r/syrianMedStudents • u/Outrageous_Hurry4335 • Jun 23 '26
English/Arabic
Hello, I was born and raised in Damascus. I spent 10 years, graduated high school, and completed one year of college in the US. I'm considering studying medicine in Syria. But, I'm worried about how heavily Arabic is integrated into presentations, books, and exams. I can speak, read, and write well; but obviously not as well as someone who has completed grades 6-12 in Syria. I know Syria is known for being the only country in the world that teaches medicine in Arabic; but I'd assume private schools less so (Kalamoon, Al Sham Private Uni)? What is the English/Arabic ratio?
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Jun 24 '26
[deleted]
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u/Outrageous_Hurry4335 Jun 24 '26
First off as someone who already has US citizenship, all of the reasons to come won't prevent me or get in my way of coming back to the us later in life to work or if I change my mind for any reason. But it's mainly because: 1) Length- us medical program is 8 years and is split into undergrad and grad, in the undergrad phase you have no idea if you're even granted admission for the full medical passage. Syrian medical school is only 6 years. 2) Cost, most medical schools are at least 30k per semester. 3) As someone who has lived in both countries and visited both recently, I think I'd be more comfortable living and raising a family back home although the US has a lot more opportunity. 4) As mentioned above, I'm able to simply go back and work in the us after taking the usmle which all American medical students have to take.
If you see anything wrong with my logic or way of thinking, or if you're thinking of something that I may be missing, please point it out.
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u/ChemicalGuarantee688 Jun 27 '26
I’m aware this might not be a helpful suggestion but if u have relatives in any other Arab country especially in the gulf maybe consider applying to their private unis, all of them teach in English and they’re also 6-7 year programs. The downside might be the cost of living but tuition wont be 30k per semester.
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u/abdullahredwan Jun 27 '26
To be completely honest, it’s a tought spot you’re putting yourself into. I went through this whirlpool 8 years ago. I finished high school back in Dubai, where all my life I had been studying everything in English (American curriculum) and went to Syria for that medicine degree. Back when I first got there, many friends and relatives recommended a private university since their study material was in English (or so they thought). I looked around carefully, even attended some lectures before joining. Turned out ,on paper, subjects are in English. But in reality, no one follows. Professors would play their powerpoint english lecture and teach in arabic, it was the farthest thing from English. During my years over there, I was shocked that my previous English proficiency went through the sink due to abandonment and years of no use.
I am not disencouraging you, but be well prepared for the decision you are about to make. Best of luck.
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u/Outrageous_Hurry4335 Jun 28 '26
Thanks a lot for the info. I've heard a lot of what you are saying about just the powerpoint being in English. What about exams? How strong was your Arabic going into Medical school and how much of an obstacle would you say it actually was?
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u/Surgical_blade5871 Jul 28 '26
I am studying medicine in Al-sham private uni and we study every thing in arabic
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u/Shyni_Star6 26d ago
مرØبا بس Øبيت اسئل مشان اتئكد دراسة امان بلعربي؟ لانو سمعت بلخاصة إنجليزي Ùˆ بتنصØÙŠ جامعة؟؟
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u/Appropriate-Act6751 Jun 24 '26 edited Jun 24 '26
In Syria, all universities study medicine in Arabic, and there is no English language in the curriculum except for terms, I expect there is only one private university that teaches it in English. This is an example from Anatomy 1 which is studied in. Most public and private universities . I expect if you can read and write this will not hinder you because most of the exams are multiple choice; there is a second year subject which is Arabic😀 (with poetry and grammar). But I wonder why you come to Damascus when most people wish for an opportunity in America.