NUI Galway 1st year medics!

wewet08

Hey everybody, I am from Singapore and just got accepted by NUI (Galway) for medicine last week. Before I decide on accepting, I've got a few doubts I'd like to clarify.

1. Is it easy to adapt and live there, after coming from Singapore? E.g the getting used to the weather, are there many Singaporeans there, getting used to living in a smaller and less densely populated town than Singapore e.t.c

2. How is the degree like in terms of recognition? Is it easy to come back to Singapore and work, or even in the UK?


All the Singaporeans in Galway, I would especially like to hear from you guys! However, I welcome any and all opinions.

wewet08

Bump

musical.x

wewet08 please do not bump the thread. It has only been a couple of hours since you posted it.

kate.m

I've a friend studying medicine there at the minute (although she's from Dublin so I can't really help regards adapting). I'll can relay on what I've heard her say about it?

The weather isn't drastic - sure it rains a lot, and it can get cold - but it's not as extreme as it is in most other places. You just get used to it.

would you be studying as an undergrad. or are you doing grad. med?

EDIT: http://www.nuigalway.ie/medicine/documents/medicine_guide_for_international_students.pdf - might answer some of your questions.

musical.x

wewet08 wrote: »

I apologise if I have unknowingly infringed forum etiquette. <Snip>its common practice from where I come from, to bump the thread up at least once a day. How long would you suggest I wait before bumping up the thread again?

Please wait until the thread has fallen from the first page before you consider bumping it.

Ficheall

<Snip>

Ficheall, do not question a moderators decision in a thread. Read the forum charter!

wewet08

@Kate.m: I'll be doing undegrad medicine. I heard the weather in Ireland isn't as extreme as its neighboring countries, so it probably wont be too much of a problem I hope. What did your friend say about practicing in UK with an Irish degree?

wallpaper12

It rains a LOT in Galway but im sure your used to that anyway, its the cold and the wind you will have to prepare for!
I dont know much about medicine and what you can do afterwards but I know a significant amount of the medicine class is usually Malaysian (not exactly singapore but close enough) so im going to presume the qualifications are at least recognised in Malaysia too so surely they would be in a lot of other countries

pinkdaisies

hi wewet08, i was accpeted too are u accepting the offer? would you want to exchange email addresses so we can get to know each other better? also, do you know if there is a forum for prospective medics for nui galway so we can meet other medics? congrats on the offer and hope to see u soon

mriazi

hi pinkdaisies! i just accepted my offer, im going into the 6 year program and im fom toronto, canada! i wish there was a facebook group or forum with nuig 1st year meds so we could all get to know each other before

KittyeeTrix

mriazi wrote: »

hi pinkdaisies! i just accepted my offer, im going into the 6 year program and im fom toronto, canada! i wish there was a facebook group or forum with nuig 1st year meds so we could all get to know each other before

You should set one up mriazi........

We set one up for our 4th year class and it has been invaluable with regards helping each other out (assignments/class parties etc):)

jumpguy

mriazi wrote: »

hi pinkdaisies! i just accepted my offer, im going into the 6 year program and im fom toronto, canada! i wish there was a facebook group or forum with nuig 1st year meds so we could all get to know each other before

There are always around 10 Canadians in medicine that enter the 6 year course (which means you do foundation year medicine as you probably know - or as it's more commonly called, premed). Your future Irish classmates won't know whether they'll be accepted or not until August though, so there'll be no group until then I'd say (unless you find other Canadians who've accepted their offer!)

You'll get on great though, premed is a fantastic year to get to know everyone and get comfortable in Ireland before the work picks up big time in the later medical years!

pinkdaisies

mriazi wrote: »

hi pinkdaisies! i just accepted my offer, im going into the 6 year program and im fom toronto, canada! i wish there was a facebook group or forum with nuig 1st year meds so we could all get to know each other before

hey mriazi! im accepted into the 5 year medical programme. i wish there was a facebook group somewhere too though!! im from singapore! do you wanna exchange email addresses or facebook and stuff? ^^ great to make friends before term begins haha

pinkdaisies

hey everyone out there im a 19 year old international student who just got accepted into NUI Galway for medicine, 5 year course. anyone else out there like myself? keen to make friends before heading over in sept 2012 because i know literally no one in ireland! also, was wondering if any other 1st year med students would wanna share a room or give advice on booking of student accommodation? x

vanessa.kty.93

hello!!!

i have also accepted my offer from Galway, for the 5 yr medicine programme!

yes! we should really get to know each other before we head over this sept!

pinkdaisies

vanessa.kty.93 wrote: »

hello!!!

i have also accepted my offer from Galway, for the 5 yr medicine programme!

yes! we should really get to know each other before we head over this sept!

hi vanessa! cool me too! where are u from?

vanessa.kty.93

Singapore!! hehe..you too right?

pinkdaisies

vanessa.kty.93 wrote: »

Singapore!! hehe..you too right?

yes me too wanna exchange email addresses or sth?

vanessa.kty.93

sureee!!!

here's mine! email address removed



MOD NOTE: Best to not give your email address on thread vanessa.....PM function would be better.

pinkdaisies

vanessa.kty.93 wrote: »

sureee!!!

here's mine! <email address removed>

yay ok i just found you on facebook haha. added

vanessa.kty.93

pinkdaisies wrote: »

yay ok i just found you on facebook haha. added

ok! see you on facebook then! ^^

Ficheall

vanessa.kty.93 wrote: »

sureee!!!

here's mine! <email address removed>

You really shouldn't post your email address on an internet forum...


*Adds vanessa.kty.93 to ChessSoc mailing list *

vanessa.kty.93

thanks for the advice!

empacher

What advice do you need? regards accommodation ? Sharing a room is a no go. Nearly always ends in disaster.

musical.x

Great idea for a thread but if you want to talk about accommodation then please bring that to the accommodation thread. I'm sure this thread will pick up rapidly considering the amount of talk about 1st year medicine on the thread lately.

mriazi

jumpguy wrote: »

There are always around 10 Canadians in medicine that enter the 6 year course (which means you do foundation year medicine as you probably know - or as it's more commonly called, premed). Your future Irish classmates won't know whether they'll be accepted or not until August though, so there'll be no group until then I'd say (unless you find other Canadians who've accepted their offer!)

You'll get on great though, premed is a fantastic year to get to know everyone and get comfortable in Ireland before the work picks up big time in the later medical years!

yay thanks for the reply- thats what i was hoping to hear. moving to ireland/going to university from high school is already a huge adjustment so im happy the first year is easier! oh wow thats pretty late, good to know, thanks

westspring

hey there singapore ppl.
i think there should be about 5/6 of us going? Anyone of you wanna get to know each other better? wow you guys got your letters very early. i only did my interview like 3 weeks back and the recommendation letter was probably sent just last week.

Bazzo

Ficheall wrote: »

You really shouldn't post your email address on an internet forum...


*Adds vanessa.kty.93 to ChessSoc mailing list *

Funny, we always used the young Fine Gael mailing list.

In any case, as far as I know a medical degree from NUIG is fairly well internationally recognised. I know that it definitely is in the UK, and even in the US(though you have to sit a once-off exam if you want to get a license to practice there).

As regards to getting to know people, you will get to know loads in the first couple weeks of college. First year meds are thrown in to a load of classes with science students(of which there are loads) and almost nobody knows that many people, so most people just get to know each other in the first couple weeks of college.

pourquoi

Hey everyone!

I'm a first med (actual med, as in the 5-year programme, not Foundation Year) and I'm just finishing my first year in Galway.

Firstly, congratulations on receiving a place in medicine! I have no doubt that it is well-earned.

If anyone has any specific questions, feel free to PM me. I mightn't answer for a week or so, but I promise I will eventually!

Galway is a rainy, cold place. As I type this, I'm looking out of the top-floor window of the library at the rain clouds sweeping in from the West, drenching the place in a persistent drizzle. Coming from Singapore, it might be a bit of a shock. Today is May 9th and it's about 10 degrees Celsius--about normal for the West this time of year. In Winter, the lowest it gets is about -4C. Though because you're on the coast in Galway, it's usually a few degrees warmer.

Regarding accommodation: avoid Corrib Village, unless you're into partying 24/7. Menlo Park is quite a distance away--about 20-25mins--and is a torturous walk if the weather is bad. Cúirt na Coribe, Gort na Coribe and Dún na Coribe are about 15-20 mins away in the same direction as Menlo. Again, a torturous walk. Avoid Centrepoint--it's in the middle of nowhere, miles from the college. Dúnaras seems popular with the Malaysians and some of the Canadians. They would be the main student accommodation complexes. None of them are directly owned by the college. Outside of that, you'd be looking for private accommodation, i.e a house or apartment. If you want to go that route, start looking in July if you want to get something decent. Rents are normally around €300-€450 per person per month (that's assuming you'd be sharing a house with someone). The Newcastle area is closest to college and is quite nice, but relatively expensive as a result. The Newcastle side of Shantalla is ok too, though can be a bit risky at night, depending on the specific area.

It's very easy to get to know people in Galway (and Ireland, for that matter). The student body is friendly and welcoming. Most international students join the International Students Society, which have a night out once a week. But I'd <b>strongly</b> encourage you to join other societies too, especially in your first year. If you like to talk, or want to improve your public speaking skills, join the Literary and Debating Society (aka Lit 'n' Deb). There are over 100 societies and sports clubs on campus. Get involved!

Like I said, if anyone has any specific questions, PM me; I'll answer eventually!!

rustykrab

Hi to the Singaporean students who are going to Galway!

I have just received an offer to the uni as well The offer came a little late, but i'm still glad to be going. If this thread is still active shall we exchange email addresses?

Please message me soon! Looking forward to getting to know all of you.

rustykrab

westspring wrote: »

hey there singapore ppl.
i think there should be about 5/6 of us going? Anyone of you wanna get to know each other better? wow you guys got your letters very early. i only did my interview like 3 weeks back and the recommendation letter was probably sent just last week.

Hi Westspring,
I have only just got the offer from IUMC Singapore. Have you accepted your offer already? Shall we exchange email addresses? would be good to get to know the rest as well

pinkdaisies

hii rusycrab im frm sg too