Often considered one of the most rewarding and challenging professions, medicine is constantly at the forefront of the mind of an enterprising student.
There are many reasons to study medicine abroad. The quality of a country’s health care is often a primary reason, as is the quality of education. Affordability can be another aspect that motivates you to study abroad. Additionally, competition for jobs can be intense, so applying to courses abroad can be an easier path to graduation.
Studying medicine abroad is a good option for some, but it won’t be the right thing for everyone. It should not be seen as an “easy” option. You will sign up to study a challenging career in another country for (at least) five to six years of your life. You will also have to learn the language of the country in which you will be studying, since, although your studies and exams may be in your native language, you will communicate with patients in their native language.
However, the rewards for studying medicine abroad can be immense, personally and professionally. If you’re considering it, take a closer look at this guide to study medicine abroad.
Why study medicine?
As a vocational area of study, a very high percentage (generally more than 90%) of graduates will go directly to employment. Medical graduates will have a wide range of employment options, including:
- Hospital doctor
- General medicine doctor
- Surgeon
- Psychiatrist
- Pathologist
- Cardiologist
- Clinical radiologist
There are more than 60 specialized areas of medicine, and the degree can be applied to many other functions if you wish. Medical graduates can mix and match those specialties in the way that interests them most, giving the program great variability.
There is also a lot of job satisfaction with medicine, as helping a patient or developing a new treatment can bring you immense joy and the feeling that you are making a difference.
Medicine is often viewed as a difficult career and is therefore widely respected. Furthermore, the work done by medical graduates often requires constant learning as new discoveries are found. Medicine is truly an area of study in which you will work at the forefront of knowledge.
Deciding on medicine
Studying medicine is a great commitment. A college-level program will typically require five, six, or more years of study, as well as additional training. Getting into medical school will require you to pass tests such as the Casper Test which is an evaluation of your skill in handling a specific situation. This additional training can generally include work experience and securing a job can be challenging.
Most of those who choose medicine will consider becoming a physician within their primary path. That’s why it’s important to recognize what it’s like to be a doctor. A competent doctor will be scientifically educated and a good person. Being a doctor can be very stressful. It often requires long hours of work and sometimes overnight. There will be times when you will not be able to help patients and will have to deliver terrible and painful news to others.
To understand what it takes to study medicine, in addition to becoming a doctor, we recommend that you follow the blogs of medical students, read the case studies of the lives of doctors, and get some medical work experience, no matter how much. small be; perhaps at a local care facility or a home for the elderly.
Make a list of options
Medicine combines health care, science, and support for people. If you lack enthusiasm in one of these areas, or don’t think you can develop the necessary qualities, you might consider a different job. If you like health care, you may want to become a dentist, nurse, or paramedic. If you like science, you can consider research, diagnosis, and treatment recommendation. Those who wish to support people can seek charity or government work.
Think about who you are
As with any course, there are qualities that you will develop while studying medicine. Although it definitely helps if you have the following characteristics:
- Strong academically, especially in science.
- Commitment and perseverance.
- Organization skills
- Skills with people
- Communication skills
- Teamwork
- Leadership
- Stress management
- Enthusiasm to be a learner and teacher
What do you like to do? How do you like to spend your time? What don’t you like and why? Think about what will bring out the best in you and give you the most satisfaction.
Prepare an action plan
If you think you are going to be a good doctor, prioritize what you need to do and set the dates you want to do these things. Tell people about your actions and tell them how they can be encouraging and supportive. Take a structured approach and know that you did everything possible to make a well-informed decision worth spending time.
Most recognized institutions / countries in medicine
As measured by Times Higher Education, the following colleges are best for conducting clinical and health science studies with respect to a medical degree.
- Oxford University – United Kingdom
- Cambridge University – United Kingdom
- Harvard University – United States
- Imperial College London – United Kingdom
- Stanford University – United States
- Johns Hopkins University – United States
- University of California, Berkeley – United States
- Columbia University – United States
- The University of Melbourne – Australia
- University of Pennsylvania – United States
As you might expect, the UK and the US dominate the top 20, although the rest of North America, Europe and Asia are well represented in the top 100.
Apply to a medicine course abroad
The study of medicine varies greatly around the world. In the United States, medicine is studied in graduate school after completing a college degree that is not directly related to medicine. In other places, such as the UK, students can enroll in undergraduate clinical degrees.
Wherever you study, almost all clinical programs span a good number of years, longer than non-clinical courses.
When you have decided which country (or continent) you want to study in, you should research the medical schools within that area. Medical schools and degrees are not as numerous as typical colleges, limiting the number of options, but also making it easier to decide which one to apply to.
Then you need to check the entry requirements and fees, see what others are saying about the experience at their preferred institutions. If possible, visit your city of choice to see if you would like to live there for six years or more.
For those who are interested in the medicine courses provided by the institutions in Australia, New Zealand or Singapore, it is strongly recommended to completing the application via Course Application. It will guide you to accomplish the whole process.
This is the full guide to study medicine abroad. Is it helpful for you?
