Sure. I'm not sure exactly what you guys would like to know about studying here. So I'll babble a bit. I guess, to make it simple, I'll start at the beginning. Medical School in Germany lasts six years, starting right after high school. I'm told, however, that German high school is a little bit more complicated than we have in the States.
The six years are divied up into two main sections: clinical (the last 4 years) and preclinical (the first 2). So, during the first two years, we learn all of the things that are covered as premeds in the USA: Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and so on. They also give us anatomy, physiology, histo, biochem, and some nifty introduction to medicine classes. After the end of the second year, we have to take a big test called the Physikum, which is roughly equivalent to Step I of the USMLE, I think, except there is no pathology on it, and I don't think there is pharmacology, either. It's also not a very clinically-oriented exam, though it is quite difficult. I think on average 20-30% of students fail it the first time around (Please don't quote me exactly on that percentage! This is what I have heard from other students, and I haven't done first hand research on the Physikum results
). I'll comment on the first two years, because that's where I have first-hand experience first, then tell you guys what I've heard about the rest.
The classes during the first two years, in my experience, haven't been too terribly difficult. I believe that is because I don't that much to do. I have already finished my bachelor's in Biochem in the US, so I am exempt from most of the classes that my peers are struggling though. Through the first two years, I only have to take anatomy, physiology, medical sociology, medical terminology, biochem (don't have to, though I'm reviewing it anyway...too important), neruo anatomy, and a bunch of seminars and introduction to medicine classes. Most of the exams are oral, which makes for a lot of stress. Some professors can be a bit rough. On the bright side, however, Anatomy is spread over two semesters, making it a lot easier to digest the volumes of information!
The lectures are, of course, all in German, which is a bummer, but it's a great excuse to learn another language. It's also great from a financial standpoint, in that universities (yes, even med schools) are all free in Germany (minor exception: some private universities. There are, to the best of my knowledge, however, no private med schools here). The various schools even reserve a certain number of slots for foreign students, though they are very sought-after.
Most students in Germany tend to receive VERY little (read: almost none) clinical experience during the first two years. At least, unless you go looking for it. If students are motivated and ask around, there are absolutely endless opportunities for clinical experience thoughout the entire course of study. For example, in my first two semesters, I've gotten to assist on a liver transplant, a couple of Whipples, several massive pelvis excentrations (sp?), and lots of other stuff, in addition to going on rounds, doing office hours with various professors, and just generally seeing everything. Even got to do some suturing! You just have to go looking for these things, and you get a chance to learn A LOT!
Well, I guess I'll shut up for now. If anyone is interested in hearing about the clinical part of the school, let me know and I'll do that one in another post, because this one is probably already really long. Also, if anyone has questions about admissions to german med schools or anything like that, feel free to email me (in english or german) at
[email protected]
One thing I did forget to mention, is that you pretty much have to write a dissertation and do the necessary research. It's not required to practice medicine in Germany, but if you want to be "Doctor so-and-so," you do...
