I am very interested in Charles University Medical School in Prague. They have an english curriculum for international students.

Does anyone have any experience or information about Charles University Medical program? Also, will it be difficult, should I want to practice in the US?

Finally, do 6 year programs allow you to skip the first 2 years, if you have already completed the basic science courses?

Thanks for your help,
Mike

Mike,

All I can tell you is that when I recently asked Pat Park of The Medical Board of California about Charles University, she said that California recognizes the the 6-year Czechoslovakian-language program at Charles University. The California board does NOT recognize the English-language program at Charles University. And Charles University has not applied for recognition of its English-language program.

For advanced credit the best answer should be from the various medical faculties of Charles University. Each faculty has their own admission requirements and what they will accept for advanced credits. I do know that they will give advanced credits.

Email them. They respond fairly quickly.


dt

hey mike...as for returning to the states, it shouldn't be tough. the california application is filled out (saw it myself) but who knows why it hasn't been sent. the foreign students office is a bit disorganized, and this is frustrating me quite a bit right now.

as for skipping the first two years, it isn't going to happen unless you went to a WHO recognized med school. they organize the program a lot different than a US school, and the first two years only have a few classes that undergrad will cover. maybe med chem, maybe biophysics. other than that it is med school curriculum. the 6-year thing basically means that we get summers off, and we do review a bit of the basic chem/physics/bio in year one. other than that, med school starts from day 1. however, if you did attend a med school (not DPM or DC school), you could prob get credit for the classes that you took.

so, if california is important to you, wait for approval. we are fine in NY, and the other states (except NM, which requires CA approval). cali is important to me, so i am expecting the best with the application, but you never know. i took a risk.

if you have any other questions, please post them/

good luck!

Thanks for the information. Sounds like, if I choose Charles University, I should not take the bio, chem, and organic before appying, as they are included in the curriculum?

My wife and I have decided to visit Prague next year in May for two weeks. If my age (35) is not an issue, I plan to schedule a meeting to visit the school. Is the weather typically nice this time of year?

well, if you do take the classes, it can only help you. chem/biochem/molecular tend to be a very difficult group of classes for folks, so the more exposure the better. i would make sure that you have a basic understanding of physics, and a very good understanding of bio and general chem. organic is prob the least important. i would say your priorities before going should be 1. save money if you don't have it, cause worrying about money while in school sucks 2. relax and enjoy yourself before you start and 3. if you have time take some classes to get you primed up for school.

as for may, it is a pretty nice time of year. getting warm and sunny. april can still be cold, may is good, june is great. but lots of tourists in the summer! by the way, age will not be a prob. there is a guy in our 6th year well into his 40's, maybe even 50 by now. lots of us at or over 30 too, at least 6-10. keep in touch via email or this forum, and i will be happy to show you around in may! good luck.

Neil,

Thanks for your offer to show us around We will likely take you up on that.

Biology I&II, Chemistry I&II, and Physics I&II were part of my undergraduate mechanical engineering program, so I have taken them. However, the last class was taken in like '93!

I have signed up for Biology I with lab at a local community college. I am very excited about taking the class. It was fun visiting the school and feeling that youthful college energy all around.

Thanks, Mike

Hi you guys,
I too am interested in finding a good Int'l school. My preference is Europe and where is better than the beautiful city of Prague. But I have some issues with the med school there. Can some of you guys who study there give my your opininos please?
1- Can I get into the 4 yr program?
2- Do they offer clinicals in U.S.? is it guaranteed or random?
3-As I am married with a 1 yr old daughter, can we find a decent place to live there? How much does it cost? (approx figure for rent, food etc.)
4- What is the USMLE and residency placement ration?
thanks

1. there is no 4-year program
2. you can do clinicals in the US, or anywhere in the world, but you must arrange them yourself. you are allowed 12 weeks per year, and there are 3 clinical years, so you can have 36 weeks during the school year (which is october-may). if you want, and you finish your exams you can also do them during summers. more than enough time for you to arrange all you want. if you take and pass the usmle after third year, it is no problem to arrange these.
4. it is cheap (sort-of) and very easy to live here. we have everything that is available in the states. i spend about 20,000 a year to live, including books, travel, tuition, rent, food, everything. we get 18,500 in staffords and i save the rest when i work a bit over summer/x-mas. you can easily live off the 18500 if you are frugal, which i am not.

good luck

Hello,
I would like to know how these schools compare to one other in respect to their english medical program?
I know this is a subjective question, but I would like nielc, dt or anyone else who have insights to the following criteria:
1) Would I be able to practice medicine anywhere in the EU, once the candidates--Czezh Republic and Hungary become EU members next year?
2)If I decide to return to the States, how many States(50) accept or recognize an MD degree from these schools?
3) How do these schools treat foreign students--especially minorities--in regards to helping students to achieve their goals--academics? Let alone, are there any minorities(students) in these programs?
4) How are the rotations for Americans? Do american med students compete with other med students, outside the english med program, for spots(electives)?
5)I am aware the education system is different from the US, however, do the schools offer a kaplan course(s)?
6) What is the best time to visit these schools and who can I contact in setting up a tour(school), asking questions to professors and students?
7) After receiving an MD degree, would I be able to practice medicine in the school's host country--Czezh Rep. or Hungary?
Thanks for your time,
Kjadu

1. you should be able to practice when the countries join the EU. however, you need to contact any country you are interested in for better information, and to find if there are any other restrictions that i am not aware of
2. as of now you can work in 48 states, not including CA and NM. however, the application was recently recieved for CA (and NM) approval, and we hope that approval should be forthcoming...cross your fingers for us!
3. students are all treated equally. there are many asian/indians from england, as well as a lot of folks from scandnavia and the middle east. north americans of any background are the minority here...as for academic help, the profs are always available, but learning is up to you. if you are motivated, and work hard you will be just fine.
4. there is no competition among the students for elective spots, because you set them up yourself. in fact, very few people leave for electives, well over 90% stay here and complete all the clinicals in prague.
5. charles does not have a kaplan course, but they are available to individuals directly through kaplan.
6. best time to visit is prob. in may, as exams have not yet started, the weather is good and all the students you meet will have been here almost a full year. summer is ok, but many profs and students are not around. the begining of the year is a bit hectic, but the weather is also nice. it is cold in the winter, so i would avoid jan-march. exams are in jan and june-aug.
7. after you recieve your degree you are eligible to begin post-grad training (residency) here in czech rep. after residency you can practice medicine here.

hope this helps