Hey, i had been a regular poster on the carribean section of this website for some months now because got admission into one of the carrib schools (WUSM), but had been advised by family in US not to bother going, cos when studying in such areas, its expected you do clinicals in US but unfortunately nigerians and non-us citizens hadly get visas when on the island, so with expensive fees and all its not worth it to study there and just end up doing clinicals on the isalnd.

so with this dilemma, my question is this, is romanian good for medical education, as i have heard some stuffs about the place as to low economy, high standards of living, school corruption and others.....but i am still ready to come as far as the medical education is sound.

Lastly,if i finish in a romanian university like (ORADEA) cos most nigerians are there, would i be able to do residency easily and get license to work anywhere in europe? pls any medical student with real info, about the pros and cons, clinicals and all should please help a brother out
thanks.

__________________
Impossible is Nothing - Mohammed Ali

Romanian are much better tham carribean
bcos it is European Union

and whats the advantage really?

__________________
Impossible is Nothing - Mohammed Ali

Pros.- Its in EU
Cons - Since you are non EU citizen , it not easy for you to get into residency in England. ( The biggest English speaking country in EU)
But , needless to say , atleast for now, Irish government allows license for non Eu citizens graduated from EU countries. But , its not easy to get residency there.


If you are willing, to learn any other European language, it might be easier. Norway being one option. But again, they all will give you less preferance compared to locals. Besides for all these countries you will have to pass the language exam , which I hear are quite hard.
So realistically.... there is not much advantage of an EU degree for a non EU citizen

So , the best option would be to get into residency in US ( considering its an English speaking country)
So , if you want to do residency there, I would suggest you to go to CA recognized schools.

Welcome to the Medical Board of California - Medical Schools Recognized by the Medical Board of California
Check if the Carribean school you applied to is in the list

And BEWARE

Romanian schools native language programs might be recognized. But you need to check if the English language program is recognized. ( Only Hungarian , Polish and Czech schools have recognized English program , as far as I know. )


Finally ... you might want to go and check the school yourself, before you commit for the entire duration of your study. All schools have their pros and cons, and its better to know what you are landing into

Good luck

Hello. This is my first post on this forum and I am posting because a client recently forwarded the link of this post. I'm posting to share some of the experience I've had working with clients from all around the world who use our company's service to enter into medical studies in Argentina and Romania.

When I initially did research on the difference between the English language and Romanian language programs offered by some medical universities in Romania, I found out that:
- the curriculum is identical
- the program structure and courses are the same
- graduates receive the very same certification from the Ministry of Education and Culture
- Qualifying students have to write the same licensure exam after the 6 years
- that the medical board of California is the only organisation that I am aware of which distinguishes between the two language sections. Please correct me if this has since changed.

There are advantages for E.U member state applicants as they will be given preference when returning to their home countries for residency and they will be given preference in other E.U member countries, over an international graduate who is a citizen of a non-E.U country.

I would say approximately half of our clients are from E.U member countries and the rest from all over the world.

In answer to the original poster on this thread..

There are many reasons why we are so enthusiastic about Romania and promoting the opportunity to study there via our network.
- The social and living conditions of the cities where the main universities are located in, are very student friendly.
- High level of academic standards maintained at the established universities
- No entrance exams (except for a university in Bucharest and Cluj) for most of the universities. The Romanian system of acceptance criteria is simple. Everyone is given an opportunity if they are sincere and it is the responsibility of the student to meet the academic challenges that come with medical studies.
- Very affordable. It is possible to self finance studies in Romania without getting entangled into student loans. A graduate without debt has more freedom of choice with their career. In Romania one can realistically budget at under 9 000 Euro per annum including tuition and living expenses.
- International student community. Students from all over the world study at Romanian English medical school programs

Challenges for graduates from Romania
- A graduate will have to go through certain procedures when they return to their home country to practice. For example, South Africans will have to write their countries board exam and do 2 years of community service, which is the equivalent of residency. US and Canadian graduates have to complete USMLE exams before they can get into a residency.
- Inflation and growing living costs in Romania. In 2005 one could live comfortably in a Romanian city for around 300 Euro per month. In 2008 that figure has increased to about 450 Euro a month.
- Language. Although the medical program is in English for the 6 years, students will have to understand and speak Romanian by the the 4th year when clinicals form a large part of the schedule. Students must be able to interact with patients and build their confidence and skills in this important aspect of becoming a medical doctor.

In summary I would say studying medicine in Romania is an attractive opportunity well worth investigating. I suggest that individuals first look within and discover what their real desires are in life. One must have a strong conviction and desire to study medicine. When one has this clarity about what one wants, then it's a matter of accepting the opportunities that life blesses us with. Without this clarity, it is easy to be swayed by the unqualified opinions of others, personal doubts and uncertainties.

Hope this helps. Be well.

Santhan

Possibilities of foreign physicians practising medicine in Finland:

1. A mutual recognised degree in medicine taken abroad and approved by the National Board of Medicolegal Affairs
2. Knowledge of the Finnish or Swedish language
3. Minimum of six months of practical medical training in a Finnish hospital operated by a public body (state, municipality, municipal federation)
4. Three-part examination

3. Offer of a position in a Finnish hospital. All foreign physicians wishing to practise in Finland must find work for themselves and the notice of employment from the hospital should be forwarded to the National Board of Medicolegal Affairs.
4.Practicing medicine or dentistry in Finland is subject to a right to practise issued by the National Authority for Medicolegal Affairs. Professionals may, upon application, be granted a licence to practise and be entered in the Central Register for Health Care Professionals (TERHIKKI).
Practising medicine or dentistry in Finland without a licence may result in a fine or imprisonment.
The licence application is to be made in writing using the prescribed application form and must specify to which profession it pertains. The application is to be dated and signed by the applicant and can be submitted in Finnish, Swedish or English.


The following documents must be included in the application:

• Copy of passport or equivalent
• Degree certificate or diploma inclusive of appendices (list of courses, grades etc.)
• Certificate of registration/ valid right to practise in the home country within the EU
• Certificate confirming that the applicant’s training complies with EU Directive requirements

Application document requirements
The appendices to the application must be officially certified copies of the original documents. Document certification is carried out by notary public and the police. In addition, Finnish, Swedish or English translations of all documents produced by an authorised translator must be provided. The certificate of compliance and the certificate of registration/ valid right to practise must be submitted in original and must not be more than three (3) months old.
The application documents will remain with the National Authority for Medicolegal Affairs.
No copies of the application documents will be made at the National Authority for Medicolegal Affairs.
The decision by the National Authority for Medicolegal Affairs is subject to a charge
The decision by the National Authority for Medicolegal Affairs concerning the right to practise is issued in Finnish or Swedish. The decision is subject to a charge (300 euros).
The decision is sent COD (cash on delivery) within Finland and the Nordic countries. Applicants in other countries are sent an invoice with the number of the bank account into which the payment is to be remitted. If the invoice is paid in a currency other than the euro, the applicant will also be liable for currency exchange, bank transfer and other costs. The applicant is requested to advise the National Authority for Medicolegal Affairs of the payment, after which the decision on the right to practise will be sent to the applicant.
Physicians and dentists must have a sickness insurance number, which may be obtained from the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (KELA) after licensing by the National Authority for Medicolegal Affairs. The sickness insurance number must be written or stamped on prescriptions and other documents. The National Authority for Medicolegal Affairs informs the Social Insurance Institution of licensing, after which the sickness insurance number can be ordered from the Health and Income Security Department of the Social Insurance Institution.