AUC Commencement Ceremony 2010!!

This Saturday, several of my classmates and I in Basic Sciences will be supporting our senior AUC schoolmates by volunteering for the most important ceremony in a medical student’s life, graduation. After 4 strenuous years, these 150 and more students have finally achieved their dream in becoming doctors, and their journeys have only begun. Two years since they left the island to undertake their clinical rotations around the United States and Europe, they finally reunite together again here on this beautiful little island in the Caribbean for the final acknowledgment of their achievements. It was here in St. Maarten where they were presented with the white coat for the first time, and where they received their first taste of med school. As I begin my second year in med school and look forward to the next 3 years ahead of me, I look forward to experiencing the Commencement Ceremony this Saturday, and getting a glimpse at hopefully what is to come for my own future.

Like every year, this year’s Commencement Ceremony is to be held at the ballroom of Sonesta Maho Beach Resort . With the large number of graduates this year, there will be two ceremonies. The first will take place at 9:30am-12pm for graduates with last names A-L, and the second will be at 2:30pm-5pm for students with last names M-Z. It will be streamed live, and you can watch it here at Diary of a Caribbean Med Student or at UStreamTV .

I am looking forward to hearing the speakers, meeting the new graduates. This year’s Commencement Ceremony Keynote Speaker will be Dr. Pedro Greer, M.D. He founded a charity clinic that treats thousands of homeless people in the Miami area. In 2009, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his humanitarianism and his achievements.

Anyone is welcome to watch and congratulations to our new graduates!

What: AUC Commencement Ceremony 2010

Where: Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles

When: 9:30am-12pm (Surname A-L); 2:30pm-5pm (Surnames M-Z)

http://www.ustream.tv/flash/video/7309172

*Update 6/1/2010*

Saturday’s graduation ceremony was an amazing experience. Seeing the graduates walk across the stage and hearing them recite the Physician’s Oath really inspired me. These new doctors were only in my position less than three years prior. The goal of becoming a doctor seems so far away, yet so near. How much will I develop as a person from now that I write this entry to the time I walk across the stage like these graduates? I’m sure the journey will be rough and painful at times and inspiring and even fun at other times. Who knows. But one thing’s certain: whether or not I may change, that day will be a wonderful day.

Congratulations to the new doctors!

Congratulations to the class of 2010!! There are more than 150 graduates this year. This picture shows the new graduates who attended the second session.