Italian School of Medicine] University of Pavia

MED ITALY (Head Office: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Shinichiro Kondo), the Italian Preparatory School for Medical Schools, conducted an interview with Ms. Tomomi Maeda, who was accepted to the University of Pavia, Italy, School of Medicine.

Italian Medical School Prep School": https://kondomeditaly.com/

University of Pavia School of Medicine, Ms. Tomomi Maeda

Outline

Self introduction

How and why she decided to study medicine in Italy

A daily schedule during the exam period

The daily schedule during the entrance exam period.

What was difficult and painful about studying for the entrance exam?

The charm of medical school in Italy

About Pavia University

Future Prospects

What do you want to say to those who are going to study medicine in Italy?

My impressions of the Italian medical school

Self-Introduction

Umemoto) Congratulations on your acceptance to the medical school of the University of Pavia (public), Italy. Before we begin the interview, may I ask you to introduce yourself, including the school you attended?

Maeda) Thank you very much. Hello. My name is Tomomi Maeda, 18 years old, a graduate of Linden Hall School Junior and Senior High School in Fukuoka Prefecture. I am currently enrolled in medical school at Pavia University. Recently, I enjoy reading and handmade goods. I am a little busy at the moment, but when I have more time, I would like to try cooking various dishes.

ーーーーーーーーー How and why did you decide to study Italian medicine?

Umemoto) Thank you very much. First of all, please tell us how and why you decided to study medicine in Italy.

Maeda) Yes. I applied to medical school in Japan and received a conditional acceptance through the IB (International Baccalaureate) system, but due to a series of unexpected circumstances, my score on the IB main exam was very poor and my acceptance was cancelled. This was very unusual and I was almost certain to pass the exam, so when I learned of the result, I was very confused and did not know what to do. Before taking the medical school exam in Japan, I had planned to retake the IB exam and try again the following year in case I failed, but the results of this exam made that difficult as well.

Umemoto) That must have been difficult.

Maeda) Yes, it was. So, I had two options to go on to medical school in Japan: an expensive private university where I could retake the exam even with a bad result, or a general entrance exam that was completely different from the IB exam. I considered other faculties, but I did not want to give up my dream of becoming a doctor.

Umemoto) I see.

Maeda) In the midst of all this, I was looking for an overseas university and found out about medical schools in Italy. At first, I thought it was impossible to live for six years in a country I had never been to and did not speak the language, even if the courses were inexpensive and taught in English, so I kept looking for a university in another country.

Umemoto) Italian medical schools are relatively new English-language medical schools, so you don't have much information about the local situation, which must have made you very anxious.

Maeda) Yes. But my options were limited. In Japan, most of the universities were either expensive private universities or national universities that I might finally get into after several years of ronin, and overseas, they were even more expensive and I had to retake the IB exam. I also considered medical schools in Hungary and the Czech Republic, but the high retention and dropout rates and the seemingly difficult entrance examinations discouraged me from going there.

Umemoto) It is true that 1/3 of the students at medical schools in Eastern Europe are released or forced to leave school, and the tuition fees for medical schools in the U.S. and U.K. are very expensive.

Maeda) Yes. The most realistic and attractive among them was medical school in Italy, so I decided to gather information on the Internet first.

Umemoto) What made you finally decide on medical school in Italy?

Maeda) I found "Italian Medical School Preparatory School," read the website from cover to cover many times, watched YouTube videos many times, and felt that (medical school in Italy) looked like a good place. However, I was very worried about the fact that I had never been there, did not speak the language, did not know anyone nearby, and would not be able to return to my home country easily, so I was very hesitant. I decided to apply to medical school in Italy.

Umemoto) Really? I am very grateful to hear that. As a result, you were successfully admitted to the prestigious national medical school of the University of Pavia. Thank you very much for your hard work in studying for the exam.

Daily schedule during the examination period

Umemoto) Next, please tell us about your examination schedule.

Maeda) Yes. The schedule is as follows

Late Feb.

Private university entrance examinations

Late March

Private universities Entrance exam results

Mid-September

IMAT (local examination in Italy)

Late September - Early October

Private University (Cattolica) Admission

Early Oct.

IMAT entrance examination results

Late Oct.

Admission to national university (Pavia)

Something like that.

Umemoto) Thank you very much. So, you entered a national university after having once entered a private university?

Maeda) Yes, I did. I really wanted to avoid being a ronin, so I took examinations at several private universities as a stopgap measure. The private university examinations were relatively easier than the national university examinations and were similar to the ones I had studied in high school, so I was able to pass with only a little preparation.

Umemoto) Even so, it is amazing that you were able to pass the private medical school as well. Which university did you pass?

Maeda) I was successfully accepted to Cato Rica University, which was my first choice among private universities. Some universities allow students to apply to both universities at the same time, but fortunately for me, I was able to apply to both Università Cattolica and Universita' di Pavia, so I was able to take the IMAT (Italian National University Admission Test) with my admission to Università Cattolica. To be honest, it would have been difficult for me to transfer from a private university to a national university if I had not received a detailed list of application requirements from each university, and in fact, the administration office was very helpful in handling everything on my behalf when I transferred from the private Cattolica University.

Umemoto) It is true that some national universities and private universities in Italy allow students to apply to both national universities and private universities, while others do not. If you fail to confirm this, some students are often denied admission even if they are accepted. I am glad that I was able to provide you with this information.

Maeda) Thank you very much. The timing was good because this year it was possible to apply concurrently, but it looks like it will not be possible from next year. I know it was a bit irregular, but I first took the IMAT in the town where the University of Pavia is located, then moved to the University of Cattolica in Rome and went to school for a few weeks. Then, after I got my IMAT results and found out that I had been accepted to the University of Pavia, I returned to the town where the University of Pavia is located.

Study to pass the medical school in Italy

Umemoto) How long did you study before taking the exam?

Maeda) I studied for about 7 and a half months from late January to early September, focusing solely on the medical school in Italy.

Umemoto) That's quite a tight schedule.

Maeda) In IB, I chose Chemistry and Physics, and the content and format of the tests were almost the same as those I studied in IB, so I focused on solving and reviewing past exam questions for these two subjects. On the other hand, since I had not studied biology, which has the highest point distribution, since my first year of high school in basic biology class, I focused my test study on biology.

Umemoto) It is true that the IMAT has a very high score for biology, and the scope of the test is not clearly announced, so the first question many students have is which material they should use in the first place. What kind of study materials did you use, Mr. Maeda?

Maeda) I used textbooks recommended by my tutor, made notes on the IMAT range, and used them as a basis for my study.

Umemoto) Thank you very much. Did you also solve past papers?

Maeda) Yes, I did. After I finished studying the entire scope of the test, I tried the past exam questions, which were about 10 years' worth. I checked the questions I didn't understand or made mistakes by myself or by asking questions to the tutors, and reviewed them later. Since I had plenty of time to spare, I solved and re-solved the past exam questions many times and also worked on the questions provided by the prep school.

What was difficult or painful about studying for the exam?

Umemoto) Was there anything difficult or challenging about studying for the exam?

Maeda) In terms of study itself, the scope and format of chemistry, physics, and mathematics were similar to what I had studied in high school, so it was enough to review and prepare for past examinations. I was able to study biology at my own pace for a few months, so I was able to enjoy the study comparatively.

Umemoto) It is amazing that you were able to enjoy studying for the exam.

Maeda) To be honest, I was more worried about choosing a university and whether or not I would be accepted than I was about studying.

Umemoto) I see. It is true that it is difficult to choose a university, because you can only apply to one national university for the non-EU quota, and it is extremely difficult to predict which universities students from all over the world will apply to and to select the university with the lowest minimum score.

Maeda) That's right. I was very confused about whether to choose a slightly higher level university that I really wanted to go to or a university that would be easy to get into even if the score was a little low. At that time, we had a meeting to discuss the school I wanted to apply to, and I decided to take the entrance exam for the university I most wanted to go to.

Umemoto) The IMAT exam is taken overseas. Did you take the exam either at the local site in Italy or at the overseas site?

Maeda) In my case, I chose the local venue in Italy because my tutor was a student at the University of Pavia, which I wanted to attend.

Umemoto) Were you nervous on the day of the examination?

Maeda) I think every student is anxious about whether they will pass the exam or not, but I studied as hard as I could and my tutor accompanied me to the exam site on the day of the exam, so I was able to face the exam relatively calmly.

Umemoto) Thank you very much.

Attractiveness of medical school in Italy

Umemoto) Please tell us about the attractiveness of medical schools in Italy.

Maeda) From what you have said so far, it may sound as if you chose Italian medical school because you had no other choice. That was actually the case at first.

Umemoto) So that's how it was.

(Maeda) Yes, (lol) but now I am so satisfied that I don't think there is any other choice than Italian medical school.

Umemoto) That's good to hear.(lol) What exactly are you satisfied with?

Maeda) In medical school in Italy, you can obtain a medical license without an examination upon graduation, and you can also obtain a medical license that is valid throughout the EU. Also, it is a developed country, where you can enjoy good food and the cost of living is not so high (unfortunately, it is not cheap, but I think it is better than Switzerland or the U.S.). Furthermore, Japanese students can receive the same tuition fees as EU students, etc. The list of attractive points is endless.

Umemoto) I also tell people these points at information sessions, but people are really surprised. It is also important to note that the timing of the entrance examination is different from that of the entrance examination in Japan, isn't it?

Maeda) That is right. It was New Year's when all the results of the Japanese medical school entrance examinations and the IB examinations were available, so it was decided in late January that I would challenge medical school in Italy. This also allowed me to take entrance exams for most private universities in February and March.

If you are considering this as an option in case you cannot go to medical school in Japan like I did, some private universities have examinations around June or October even after the general entrance examinations, and national universities have entrance examinations around September.

Umemoto) It is a big advantage to be able to take the exam after the medical school entrance exam in Japan.

Maeda) Yes, it is. I have just started my university life and I don't know what's right or left yet, but I enjoy eating delicious food every day, taking fun classes with students from various countries, going out with friends on holidays, and spending fulfilling days every day!

Umemoto) Thank you very much for sharing your love for Italy.

About Pavia University

Umemoto) Why did you choose Pavia University?

Maeda) First of all, I applied to the University of Pavia because I wanted to go to a university in northern Italy and I wanted to study in a small town. Italy as a whole has a more laid-back atmosphere than Japan, but I heard that people in the northern part of the country tend to be more serious and disciplined, so I thought that the environment in northern Italy would suit me since I am used to the tight-knit culture in Japan.

Umemoto) It is true that Pavia is close to Milan, a big city, and is a safe city, isn't it?

Maeda) Yes. In addition, I was concerned about the high cost of living in large cities, as well as the large number of tourists and crimes such as pickpocketing. On the other hand, in smaller cities, the cost of living is lower and it is easier to live a calm life. If the city is close to a big city, you can enjoy shopping and Japanese food. Pavia is a small town, but it is just ideal because it takes only 30 minutes to Milan by train.

Umemoto) It is like Saitama or Chiba in Tokyo. Is there any reason why you chose Pavia in terms of entrance examinations, curriculum, etc.?

Maeda) I was attracted to Pavia University because it has "many non-EU places" and "the medical school course in English has the longest history and the best curriculum in Italy. There are many students from countries other than Italy, so I can experience a variety of cultures and have cross-cultural exchanges every day. Sometimes I am surprised at how different the way of thinking is from that of Japan, but I enjoy it very much because it is an experience unique to a foreign country.

Umemoto) I see. What is the campus and your classmates like?

Maeda) Before exams, my friends and I get together to study and help each other. There are several study rooms on campus. The medical school campus is located a little bit far from the main campus, but both campuses are equipped with study rooms and you can use them at your convenience.

Umemoto) The campus of Pavia University is very beautiful and there are many spaces for self-study, so it seems easy to concentrate on studying. How is school life?

Maeda) The student affairs office is well organized, and students can obtain past exam questions and study materials that are not available in class, as well as ask questions anytime about the university and procedures. Furthermore, there are many events for international students, and when I need a break, I can join in and have fun with my friends, so my days are very fulfilling.

Umemoto) It is a university with good study support in a livable city.

ooooo Future Prospects

Umemoto) What are your future prospects?

Maeda) In the future, I would like to be involved in emergency medicine in Europe. At medical school in Italy, you can obtain a medical license without taking an exam upon graduation, and furthermore, you can obtain a medical license that is valid throughout the EU. I have only been in Italy for a few months and I don't know what to expect, but I have 6 years before graduation, so I would like to decide where I would like to work and learn that language during that time.

Umemoto) That's wonderful. Good luck with your studies.

ーーーーAny message to those who are planning to study medicine in Italy?

Umemoto) Please give a message to those who are planning to study medicine in Italy.

Maeda) At the Italian School of Medicine, students come from many different countries and backgrounds, so you can study medicine in a very special environment. Although it has only been a little while since I started, I am having a great time interacting with classmates of various ages and learning about the cultures of different countries.

You may feel uneasy about living for 6 years in a far away country where you cannot speak the language as I did at first, but if you have the courage and determination to take on this challenge, you will not only receive a very good education in a special environment, but you will also have valuable experiences that you cannot get in Japan.

At first glance, studying for the entrance examinations, the various procedures, traveling, etc. may seem daunting, but once you take the first step, everything after that will go surprisingly smoothly!

Umemoto) Thank you very much!

Impressions of the Italian Medical School Preparatory School

Umemoto) Please give us your honest impression of your study at our school.

Maeda) First of all, my tutor was very helpful. At the first meeting, I explained my situation and they suggested textbooks and study methods that suited me. After that, we had a meeting once every two weeks to report my progress, and they also gave me explanations for problems I did not understand. Also, my tutor was a student at Pavia University, so he answered my questions about the university, and I was able to study while realistically imagining what it would be like after entering university.

Umemoto) The tutors create a curriculum according to each student's personality and aptitude, so I am more than satisfied with the support I received.

Maeda) Also, the regular "parent-led" information sharing meetings on visa procedures and future schedules were very helpful in gaining parental understanding. The information sharing meetings were all recorded, so I was able to review them when I couldn't make it or when I wanted to reconfirm the information.

Umemoto) There are times when dates do not work out, aren't they?

Maeda) Yes. The company also took care of all the procedures from university application to enrollment on our behalf, and provided us with manuals on the issuance of equivalency certificates and visas. It was also reassuring to know that I could ask any questions I had about the procedures at any time and receive a reply immediately. There were many complicated procedures and limited information about medical school in Italy on the Internet, so I don't think I would be here now if I had proceeded all by myself. Thank you so much.

Umemoto) Once again, congratulations on your success! Thank you very much for this interview!