East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN

What's better on a snow day than to update your blog?? And what a coincidence that I would take this snow day to talk about the last snow day? So, here goes...

In mid-December, Aaron and I had the privilege to travel to Johnson City, TN to interview with East Tennessee State University's Department of Surgery. We traveled up on a Sunday afternoon and the winter weather was just beginning. By the time we got to the Carnegie Hotel where they were hosting us for the interview, the roads had become very icy and the snow was not letting up. Thankfully, the meet-and-greet resident dinner was in one of the beautiful rooms just off the lobby in the hotel, so traveling to the dinner wasn't too difficult. Many of the interviewees ended up not making it to this interview session because of how hard the traveling became. The dinner was fun, the food was delicious, and the people were incredibly friendly. I paired up with a resident's wife and got the low-down on life in Johnson City. I really appreciated all of her help and words of advice! She and her husband were from Augusta originally, so we immediately had something in common. 

Carnegie Hotel

Aaron in the lobby of the hotel

The next morning, the school had a shuttle pick up the interviewees from the hotel due to the road conditions. That meant I had the Jeep for the day! However, one look at the road, and the car, from our hotel window and I decided against it. So, I put on as many layers as I had, and went on a snowy adventure around the campus. I stayed surprisingly warm trudging though six inches of snow...for about an hour...and then it was back to the hotel! 

We ate at a wonderful BBQ place near the school on the way out of town and then we hit the road before the next line of winter weather came in. The way home was a long process, but slow and steady wins the race! Our best friend was snow plow that we followed for a portion of the way. 

Our best friend the snow plow. Check out the unplowed interstate lane on the left...eekkk!

PROs:

• Johnson City get's snow in the winter! (I know, a silly pro, and one that might not be a pro if I have to start shelving out my drive way...but on the other hand, we have had 3 snowfalls in Augusta since this time last year...maybe that is enough for me). 
• The cost of living is VERY affordable and most residents own houses. 
• About half of the residents are married, and the spouses really encourage each other
• Johnson City sounds like a very family-friendly community
• It's located in the middle of the mountains! Wahoo!! 
• Since the surgical subspecialty services are limited, the general surgery residents acquire a well-rounded surgical education that span further than a typical general surgery residency (includes orthopedics, ENT, ophthalmology, etc)

Until next time...

Love,

Anna :)