Student Life
As Quillen medical students, we spend a lot of our time studying, working, and striving to be excellent physicians; however, our students also love to take time to relax and explore Johnson City and the surrounding areas. Our uniquely small class size of 72 students allows us to grow together as a family both in and outside of the classroom, and we learn early on how to find balance between personal and professional life.
Given our excellent location in the heart of East Tennessee, students love to take advantage of the beautiful Appalachian Mountains that surround us. Whether it’s exploring Winged Deer Park, taking a bike ride through the Tweetsie Trail, or hiking up Roan Mountain, many enjoy taking a break from the classroom and soaking in the gorgeous scenery of the Appalachian region.
Student's also take advantage of all the recreational facilities and activites ETSU has to offer. The Basler Center for Physical Activity (CPA) is a popular location for students. Among only a few of the great things the CPA includes are a 19,000 sq ft workout facility, 8 Lane Indoor swimming pool, 4 basketball courts, an indoor running track, yoga studio, and an indoor climbing wall. There is also an outdoor climbing wall and challenge course. Many students also participate in the various intramural sports held throughout the year.
After a long day in the classroom or the clinic, some students like to hang out in downtown Johnson City, relax, and try some local craft beers. The Atlantic Ale House, the Johnson City Brewing Company, and Yee-Haw Brewing Company are definite hotspots. If you want to be adventurous, some Quillen students also make the short drive to Bristol, Tennessee to experience a NASCAR race at the world-famous Bristol Motor Speedway.
Johnson City is a one-hour drive from Asheville, North Carolina. Many of our students take day trips to Asheville to explore local restaurants, attend concerts, or try out some local breweries. Asheville is loaded with nice cafes and coffee shops, so some make the short trip to change up the scenery while they study.
Student’s also enjoy several skiing and snowboarding slopes within an hour’s drive at Beech and Sugar Mountains in North Carolina. Getting away to the beaches of North and South Carolina are less than 6 hours away.
Although students at Quillen love to take initiative and explore on their own, there are also some great events sponsored by the College of Medicine. One of the biggest events of the year, known as the Cadaver Ball, is held in downtown Johnson City to celebrate the first year students’ completion of the Human Anatomy course. In January, another event, known as Back to Books, is held to celebrate the first year students’ completion of their first semester of medical school, as well as to have a little bit of fun before hitting the books for the second semester.
Whether it’s exploring the wonders of Appalachia, experiencing the nightlife of Asheville, or just hanging out and relaxing with your Quillen Family in Johnson City, there are plenty of opportunities for Quillen students to take a break from studying and explore the local region!