I’m Clement, a 4th year international medical student from Toronto, Ontario Canada. As a fellow medical student I’m here to give you a human outlook on the “Internship Crisis” and its impact on the international medical student community
Now I’m not here to complain about the dwindling jobs in my profession. I must admit, part of me is gracious for the increased intake of medical students which provided me the opportunity to enter medicine directly from high school. However, now I am facing the long term consequences of the poorly regulated industry involving the exportation of prestigious diplomas.
Many people ask me why I chose to study across the world in Australia instead of Canada. for two reasons:
1. Direct entry to medicine – Did not require the uncertainty of starting an undergraduate degree before I could even apply for medicine
2. Higher chances of getting in as an international studentWho would not take this opportunity?
By undertaking this degree I assumed that I would be able to work in Australia or at least receive an equal opportunity to my fellow colleagues who have graduated with the same degree as I have.
Now you may call me shortsighted as I should have realized before applying how difficult it would be just to acquire a job I’ve been trained for. Well, it’s true and now I am paying for the naïve decisions I made 4 years ago.
Should future international medical professionals feel as if the hard work and finances they have poured into their degrees is useless without the ability to put the skills to use?
Had I known, and had I not have been so rash maybe I would have decided not to take on this overseas degree. Don’t get me wrong I love the medical degree, I have poured my life into medicine. My only desire is to practice medicine in the system that I have trained in for the past 4 years.
This is a call for reform that will affect at least 100 graduating students in NSW each year, who eager to enter the workforce and make a difference in the lives of patients. This is a representation from the hours of training each student dedicated to learn how to work in the Australian Healthcare System and treat Australians.
I am not asking for any miraculous policy changes. Just for NSW to follow the precedent of other states and to level the playing fields for domestically trained international students.
I see potential in the commonwealth funded program and Rural Preferential Network and I am gracious for the small steps to change. However the problem now requires a larger solution and there are only so many training positions that can be provided through private and rural hospitals. HETI requires modernization and a change in policy to stop discrimination against international students.
Clement is a 4th year medical student at the University of Western Sydney
#HelpMeHelpYou is a collection of stories from current NSW students who are genuinely interested in working in NSW after graduation & are worried that they may not be able to make good use of their hard-earned medical degree. Read all students' stories here.
Want to share your story? Email [email protected]
Now I’m not here to complain about the dwindling jobs in my profession. I must admit, part of me is gracious for the increased intake of medical students which provided me the opportunity to enter medicine directly from high school. However, now I am facing the long term consequences of the poorly regulated industry involving the exportation of prestigious diplomas.
Many people ask me why I chose to study across the world in Australia instead of Canada. for two reasons:
1. Direct entry to medicine – Did not require the uncertainty of starting an undergraduate degree before I could even apply for medicine
2. Higher chances of getting in as an international studentWho would not take this opportunity?
By undertaking this degree I assumed that I would be able to work in Australia or at least receive an equal opportunity to my fellow colleagues who have graduated with the same degree as I have.
Now you may call me shortsighted as I should have realized before applying how difficult it would be just to acquire a job I’ve been trained for. Well, it’s true and now I am paying for the naïve decisions I made 4 years ago.
Should future international medical professionals feel as if the hard work and finances they have poured into their degrees is useless without the ability to put the skills to use?
Had I known, and had I not have been so rash maybe I would have decided not to take on this overseas degree. Don’t get me wrong I love the medical degree, I have poured my life into medicine. My only desire is to practice medicine in the system that I have trained in for the past 4 years.
This is a call for reform that will affect at least 100 graduating students in NSW each year, who eager to enter the workforce and make a difference in the lives of patients. This is a representation from the hours of training each student dedicated to learn how to work in the Australian Healthcare System and treat Australians.
I am not asking for any miraculous policy changes. Just for NSW to follow the precedent of other states and to level the playing fields for domestically trained international students.
I see potential in the commonwealth funded program and Rural Preferential Network and I am gracious for the small steps to change. However the problem now requires a larger solution and there are only so many training positions that can be provided through private and rural hospitals. HETI requires modernization and a change in policy to stop discrimination against international students.
Clement is a 4th year medical student at the University of Western Sydney
#HelpMeHelpYou is a collection of stories from current NSW students who are genuinely interested in working in NSW after graduation & are worried that they may not be able to make good use of their hard-earned medical degree. Read all students' stories here.
Want to share your story? Email [email protected]
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