About Poland- couple of words...

[me777]

Hi Guys!

I'm reading this forum from time to time to find out what you think about medical schools in Poland. I'm polish guy who graduated from one of medical school in Poland which has the program in english (sorry, don't want to write which school). Now I'm living in US for a few years , I passed USMLE step1 and 2 not so bad (90') and I think I can say something about education here and in Poland.

Let me say it in this way- medicine was my dream. I always wanted to be a doctor and I had so much enthusiasm before I started my medical school that I can even describe it. I started my medical school and... during these 6 years they killed me enthusiasm. I don't mean that amount of knowledge destroyed it- no. I was pretty good student and all we know that med school is not piece of cake. But the atmosphere in medical school was terrible- nobody was interested to help you and most of professors wasn't interested in teaching us anything.They killed our motivation saying all the time that there is no future for us in our profession.There is a lot of true in this statement- if you go to Poland you will see how many young doctors leave this country.Let me tell you why- I worked for 1 year after my medical school and my salary ..... $300 PER MONTH. No need to say anything more. Besides, there is terrible problem with job market in our profession so many people leave to Germany,UK,US and other.

But about medical school....I know that you are treated much better then "regular" polish student because you pay so much. Hard to belive but this is true. You have much better labs etc. I think most of you don't even know that. I admire your courage when you decide to go to Poland and study. Now, I can see how you live in US and believe me -the difference is SO HUGE that I can even describe. Let's talk about books only. For most people in Poland the cost of the books are huge- for you this will not be a problem. But the QUALITY of american medical books and polish.... nothing to compare. Besides- language is very difficult. English is the piece of cake when compare to polish.
In polish medical school you learn A LOT of stuff which is totally unnecessary- in your future work and in USMLE step1/2 also. And you will have to MEMORIZE it. Nobody will be interested in your practical /clinical skills. The USMLE step2 CS (CSA) will be difficult for you to pass even if english is your first language. And after your medical school you will have to learn a LOT to pass both steps with good scores. I don't want to say that this is impossible but much tougher than for your peers in US.

I can imagine that Europe/ Poland is "exotic" place for someone who has never left US. The culture is MUCH different. Poland is beautiful country....for vacation. If you REALLY want to learn something, watch where you put your money. You will see in this country what does it mean to have A PROBLEM with administration, you will not be able to solve many problems through internet or phone as you used to do it here. You will be waiting for weeks for your transcript, anything. Maybe you meet many "easy" girls, maybe you will have fun but if you want to learn good medicine and know something from practical point of view- think twice.

Sorry for my english- this is my second language.I hope it will help some of you who don't know what they meet. Good luck to all of you.

[memdjj]

i'm sarting lodz in october as 1 year student. do you know what the learning environment is like? will we get complete lecture notes and are they free? are there any classes that ppl do well in w/o buying the books?

what palces should i go to meet other professionals? are the ppl friendly to foriegners? how do foriegner med students make money in poland? are ppl happy or affaid (like in usa) in poland.

medicine is very bad in the usa for gate keepers, especially ob/gyn and other providres who see patients b/c malpractice costs, insurance company downward presure on reimbursements, axillary healthcare professionals are being permitted to do more and more procedures that only physicians could do in the past and b/c many physicians are being forced out of private practice large hospital systems, which has left them out of work. so, future prospects in the usa for making money are't that great either compared to how it used to be.

i would really like to speak to you again.

[me777]

i'm sarting lodz in october as 1 year student. do you know what the learning environment is like? will we get complete lecture notes and are they free? are there any classes that ppl do well in w/o buying the books?

what palces should i go to meet other professionals? are the ppl friendly to foriegners? how do foriegner med students make money in poland? are ppl happy or affaid (like in usa) in poland.

i would really like to speak to you again.

Sorry Buddy, I don't want to write about any particular University- but you can belive me that there are not huge differences between them. In Poland- it REALLY doesn't matter which medical school you graduated- totally different than in US. If you want to come back to US after that it won't be important also. The goal is your diploma. Learning enviroment is pretty similar in all polish medical school and the point is the pressure to memorize things. I don't know if you- as American student who paid so much- will get the notes. It is possible but I don't think so. For sure polish medical student doesn't get it. Thanks to that I have pretty strong right arm muscles :-)
I think people in Poland are very friendly- mainly for Americans. This is probably because many of them have family member or friend in US. And the money which you will leave in the country count also. I try to be honest with you.

"how do foriegner med students make money in poland?"- I think the best opportunity is to work as "native speaker" in some language schools. In Poland most young people speak english. Maybe this is not brilliant english but you will not have problems with communication. Try to give advertisement to the paper that you want to give private lessons- conversations. You can earn about $7-10/ hr in this way.HUGE money in Poland. Many people learn english in Poland. You don't need to pay any tax if you do it privately- in your home. You have to pay tax if you will learn in school.


I don't think that people are afraid in US. But I'm here only a few years- maybe not enough. The biggest problem in Poland is almost 20% unemployment and lack of money->crimes. But the life is about 5x "slower" then in US. Polish doctor works in most cases from 8:00am to 2:00pm. And as you will see in your rotations- most of the time he/she pretends to work. Polish doctor will be dead after one week of work in US. Because of that they have time for families etc. but don't have money. Many of us prefer work very hard but there is NO extra money for it- almost all hospitals are supported by government- which of course is short of money all the time.

Thanks for your info about US work environment. I know this is not easy to practice here and the money for it are much lower than years ago. But in Poland the problem is this matter: you don't know if you should buy your kid the shoes for the winter or pay the rent. Here you think if you can afford BMW or you have to stay with your Honda. Sorry for stupid exemples but they will give you the feeling.

All the best.

[coulter]

It can be that after you are there for a time, the idea of transferring to another school in which english is the native tongue and passing US boards the ruling thought in coursework comes to you. should you need ideas or assistance about schools willing to accept transfer students, pm me and let's talk.

[Miklos]

It can be that after you are there for a time, the idea of transferring to another school in which english is the native tongue and passing US boards the ruling thought in coursework comes to you. should you need ideas or assistance about schools willing to accept transfer students, pm me and let's talk.

It looks to me like you are trolling for students...

How about disclosing your agenda (and affiliation)?

[gvanderv]

It can be that after you are there for a time, the idea of transferring to another school in which english is the native tongue and passing US boards the ruling thought in coursework comes to you. should you need ideas or assistance about schools willing to accept transfer students, pm me and let's talk.

It looks to me like you are trolling for students...

How about disclosing your agenda (and affiliation)?

Looks like a St. Martinus person:

http://www.valuemd.com/sutra131843.html&highlight=#131843

[coulter]

I am an interested in those students who are having difficulty, for whatever reason, and are facing possible decisions about their future. you may not be in that position, but others may be and it could be that they can use information to their benefit. it is their future, and choices are always better than no choices. feel free to pm me should you like clarification. There are a number of schools willing to take transfers, but changes are never easy and information is not either. Suggestions anybody about how to go about this? azskeptic is a credible source of information. Can be I'm new to the forum but have a good heart! Sometimes just talking to someone is helpful. a troll or trolling is not what this is about...or is it for any interested parties?

[Miklos]

I am an interested in those students who are having difficulty, for whatever reason, and are facing possible decisions about their future. you may not be in that position, but others may be and it could be that they can use information to their benefit. it is their future, and choices are always better than no choices. feel free to pm me should you like clarification. There are a number of schools willing to take transfers, but changes are never easy and information is not either. Suggestions anybody about how to go about this? azskeptic is a credible source of information. Can be I'm new to the forum but have a good heart! Sometimes just talking to someone is helpful. a troll or trolling is not what this is about...or is it for any interested parties?

Why don't you simply post a clarification?

[azskeptic]

I am an interested in those students who are having difficulty, for whatever reason, and are facing possible decisions about their future. you may not be in that position, but others may be and it could be that they can use information to their benefit. it is their future, and choices are always better than no choices. feel free to pm me should you like clarification. There are a number of schools willing to take transfers, but changes are never easy and information is not either. Suggestions anybody about how to go about this? azskeptic is a credible source of information. Can be I'm new to the forum but have a good heart! Sometimes just talking to someone is helpful. a troll or trolling is not what this is about...or is it for any interested parties?

Dr. Coulter is asking a good question. What is acceptable marketing of a school on these forums? Basically she appears to be volunteering to help students find a school.

[Miklos]

Dr. Coulter is asking a good question. What is acceptable marketing of a school on these forums? Basically she appears to be volunteering to help students find a school.

IMO, that's fine as long as one discloses his/her agenda and financial interests.