Hey Miklos...

Why I came to Hungary--- because the fees was cheaper and because agents and some acquaintances fed me the high standards of the place. I stayed and grinded through the initial pre-clinical years because I equated the crazy exam systems with a good school only to crash down from my spaceship in the clinicals. I even thought the entrance exams were some thing important and studied my **** off-- scoring wery high % in all the tests there.
Well, my initial reactions were to leave as soon as I landed in Hungary but then decided to give it a shot... finances at the time were limited and I thought there was still hope.

I do not know what you mean by 'complete due diligence'.... if you mean background check on the school, well, it was not well done by me. I relied on these agents and persons initially, all my doubts and questions were dealt with them. I never thought that education could also be a money making industry... especially with these 'old' universities. I was in the wrong place .... and I thought it was too late... but I was mistaken, it is NEVER too late to try and save yourself. My expectations took a real good turn in the first few years itself... I knew where I was but I did nothing to change it then.

I am not on this forum to throw off steam... I did that a long time ago. I am still trying to get somewhere-- I am afraid I cannot give more personal details. I have pretty much accepted MY mistake of coming here, and there are still a lot who come here with exactly the same mindset. I am just trying to warn all those who do come to really sift through the situation here and make a wiser decision. I know there are a lot of desperados-- who couldn't get in anywhere else. But even they have better chances in other places.

If one knows of all the lies here, and the real situation here then they will be better prepared to make a decision. It is not really easy to keep full track before one comes here-- there is so much involved in the move and go somewhere to study-- partly preparations take your mind away and partly one blinds oneself sometimes in the process... one WANTS to see the good in it all, even if it is minimal.

The point is that such an exam system, an 'ancient' syllabus and wasting the students time and energy on some really unimportant stuff is not the solution even the desperados are looking for. So perhaps with a more clear info into ALL the stuff happening exactly as it is here in Hungary, without blowing it out of proportions, others may choose a wiser path. And I was surprised to see students from Semmelweis agreeing with me (so many transferred to Semmelwies because they thought it was 'better'), even some one in Slovakia--- saying its the same in all EE countries. Yet, so many come here year after year... I see them getting more and more burdened with loans, losing years, being ever in the 'transit life' that Hungary is, quitting after all their hard work, setting up small businesses in Hungary because they could do nothing else in the end. It is NOT easy going and guaranteed here, even for mere title seekers.

And allow me to ask you something as well--- are you Hungarian origin?(Miklos?!?) and where are you studying in Hungary?

Ciao
MSH

I am sorry that you got burned. However, I have to point out that you did not complete due diligence. If your story is to help anyone, it is that they should visit the school in person and check everything out.

As above.

Yes, the Hungarian system is full of utter nonsense. But, having heard US students complain about their own basic science curriculum, I'm not sure that this isn't almost universal.

Yep, I've seen plenty of people who failed out. Most of whom, however, either didn't have it together academically or emotionally. The problem is that schools and agents are not honest about their attrition rates.

Yep, but I already graduated. I won't give you more details, because I'm not interested in provoking the powers that be, considering that I have a far longer history about posting critically about Hungarian medical schools. Take a look at some of my posts.

I understand completely... the same reason I do not want to go into further details about myself. As for my questions, you replied "yes"-- to being Hungarian origin? so you took the English course or Hungarian Course? That's all I ask... and think that's not much for anyone to decipher who you are.

Well... Ciao

Take care!

I actually asked Miklos this is another thread. Judging from his name, Hungarian origin; however, his education was in the English language.

Well, thanks for the answer, Zut, what about you? You seem to read these posts about Hungary interestedly...

And Miklos seems to have been around here a long, long time. Wow, starts before he finished... and on.

ciao

Just an American mutt, here. I'm still an undergrad student, just looking into all possible options in the future; I'm leaning towards a non-European school at the present, but I'd like to keep my options open. It sounds like it'd be awesome to study in one of these cities, with all their beauty and history.

However, I realize this is a bit romantic and I have to worry more about the quality of the education than the location, to a certain extent.

okay, good luck to you. It is good that you are first scanning all available info!
As for the romance, yeah, it sounds good about all these cities-- but the school is more important and even the place may not be what it seems... I wouldnt' say no to all European Schools but take care which one...

Ciao
MSH

It is not the quality of education per se that you should be worried about, it the difference in opportunity with a foreign degree. If you have any chances all at getting into a US school, be it allopathic or osteopathic, I think that you would be very well served in pursuing that option.

Agreed. It's not my intention to belittle those who've graduated such programs.

Miklos:

What drove you to pick a Hungarian medical school? Family? Wanted a change in scenery? Straight out of high school? Finances? Didn't feel your stats were where you wanted them? Any of them are legitimate concerns. I'm just curious, because you seem level-headed and unlike the type who would rush into something as risky as uprooting yourself to go to an Eastern European country for medical school without extensive research. Given the premise that you did do extensive research, then, I wonder what factor(s) most heavily swayed you to attend school in Hungary.