Hi.

Miklos, there are a couple of points that I'd like to respond to in your recent posts.

I'm studying in Bratislava, Slovakia at Comenius University (2nd year) and my husbanad is 3rd year.

1. Slovakia is in Central Europe and we are not able to access Stafford loans.

We are currently working on paperwork for this and then will begin the papers for California approval.

2. The English program at Comenius is not 4 years - it is 6 years. It is a duplicate of the Slovak language program - which is certified by California.

One could argue we recieve higher quality education compared to the slovaks for 2 significant reasons. We get the department heads and experts because they have the English language skills (a fact the Slovaks openly rue). Our class size is small and ratio is perfect for learning subject matter where size matters - ie anatomy.

3. Reasons people leave Hungary. We have 4 Scandanavian girls who transferred from Hungary to Slovakia. Not one of them once mentioned stringent academics as the reason. They liked the academic rigour but not the admin.

Here, as there, if you fail a course, you repeat the year, pay the full tuition to take the one course again. Nice.

4. I don't consider myself or my colleagues foolish for attending this school because it is not California certified. If all things were equal I would have choose Prague because the city is nicer. I think the schools are equivalent and living conditions the same. (I've also lived there).

This school is in Europe, good teaching faculty and facilities, comparatively cheap tuition and close to Vienna for clinical and research options. I will have EU citizenship for myself and kids.

Regardless, my medical education - and all education in fact - works if I make it work. I am working with the school to be certified by California and also to get recognition by the States so we can get loans. Someone must take the initiative to get this work done. It is in my best interest and I will hold the school's hand through the process. We have an interested and sincere man to work with who is wearing too many hats at the school, but we will get it done.

S-