SABA or Charles University First Faculty???

[elementalsix]

I am having a difficult time deciding which program I want to attend, because both has its own pros and cons. Both schools are CA approved (where I'm from).

Charles University: I like the location...Prague, Czech Republic
I like the cost., I don't like the time -6 year program

SABA: I like the time , 4 years (2 on island). I like the USMLE curriculum based teaching. I don't like the location...Island, without anybody...isolation.

I have lived in several different countries, and am very adaptable. However, I'm a little uncertain which on could better my chances at getting an Anesthesiology residency?? Any advice???:confused:

[dr_dre]

I am having a difficult time deciding which program I want to attend, because both has its own pros and cons. Both schools are CA approved (where I'm from).

Charles University: I like the location...Prague, Czech Republic
I like the cost., I don't like the time -6 year program

SABA: I like the time , 4 years (2 on island). I like the USMLE curriculum based teaching. I don't like the location...Island, without anybody...isolation.

I have lived in several different countries, and am very adaptable. However, I'm a little uncertain which on could better my chances at getting an Anesthesiology residency?? Any advice???:confused:

You have just answered your question;):

"I like the USMLE curriculum based teaching."

........."I'm a little uncertain which on could better my chances at getting an Anesthesiology residency?? "

Get it?

[thedirtychemist]

Saba is not isolated. You can jump on a plane or ferry to get to St. Maarten and to the other neighboring islands. Don't you have to learn another language to be functional in the czech?

[wolfvgang22]

I agree with the first reply...you want to attend a school that will prepare you the best for the USMLE step 1 if you plan on practicing in the USA. This is what is most important!

I looked into both schools a while back (I am now finishing up basic sciences on Saba.) I decided that Saba was a better choice because it is easier to get clinical rotations in the U.S. than it would be from Prague or other european school. Second, I can be pretty slow - I didn't want to have to deal with learning a language that won't help me much business-wise in the U.S while trying to learn medicine at the same time! If I'm going to learn another language with a U.S. medical career in mind, it will be Spanish (though I would love to learn other languages when I get spare time - looks like I'll be 60 by then).

Also, I was disturbed by allegations of bribery and unprofessionalism in Prague. I don't know if the allegations were ever true, but no one ever seemed to rush to Charle's defense, instead, I got the opposite - more horror stories of corruption on forums and in email conversations with current and former students. I figured my med school career was too important to waste looking at any school that got complaints from people about any improprieties. I have not heard such complaints ever about Saba.
The main complaint I and others have about Saba is that it is a five square mile island with little to do unless you are a diving nut or have deep pockets. I am sure that Prague is more fun in the entertainment department, but then, I'm not here for entertainment. Now that I've been in the caribbean for almost two years I've realized something, also...there are a lot of places that are fun for a vacation of a few weeks, but it's another thing altogether to live somewhere that isn't the good ol' USA (or canada if your canadian), even if it is paradise.

One plus on Charles is that all your clinical rotations would count as ACGME greenbook by specialty and would not limit your licensing in the USA as much as Saba might, such as in tough states like Texas or Virginia that require ACGME greenbook rotations by specialty. However, the Charles program is 6 years...I think Charles might be much cheaper on tuition? Cost of living would probably be about the same at both places, thanks to the weakened dollar.
Good luck!