A group of medical students from the USA are currently visiting the university to learn more about Oldenburg's university medicine.
Beautiful weather is not a given in northern Germany - but on the Whitsun weekend, Oldenburg welcomed eight young US citizens and their German lecturer Dr Georg Gadow with beautiful sunshine. The medical students from the University of Colorado in Denver are spending a total of two weeks at the University of Oldenburg. Their goal: to familiarise themselves with the German and Dutch healthcare systems.
Many questions about the German system
On Tuesday afternoon, Dean Prof. Dr Hans Gerd Nothwang welcomed the group to the University's Clinical Training Centre - and introduced them to the special features of studying medicine in Oldenburg. The prospective doctors from the USA had numerous questions: How many applicants are there for the 40 study places in Oldenburg each year? How is research integrated into medical studies? Can medical students in Germany take on a job alongside their studies? The US students were particularly surprised that studying medicine in Germany costs nothing apart from the semester fee.
The group is staying at the School V - School of Medicine and Health Sciences until 1 June to find out more about medical training in Oldenburg and Groningen and about working in the clinics. The programme for the two-week stay includes lectures as well as visits to the clinics in Oldenburg, Leer, Bad Zwischenahn and the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG). Discussions with students and lecturers from University Medicine Oldenburg are also planned.
International comparison
The medical students from Denver are taking part in the university's own programme in their home country, which provides excellent students with additional qualifications. In the "International Comparison of Healthcare Systems" seminar, they are looking at the German and Dutch healthcare systems, among other things. "We are delighted about the visit from Denver, as it gives both sides the opportunity to discuss national and international aspects of the healthcare system in depth and to learn from each other. The international comparison of healthcare systems is also an important topic for healthcare research here at our School, as it holds great potential for optimising the healthcare system," said Nothwang at the welcoming ceremony. "It was and is also important to us to think and act across borders with University Medicine Oldenburg."
As the good weather in Oldenburg continues, the group quickly rented bicycles - the best way to get to know Oldenburg.
