Prospect forInternational student studying in OZ to continue specialist training

[adrianus]

Hi,

I am an international student planning to do MBBS in Uni Sydney.

I heard that the government informs medical schools that internship positions for international students are getting more and more difficult.

If I graduate with MBBS from australia, and do my internship elsewhere (e.g. Singapore)- how feasible it is to go back to Australia and undertake specialist training there?

Thank you!

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[redshifteffect]

As far as I know Internship is recognised from Singapore, Malaysia and NZ so that won't be a problem.

Your only problem will be the fact that if you spend time in Singapore you will be losing connections in Australia, which is probably more important then where you did your internship.

The other thing to keep in mind, is have you finished your compulsory military service? If you have to take time off between Internship and Specialist training this could look bad on your CV.

 

[adrianus]

Your only problem will be the fact that if you spend time in Singapore you will be losing connections in Australia, which is probably more important then where you did your internship.

Hi redshifteffect,

Thanks for your info!

Does it mean that connections are important in securing good specialist training position in Australia? What determines our prospect to get good specialist training in Australia, especially for international students?

Btw, I stay in Singapore but my citizenship in passport is Indonesian, so I am not bonded for national service.

Thanks for your info!

 

[redshifteffect]

Hi redshifteffect,

Thanks for your info!

Does it mean that connections are important in securing good specialist training position in Australia? What determines our prospect to get good specialist training in Australia, especially for international students?

Btw, I stay in Singapore but my citizenship in passport is Indonesian, so I am not bonded for national service.

Thanks for your info!

No worries.

Living in Singapore I'm pretty sure you'd have a good handle on how the system would work in Australia. Singapore is very competitive and knowing people makes all the difference - Australia is not as competitive but the system is set up in a similar way.

Everyone has a different opinion on what gets you a "good" training program, and to be honest it really depends on which program you apply for. It's a lot different then in the US/Canada where they can rank you on your marks in medical school and your USMLE marks. In Australia there are no marks in the clinical years for a lot of medical schools and no standardised exams for final year medical students. So realistically all they can judge you on is your CV, any research you have done, any experience you may have (most like all rounders so it doesn't have to be in your field), your references and finally an interview. Being able to "drop" in a few names they may know (like I worked with Prof. so and so) even if they aren't one of your references certainly helps a lot. If you can get that person as a reference that's even better.

Overall I find the system a lot easier to manouver around in compared with the North American one. If you're not as good as making connections though it might not be easy for you.

Best of luck.

 

[Daemos]

How do you get to work with professors? Do you ask, if you could do research with them?

 

[redshifteffect]

How do you get to work with professors? Do you ask, if you could do research with them?

There are plenty of ways, but it depends on how your school is set up and the professors themselves.

You could always send them an email and ask if there is any research available (for you to assist with) - most would be happy to oblige...I was lucky because I was able to get paid for it, so I essentially killed two birds with one stone.

You could also spend your summer holidays being clinically attached to them, in the same way that those who are interested in going back to the US arrange clinicals in NA you could do the same in Oz.

Or you could do all of the above.