That must be somewhere in Baja.

I sympathize with UAG students in regards to the social service issue, as I too have to deal with this issue as. But I also sympathize with the UAG; on the one hand, I’m sure they like nothing more than to resolve this issue, hence, continue to play a role as mayor medical school for international students. On the other hand, the year of social service in medicine is a touchy subject, it’s regarded by the Mexican Gov. as a successful program, and any suggestion of abolishing the requirement could easily be seen as an attack against a great Mexican legislative initiative by a private pro-gringo school.

The truth is that what in effect the Mexican Gov. is doing is placing an ENCUMBRANCE in your diploma for no legitimate reason other than because they can. An encumbrance is a legal term. “It is also a term used by universities to describe limitations placed on a account due to late payment, late registration, or other reasons stated by the institution. An encumbrance can prohibit students from registering, affect the release of their transcripts, or delay the reception of their DIPLOMAS.” Wikipedia

I think the best bet is to encourage the UAG and other Mexican school to persuade the ECFMG to drop the year of social service as a requirement for graduates of Mexican schools, given that the social service plays no teaching role as stated by the Mexican government.

The UAG should also seek support from the AMA on this. The year of internship would be a great way to substitute to the 5 Pathway as internships are regulated by the schools and can be done in the USA.

Another issue that needs to be addressed is safety, the social service assignments as a rule are in very remote rural locations and usually government schools get first pick.

Not to sound too dramatic but some of those folks in the remote villages may become suspicious of a gringo suddenly embedded in their community specially now with the war against drugs.

Vilks,
I would not worry about small towns and gringos. Our clinicals for UAG are in some pretty dicey parts of the second largest city in Mexico. BUT, people are very respectful when they see you in all white. Everyone knows you are a doctor and are there for their benefit.

I remember walking freely in the evening markets during breaks in las oblatos portion of the city. We knocked on doors for house calls and were freely welcomed into peoples homes. We recieved deals from the sellers in the markets too. Later I told a girl from town I was dating about the market and she visibly shook in fear. She was from a nice family and was in Human resources for a national shoe chain. She was amazed that I would be so carefree in that part of town. BUT, we were doctors to all the people their and they respected that.

I imagine it would be even better in small towns. I have driven the length of Mexico form Guad to Texas many times and in every small town people are very nice when we are imagined to be tourists. This goes for every place from small cities to just dusty shanty towns. They are even nicer when they find out that we are studying medicine in UAG.

Relax about your safety. You are in far more danger in a US medical school. All of the teaching school in America serve the most dangerous parts of the cities. When I studied at UPENN Medical school (just a grad student) the guy who was at the research bench next to me was leaving campus at night with his wife and they were beaten with a metal pipe by someone who was just a little nuts (no robbery involved). There was a series of rapes near campus. And, a student felt he was being followed home so he walked into a pizza joint. The guy followed him in asked for his backpack and shot him in the chest. This is in a top ten US medical school.

At Johns Hopkins University there are armed gaurds on every corner and in the middle of every block at the medical campus. Still an esteemed professor was stabbed on the front entrance steps. When I interviewed there it was terrifying and I am from Baltimore City. It is just a dangerous part of town.

Mexicans Love Americans. The may talk bad about America, but they Love Americans. I would only feel leery about working at a clinic on the border at Laredo or Tijuana, because they are used to taking advantage of tourists. But with a white coat I feel safe anywhere in Mexico.

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I would have to agree with karplus on this.

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From one of the speakers during Orientation, "There is nothing wrong with Mexico; it is JUST different"

This is what I would like to do to the "burros" of Megacable....

Yes, perhaps this isn't in general an issue.

I think I can take the award for going to the most number of uncommon places in Mexico. I have talked with thousands of Mexicans, both with and without the "white coat." Only two people were not friendly (and I think both of them were recently deported from the USA).

I have to say that you are overall safer here than almost any US inner city.

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"You do not truly understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother." Albert Einstein

I think a few of the places we go for clinic are a bit dicey...I am more terrified something will happen to my car than to me!! I can honestly say, as funky as some of the areas look to little ole' me, an American gal, I feel I have been respected no matter where I am around clinic. I only had one occasion where someone followed me and 2 other gals while we were walking (we were pretty far from clinic), but he was always on the other side of the road in his car, whistling no less. Aside from thinking that he probably wanted a date with one of us, I never really felt in danger. I think no matter where you are, it's always good to be aware of your surroundings; it's not necessary to be paranoid, but be ready to react quickly if necessary. Things can happen anywhere and I have honestly enjoyed my time here...

glad to have you back posting Dra. M

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From one of the speakers during Orientation, "There is nothing wrong with Mexico; it is JUST different"

This is what I would like to do to the "burros" of Megacable....

Thanks, Ras. I think I feel like acgt...if I can't say anything positive, I try to not say anything at all these days. So, I just try to post if it's something I can defend.