FMG Radar - Dr. Rashi Jha

I’m a foreign medical graduate currently pursuing my compulsory rotatory internship in India from PSMC.

What I love most is the trust patients place in us. It’s humbling to be someone’s safe space in moments of fear, pain, or confusion.

I chose medicine because I grew up with a deep sense of responsibility to help others and this profession allows me to grow both as a clinician and as a human being.

I decided to pursue MBBS abroad back in 2019. Like a lot of FMGs, I was passionate about becoming a doctor, but with limited options in India, I had to look beyond.

I chose Georgia for my medical education and studied at David Tvildiani Medical University (DTMU). What really stood out to me was the English-medium curriculum, the USMLE-oriented teaching style, and the supportive academic environment.

David Tvildiani Medical University, Tbilisi, Georgia

I actually got to know about Georgia and DTMU through a friend who was already studying there. That’s how I first heard about the university and got all the details. Talking to someone who was already living that experience really helped me understand what to expect and made the decision a lot easier.

Getting admission to DTMU is actually quite straightforward. You need to submit your documents — like your NEET score, 12th-grade marks, and other basic academic details. Once that’s done, you usually receive the admission letter. The process itself isn’t too difficult; it’s the visa part that takes a bit of time and patience

DTMU’s academics are USMLE-focused, with teachers who’ve cleared the exam themselves. They teach from basics using textbooks, not just slides, which really helps build a strong foundation. Practicals include OSCE exams and DEMI simulation, though clinical exposure is limited. Most hands-on learning happens during internship.

Hostel life was really fun and memorable. I got to meet and connect with so many people, and we became like a family. We studied together, did extracurricular activities, and even went out together. Living in the hostel taught me a lot about independence and adapting to life abroad as a foreign student. It was definitely challenging at times, but having friends around made it much easier.

The mess food was okay overall. They did provide Indian cuisine, but it wasn’t like home-cooked meals or what you get back in India. Still, it was enough and clean, which is what mattered most. I wouldn’t say it was great, but honestly, when you’re living there, you don’t have many other options.

I gave myself about four to five months to prepare for the FMGE. The main resources I used were PrepLadder and the First Aid book. I also found the PYQs really important, and short YouTube videos helped a lot to quickly revise topics. Honestly, it was a mix of these that worked best for me.

Thanks to my medical school, my basics were already strong, so that gave me a good head start for FMGE preparation. During my dedicated study period, I spent around 6 to 8 hours a day focused on studying. I didn’t follow a very strict timetable or fancy strategy: it was mostly about reading, memorizing, and making sure I solved plenty of MCQs to practice.

Whenever I felt stressed during my FMGE prep, I made sure to take breaks and distract myself a bit. Sometimes I’d talk to my family, go for a walk, or just take a few deep breaths to calm down. I avoided social media because that can be more distracting. I kept reminding myself that if others can do it, so can I. I just had to push through and not give up.

The biggest challenge was feeling overwhelmed with so much to memorize, especially starting out. Balancing prep with my internship was also tough, but other than that, it wasn’t too bad.

I broke the syllabus into smaller parts and focused on one topic at a time. Regular revision was key. I made sure to revisit important points often and used question banks to test myself.

I didn’t take coaching classes and relied on self-study using the PrepLadder app and online videos. Having a study partner helped keep me accountable. I believe self-study works well because you get focused time and can ask questions when needed.

To be honest, I found anatomy quite difficult because I struggled to understand it, which made surgery tricky as well. Tables and values were challenging too since they can easily get mixed up. But I’m good at memorizing with mnemonics, so that helped a lot. To overcome these challenges, I relied on repeated revisions and never gave up. If I didn’t understand something, I made sure to dig deeper and really research it instead of just memorizing blindly. Even if it took an extra hour or two, it was worth it to be clear on the topic.

Mock tests and previous year questions played a huge role in my preparation. I’d heard that PYQs were important, but I realized it’s really about the topics covered in the last five years that matter most. Those high-yield topics tend to repeat, so focusing on them can really boost your score and help you pass. I made sure to do PYQs regularly, carefully read and understand the answers, and memorize them not just skim through.

Usually, I get really nervous before exams, but for FMGE, I actually felt pretty calm. I reminded myself not to put too much pressure on it.
my mindset was, ‘Whatever happens, happens, you’ve got this.’ I even gaslighted myself into thinking it was just another university exam, and that really helped. The first half went well, the second half didn’t feel as good, but I made sure not to stress or overthink it afterward. I avoided doing recalls and kept telling myself that what’s done is done. I think staying calm before, during, and after the exam makes a huge difference. stress doesn’t help, so it’s better to trust yourself and let it go.

After the exam, I was pretty sure I’d pass because I remembered many of the answers I marked were correct. But when the result came and I saw my score, I was so happy. I honestly didn’t expect to do that well! I remember screaming, calling my mom, and shouting, ‘I passed, I passed!’ It was one of the best moments of my life and definitely a big highlight for me.

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I’m currently doing my internship in India, so while I can’t speak much about the experience yet, I can talk about the process. After FMGE, the best way to approach it is by joining state-specific FMG groups. they share a lot of helpful updates and guidance. It’s also important to regularly check the official portals of the state you’re applying in for internship updates. The process might seem complicated at first, but once you start tracking the right info, it becomes much easier. And honestly, it’s worth it.

My advice is simple: work hard and don’t doubt yourself. People often talk about how tough FMGE is and how only 20% clear it, but instead of focusing on the 80% who didn’t, focus on the 20% who did. If they can do it, so can you. For FMGE, it’s not just about being smart. it’s about being consistent, doing multiple revisions, and staying dedicated. With the right effort, you won’t just pass you can score well too.

I believe that not everyone is meant to have a ‘dream job’ or a perfect career path and that’s okay. Sometimes, life is more about evolving than arriving. Most people chase certainty, but I think it’s okay to outgrow your old dreams and start over, even if it looks like you’re behind.

I’d tell her that we’re going to a foreign country! something she never expected. She always thought she’d stay in India, crack NEET, and follow a straight path. But life had other plans, and somehow, she adapted. She’ll be proud of how far she’s come.
And if I could give her one piece of advice, I’d say this: ‘Stop being so scared of failure. You’re allowed to fall apart sometimes. Trust yourself more. You’re stronger than you think, and one day, everything you’re going through will make sense.

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Never give up, keep up the hard work.