Questions for Students who are Considering Attending an International Medical School
Adapted from Suzette Combs

International medical schools that are open to Americans are usually very expensive and are uneven in quality. Careful study and thought should be done before application is made to any international medical school. Below is a series of questions are listed which should be considered if you are planning to apply to an international medical school. These are not “yes or no” questions. As you answer them, use specific, relevant personal experiences to illustrate your answers. Even if you have no experiences that are an exact match, think of experiences that may have allowed you to develop transferable skills. This is the time to be perfectly honest with yourself.

  • Will your financial situation support the necessary monetary investment? Do you understand the financial consequences of not finishing the program?
  • Are you well versed in communication with faculty through meetings and email?
  • Do you have significant experience functioning outside of your physical, emotional, and cultural comfort zone?
  • Are you able to embrace adventure and unexpected events and see them in the larger context of medical training?
  • How important is it to you that everything ALWAYS goes “according to plan?” How do you react when things do not go as planned?
  • How do you deal with obstacles?
  • On a scale of one to ten, how much to you want to be a health care professional?
  • Where to you want to practice medicine?
  • What type of medicine do you plan to practice?
  • Do you require an “American” standard of living in:
    • Housing
    • Food
    • Transportation
    • Entertainment
    • Climate control
    • Creature comforts
    • Communication
  • Have you investigated several schools?
  • Have you spoken with current students and graduates of the schools you are investigating?
  • Do you have a realistic concept of the rigor of medical training, the additional challenge of studying in another country and the willingness to get help if you need it?
  • How have you investigated other career choices?
  • How extensively have you traveled?
  • Do you possess adequate and positive experiences interacting with people who differ from you academically, philosophically, culturally, and/or socioeconomically?
  • Are you in relatively good health?
  • Do you have the maturity to accept sole responsibility for the completion of your medical education and the actualization of your career goals?
  • Will your family and friends support your decision to attend an international medical school?
  • Are you prepared to spend a significant period of time (for months at a time) away from your family and friends? Are your family and friends prepared for this as well?
  • Have you ever dealt with a major issue without the physical presence of close family or friends?
  • Will your motivation, tenacity; academic ability and work ethic sustain this endeavor?
  • Is it possible to visit the school before you make a decision?
  • WHAT DOES YOUR ADVISOR THINK?

 

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