All right, I am back with a vengeance.... Not really
I am sorry to all of those who wanted info on Flinders, and ended up getting other stuff. Anti-Americanism is a touchy issue. I am sorry to have brought it up. Before I actually give some more useful info for you gals, and guys who are coming here, I just want to clear some things up.
First of all:
XXXXX Kim
I could not agree with you more. We have much more similarities than differences with the ozzies. And contrary to to what MD1088 says, people here are hooked on American TV, music, etc. Just run down to Marion Shopping center and see what the hottest sellers are in the music shop here. Last Time I checked, EMINEM was at the top. Not my personal preference but hey "different strokes for different folks". By the way I got my hands on some of your typed notes from CVS. They say "prepared lovingly for you by Kim Cox? Good notes.... thanks.
I hope mine are passed along, long after I am gone.
XXXX Also Crepitus said that USMLE prep was fair here, not good. In some aspects I agree, but opinions vary on this and most say that except for physiology, prep is poor. But as I said before, they don't have to have USMLE prep for us since most students are not taking it here. After all, it is an international medical school. By the way USMLE prep matches up poorly with the cardiovascular lock (No arrhythmias, no myopathies, no vascular stuff, just heart, and almost every case had LVH)
XXXXX Sorry treesap, I did not mean to come across as not enjoying it. I am. As I sad before the clinical exposure here is awesome and we definitely would not be getting that in the U.S. this early. But as for diversity, the last time I checked, cultural diversity was not determined by a person's education, and employment background.
XXXXX Crepitus, thanks for the post on the pros and cons regarding when to take the boards.
XXXXXX Now on to some other tips that I thought of recently.
0) First of all, you should all read "BRS Physiology" by Linda Costanzo to get you ready for HH (Human Homeostasis), which is the first 8 week block you will encounter. It will give you all a good background and review for that.
Also, I strongly recommend buying a book called "Clinical Microbiology made ridiculously simple" by Gladwin. It is very expensive here, and almost impossible to get, and only costs $30 in the U.S. It will give you a good base for IMD(Identity, Microbes & Defense) which is the second block.
1) Buy "First Aid for the USMLE- Step 1" immediately and use it as you go along in the course. It will help with mnemonics, and high yield information for the course & USMLE. PLus it will give you a jump start for the USMLE.
2) Don?t bother bringing notebooks or folders with you. They don't use the 8.5 x 11 sheets as you do there. It is called A4 here and will stick out of the top of your folders. Also they don't use the good old fashioned three-hole punch. They use a two-hole punch and unless you want holes up and down the sides of your papers and notes, just buy school supplies here.
-->Yes, these are just minor things, but I know some of you wanted to stock up on folders and things as I did (they are collecting dust now). Pens are okay to bring, they don't write backwards here.

3) If you plan to buy a laptop, don't do it here, electronics are very expensive. Bring it with you. I bought one and brought it, and customs did not ask me a word about it. (No import tax)
4) If you have time and want to review other things, Biochemistry is good since it is covered pretty heavily in the HH block, and never again. Look over the stuff in First Aid as a review. My text of choice for that part of the course was "Biochemistry" by Champe & Harvey. Or BRS is also ok. Just don't buy the recommended text unless someone is selling it at a heavily reduced price. I got no use out of it. But heyy, it does make my bookshelf look nice.
5) Also, get "Pharmacology" by Mycek, Harvey & Champe. You won't get much Pharm here and that book will help with HH and IMD.
6) If you are weak on your Immunology, I recommend Lange's "Microbiology & Immunology" by Levinson & Jawetz. It is important and covered in IMD.
By the way, you can purchase all of these textbooks here, prices are better than U.S, for the most part, except for the book I mentioned above.
7) The Merck Manual is a very good reference book to have, and I always refer to it.
8) I also have Harrison?s Principles of Internal Medicine on CD Rom and will give a copy to anyone who needs it. Just supply me with the blank CD once you get here. And other medical stuff on CD. We can trade if you have anything. But if you don't I will still help anyone out. We are all in this together here.
If there is anything else you all need please let me know. I am sorry for coming across as so negative, but I needed to vent, and thanks to you all for being there to listen. There are lots of benefits to being here as I said before.
Take care all. or as treesap said "Good on You" . That means "Right on" in ozzie'ese
