Pro’s and Con’s of Studying Medicine Abroad

A career in medicine is one of the most popular options in India and as well in foreign countries. Every year, lakhs of students appear for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) in India to get into medical school in the country. 

Nowadays it’s difficult to get a government seat as there are a limited number of seats and in private colleges, it’s much expensive which has left no other option for the aspirants other than to look for medical education in foreign countries. It costs approx. 50 lakh to get into a decent college in India when compared to top MBBS colleges in Ukraine, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Russia, and other foreign countries. 

Pros of studying MBBS abroad are as follows:

Top Class Universities:

Foreign Medical universities provide world-class infrastructure with modern equipment. Most of the universities are recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), National Medical Commission (NMC), and some are listed under the World directory of medical schools. An MBBS degree from such a medical university will be valid in other countries too. 

No Donation:

In foreign medical universities, students only have to pay the admission fees, there is no capitation or donation fee required. Even the admission fee is less when compared with Indian medical colleges. It’s always best to seek help from genuine overseas education consultants, they will guide you and help you with the admission and VISA procedure. 

Use of English language:

Many foreign universities have made English their medium of communication, which has been attracting international students.

International Exposure:

Students will get to meet fellow students from various other countries, backgrounds, cultures, helping them to come out of their comfort zone, and learn to be independent. However it will be difficult at first, but as time passes by students get adjusted to it. 

Advanced Technology:

Most of the foreign medical universities provide standard technology, modern equipment to cater to the needs of the local and foreign students. Medical students gain more exposure through 3D technology, the latest advancement of labs, and others like simulation human models. 

Cons of studying MBBS abroad are as follows:

 Language Barrier:

In some foreign countries where English is not widely spoken, the international students who are not well versed with the local language would face difficulty. Local students will have the upper hand even though the medium of teaching is English. It is important for international students to choose a university whose primary way of communication is English.

Home Food Availability:

One of the major cons to all international students is the availability of homely food. Even though most of the colleges provide the facility to their students with their home country canteens but it is not the same with all the colleges in every country. Adapting gradually to the local food is the best available option.

Entrance Examinations:

Most of the foreign medical colleges do not ask for any entrance examination marks as criteria for the admission process. Admission will be based on the performance in the 12th standard, students with more than 75% in their 12th standard are given preference. But in some universities writing entrance examinations is mandatory without which they do not accept applications. So students need to consider this while selecting the university.

MCI Screening Test:

Writing a qualifying exam after the MBBS course completion is agitating for most Indian students and their parents. Now there is no variation as the licensing exam is made common to all the foreign as well as Indian medical students. Qualifying any licensing exam is not that difficult to achieve if students prepare well. 

Climate:

The extreme climatic conditions are unfavorable for international and Indian students, hence it is difficult to adapt to the climatic conditions. Always try to choose a country with similar tropical climatic conditions. 

Pursuing MBBS in Bangladesh, Ukraine, Russia, or the Philippines in your choice of medical school can impact your future career prospects. Well, there are pros and cons for everything and these pros and cons might help you make your decision a little easier and can help you to understand the conditions properly. If you are still not able to take the right decision, it’s better to seek help from the best abroad education consultants to know which country is best for you to pursue your Medical Education.