For many prospective medical students, studying abroad is generally not your first choice. The notion of leaving home, let alone leaving your home country, is definitely an arduous undertaking that may leave you feeling nervous and uneasy about the unknown dynamics of your potential adoptive country. Rest assured though, all of these feelings will quickly dissipate when you experience medicine at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) in Dublin, Ireland.
I arrived at Trinity having just completed a four-year undergraduate degree in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. With its long-standing history, prime location within the city center, and worldwide recognition, I quickly realized that Trinity is a great school to study at for my medical education. Indeed, a medical degree from Trinity will not go unnoticed, with almost all North Americans being accepted into residency training programs in the USA and Canada.
With its high standards of education, it is no surprise that TCD attracts the brightest students that Ireland has to offer. For many North Americans having already completed a degree in Canada or the US, you will find your first year easier than the rest as you will be faced with Physiology, Biochemistry, Behavioral Sciences and Ethics, and Anatomy. Choosing Trinity will also bring about the opportunity for you to write the annual Scholarship examinations (Schols) during your Senior Freshman (2nd) year, a tradition and prestige that does not exist in other Irish schools. Attaining one of these scholarships will give you the title of a scholar (Sch.) as well as a substantial tuition reduction, campus accommodation, daily commons (dinners), and a small salary. Attaining scholarship is not an easy task, but is a tremendous achievement to earn.
New comers to TCD will be able to avail of the newly built biomedical sciences institute marking the 300th anniversary of the school of medicine. This building boasts the new home for our medical school; new lecture theatres, study rooms, and a state of the art anatomy dissection lab that will make you think you are in the midst of a surgery.
The atmosphere at Trinity and the vast array of societies, clubs, and social events that occur year round will never leave you feeling bored. Being a college with a combination of disciplines, you will be able to meet and interact with people from different academic backgrounds, and be able to enjoy campus life in the heart of Dublin.
My 4 years at TCD have flown by, full of study, adventure, and new experience. I am happy I chose Trinity for my medical education and have seen how much better it is becoming with each passing year. I wish you all the best with your decisions and success with your careers.
