really need your advice good people.....

[juliav]

Hi everyone,

This is my situation. I am currently complited my basic sciences (4 semesters) and introduction to clinical medicine (1 semester) at AUA (American University of Antigua). It's a caribbean medschool where you do b/s on the island, and clinicals and the rest - in US.

My family is in Moscow. My husband and two children - 8 and 9 y/o. Here is the dilemma: should I stay here in US to continue with my medical education or try to transfer to Moscow medschool? The question arises only because of being away from my children. Otherwise - I love it here in every way, and I would prefer to continue here. So I am ripped between being closer to my kids or continuing to do what I love.

So one of the options I thought of is to transfer to Moscow to do my clinical rotations there, and then come back to US for residency. I know they prefer residency candidates to have US hospital based medical experience, but there are programs in some US hospitals that are allowing FMGs to enroll in these programs...

am I dreaming or is there a way to make it work in my situation?

Thanks everyone.

[Dan]

There are rumours that AMG title and hands on USCE automatically place you infront of many brilliant FMGs ;) If you can do rotation in Moscow not loosing these regalia great! If that undermines your competitiveness as a future candidate- better think twice

[juliav]

thanks for reply,

do you think 3-6 months clinical experience in US that many FMGs do will upgrade me? I'm trying to find some info on that.... while I was doing my introduction in clinical medicine in Baltimore I met quite a few FMGs who were doing their Externships (this is how they call it), and some of them applied for a residency afterwards and actually got it. It was very reassuaring, but I feel like it doesn't happen a lot, and might be very misleading...

How bad is it in reality not to have USCE?? I'm trying to consider pros and cons....
thanks for any info anyone can provide.