Thoughts On Studying Outside the US and Canada

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Many students select the route to a medical degree in an international setting. On the surface it appears to be a good alternative to institutions of North America when their grades are not quite up to the test of competition, costs are prohibitive, and even the lure of other countries has its appeal.

However, statistics from the US Medical Licensing Exam, less than 42% of Americans studying abroad pass step 1 of the test, because there are cultural issues. Few will want to discuss the realities, but it is important to know what the social climate is if venturing to any country other than Canada. This was pointed out with a recent article about a school in Sweden: but could have been almost anywhere.

Those familiar with medical research have been given one more mystery to examine as the Karolinska Institute of Sweden, the highly regarded research center and medical school, struggled with an obscurity of another character. It seems one of the applicants who met all the rigorous requirements of admission, was also a convicted felon: a murderer to be exact. The 31 year old completed his pre-medical coursework while incarcerated for shooting an anti-neo Nazi protester. They obviously lacked one standard found in most North American institutions of similar repute: high character or are their moral values determined differently than our?

The issue was resolved when the applicant was rejected based on having falsified his high school academic record (he used a false name).

Believe it or not, there was controversy until the discovery of his secondary school activities. The fact that he had been in prison for a decade carried no weight with the admissions committee; he was said to have paid his debt to society. If ten years is enough payment for taking a life in Sweden, then one can understand why they put so little value on such a man becoming a healer. However, the circumstances of the murder would seem to have been lost in the rhetoric.

This crime was not one of a lover’s rage, accidental or incidental death due to events: he shot a man who protested the neo Nazi movement. The victim was defending the rights of minorities, gays, Jews, Muslims, Gypsies, etc. to live life without some brown belt minded, intellectually challenged bigots trying to rid the planet of them!

There are schools in other countries which cater to Americans, and teach in English. You will, however, need to learn the language in order to communicate and diagnose the locals when beginning hospital clerkships and rounds. Learning about their traditions will go far in garnering respect. The stability of the country should not be taken cavalierly. These days being an American is not a pass that can protect young visitors from a crime pr being accused of one. Before making the decision to study away from the USA, seriously think about your values, those of the host country, whether your culture will be accepted or if it need be suppressed: and is that what you can live with. Know what you’re getting into before deciding on being a guest in another country for four years of your life. For more information on studying abroad, check out this site.