How realistic is it to go to med school overseas?

[sc4s2cg]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I am a US citizen, but lived in Europe for the first eight years of my life.

Does anyone know if I would be qualified for a discounted (or free) med school education in Europe? And if I do go to school there, would I be considered a doctor by the US?

 

[UnclePhil]

I wasn't aware that European medical schools were free. I have my doubts that they are, and if they are not free for Europeans, I don't see why they would be free for you. Believe it or not, it does take money and resources to train physicians.

And you might be recognized as a "doctor" here in the USA, but you won't actually have the rights to practice medicine unless you do residency training here, which international graduates seem to have some trouble securing.

Long story short, you can do it, but you are taking a huge gamble with your future career prospects.

 

[NickNaylor]

If you want to practice in the US, you would be much better off doing medical school in the US. Sure it's possible to train in one place and practice in another, but the process could range from being a slight inconvenience to a horrific headache.

The cost to you is probably contingent on your immigration status. I doubt they're giving non-citizens free or even discounted medical education. Hell, in at least some countries citizens have to pay tuition (though it's much cheaper compared to the US).

 

[sc4s2cg]

My main reason for considering this option is basically the daunting cost of med school in the US. That, and I am not entirely sure whether I will be practicing in the US. Currently I'm thinking of practicing either Europe or South Africa, but obviously these ideas may change over the course of the next 6+ years.

I know that schools in Europe are a lot cheaper (government subsidized), even for international students. Since I have extended family living in Europe (Grandmothers, Uncles, Aunts, etc.) and my father is still considered a citizen in Hungary, I'm hoping that the subsidies would apply to me. I'm having trouble finding information online though. So far I found out that (like NickNaylor said) getting into residency in the US is difficult for international students.

 

[Sephiroth]

My main reason for considering this option is basically the daunting cost of med school in the US. That, and I am not entirely sure whether I will be practicing in the US. Currently I'm thinking of practicing either Europe or South Africa, but obviously these ideas may change over the course of the next 6+ years.

I know that schools in Europe are a lot cheaper (government subsidized), even for international students. Since I have extended family living in Europe (Grandmothers, Uncles, Aunts, etc.) and my father is still considered a citizen in Hungary, I'm hoping that the subsidies would apply to me. I'm having trouble finding information online though. So far I found out that (like NickNaylor said) getting into residency in the US is difficult for international students.

Well if your dad is a citizen of Hungary, you should be able to claim citizenship as well (thoug hyou should look into it more). Hungary is part of the EU, so you'd have a lot more options then in regard to medical education in Europe. I actually know someone who is a Dutch citizen in med school there (on a semester abroad in the US right now). I'll let you know if I can find out anything next time I talk to her.