MBBS abroad is a lucrative option for the Indian students as there has been an rising competition in getting MBBS seats in India. Kazakhstan has gained some popularity as a destination for international students looking to study medicine at less expense, with several universities offering low-cost medical programs.
Every year, thousands of students apply for MBBS in Kazakhstan as the country provides relatively low tuition fees, English medium programs, and modern medical universities. Despite its advantages, some students still feel reluctant or even choose to abandon their medical studies in Kazakhstan.
Familiarity with these concerns can assist interested candidates have clarity before making any decisions regarding choosing a university overseas. The following factors are responsible for preventing some students from enrolling in MBBS in Kazakhstan.
Concerns About Degree Recognition
One of the major factors that can concern students wishing to study medicine abroad is whether their degree will be accepted globally. It is compulsory for the students one of them to check that their selected medical university is on World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS).
Indian students pursuing their MBBS abroad are also required to conform to the National Medical Commission (NMC) Entry regulations for practicing medicine in India after their studies.
As a result, if students are uncertain whether the university is recognized or not, they may opt to avoid Kazakhstan altogether.
Licensing Requirements After Graduation
Another factor that deters some students is having to clear licensing examinations, which they must do after studying abroad and completing their MBBS degree.
International students who plan to practice in India must comply with the instructions issued by the NMC and clear the necessary screening knowledge or licensing tests.
If some students now think twice about going abroad because passing these exams requires extra effort and good academic preparation.
Language Barriers Outside the University
There are MBBS programs in English offered by several universities but the most spoken languages in Kazakhstan are Kazakh and Russian.
Outside the classroom, those experiences may pose problems for students attempting to communicate with local residents, shopkeepers or hospital patients.
As physicians come to interact with patients during clinical training in hospitals, communication becomes paramount.
Some students worry about the language barrier of studying in Kazakhstan, if the courses are offered in Kazakhstani or Russian.
Climate and Weather Conditions
Kazakhstan has a continental climate, deriving extremely cold winters, particularly in the north.
Winter months can see temperatures drop well below zero, something students coming from countries like India where the temperature remains warm all year round find it difficult to cope with.
According to WHO the cold weather may deter some students from studying medicine in Kazakhstan.
Cultural Differences
One of the biggest adjustments to studying in a new country is adapting to its culture, lifestyle and environment.
Indian students may have an initial period of adjustment to cultural differences in food habits, social customs, and daily routines.
Though many have international student communities, transitioning to a new culture does rather often take, well — time and patience.
Other students choose countries that are less stricken by cultural contrast.
Limited Awareness About Universities
Students try Kazakhstan for many reasons, but one is simply not knowing much about the country. Kazakhstan tends to perform less than the leadership of Kazakhstan.
When compared to Russia along with various other countries like the Philippines or China, Kazakhstan is still new entrants in the medical education arena.
This means that the list of universities, facilities, recognition status of the medical institution in the country is not fully and properly known to all students and parents.
That is why some students do not hear about them and others end up choosing more known places.
Concerns About Clinical Exposure
Being part of practical hospital training is key in medical education. Some of those foreign MBBS students have these fears that they will be left out in terms of clinical exposure.
Kazakh medical students may hear that local hospitals lack high-level case studies and this may shape their choice of a country where they would like to study.
Distance from India
Another component that impacts decision-making is proximity to home. Although Kazakhstan is not so far from India but it would require the students to travel internationally and stay away from family for few years.
For certain families, the concept of sending their young children off to another country for an extended period of time can feel rather disconcerting, particularly if it is the first time they have sent them abroad to study.
Importance of Proper Research
But do keep in mind that many of the issues listed above can be mitigated with adequate research and planning.
Students must verify the recognition status of the university, its infrastructure, faculty quality and clinical training opportunities before applying.
However, when students confirm the university well and get the community recognized with great knowledge of academics, they can still dream for MBBS in Kazakhstan.
Final Thoughts
Affordable Medical Education: The tuition fees in Kazakhstan are quite budget-friendly when compared to several other countries around the world.
However, licensing requirements, climate differences, language barriers and limited awareness discourage some students from selecting this destination.
Despite these aspects, thousands of students continue to pursue MBBS in Kazakhstan with success and build a career in medicine in various other nations.
This will allow them to discern if Kazakhstan is a good place for studying medical science or not by scrutinizing its benefits and drawbacks.
