FMG Radar From Ukraine - Dr. Naga Sathya Joshitha Keerthi

I’ve been spending my time leisurely while I wait for my internship to begin.

The best part of this profession is being able to put my knowledge into practice. When a patient feels heard and leaves relieved, it’s incredibly rewarding. I couldn’t imagine becoming anything else but a doctor.

The tuition fees of universities were a significant factor in my decision to pursue MBBS abroad.

I chose Ukraine to pursue medicine because it offered a cost-effective education, excellent faculty, and was also a beautiful country.

Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Lviv, Ukraine

My parents helped me choose the university, so it was a collaborative search.

One can apply directly or through an agency.

We had an excellent faculty, and our professors made sure we were confident in everything we studied. Universities abroad generally don’t tend to pressure their students as much. While this can be seen as either positive or negative, I appreciated the opportunity to approach academics in a more relaxed manner.

It was quite a memorable experience.

The mess food was good.
I used to cook on my own. It was a little difficult to find Indian cuisine/ingredients where I lived.

I completely relied on Marrow as my primary source of study, though I also used other platforms to attempt mock tests. I structured my study plan to complete my first read as quickly as possible, allowing ample time for revision and mock tests.

I focused on grouping related subjects together, like orthopedics and radiology, during my preparation. I also made sure to attempt as many mock tests and previous years' questions as possible.

I cannot give enough credit to my family and friends, especially my sister, for their support. Otherwise, a good meal of choice always felt like a well-deserved reward after a hectic day.

Self-doubt was the biggest challenge. One day, I’d feel confident and like I could do it, and the next, I’d feel like I was crashing down. Many of my peers felt the same way, but we comforted each other, which helped provide some relief. Another challenge was not the lack of materials, but the lack of time. With so much to cover and so many resources to refer to, it was difficult to stay focused on my primary source of material without getting distracted.

I allocated specific time to each subject and made sure to complete them within that timeframe. I took the allotted time seriously and moved on, even if there was a small portion left. My motto during the first read was to just keep moving forward. I also managed to complete my previous years’ questions during the first read, which allowed me to allocate time for revision.

I relied on self-study from the comfort of my home.

I found that most of the pre-clinical subjects were quite volatile for me, as I kept forgetting a lot. So, I made sure to solve enough MCQs to solidify my understanding of the concepts being tested.

They played a huge role as they helped me with time management, understanding expected concepts, and boosting confidence for test day.

I was naturally anxious but tried to stay as calm as possible. After the exam, I was incredibly happy to be done with it.

It felt surreal and incredibly rewarding after months of dedication. I was so happy to have made it through on my first attempt.

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Find the proper environment for yourself and surround yourself with a supportive group of people. If you think you work best under pressure, then coaching is for you. If not, then self-study is the way to go. And finally, cut out all the unnecessary noise.

The war undoubtedly had a significant impact on our college experience. We were forced to continue our classes in the underground bunkers whenever there was an air alarm. We sometimes had to carry on without electricity as well. While it did impact our college experience, our professors were concerned about our safety and kept our classes going despite it all.

The Indian government provided crucial support during our evacuation through 'Operation Ganga'. However, the journey to safety was fraught with challenges, as all students were required to navigate the Ukrainian borders on their own. Most found this experience very stressful, feeling scared and uncertain in a conflict-filled environment.

Upon returning home, there was significant uncertainty regarding whether we should continue our studies at our current university or transfer to a different university. Some students opted for a transfer, while others chose to remain at home and had completed their coursework remotely. While some of us chose to return and graduate. It was a challenging time for us students and our families; nevertheless, we got through it.

That pineapple absolutely belongs on pizza! It’s a bit controversial, but I really enjoy the mix of sweet and savory. I think people should be more open to experimenting with flavors!

That it's going to take some time, but you'll get there eventually. And to not take any moment or person for granted.

I'm not sure where my journey will take me, but I hope to be surrounded by people who inspire me—those I can look up to and learn from.

"Remember the things you prayed for because some of them are now the things you have."