Statia

Statia is a beautiful island with a not so beautiful history. The beauty is there if you probe beneath surface. Statia was discovered in 1493 by Christopher Columbus.

The island has changed hands at least 22 times and has had a tumultuous trade, pirate, and weather (hurricane) history. In 1636, near the close of the 80 year war between Holland and Spain, the Dutch took possession and the island is now a part of the Netherlands. During the 17th and 18th century, Statia was a major trading center with some 20,000 inhabitants and thousands of ships calling at her shores. There are fewer than 3,000 now.

But I can't think of a better place to learn medicine at it's core, without the trappings of westernized health care. I'll bet I don't eat a single lunch or get a single pen provided by a drug rep while I'm here...but that wouldn't be a bad thing would it?