslie mentioned that her quality of life has changed significantly now. Apart from her classes which run from 8 AM to 3 PM, she uses her free time to go to the beach. Since the island’s population is just 15,000, "each beach feels like a personal getaway," as she put it.
As soon as I find some free time, I head over to the pier or beach, particularly during sunset," she mentioned. "Sometimes I bring along a book to read or just enjoy swimming. Snorkeling also sounds appealing. During the afternoon, I usually go for strolls with my roommates. If I have extra moments, I visit the animal shelter to walk dogs that have been confined for long stretches.
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Her housing costs are more affordable as well. In Sussex, the least expensive room she managed to find cost her £492 per month. Now, in Aguilla, she pays $500 (£372) monthly for a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home. "My bedroom is spacious," she mentioned. "I have a king-size bed. Back in Sussex, I would’ve been cramped in a small space."
She is still adapting to the relaxed tempo of island living, where life moves at a more leisurely pace. "It took me three months just to get my bank account set up," she explained. "However, here folks work to enjoy their lives rather than living solely for work, unlike what I experienced in the UK."
The shift in tempo has likewise altered her perspective on things. working in the NHS Like her father, she stated, "If I were to return to work at the NHS today, it would feel extremely daunting." She explained further, "In situations where we lack staff members, each employee ends up handling tasks equivalent to what five individuals used to manage. This isn’t right; one shouldn't get compensated for merely performing the duties meant for a single person."
The individuals who experience the highest levels of stress and pressure are those at the forefront, yet they're giving their best efforts," she noted. "The issue lies within the system." She continued, "Should I find myself in an unsuitable workplace setting, it would diminish my passion for my job.
The only drawback is the steep cost of living. Her initial grocery shopping trip amounted to approximately $100 (£74) for merely 15 products, and she incurred $90 (£66) in shipping expenses when purchasing certain items online.
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“She mentioned that everything needs to be brought in from outside,” she explained. “This makes the cost of daily life fairly steep—more expensive even compared to the United Kingdom. Since this place caters primarily to upscale tourists, many prices here tend to be above average.”
When it was necessary to purchase a vehicle—given the limited public transport options on the island—the least expensive used car she managed to locate cost her $3,500 (£2,600). "However, it made better financial sense to buy a car rather than constantly taking taxis or renting one," she explained.
Fortunately, many of the things she enjoys doing during her free time are cost-free. "I make an effort to enjoy myself without having to spend money. I adore being outdoors, and none of those activities require me to shell out cash."
She hasn't struggled to form friendships as well. "The Anguillian folks are incredibly warm and sociable," she shared. "When residents notice you're an outsider, they tend to be quite interested in your background. I've connected with individuals at church services, during walks to the grocery store, and even when filling up my car with fuel. Everyone follows the custom of greeting each other with 'Good morning' or 'Good afternoon,' which means I'm constantly meeting fresh faces."