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DMAO said:
I am was planning on going to med school here, but someone just told me last night that in DR its cheaper and just as good. Here is costs about 60G a year and over there 8G. Here its hard to get in. you have to apply to about 12 schools, and each application costs about $300. When you go to school in DR you get 2wks off every 4mo. You are taught in English, but your rotation is in Spanish-that's no prob. with me I'm bilingual. You take the 3 levels test here and do your residency here. The school can be paid by the US gov't with something similar to the FASFA. I work in medicine and he told me I could get a job there which would also keep my Professional license current, and keep the NYS Office of Professions from canceling it. The guy I spoke to told me all this. He told me about some school called UMIBE in Santo Domingo. I tried there website and it did not work (
www.umibe.do). I need help. If anyone knows anything, knows of any schools, or wants to correct any of the above PLEEEase do so. I would greatly appreciate it.
DMAO,
I am currently in UNIBE, their website is
http://www.unibe.edu.do
I have a couple of things to tell you though. You should know that the DR is a third world country. I had that in mind before coming here. I knew that times would be hard, that the fluctiation of the US$ would affect me if it ever drops, and guess what it has. My father sends me $150 a month for personal expenses, not including the bills and such. Back in February, that was great, it was wonderful. Now, I'm in hell for the time being. I compensate for that by no longer buying beers every day, going to the clubs to meet women, etc. Sometimes I feel jealous of the other foreigners in UNIBE because I am in the spanish program (i am fluent in spanish) and most of them are in the English program; they get loans of $18000 US dolars every 4 months, which is a hell of alot of money here. The Spanish program is not eligible for FASFA loans. Tuition for the English program is $4500 US dolars per quatrimestre or semester and there are 3 quatrimestres per year. For me, since I am in the Spanish program it costs around $600 US Dolars. Again, I do feel envious sometimes cause I have to really struggle just to survive here while the other foreigners don't, but hey, before coming here I knew what I was getting into. I would rather struggle a bit than have to pay handsome debts when I finished with my studies.
I would also like to add that UNIBE is the most expensive school in the country, regardless of the program. One of it?s merit?s and goals is to be the best. They have a lot of relations back in the states too. It being the most expensive school in the country don?t be surprised if you see the richest family?s in one of your classes. Already I have made friends with a couple of millionaires here (in pesos and dollars!) and they act totally cool about it. For example, I once had a problem w/ a Puerto Rican that thought he was too good or something, and Coripio (family member of the distribudor Corripio) said if he wanted me to have him murdered (of course I delined, lol..) Money talks, you?ll see rich stuck up girls and guys here as well as humble ones. When I first arrived, it was obvious I was from the states and a girl had taken interest in me and asked me out, I told her no because I had a girlfriend back in the states. A couple of days later mostly everyone asked me if I was nuts, that she has a lot of money, being the daughter of the owner of Induveccal Gosh how I regretted that afterwards? But hey, the life, as they say? oh well.
Back on topic, you shouldn't consider coming here if you don't know what you are getting into. Luckily I traveled here to the DR many times before making the deceision, my father is dominican, I lived here for a 4 years when I was a toddler, and I have a few relatives that I can turn too when things do get super rough (like now). I along with my sister decided to take the chance and come. There are many benefits, like the no wait fee in order to get in. Would you rather be a doctor at a young age or at an older age? Coming here saves you at least 6 years or so. Again, do not come here if you have no clue what's going on... I knew what was going on. In fact, on my first day here after I moved I got assaulted by some thug.
Also, you get what you pay for. Of course, paying US$60k per year, I'd expect alot more than what US$8k gives you (Which by the way UNIBE costs more than that). In fact for 60 thousand dollars and for what I've seen here, I'd even expect celebrities to be on campus, free drinks, a personal body guard, a daily royal massage and things of that caliber.
Anyway, the education system is up to par here from what I've seen. You can even go to la UASD, which is the first university in America. They say if you graduate from there you are a good doctor due to the hardships of the Dominican government, and besides, every school recognizes it since it is the original, founded sometime in the 1600's.
Feel free to contact me via msn:
theartofbone@hotmail.com or yahoo messgr: corleone139.
Take care and goodluck,
Roberto