Actually i can say i have spent the night out on the malecon i have walked through the streets at 3 or 4 in he morning from naco and piantini all the way to la uasd, spent numerous nights on francia with the guys relaxing until odd hours of the morning. I have not experienced what has been claimed, and further more i have been here for so long and have not heard of all these things either. I understand that a person needs to vent their frustrations, but they also need to be considerate about what they say, such slander is unnecessary. The culture shock was a big thing for me....my first day i walked out onto the streets and said to myself, what on gods green earth am i doing here? but i realized i was here for a purpose! People say that others should be allowed to complain. They should be, but this forum is not here for people to complain but to provide useful information to help each other out. If you need to complain for the sake of complaining then find a friend, but if you want to give your input here, do it with a purpose, a genuine purpose to help others, constructive criticism is most welcome.

I am not making fun of anyone or their ability with language. I was asked if they used proper English and I said no and went on to point out their problem areas.
I can tell you from personal experience with Program Directors that if your personal statement letter is not well written and fraught with gramatical errors, the directors will not give it or you a second look. Residents must present at Grand Rounds and also publish papers. The Program Director does not want to be associated with someone who does not present as an educated person.
I am trying to warn individuals that their application letters is the first impression the Program Directors have of them. You want to create the impression you know of what you speak.
And I did not visit 90 countries as a tourist....it was part of my job with USAF. I was a Flight Surgeon and flew air-evac missions all over the world. Hardly a vacation as you would imply.
And finally, you seem to forget that I have been dealing with "new" students for the last 15 years. I can empanthize only too well with their fears, headaches and heartaches. On several occasions I have had students, ill, stay at my apartment because they had no family and were far from home. I am not the unkind, uncaring person you paint me to be. Of course you don't know me but ask my son in law at UCE and he will tell you all about me or question some Unibe students who have had the opportunity to know me.
Finally, I don't attack anyone but I do attack misinformation that abounds on this website and also on the Unibe campus.
I said it before and I shall say again......my purpose is to try and get students to realize their dreams of being a physician. Some will make it.....unfortunately not all.
Now, with your permission I shall drop off this thread for I feel I have contributed as much as I can at this point. Best Wishes in your career field.

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ERNEST C. HOLBROOK, M.D. FACS

Hello all,

It seems to me anyone considering coming to DR to study medicine would benefit from the opinions, views,-warnings,"complaints", etc... of someone already here. This forum appears to be the ideal venue to share experiences, (good, bad and ugly), pointers, issues,etc..... We should try not to stiffle, belittle-or condemn anyone just because their experiences do not mirror ours.

My sister graduated from UCE in June(06)-while in the DR
she was mugged --while my closest friendhas been studying in INTEC for three years now-and has never had a negative experience. I came here knowing these things and that knowledge has served me well. Stuff happens -in DR, NY, PR, etc...

We are all here to become doctors -others have accomplished that goal before us-and others will accomplish that goal after us. Let's stay focused, objective, and try to help each other.

Well said ecmd2b! Life is too short to belittle others, no matter what country they come from. I only hope that people with this kind of attitude never become my doctor! Afterall, there is more to becoming a doctor than the technical aspects.

All countries have bad and good parts, some more than others. Do your research before applying to any school outside of your home country. If you don't like what you see then don't apply.

I don't know if the OP is a "spoiled rich american", but who cares. He is investing money into this school and thus has a right to bring up points about his investment. Good luck

doc070: isnt this ironic? you apparently do know the dangers in DR yet you imply that this is useless info. dont be an egoist, thats the worst character a doctor could have. i want others to know what they will face with before they are actually exposed to it.

sierra: you said "how dare you come to a country as a visitor and proceed to paint it in the worst possible light." do you think i am just exaggerating or making this up?? i did not paint it with the worst possible light, it was like that all along. yes DR is a very pretty country but it isnt a very safe place either.

immunologic: i appreciate your posts. like you said, every person has a different opinion and this is my opinion.

gringostudent: thank you for your posts. unfortunately, some people just like to ignore the truth sometimes.

ernest714: as i said before, i am not writing a thesis paper nor a personal statement letter. im glad you finally answered others questions rather than ignoring them.

ecmd2b: people should listen to others negative experiences. it definetly will serve them well.

Very interesting. Maybe there is still hope for me? What is the website of the entity that administers those exams?

Thanx

P.S. why do you write in such big bold letters?

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================================================== =
Take this soul, strand it in some skin and bones
take this soul. and make it sane, sane

what no man can own..... only God can take
take this heart, take this heart. take this heart

and let it break

all Of The Licensing Procedure Is Done Thru Uasd Including Administering Exams..

macular Degeneration....bold Type Helps With Vision....sorry

__________________
ERNEST C. HOLBROOK, M.D. FACS

sorry to hear that. perhaps promising stuff with stem cells could help in the near future?

__________________
================================================== =
Take this soul, strand it in some skin and bones
take this soul. and make it sane, sane

what no man can own..... only God can take
take this heart, take this heart. take this heart

and let it break

unibe hired ernest asa public relation

No, I Was Hired By Unibe Because I Speak English And Taught The Very First Classes In The English Section In 1995. I Have Nothing To Do With Promotion Or Advertising Department Of Unibe.
Additionally, Most Of Administration Never Heard Of Valuemd And I Have Been Reading It On Invitation Since Its Inception By Three Former Students. I Have Absolutely No Ties, Financial Or Otherwise With Valuemd Nor Do I Have An Obligation To Promote Unibe.
I Happen To Have Quite A Few Years Of Experience And Feel Obliged To Share It With The Students Who Are Intersted In Developing A Medical Career. I Have Been Around The Proverbial Block And Try To Prevent Mistakes That I May Have Made.
I Also Try To Correct Misinformation That Is Bantered About On The Site To Unsuspecting Students.

__________________
ERNEST C. HOLBROOK, M.D. FACS