St. Louis is a great place to be, and I can honestly say that I haven’t yet wanted to leave. But life happens, the holidays come around, and you’ve got old friends to see. Fortunately, whether it’s a matter of family, friends, or the wanderlust, it could not be much easier to hit the open air. St. Louis’ MetroLink, a rail system which all medical students can ride for free, has stops both at the airport and at the medical school. You’re literally only a couple hundred steps — and a 10-minute train ride — from the classroom to the terminal every day. Lambert Airport isn’t O’Hare or JFK, but it has about 90 gates, meaning you can fly direct to most major metropolitan areas (or with a single connection to many others). A few of my classmates have even taken trips during classes. This seemed unfathomable to me at first, but I’ve realized that medical school is a great time to get out and see the world. You’re in charge of your own learning much of the time and attendance requirements are minimal (and even then, they are flexible). If you’re an independent learner and a traveling soul, the sky’s the limit. Whether you’re looking to head home, to your undergrad campus, or somewhere altogether new, Wash U is a frequent flyer’s dream.
— Bernie M., M1