First Year Spouses - What to Expect

Firstly, Welcome to USUHS…

It’s important to remember that every student and every partner or spouse will have a different experience at USUHS and whatever you feel is normal and ok. Here are just a few thoughts from my experience so far…

For most people, whether new to the military or not, starting medical school and moving to a new city will be a big life change. However there are some major advantages to studying medicine at USUHS rather than other medical schools… for one, the salary! OK it’s not going to make you rich but it is pretty amazing to be paid to study to have a basic housing allowance and living expenses covered, and to finish medical school debt free! ( For my husband and I it was a life saver. I moved to DC from Ireland and was waiting for my visa so I couldn’t work here, but him being paid meant that I could stay here with him instead of having to stay in Ireland and work for the year! So we are very grateful for this.)

As well as the salary, free medical care from Tricare for student and dependents is great! Also prescriptions are filled for free. The USUHS Family Health Clinic on base is convenient and the staff are very efficient. Dental costs a little extra for dependents but it’s worth it. There is a great gym on base with an Olympic size pool and lots of classes - and the best bit is it’s free! So no excuses guys! Other advantages are the military and student discounts! Look out for a full feature on these discounts in later blogs. Movie theaters and restaurants often offer discounts, so don’t forget to ask wherever you go! The movies at Montgomery Mall offer free entry with your military ID and lots of retail shops eg: footlocker, pottery barn also offer discount. And don’t forget shopping on the bases at the Commissary and the Exchange and gas stations are tax free.

You may need to make some adjustments in your routines in order to accommodate the busy schedule your student will have. First year is demanding on them physically and emotionally. There are long hours - the early mornings were the hardest for me. But I know lots of people like getting up and at it with the sunrise so maybe it’s not so bad. The students will have regular exams - it works out about a week of exams every 4 weeks or so, be prepared to have some times when you won’t see much of your student! There may be times of stress and anxiety for the student because of school or for you because you feel a bit neglected or isolated but remember to keep talking to each other - keep the lines of communication open and make time for your relationship even if it’s just getting a coffee at Starbucks or going for a walk. We made a deal that my husband would try to keep one weekend day free so that I could plan something fun and go somewhere - (there are tones of fun things to do in DC and the surroundings for free!). Honestly it didn’t always work out, sometimes - especially weekends before exams - our date day would have to be postponed, but I probably got 2-3 a month which isn’t bad! I think as long as you are flexible and tolerant and keep talking to each other - then you can make it work and have your needs met.

Students sometimes find it difficult to adjust to the workload and the expectations on them. For example, they are usually used to being the top of their class in whatever their previous studies were and now they are in a class full of exceptional people. However the school is very supportive of it’s students (because it has such high standards for entry) and will do whatever it takes to support them to get through their education.

Don’t forget the Student Spouses Club! It’s a wonderful resource for you because it gives you instant access to friends and other people who understand what is going on for you.

So in conclusion, it’s going to be a year of highs and lows and BIG change for you and your partner but hopefully it will also be a really positive experience. Just remember that you are not alone and there is always somebody else feeling similar things to you, so get involved and make the most of your USUHS experience.

Written by: Emma Matthews