2005-2-2
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I'm Gwen Outen with the VOA Special English Education Report.
This week, as we continue our Foreign Student Series, we answer
two Chinese listeners. Jian Liu and Katie Cai both want to know
about the possibilities for international study at an American
medical school.
One hundred twenty-five schools train future doctors in the
United States. The American Medical Association says more than
sixteen thousand people are in their first year of training. The
current school year began in September.
The Association of American Medical Colleges says more than one
thousand foreign citizens applied to be part of that group. It says
two hundred seventy were accepted. And, of those, two hundred
nineteen have started their medical studies. The association also
says foreign students at American medical schools normally have
studied for several years at an American college.
Foreign students who want to attend American medical schools must
show that they can speak and write English. Foreign students also
must be prepared to pay all the costs of their medical education.
Much of the financial aid offered by American medical schools
comes from the federal government. Students who receive the aid must
be American citizens or live permanently in the United States.
Officials say foreign students considering an American medical
school have to know how they will pay for their education. They
should be able to show detailed plans for paying their costs while
in school.
Students receive an M.D., medical degree, after they complete the
traditional four years of training. But medical school is just the
first step for new doctors. Then comes a medical residency, several
years of working with patients in hospitals.
Some medical specialties require years and years of additional
training. Doctors must also meet the requirements of the state where
they want to practice.
The Association of American Medical Colleges has information
about medical programs on its Web site. That address is aamc.org.
The site also provides advice about how to apply to an American
medical school.
Our Foreign Student Series continues next week. All the reports
are online at WWW.testbig.com. And our e-mail address is
special@voanews.com.
This VOA Special English Education Report was written by Nancy
Steinbach. I'm Gwen Outen.