I was searching through my research notes today during lunch and came across a quote that I copied and pasted from a SECUSS-L post (study abroad listsev) from the mid-1990’s that I’ve been referring to in my advising meetings with premed students on the value of studying/researching/working abroad. This is the type of quote that gets students to listen.
"Spending a year of study abroad is a life enriching, life changing experience. Those of us involved in medical school admissions can well appreciate the value of such experience. When we review an application to medical school, of course, we are interested in grades and MCAT scores. But we're also interested in clinical and researchexperience, as well as other kinds of experiences that impact on the applicant's maturity, leadership skills and sensitivities to people of differing backgrounds and cultures. Spending a year living and studying in another country and culture is truly a transforming and enriching experience. And since so few American students study abroad, only 2%, it would be a unique experience as well. Having a year of study abroad in one's background would be a very positive component of an application to medical school." Dr. Ralph Purdy, ChairMedical School Admissions CommitteeUniversity of California, IrvineOctober 24, 1996
To be sure, premed students shouldn’t study abroad just so they are more competitive in the medical school application process. It’s just a nice outcome of a transformative educational experience.
To be sure, premed students shouldn’t study abroad just so they are more competitive in the medical school application process. It’s just a nice outcome of a transformative educational experience.
First and foremost, studying abroad should always be for the invaluable lifetime experience of immersing yourself in another culture. With that being said, it will always add a competitive edge to your resume, medical school application, etc. More and more students are realizing this today and to be advising this to them is a huge asset in their career trajectories. Right on David!
ReplyDelete@Olga ~ Many thanks for your comment. I should have provided a little more context about how I use the quote when advising students. I always talk about the personal benefits/outcomes of study abroad and then I talk about how the study abroad experience is viewed by others such as medical school/business school admissions committees or employers. This quote is an example of the extra benefit of studying abroad and not the reason to study abroad. Many thanks again for taking the time to comment!
ReplyDeletestudying abroad gives us many invaluable things which change lives completely.
ReplyDeletestudying abroad should always be for the invaluable lifetime experience of immersing yourself in another culture
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ingiltere dil okulu. İngiltere dil okulu is quite poplar in UK ampng students in higher education.
ReplyDeleteyurtdışı eğitim. i went abroad last year for a MBA prgramme. It was quite enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteStudying abroad will help you to get aware you with a lot of things like their tradition and culture… Students also have to face competition from the local which will give them a lot of experiences, which help them in future…
ReplyDeleteMcat
By Studying in abroad , Students can learn more aware of knowledge information and culture
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this information.
ReplyDeletePremeds should study abroad for the same reasons everyone else should study abroad. It's the best way to come out of comfort zone and learn to live a free life.
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