Study Medicine in Europe in English | 4th Year Medical Student in Lithuania (LSMU)

Summary

In this video, Dr. Bless, a fourth-year medical student in Lithuania, shares his journey of studying medicine in Eastern Europe after not being admitted to medical school in Spain. He highlights the benefits of Lithuania's affordable education, the problem-based learning system (PBL), and the opportunity to engage with patients early on. Dr. Bless discusses adjusting to life abroad, the challenges of weather, and the stigma surrounding Eastern European medical schools. He also provides advice on entrance requirements and learning the local language. He encourages viewers to connect with him for further guidance.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The speaker, Dr. Bless, is a fourth-year medical student living in Lithuania and is sharing why they chose to study medicine in Eastern Europe.
• 🏫 They decided to study in Lithuania because they were not admitted to medical school in Spain, but didn't want to wait another year to apply again.
• 💡 The medical school in Lithuania follows a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) system, which allows students to interact with patients and gain clinical experience from their second year.
• 💸 Tuition fees in Eastern Europe are lower compared to countries like the UK and Spain, though students are responsible for covering all their own expenses without government support.
• 👥 The university offers an introduction week for new students to help them adapt and meet other international students, making it easier to fit in.
• 🌦 Lithuania's weather can be unpredictable, with quick shifts from warm to snowy conditions.
• 📜 Despite stereotypes, medical degrees from Eastern Europe are just as valid and rigorous as those from Western Europe or other regions.
• ✈️ The speaker used to travel back to Spain every two months, and highlights how travel within Europe is easy and convenient for students.
• 🎓 The Erasmus program allows students to study in different European countries for a semester or a year, providing further travel and educational opportunities.
• 📝 Admission to medical school in Lithuania requires passing an entrance test and having good grades from the final years of high school. Classes are taught in English, and universities provide Lithuanian language courses.

Q & A

Why did Dr. Bless decide to study medicine in Lithuania?

Dr. Bless chose to study medicine in Lithuania after not being admitted to a medical school in Spain. Instead of waiting another year or pursuing a different career, he opted to continue his medical studies in Eastern Europe.

What is PBL, and why is it significant for medical students in Lithuania?

PBL, or problem-based learning, is a system used in Lithuania that allows medical students to engage with clinical environments from the second year of study. Students interact with patients, perform clinical tasks, and gain early hands-on experience, which Dr. Bless saw as a great opportunity.

How does the cost of studying in Lithuania compare to other countries?

Studying in Lithuania is much cheaper compared to countries like the UK or Spain. However, students do not receive government financial support for tuition, which is an added responsibility.

How easy is it to adapt to life and studies in Lithuania?

Dr. Bless mentions that adapting to life and studies in Lithuania is relatively easy. The university provides an introduction week to help students adjust, and many international students form strong friendships. The transition is made smoother by the support system in place.

What are some of the challenges of studying medicine in Lithuania?

One challenge is the financial aspect, as students are responsible for covering their fees without government support. Another challenge could be the weather, as Lithuania experiences drastic temperature changes, but Dr. Bless highlights that it's manageable.

Is there a stigma associated with studying medicine in Eastern Europe?

According to Dr. Bless, there is a stereotype that students who study in Eastern Europe are not as qualified. However, he emphasizes that the medical degree and job prospects are the same, regardless of where you study in Europe. Medicine is a challenging field globally.

How often can students return to their home country while studying in Lithuania?

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Bless returned to Spain once every two months. Travel in Europe is easy, with frequent flights and proximity between countries, allowing students to visit home as often as they wish.

What are the language requirements for studying medicine in Lithuania?

All classes are taught in English, so fluency in Lithuanian is not required. However, students are provided with three years of Lithuanian language studies to help them integrate better into the local environment.

What are the basic requirements for admission to medical schools in Eastern Europe?

Students need to pass an entrance exam and present good grades from their 11th and 12th years of school. In some cases, students may be admitted without the entrance exam if their grades are high enough. Most universities also conduct an interview to assess the candidate's motivation.

What opportunities are there for international exchanges or studying abroad while in medical school in Lithuania?

Students in Lithuania can participate in the Erasmus program, which allows them to study for a year or half a year in another European country. Dr. Bless expressed his interest in studying in Germany through this program.