Don't bash Russia

[usifoosemota]

I finished from Rostov state Medical University. While I was still in school, I sat for the USMLE Step 1 and 2 CK and scored 97 and 95 respectively. Mind you, I did not use any Kaplan or USMLE world materials. I believe if I had, I'd have even scored higher. I am currently a resident in one of the top 10 US hospitals in Cleveland. Surprisingly, I had no connections, and got in just on merit. It takes a determined person to succeed in whatever he or she is doing. It is not different in Russia. The only thing that is different is that no one's gonna force you to work hard. However, if you show interest in actually learning, so many doors open for you. You get to do a lot of hands on stuff if you are proactive. Russians have a very strong war and trauma surgery, and if you get to operate side by side with these guys, you'd learn a lot. Set your goals for yourself, and acheive them!

[Banana]

Hey there, thanks for some positive feedback regarding Russian medical schools!

Can you give any insight as to why you may have succeeded where others had trouble?

Also,
What troubles have you encountered in your Russian medical education and with coming back to practice in the states that did NOT have to do with the language barrier?

I understand that a lot of people have trouble because they do not speak the language, and Russia is NOT a place that you can go and expect to get about freely with English.
However, the reason I ask is because I am a Russian immigrant to the US (I came to the US when I was 7 and have not been back to Russia since then), so my Russian is fluent and I would like to go back to do my medical education there, for various reasons. But what I'm trying to gauge is what kind of trouble I may run into when coming back here to practice, which is definitely what I want to do in the end.
Any ideas?

[Mikhail]

My post #100 – just to support your thread )

[susanmathew]

I understand it....

Thanks ......

[PARIS-SOFIA]

Hey there, thanks for some positive feedback regarding Russian medical schools!

Can you give any insight as to why you may have succeeded where others had trouble?

Also,
What troubles have you encountered in your Russian medical education and with coming back to practice in the states that did NOT have to do with the language barrier?

I understand that a lot of people have trouble because they do not speak the language, and Russia is NOT a place that you can go and expect to get about freely with English.
However, the reason I ask is because I am a Russian immigrant to the US (I came to the US when I was 7 and have not been back to Russia since then), so my Russian is fluent and I would like to go back to do my medical education there, for various reasons. But what I'm trying to gauge is what kind of trouble I may run into when coming back here to practice, which is definitely what I want to do in the end.
Any ideas?
Hi.
I actually have a similar situation, difference is I lived in Us only for 3 years - come to country at the age of 19. I am going back to Russia to finish my med school there- I already had 3 years, have 3 more to go. :)
Language won't be a problem for you, but if you haven't been to the country for a while might have a cultural shock:)
No, seriously, it is not all that bad. Yes, the hospitals are not that fancy and hi-tech, but it is getting there. My city - Tomsk- is a very safe place, there a lot of students in the city from all over the country, so it is fun to live in.
Money....well it is mu-u-u-u-uch cheaper. $1500 a semester.
What else?.... Oh, the USMLE should not be that much of a problem if you read the review books on English and do the Q-bank online while in Russia.
That's about it. If you have any Q feel free to ask.:D

[PARIS-SOFIA]

I finished from Rostov state Medical University. While I was still in school, I sat for the USMLE Step 1 and 2 CK and scored 97 and 95 respectively. Mind you, I did not use any Kaplan or USMLE world materials. I believe if I had, I'd have even scored higher. I am currently a resident in one of the top 10 US hospitals in Cleveland. Surprisingly, I had no connections, and got in just on merit. It takes a determined person to succeed in whatever he or she is doing. It is not different in Russia. The only thing that is different is that no one's gonna force you to work hard. However, if you show interest in actually learning, so many doors open for you. You get to do a lot of hands on stuff if you are proactive. Russians have a very strong war and trauma surgery, and if you get to operate side by side with these guys, you'd learn a lot. Set your goals for yourself, and acheive them!

Hi!
Question for you! :D
Where did you take your Steps in Russia or in US? And if in Russia where exactly? What were the difficulties you faced while studying for exams?
I am on my 4th year in SSMU in Tomsk, Russia and planning to take Step1 in 2009.
Thanks much!!

[Roman Khanafiev]

Hi sofiya i am at the same situation like you only at very begining:D
i am trying to figure out where to study ya mojno skazat chainik,
but any way how would you be able to come back to US and be a doctor here if you studeing in russia because i know you not going to b acredited if you have russian degre PLS corect me if i am wrung

[jeniw13]

Hello to all,
I too am in a similar situation to some of you, I am however britsh so its slightly different.
I am planning to attend a russian medical school with the view to practising somewhere else in the world (US/india especially) and would very much appreciate anythoughts from western students studyin g in english medium in russia. I have read all the pros and cons, thought about it a lot and my application is still serious.
It would be fantastic to know of any problems concerning moving back t the US with a russian degree, other than language issues or any other interesting or useful info- pls be in touch

[bpoichan]

jeniw! nice to see you again here

the problem of moving back to the US with a Russian degree would be the same for any UK, France, Germany, china, Japan, India...etc.. medical degree.. and that is:
to get ECFMG accredited.
that is to take the usmle exams..
you llneed to make sure that your med school in Russia is WHO recognized and you ll be eligible to take the USMLE.

ANOTHER VERY IMPORTANT POINT:

if you study in the English medium.. you ll get an english medium medical degree.. and youwont be eligible to take the USMLE.. and therefore no possibility to work in the US.
once again.. the PFU gives you a russian diploma though you may study in english..
this is not given at MMA.. nor RSMU... big big drawback here!

[schan]

I finished from Rostov state Medical University. ... It takes a determined person to succeed in whatever he or she is doing. It is not different in Russia. The only thing that is different is that no one's gonna force you to work hard. However, if you show interest in actually learning, so many doors open for you. You get to do a lot of hands on stuff if you are proactive. Russians have a very strong war and trauma surgery, and if you get to operate side by side with these guys, you'd learn a lot. Set your goals for yourself, and acheive them!

I fully agree. I finished Rostov State Medical Uni in 1997, and I believe I had received as good an education as I would have received in any other country (or better).

I studied in Russian medium, and I believe that you need to study in Russian medium if you really intend to learn anything. Russian is not as hard as many people think. When I went there I didn't even know the cyrillic alphabet. The preparatory faculty in Rostov was great (and it was housed in a modern building that was constructed in the very year that I went there), and the teachers were fantastic.

Yes, you get a lot of opportunities for hands-on - if you are interested. If you are the type who would just passively stand around waiting for information to be transferred to your brain, then Rostov is not the place for you. On the other hand, if you want to learn, and willing to work hard - you can achieve anything.

Chandana