You remember last year’s Live from Dominica, don’t you? I grilled Dave about Dominica and got a great perspective about life here as a medical student. But this time? I’m getting the perspective of a spouse.
Katie lives in Dominica with her husband Chris (the medical student) while finishing up her masters program online, has taken on the roll of president in the Ross Spouses Organization, enjoys doing graphic design on the side, blogs at Priceless Adventure, and is an amazing friend to many.
Katie, what is the biggest misconception about being a spouse in Dominica?
It is frustrating when people assume that because I'm a med student's wife living on an island, that my life is a vacation. That couldn't be farther from the truth. The first 8 months I lived in Dominica, the closest grocery store was an hour bus ride away. Even now, I have to walk my groceries home in the blazing sun or pouring rain.
Also, I don't tan at the pool all day. I'm busy doing my own school work, volunteering my time, grocery shopping, cooking meals, buying electricity, and running the other hundred errands that take ten times as long as you think they would because a) I don't have a car and b) everything here happens on "Dominica time." Please don't get me wrong, I love my life here, but it is definitely not a vacation.
If you could give a person, student or spouse, only one piece of advice before moving to the island, what would it be?
Think of this year as a gift. A time where you can meet new people, try new things, and work towards becoming the person you want to be.
What is the hardest thing about living in Dominica? The most rewarding thing?
It's hard when real life happens back in the states, and we are a $1000 flight away. Sometimes it feels like I'm being pulled in two (very opposite) directions: California and Dominica. But the best thing about living here, why my heart loves it, are days like yesterday when everything is right and beautiful.
What do you miss more about America, free refills at restaurants, or cars that have AC (because right now, I’m missing the shit out of both of those things!)?
Totally the cars with AC! Even cars without AC would be a step up from walking or catching a local transport (bus). I will never take having a set of wheels for granted again. Check out the linoleum flooring and sweet wall carpet in this transport.
Would you recommend this experience to everyone? And by “this experience,” I mean the whole package, good and bad, stressful and relaxing, beautiful and the ugly!
Absolutely. Experiences like living in Dominica come once in a lifetime. Getting out of your comfort zone is a great way to grow as a person. Even if you don't have the opportunity to move to a different country, take a small trip somewhere new. This idea reminds me of something I saw by Julian Bialowas on Pinterest recently.
Katie, thank you so much for shedding light on being a spouse in Dominica for those who may be considering the journey. Even for me, it's really refreshing to get a nice dose of positivity. You're awesome!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Nikki! It was a pleasure to write this post and take some time to reflect on the good and bad of life in Dominica as a med student's wife.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
ReplyDeletenicely put katie. i agree with all of it. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the reminder Katie! I may not be a spouse, but I certainly need those reminders that this time in my life and in Dominica is a gift!
ReplyDeleteReally nice post, Katie and so true too! I can't tell you how many people back home think I'm on a 16 month vacation! Not that I'm not grateful to be here and see my husband pursue his dream, but this is teaching me that we never truly appreciate all we have until we have to do with out it.
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