Living in Barbados as a Medical Student
Ross University
Enhance your medical education with a truly unforgettable experience. Barbados provides a unique backdrop for your studies, with opportunities to relax, explore, and connect with a diverse community. Ross Med’s location offers a unique blend of academics, student support, and an island lifestyle.
Student Housing
As a student, you’ll spend 20 months of your Ross Med journey living on the island. The Villages at Coverley will quickly become your home away from home-a secure complex filled with amenities. Learn more about on- and off-campus housing at Ross Med in Barbados.
Admitted Students
Have you been accepted to Ross Med? Congratulations! Take the next steps and be sure to review important information for admitted students, including your checklists, important dates, and student supports.
Campus Facilities & Tour
Our campus at Ross University in Barbados includes a comprehensive medical sciences complex. Enter our interactive tour to see the campus yourself and learn more about our labs and facilities.
Quick Facts About Barbados
Named for the bearded (barbado) fig trees once abundant on the island, Barbados is full of natural beauty, historic architecture, and a vibrant island culture. As a student, you’ll spend one-third of your Ross Med journey living on the island—and your island home will quickly become a familiar and fascinating backdrop to your medical school studies.
History and Traditions
Settled first by Amerindians, then the Portuguese, and finally the English in the 1620s, Barbados gained full independence from Britain in 1966. The local culture is a distinct mixture of English, Scottish, Irish, and African heritages, evident in the island’s creole-inspired cuisine and the traditional music, a combination of Scottish fife and African drum. Most people on the island speak English.
Caves and Cliffs on a Coral Island
Barbados is known for its natural beauty—here, you can visit the cliffs at Bathsheba Beach, go spelunking in Harrison’s Cave, and see macaws and green monkeys at the Barbados Wildlife Reserve. And don’t forget to explore the island’s “seven natural wonders."
City Life
Take a stroll through the white colonial buildings in Bridgetown as you visit the rum shops and sample the street food. Head down to the village of Oistins on Fridays for a fish fry that’s out of this world. And don’t forget to join in the celebrations during the colorful Crop Over Festival.
Island Weather
The average daily temperature on Barbados is about 80˚ F—with cooling, coastal northeast trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean. (In other words, ideal weather for snorkeling, surfing, or just taking a stroll.)
Around The Island
Ross Med offers more than just an MD program. We value work-life balance and offer a vibrant mix of activities and relaxation, from intramural sports to beaches, to hangouts at local restaurants. It's a lifestyle where community and outdoor living thrive, with spaces for collaboration and leisure.
Dining and Food
You’ll have plenty of options when it comes to dining during your time on the island. While you can find many of your favorite brands and foods from home in the local grocery store, you can also grab a bite at local restaurants that serve up mouthwatering creole cuisine and fresh seafood.
Campus Cuisine
On campus, visit the LESC to fuel up at The Coffee Bean or Island Caterer’s Cafeteria—or take a short walk to Starbucks or Sky Mall for coffee, pizza, and Caribbean food.
Local Fare
Explore restaurants featuring both local and international cuisine just steps from your front door in Coverley Square.
Be the Chef
A grocery store located at the Villages of Coverley carries a variety of brands as well as garden-fresh local produce and specialty products, including gluten-free, allergen-friendly, and organic options.
Student Activities at Ross Medical School Barbados
Student activities, clubs, and sports are an important part of student life at Ross University School of Medicine in Barbados. RUSM supports a wide variety of student organizations for students to engage in outside of the classroom, ranging from service to specialty interests. RUSM currently has approximately 40 different student groups for nearly every interest. Learn more about our clubs and organizations and how you can get involved.
Take The Next Step
Request More Information
Learn more about what it’s like to pursue your MD with Ross Med, from the curriculum and campus to island life and more.
See Scholarships & Grants
Apply for scholarships and grants that can help you pay for medical school.
Start Your Application
Ready to apply to Ross University School of Medicine? There are two easy ways to start your application.