IGCSE/GCSE/O & A Level/IB/University Student Forum
Teachers and Students => Careers advice => Topic started by: Banana on July 03, 2011, 06:33:04 am
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As most of SF memebers are either doing IGz, AS or A level, many of you may be on the point of making a career choice.
In case your choice is Medicine, could you please say which country is the best to study in according to you or teachers, family....?
And do you have to apply to every med school out there?? (Competition is Really hard these days)
This could be great advice for all the Future Med ppl.... :D
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My choice is not medicine, but since my father is a doctor and I know many doctors/medical students/class fellows aiming to be doctors, I can comment on it. I don't know about the whole world ::) But I'm fairly certain that between the subcontinent and most first world countries (US, UK and Australia to be fair), you have a better choice in the subcontinent. You want to know why? There are quite a few reasons:
1. Cheaper education. Most government-owned universities have nominal fee which can be paid by almost anyone. Even private institutions are quite accessible. When you look at universities abroad, however, the cost hits the roof.
2. Some of the excellent doctors around are available. I know you would disagree, since obviously the general quality of education abroad is better, but when it comes to medicine subcontinent is definitely in the league. There's a simple equation: Indian/Pakistan doctors see almost ten-fold more patients than a first world any day. He experiences diagnosing and dealing with a huge variety of illnesses, from cholera to AIDS, while abroad there are much scarcer cases of these illnesses because of better health facilities and a smaller population. You are hence, interacting with people who have greater experience with patients than a doctor abroad.
3. For the same reason, you are able to interact better with your patients throughout your MBBS program and house job. You learn a lot more about the subject.
4. Although you haven't asked about jobs, but there are more job opportunities in the subcontinent and you have greater job security. Most of the laws abroad are rather stringent and a slightest error in treatment can have your medical license revoked. No kidding; I'm not saying there's no security there but it's not as strict in the subcontinental area. This may sound wrong of me, but coming from a rather reckless person who can panic easily, I would prefer working in an environment where there isn't a lawyer and a policeman around me all the time.
If you want to study in the first world countries, I would suggest you specialize after your MBBS degree. Give an USMLE exam and continue your residency and specialization abroad if you like. But for MBBS, I recommend the subcontinent. I can't comment on African/East American/East Asian countries, though. :)
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Medicine courses in UK is the best, but the tution fee is too high. The best choice is to earn a degree from the UK and then come back to the subcontinent for private practice. :)
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Thansk you very much Chingoo and Stylish Executive....that was some good advice :)
@Chingoo:
2. Some of the excellent doctors around are available. I know you would disagree, since obviously the general quality of education abroad is better, but when it comes to medicine subcontinent is definitely in the league. There's a simple equation: Indian/Pakistan doctors see almost ten-fold more patients than a first world any day. He experiences diagnosing and dealing with a huge variety of illnesses, from cholera to AIDS, while abroad there are much scarcer cases of these illnesses because of better health facilities and a smaller population. You are hence, interacting with people who have greater experience with patients than a doctor abroad.
Nope I wholeheartedly agree with you....Docs there are very enthusiastic and well-experienced....some of the the world's most advanced :)
And yes the specialization idea is interesting...but won't it help to have an MBBS degree from the first world countries, forgetting about the experience? I mean wont it be an advantage to you when applying for further education/ jobs?
And USMLE exam applies only for US right? And its after MBBS?
Thanx again for your help :D
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@Chingoo:
Nope I wholeheartedly agree with you....Docs there are very enthusiastic and well-experienced....some of the the world's most advanced :)
And yes the specialization idea is interesting...but won't it help to have an MBBS degree from the first world countries, forgetting about the experience? I mean wont it be an advantage to you when applying for further education/ jobs?
And USMLE exam applies only for US right? And its after MBBS?
Thanx again for your help :D
Nowadays a person with a MBBS degree has no market value, quite frankly :P You have to specialize to have any kind of job opportunity. Firstly, though the scenario is different here in the subcontinent, but abroad if you look at the panel of specialists of most hospitals, it is not just Americans and Europeans, but a large number of Indians and Pakistanis occupy the upper rank of doctors. They almost always have finished their MBBS in India/Pakistan and specialized either in their home country or abroad, and despite that 'disadvantage' they have reached the top. Essentially if you specialize abroad you get the 'stamp' that 'yeh larka/larki baar nu parh kay aae nay' ::) So you have little harm in studying your MBBS in the subcontinent, but more benefits. ^^ As for further education, as long as you pass the requirements and entry tests of the university, an Indian/American MBBS will not be a hindrance or ease.
As for your other two questions: yes, USMLE is only for US and it is taken after MBBS.
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I completely agree with Chingoo..''yaar, tumhe doctor banna chahiye" :P, I can bet half of the people going after the course wouldn't understand half as much as you do :D
InshaAllah I'll be studying MBBS in Bangladesh. And no regrets, as a matter of fact, I take this in my stride. And she's right, the course has a really high standard in the government colleges back there. And, I believe, if you're good, nothing can stop you from being good.
Its not like I am recommending Bangladesh here. All I am saying is, spending so much of money on just a bachelor's course really seems more than its worth it. The only area where I see the first world countries have an advantage is their way of the course, they have better labs, much more opportunities for dissection and stuff, might have a couple of research centers...blah blah. When it comes down to skills, you will find that its US who have an advantage over them, for the same reasons Chingoo's mentioned.
Its funny isn't it, we should be feeling sad that we have so many diseased peeps back home, but from our discussion, it makes that seem like a benefit :D ::) JK :P
Chingoo- my talented friend, what are you planning to study? ;)
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I completely agree with Chingoo..''yaar, tumhe doctor banna chahiye" :P, I can bet half of the people going after the course wouldn't understand half as much as you do :D
InshaAllah I'll be studying MBBS in Bangladesh. And no regrets, as a matter of fact, I take this in my stride. And she's right, the course has a really high standard in the government colleges back there. And, I believe, if you're good, nothing can stop you from being good.
Its not like I am recommending Bangladesh here. All I am saying is, spending so much of money on just a bachelor's course really seems more than its worth it. The only area where I see the first world countries have an advantage is their way of the course, they have better labs, much more opportunities for dissection and stuff, might have a couple of research centers...blah blah. When it comes down to skills, you will find that its US who have an advantage over them, for the same reasons Chingoo's mentioned.
Its funny isn't it, we should be feeling sad that we have so many diseased peeps back home, but from our discussion, it makes that seem like a benefit :D ::) JK :P
Chingoo- my talented friend, what are you planning to study? ;)
Thanks for the compliment. But I don't believe in being a follower; I really want to be a neurological surgeon, but since I know in practicality it won't suit my lifestyle and life's approach, I'm not going for MBBS. So I'll be a trendsetter and do something different. :P
Haha XD Yeah, we sound really hopelessly inhuman ::) The good news is that there is actually a lot of potential in the subcontinent. The Indians (by ethnicity, I mean) have some of the highest recorded IQs and our sprawling populations mean that we have a large number of bright people amongst us. If we could avert some of our political, social and cultural problems, we're good to go ;D
I'm planning to study Genetics. =D
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I've had issues with hearts. I am planning to be a cardio-surgeon and teach them a lesson by chopping them up :D...but man, I SOOO HOPE INSHALLAH I GET TO DO A BYPASS SURGERY SOMMEE DAY ::) ;D
Me too, I DON'T BELIEVE in joining the bandwagon, but MBBS is just the thing that I want to do. I pray and hope... :) For myself and you too...;)
Where are you planning to go to study it?
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I've had issues with hearts. I am planning to be a cardio-surgeon and teach them a lesson by chopping them up :D...but man, I SOOO HOPE INSHALLAH I GET TO DO A BYPASS SURGERY SOMMEE DAY ::) ;D
Me too, I DON'T BELIEVE in joining the bandwagon, but MBBS is just the thing that I want to do. I pray and hope... :) For myself and you too...;)
Where are you planning to go to study it?
Insha Allah :P More importantly, you do it right ::) Yep, if it's what you want to do then it's your piece of cake alright =D I'm applying in some local universities: PU, KC and FCC. Let's see where the results direct me.
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I do what?? Are you asking me if I am genuinely hoping that your and my dreams come true?? Okay- its tough for me to answer that...DUH ;D.
If you mean to ask if I am really hoping to be a surgeon, well yeah, I really do, I really hope to become a doc, full of grit, whose job is TO HELP PEOPLE AND NOT TO LOOT THEM ;D I hope to do lots of charity, carry out my job in all those ways which could assist me to ultimately become a truly good Muslim.. :)..NOW that's my final ambition :)
Its the piece of cake, to reach out for which, I am gonna have to work very hard :D
I have a best friend of mine studying in Karachi, she told me about this 'aptitude test' that you all take, and for getting into a uni, some percentage of that as well as the A levels is considered...? You did A Levels, or FSC??
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I do what?? Are you asking me if I am genuinely hoping that your and my dreams come true?? Okay- its tough for me to answer that...DUH ;D.
If you mean to ask if I am really hoping to be a surgeon, well yeah, I really do, I really hope to become a doc, full of grit, whose job is TO HELP PEOPLE AND NOT TO LOOT THEM ;D I hope to do lots of charity, carry out my job in all those ways which could assist me to ultimately become a truly good Muslim.. :)..NOW that's my final ambition :)
Its the piece of cake, to reach out for which, I am gonna have to work very hard :D
I have a best friend of mine studying in Karachi, she told me about this 'aptitude test' that you all take, and for getting into a uni, some percentage of that as well as the A levels is considered...? You did A Levels, or FSC??
xD Well I hope your tall tales are actually going to come true. :P And I meant you do the bypass right ::) Because if you don't...let's not go there ;D
Yes, we have to take NAT test. I did A-Levels; probably its equivalence will be considered.
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I would loveeee to study in pak...But the issue is the security...You know whats going on there nowadays...Everything is like a mess...Education there is really good I believe but 'cause of the politiccal stuff going on everything seems ruined ???
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xD Well I hope your tall tales are actually going to come true. :P And I meant you do the bypass right ::) Because if you don't...let's not go there ;D
Yes, we have to take NAT test. I did A-Levels; probably its equivalence will be considered.
Would you call it ''bohot lamba phekna???'' :P, I'm angry, its not that :P BUT yeah, lets hope they do come true. Ameen Yeah, for anyone hoping to be a cardio-surgeon I'm pretty sure bypass would be an adventure he/she'd LONNNG for ;D
All the best Chingoo! Allah bless you ;)
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Is Medicine better in UK or USA? Opinions?
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Would you call it ''bohot lamba phekna???'' :P, I'm angry, its not that :P BUT yeah, lets hope they do come true. Ameen Yeah, for anyone hoping to be a cardio-surgeon I'm pretty sure bypass would be an adventure he/she'd LONNNG for ;D
All the best Chingoo! Allah bless you ;)
Well insha Allah you'll be successful and will achieve your dreams, no matter how many hurdles come your way =D And thank you ^^
Is Medicine better in UK or USA? Opinions?
Between the two, I'd say the US. It's relatively less expensive than in the UK and due to a greater diversity of patients, students and doctors alike, you can gain a bit more experience in the US than in UK. I can't say I really know about their programs in detail but I do know that the doctors in UK are pretty reckless sometimes. (My sister lives there and keeps us informed xD) But really, you could use a more informed opinion. :P
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Well insha Allah you'll be successful and will achieve your dreams, no matter how many hurdles come your way =D And thank you ^^
Between the two, I'd say the US. It's relatively less expensive than in the UK and due to a greater diversity of patients, students and doctors alike, you can gain a bit more experience in the US than in UK. I can't say I really know about their programs in detail but I do know that the doctors in UK are pretty reckless sometimes. (My sister lives there and keeps us informed xD) But really, you could use a more informed opinion. :P
I don't understand the system in USA actually. I think we must do a bachelor's degree for 3/4 years and then apply for Medical school. Right? ::)
It's quite confusing. :o
OMMGGG. Really?
I thought UK was really great in Medicine. ::) :P
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I don't understand the system in USA actually. I think we must do a bachelor's degree for 3/4 years and then apply for Medical school. Right? ::)
It's quite confusing. :o
OMMGGG. Really?
I thought UK was really great in Medicine. ::) :P
Yes, that's how it goes it seems. Waste of a lifetime :P
It's possible that the programs are good, but the doctors are not. xD
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Yes, that's how it goes it seems. Waste of a lifetime :P
It's possible that the programs are good, but the doctors are not. xD
Lol. :P
Haha! Perhaps. Though better then doing Medicine in UAE. :P
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Lol. :P
Haha! Perhaps. Though better then doing Medicine in UAE. :P
Chan, you might not want to say that here. There are a good number of members in SF studying Medicine in UAE :P...and Gulf Medical College is like awesomeeeee but then studying there is equal to saying- "Daddy, Imma create a well in your pockets :P" ;D
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Chan, you might not want to say that here. There are a good number of members in SF studying Medicine in UAE :P...and Gulf Medical College is like awesomeeeee but then studying there is equal to saying- "Daddy, Imma create a well in your pockets :P" ;D
Haha! Stay where? UAE?
I have heard stuff about GMU being good and stuff! XD
Well in his pocket? LOOOOL :P
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Nah, I am Bengoli-Omani hybrid ::) ;D
There's Kim, Amelia--they're both studying in the UAE!
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Nice! :D
Kim? I don't know her.
I know Amelia studies in UAE. :D
I am stuck here as well. :P
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Brazil. International students have to take the same entrance/admission exams and like national students, does not pay monthly or yearly fees but books, photocopies, transportation, food, etc. Assuming that you apply for public universities. Much like in other parts of the world there are the good, the exceptional and the bad or very bad unis.
For some reason the quality of surgeons, dentists, physiotherapy, etc in here is internationally recognized. I don't know much about the undergraduation programs. I only know that there is an outrangerous number of cases of medical errors, too many medicine colleges that are bad and the highest competition of all courses in overall. I can't discuss about local health care system, that's beyond my knowledge.
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I can't say I really know about their programs in detail but I do know that the doctors in UK are pretty reckless sometimes. (My sister lives there and keeps us informed xD)
Sorry for the interruption but may i know why u think that the docs in the UK r reckless?
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Sorry for the interruption but may i know why u think that the docs in the UK r reckless?
I am not sure but i think I know why :P
Cause usually they arent able to diagnose your problem and it takes them like a week or so just to know what has happened to you ::). Well, after they finally understand your condition they will give you an appointment of 1 month later, yeah it happens :P.
I am not just saying it on my own, my relatives in uk have experienced it ::)
I still believe education there is really good but i do wonder why the doctors turn up like this :-\
But I am sure they are still better than the arab doctors here *no offense* ::), I know some of them are really good but I usually came across the not so good ones. ::)
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^ Depends where they studied Ang3l (the Arab doctors that is ;) )
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WHO (UN) ranking of the world's best health systems:
http://www.photius.com/rankings/healthranks.html
U.S is rated 37th (hehehehe take that ;D), UAE 27th, U.K 18th
Ze french have ze best health system followed by Italy. I don't know how much of a reflection this is of their medical schools....but maybe It could help you make a choice.
Even though U.S has the best medical schools, students come out with thousands of dollars in loans, plus you have to do a 3-4 years of pre med first (bleh, you can only do Med as a second degree, such a drag). One of my dad's friends is an anesthesiologist in the U.S and she has to pay $65,000 per annum in insurance(against lawsuits) to be able to practice cause US patients sue... A LOT....(often for no apparently good reason!!) so a major dent to your income, I can't say how widespread this is among doctors in the U.S though, but it seems reasonable
Plus lawsuits make it very difficult for doctors to practice in the U.S. and push up the cost of health care. The same anesthesiologist told us that some doctors will tell you to get a CT Scan if you come in with just a headache (non-chronic that is) just to be safe from lawsuits.
Anyway, there no denying that the U.S has great schools, so if you have the time, go in, study, and GET OUT lol
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^ Depends where they studied Ang3l (the Arab doctors that is ;) )
Agreed.
@tmisterr: Yeah, you are right. In US medicine is like a 12 years course :o
Even for UK, i think its better to go, just study and then come back!
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I'm thinking of UK for medicine... Completing my A Levels in June 2012. ;)
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What about counties like Russia ??? or somewhere in East Europe ??? :)
Is dat a gud option ??
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What about counties like Russia ??? or somewhere in East Europe ??? :)
Is dat a gud option ??
I would not advise it ;)
If you can't afford European countries, better look for scholarships in Asian countries or even African ones ;)