Do you wish to pursue medicine or do you wish to be a doctor? It would be a wow, as it's a profession full of empathy, love and compassion. Now everyone has his why. Some want to provide healthcare services to the poor, and some want to provide medical services in the underserved and rural areas. Some want to earn the respect that comes with the doctor label, while others simply see it as an excellent economic opportunity and a symbol of success. In India, to be a doctor, one must clear the entrance exam need, that is national eligibility come entrance test. It's a single level national exam carried out for medical aspirants, enabling them to seek admissions to medical courses across different medical institutes of the country. Now, some might be thinking that this podcast is about how to clear NEET. Maybe someday I do a podcast for this. But today it's a different topic altogether. In 2023, around 20.87 lakh students appeared for the NEET exam. And they are around 1,593 seats in all the colleges. Now that's put together. So does that mean all those who couldn't clear the exam don't deserve to be a doctor? So many students try to explore their options in studying abroad. So today I'm going to tell you what options must be looked into while deciding to go abroad for studying medicine. So please bring in your pen and paper and know down all the steps. Until then, I shall wait for you. Hello all, I'm Kapilgupta, founder of Study Abroad Academy. I'm on a mission to coach and mentor 100,000 high school students and help them realize their dream of studying in the best universities of the world and build happy careers for themselves. And today I'm going to introduce you to an altogether new template that can actually help you decide for the admission for the right college for the right country to study medicine. And I believe all of you are ready to note it down. So it'll give you important insights while choosing a study abroad destination. So let's get started. If you need to pause the podcast, please do that. Now let's begin with the challenges faced by Indian students while opting for a study abroad destination for medicine. Now they include eligibility criteria because different countries have different eligibility criteria for admission to medical schools, and Indian students need to meet those specific requirements. And navigating through all these criteria and ensuring compliance can be challenging. Then comes entrance examinations. Now many countries require international students, including Indian students, to clear entrance exams specific to their medical schools. For example, the MCAT, that is the medical college admission test, is a commonly required exam in the United States. So preparing for and performing well in these exams can be really demanding. And then come high costs. Yes, studying medicine can be expensive, not only in India, but abroad too, with tuition fees, accommodation, living expenses and travel costs adding up. So Indian students often face financial challenges in affording the high costs associated with studying abroad. So securing scholarships or financial aid can be competitive and limited. Then comes cultural and language barriers. Now adapting to a new country with a different culture and language can be a significant challenge for Indian students. Recognition of qualifications. After completing medical education abroad, Indian students may face challenges when returning to India to practice medicine. The Medical Council of India has specific requirements and guidelines for recognizing foreign medical degrees. Now Indian students need to ensure that their qualifications are recognized and meet the necessary criteria to practice medicine in India. For example, MCI exempts students from only five nations from appearing in this exam, and they are US, Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand. So technically speaking, these countries should be the first choice for any MBBS aspirant. Licensing and residency requirements. Each country has its own licensing and residency requirements for medical practice. Now Indian students may need to go through additional examinations, licensing procedures, or residency programs to practice medicine in the country where they studied. Now these requirements can vary and add complexity to the process. Now coming to several popular destinations that Indian students often consider for studying medicine abroad, and these countries are known for their quality medical education, infrastructure, and opportunities for international students. And some of the favorable destinations for Indian students that all of you would like to know are USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, and Ireland. Now these destinations are just a few examples. And there are other countries that also offer favorable opportunities for Indian students to study medicine abroad. Now several European countries offer relatively affordable medical education to international students. Now it's important to note that the cost of education can vary depending on factors such as university, program, and country. And some of the European countries known for offering relatively cheaper medical education to international students are Germany, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Romania, and Czech Republic. Now these countries will be my second choice if someone is planning to do medicine from foreign universities. And lastly, let's talk about post-Soviet era countries, particularly those in Eastern Europe, like Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, etc. Now they have become a popular destination for Indian students to study medicine due to several reasons. Now one of them, Ukraine, has lost its charm because of this Russia-Ukraine war that's like extending with every passing day. But the several reasons for other countries is affordable tuition fee, recognized degrees, English taught programs, quality education and cultural proximity. I can understand that a low tuition fee is actually a huge attraction for Indian students. But then we must keep it in mind that just by you know naming the country doesn't prove that the quality of education of all the universities there would be good. And that's why it's advisable to consult with education consultants, alumni and professionals in the field to gather more information about specific universities and their medical programs in post-Soviet era countries. Now careful consideration of these factors will help you make an informed decision about whether studying medicine in a post-Soviet era country is worth it for you. And lastly, it's important to thoroughly research the specific universities and programs in all the above countries, as well as the consider factors such as the cost of living, quality of education, language requirements, recognition of qualifications in your home country or desired destination for practice. Additionally, be mindful that there may be additional expenses such as housing, healthcare, and travel that should be factored into the overall cost of studying abroad. And do consider the value of that degree when you plan to return. Did it add so much value to you that you can clear the FMG or NEET next after you return to India? Otherwise, you will not be able to practice in India. Don't just go by the name of the country. Also check the university standing. Contact the MCI website also to get updated information. One must be mindful and do proper research. Don't just get blinded by the lucrative offers of the study abroad consultants. I hope you find this podcast useful. If yes, please subscribe to this podcast on Apple, Spotify, and Google Podcasts to get notified. All my podcasts are around 10 to 15 minutes, so they are short and crisp. And you can also subscribe to my YouTube channel Brainiacs Editech. I would request all of you to please write comments and give feedback. This also helps in our learnings and we get to prepare content that is most required by our viewers and listeners. And if you have any queries, you can also DM me on my Instagram channel, Brainiacs Editech. You can also join my community, Career Advisor Hub, on Facebook and be a part of discussion in QA. Lastly, if anyone has a great query and wishes to be part of my podcast, welcome to most welcome to connect me. And I shall invite you to my podcast. Until the next episode, cheerleaders, but less people smiling.