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Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

Thinking of doing medicine at NUI Galway, in Ireland? Want to know more than the brochures tell you?

What is the medical course really like?

Will I fit in?

What kind of social life do students of different cultures have at NUI Galway?

What sort of support can I expect?

What are the essential facts that I need to know about Ireland and Galway before I come?

What should I bring with me? Etc. etc.

This is the guide for you. It is an honest account of the medical course and life in Galway. It is:

A guide for students……….. written by students.

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Guide for Overseas Students, NUI, Galway

Welcome to Galway

Welcome to the National University of Ireland, Galway School of Medicine. Over the next six years you will learn more than you ever thought possible about Medicine, about Life, and about yourself. After six years here, your accent may even change!

This Guide is not intended to tell you everything you will need to know about Ireland and the medical system here, but we’ve tried to include things that will make the transition to Irish life and culture easier.

The first section includes logistical information and some important addresses and phone numbers to help you get set up. The remainder focuses on the course material for each year, including some information on electives etc.

Disclaimer: The information included reflects the opinions of the students who contributed and does not necessarily (and probably doesn’t) reflect the views of the Medical School. If you find any factual errors, omissions, or just plain bad advice, please offer your suggestions so we can improve next year’s edition.

Finally we would like to acknowledge the help that we received in preparing this guide from Trinity College Dublin. We have based this guide on a similar publication for North American students written by students at Trinity. We have adapted the Trinity students’ format and content to the Galway context, and have designed a guide for prospective students of all backgrounds and nationality

We look forward to meeting you when you arrive in Galway.

Co-Authors: Student 1 Mohammed KhanjiStudent 2 Hend Abdul-JauwadStudent 3 Ponatshego GaolebeleStudent 4 Darwina BolkimDebbie Monroe: Co-ordinator

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Peter Cantillon: Teaching staff representative

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1:Introduction to NUI,Galway

About Galway 5Getting to Galway 5Climate!!! 6Things to bring with you 8Immigration & Registering at the Immigration Office8

Tolerance for Overseas People 9

Payment of Fees 9Faculty of Medicine & Health Science NUI,Galway 10

Chapter 2:College Life

Recreation and Sport 11Student Support Services 11Religious Provision 11Cultural Differences 12Social Life 13

Daily living stuffSearching for Accommodation 14Groceries and Household Items 16Communications 18Transportation 19Travel Agents 20

Banking and Post-offices 20Bookstores 21Health Insurance 21

Chapter 3: A Guide to your Undergraduate Years 1 to 6

(including the 2 in 1 Supplement) 23& The Intern Year 32

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Chapter 4:Useful Addresses & Websites 33Map of Galway 35Map of NUI,Galway 36

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Chapter 1: A Bit About Galway

Galway, with a population of almost 62,000, is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland and one of Europe's fastest growing urban centres. Over fifteen per cent of Galway's population are third level students. The resulting interdependence of town and University has helped to build a compact, thriving city that caters to youth like few other places can.

Regarded as the cultural capital of Ireland, Galway is located on the Western seaboard and is close to areas of outstanding natural beauty such as Connemara and the West coast of Clare. It is an energetic, cosmopolitan city, with a thriving cultural and commercial community.

The University was founded in 1845 as Queen's College Galway. In recent times under the Universities Act, 1997 University College Galway was reconstituted as a University and became a constituent university of the National University of Ireland.

The campus itself is situated on the banks of the River Corrib, and is one of the most attractive University sites in Europe.

The Medical Faculty was one of the original faculties of the University and the first medical students were admitted in 1849. The Faculty has a long and illustrious history of medical training. The school is well known for the excellence of its clinical training and for the contribution that its many graduates have made to the world of medicine.

Getting to Galway.

Ireland is served by a network of major international airlines. Connections to the major international hub at Heathrow, London are frequent and regular. The major airports for international visitors to Galway are Dublin airport (on the East coast) and Shannon airport (approximately 55 miles from Galway). Galway also had a smaller airport with flights to and from Dublin, which connect with international flights. Galway airport is approximately 5 miles from the city. A taxi service is available from the airport.

Dublin airport is on the outskirts of the capital. Buses leave Dublin Airport approximately every 20 minutes for the central Bus Station (Bus Arus) in Dublin city centre. Many of these buses continue to Heuston Railway station from which trains for Galway depart. You can also get a taxi from the airport to the centre of the city but the bus is much cheaper and just as fast.

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From Dublin to Galway - by Train

There is a frequent train service from Dublin to Galway daily. The journey takes approximately three hours. Timetables can be viewed via the Internet at http://www.irishrail.ie.

From Dublin to Galway - by Bus

There is a regular bus service from Dublin central bus station (Busarus) to Galway. The journey will take about four hours. Some private bus operators also run scheduled buses from Dublin airport to Galway. Timetables can be accessed via the Internet at http://www.buseireann.ie .

Getting from Shannon Airport to Galway

There is a regular bus service between Shannon Airport and Galway. If you fly directly to Shannon airport you will be able to get a bus from the airport to Galway. The journey takes approximately one and a half hours.

Arrival in Galway

Upon your arrival in Galway Bus and Rail Station you should hire a taxi to take you to your final destination. You should try to arrive in Galway on a weekday and preferably not too late at night especially if you still have to arrange accommodation. If long-term accommodation has not already been secured before your arrival it is advisable to pre-book temporary accommodation. See the accommodation section for further details.

Climate:

There’s no easy way to put it, but the weather in Galway from September to February is often rainy, windy, cloudy, gloomy and overcast! It sounds bad, but the good (or bad?) thing is that it hardly ever snows in winter and it doesn’t get ‘arctic’ cold.Make sure you carry and umbrella with you at all times. It can start raining at any moment. Don’t buy one of those cheap, flimsy

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http://www.buseireann.ie/

http://www.irishrail.ie/

umbrellas because it won’t last long in the windy weather. If you don’t have an umbrella at least make sure you have a hood or a hat with you at all times.

There is some sunny, warm-ish weather from April to September. The best weather always seems to coincide with the summer exams in May and June! You might also miss some of the best weather if you are you’re away during July and August.

SOME TIPS ON HOW TO KEEP WARM AND DRY (Shops mentioned are all in Galway)1. Buy woollen sweaters, not acrylic.2. Long-sleeved vests and long-johns i.e. thermal underwear

made of fine wool – keeps in the heat and can be purchased in Ryans of Shop Street, Galway. Try also the Army and Navy Stores, Shop Street, Galway.

3. Get a hat, gloves and scarf!4. Wear warm (flannelette) pyjamas or nightdress in bed. These

are good value in Penney’s and Dunnes Stores.5. Buy a good set of waterproof clothing i.e. over trousers and

jacket with hood – Army and Navy Stores and Lifestyle – Penney’s

6. Buy an umbrella! – Dunnes and Penney’s.7. Electric blankets are a great comfort! A single-bed size costs

approximately 25.00 Euro in Roches Stores. Read instructions carefully.

8. A hot-water bottle can be surprisingly useful. They cost 6.00 Euro each approximately in Dunnes.

9. When choosing accommodation, check about the heating system. Is it oil-fired or solid fuel? How long is it on for? Is it included in the cost of accommodation or otherwise?

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Things to bring over with you

There are many things that you will wish you had when you arrive. We couldn’t possibly list everything you’ll need, but here are some essentials.

1. A book you should get before you come over is a medical dictionary, such as Taber’s or Stedman’s. Medicine is a completely new language, full of beautiful words like “autochthonous” and “internuclear ophthalmoplegia.” Medical students must learn more new words than the average student majoring in a foreign language. Therefore, it’s a good idea to have a dictionary next to you no matter what you are studying. Open it every time you come across a new word. You’ll be amazed sometimes at words you think you understand until you look them up. Also, you sound much more intelligent if you actually know how to pronounce those fancy medical words you’ve been reading at night.

2. A waterproof jacket and boots are a key buy. It rains a lot on the West Coast. It’s not usually a downpour, but you’ll still get wet! Anything made of Gore-Tex is especially nice when you’re riding your bicycle to and from the hospital.

3. Your passport, driver’s license for backup identification, loan forms, your medical school acceptance letter, and any receipts of fees paid.

4. Don’t bother bringing notebooks or paper unless you plan to refill on every trip. The paper size is different over here, so it’s easier to buy your supplies here.

Immigration

Students from non-EU countries do need visas to enter Ireland. Immigration in Dublin is pretty lenient. All you need to do to pass successfully through is the following:1. Show your passport and visa. 2. You may be asked to show your medical school acceptance

letter, and/or a receipt saying that you have paid your deposit for your tuition fees.

3. Smile encouragingly!!

The immigration officer will stamp a date in your passport, usually for 1 month from your date of arrival. You have permission to reside in Ireland until that date. Within this period you must go to the Immigration Office (formerly known ominously as the “Aliens Office”) and get officially registered to be able to stay for one year. More on this process is included later in this chapter. Immigration officials may ask you how you plan to support yourself.

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If you have a bank statement with your balance on it from home, it's useful to show it to them. If you haven't paid your tuition in full yet, tell the official that you will pay it when you begin school. Usually there is no hassle and you will just walk through. On subsequent visits, make sure your Immigration Office 'Green Book' is up to date or the immigration officers may refuse you entry back into Ireland.

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Registering at the Immigration Office

This process can drive you crazy if you are unlucky enough not to know what documents are required beforehand. After you have settled in and know your way around, head down to Mill Street Garda (“police”) Headquarters in Galway, where the Immigration Officer can be found. You will need to produce the following documents (have them all in hand or it will be a wasted trip):

1. A bank statement from an Irish bank stating that you have at least 127 Euro per week for your intended stay (i.e., about 2540 Euro). If you have less than this, you may run into some difficulties getting your passport validated for the year.

2. Your passport with the date stamped by airport customs.3. Three passport size photographs, which can be obtained at most

chemists.4. An acceptance letter from the medical school or a letter from

the office saying that you are registered for the upcoming year.5. A statement from the NUI,Galway saying that all your fees have

been paid.6. You will need to repeat this routine each year, but with slightly less red tape.

Embassies

It’s probably a good idea to register, though some students have been here 5 years without doing so. There are various functions throughout the year, including celebrations etc. If you so wish, you may even be able to celebrate holidays with your fellow expatriates. A list of embassies can be viewed at www.embassyworld.com

Tolerance for Overseas People

The first thing that may strike you is that it’s not very culturally diverse in Galway compared to where you may have come from. Overseas students are treated well. Irish people are very friendly and are genuinely interested in where you come from.

Galway people mind their own business and are polite. However, just like anywhere else there are exceptions. You may get stared at or treated differently if you are obviously ‘not Irish’. Despite the friendliness foreign people are still considered by some Irish people as ‘outsiders’ especially with the recent influx of asylum seekers into Ireland.

Payment of Fees

The Fees Office, is located in the Quadrangle. You should go and check to make sure that everything is paid before registration day because the college may issue you with a bill for late fees if

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your loans aren’t in. If for some reason your loans aren’t going to come through by registration day, talk to Colette Gill in the Fees Office and explain your situation. She’s very accommodating as long as you ask her nicely. Make sure you get a receipt for full payment for the academic year. Hours of service: M-F 9.15am - 1pm, 2:15pm - 5.15pmPhone: 524411 Ext. 2386.

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NUI,Galway Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences (Dean's Office)

The Health Sciences Office is the place where all inquiries about medical curriculum are handled for all the health science professions at Galway, including medicine. The Office is located in the Clinical Science Institute on Costello Road. Rosaleen Carroll, Therese Dixon and Maire Joyce are the administrators if you have any problems or questions.

Therese is there specifically to help International Students and is very helpful. Office Hours: M-F 9.15 am-1pm and 2.15 pm-5.15pmPhone Direct Line 524268 or 524222 Ext. 4475Fax 750519E-mail address [email protected]

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mailto:[email protected]

Chapter 2: College Life

Recreation and SportSporting activities help students to relax and keep fit, and also provide the opportunity to make new friends. The College Sports Centre is located in the Student Centre. Ms. Kathy Hynes (Manager) is the person to contact there for information regarding opening times, etc. The number of the Centre is (091) 750383, or College extensions 3482/3475.

There’s an International Students Society and a Muslim Youth Society.There’s an open day for clubs and societies in the beginning of the year and you’ll be able to join any that you want.

To become a member of a Club/Society, a student can register on the respective open days for Clubs/Societies which are held each year in early October. The Medical Society is a faculty based student society which organises social, sporting, academic extracurricular activities. The class representative system should be able to help you out with any queries regarding your course.www.clubs.nuigalway.ie or www.soc.nuigalway.ie

The International Students Society provides a forum where Irish and overseas students can meet and take part in social and cultural events together. Contact Ann Monahan, Overseas Student Officer for further information. [email protected]. Ext. 3581.

Information System – the S.D.S. Website

Student Support Services within NUI, Galway hosts a comprehensive website covering all aspects of Counselling, Health, Chaplaincy, Sport & Recreation, Overseas Students, the Student Centre and more. You can keep up-do-date with what is happening in regards to University Skills Programmes, Health Education Programmes, the Student Centre’s exercise and fitness programme, and find lots of other useful information besides. The internet website address that will start you off is: http://www.sin.ie

Religion Provision

For Muslim students there is a mosque where Friday prayers are held. The main campus also has a small prayer room for students. There is a code on the door, so you’ll have to ask your Muslim Youth Society representative what it is. The Clinical Science Institute also has a small prayer room.

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http://www.sin.ie/


http://www.soc.nuigalway.ie/

http://www.clubs.nuigalway.ie/

There are many churches of different denominations all over Galway (eg, Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, etc.). There is also a chapel on campus and one in the hospital.

There is complete freedom of worship in Ireland. Chaplains representing the main Christian churches are all available for consultation.

Catholic: Fr. Diarmuid Hogan, 48 Lower Newcastle.Tel. 524853/524411, extension 2164

Sr. Avril O’Regan, 2 Distillery Road, Newcastle.Tel. 524548/524411, extension 2168

Galway Islamic Centre: 13 Sandyview Drive, RiversideTel. 751621

Church of Ireland: Rev. Patrick Towers, The Rectory, Taylor’s Hill.

Tel. 521914

Presbyterian/Methodist: Rev. Sahr Yambasu, , The Manse, 57 Westbrook,

Ballymoneen Road, Galway.Tel. 591494

Reformed Presbyterian: Rev. Raymond Blair, 89 Tirellan Heights,

Headford Road, Galway.Tel. 763437

Galway ChristianFellowship: Mr. Fergal MacHale,

Monivea Road, Galway.Tel. 752989.

Cultural Differences

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You have to do it yourself. That’s the biggest difference many students notice at NUI,G (and in all of Ireland). You can get a fine education, but you have to expend more effort. The fact that you were willing to come to Ireland to pursue your education is a good sign that you are independent, motivated and mature enough to succeed here.

Things have improved in the past 7 years since Ireland’s economy took off. You will quickly find, that Ireland has quite a relaxed pace of life. For example, you won’t have a course schedule or syllabus until classes start (whereas you are probably used to having one two weeks before the semester started back home). Dates of final exams will often be announced as the exams approach, not at the beginning of the year. Don't push- people get offended and more walls go up. Be polite and ask questions, and your needs will be met.

You may also find that you are given only as much attention as any "undergraduate" course. Lecturers in the pre-clinical years are busy and sometimes preoccupied with research. You will feel at times that the courses lack focus and direction, or that you don’t know exactly what you are supposed to be reading. The Irish refer to this lack of attention as "not being spoon fed." Call it what you like, but realise you have to take the initiative to get things done. This is not, however, a reason to be discouraged about the quality of medical training here. The other side of this coin is that you will do particularly well in your courses if you put some extra effort into understanding the material and picking up more information than what is given in lecture. To be positive about it, this is good practice for a career that requires lifelong independent learning. Just as with any experience, you will get out of it exactly what you put into it.

Nose to the Grindstone? Going straight from high school to medical school means that Irish students are determined to enjoy college life as well as learn medicine. Irish students are used to relaxing all year, then cramming (“swotting”) for two weeks before finals, and passing exams that way.

Given their eagerness to enjoy college and their variable study habits, they may be surprised to find out that you were studying on a Tuesday night with no exam for two months. Everyone has their own approach, but the best plan is to do 2-3 hours of work per night, and 5 or 6 hours on Saturday or Sunday, all year long. For most people, this is enough time to keep up with all the lecture material and still have time to take off one night and one weekend day each week to relax. This approach is much less stressful and more effective than trying to cram eight months worth of anatomy, biochemistry and physiology into the last two weeks in May.

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Despite the demands on your time, it's also extremely helpful to join a college club or society to meet people and maintain balance. Don't sacrifice every bit of your personal life to the Altar of Medicine; you are expected to be a human being as well as a future physician. Those who integrate into life in Ireland have a great time. (Don’t take this too far though; you won’t get into a residency by saying, “At least I had a good time.”)

Social Life

The social life here often centres around alcohol and going out to pubs and clubs. You may feel a bit isolated if you don’t drink alcohol or go to these pubs. However, there are many non-Irish (and a few native Irish students) who prefer not to drink or socialize around drinking. So, you’re not alone. If alcohol isn’t your thing, there’s the various college clubs, the sports facilities and the movies (one cinema with 11 screens). Foreign films are shown weekly (on Sunday nights) in the Town Hall Theatre from September to December, sponsored by the Galway Film Society. There are also plays and musical performances during the year both in the university theatre and in throughout the city. Summer in Galway is punctuated with lots of colourful festivals the biggest of which is the Galway Arts Festival in July.

DAILY LIVING STUFF

Searching for Housing

For those of you who were lucky enough to get rooms in the student accommodation consider yourself blessed; it’s a big hassle looking for a place to live. Below we have given a list of the types of accommodation available to students in Galway.

The Student Accommodation Offices maintains an on-going link with registered householders and accommodation services throughout Galway. Every effort is made to ensure that students find suitable accommodation. However it should be noted that the University does not own or control accommodation in the private sector. Students are recommended to view a property very

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carefully. September is a particularly busy time with new and returning students competing for limited accommodation. In short leave plenty of time to seek suitable accommodation.

The Director of Student Accommodation, Ms. Margaret Faherty, provides a comprehensive service to help students find suitable accommodation. She can be contacted at the Accommodation Office, Quadrangle, NUI,Galway. Hours of operation: M-F 9.15 am-1pm and 2.15 pm-5.15pm

Tel: 353 91 750378Fax: 353 91 750505

E-mail: [email protected]

The best place to start looking for a flat or apartment is Galway Advertiser, the local newspaper, which issues a list of accommodation each Wednesday at 2 p.m. at a cost of 1.27 Euro. Their office is located in Eyre Square Galway. The accommodation section can be viewed online from Wednesday evening at http://www.galwayadvertiser.ie/noframes/

Types of Accommodation

1. On-Campus

(a) Corrib Village

The campus has 176 self-catering apartments, providing accommodation for 760 students in 3&4 bed fully-furnished apartments. There are single or twin standard rooms and en-suite rooms available. Corrib Village is located 10 minutes walking distance from the campus. Students can contact Corrib Village directly for availability.

Tel. 353 91 527112Tel: 353 91 519404Fax: 353 91 523661E-mail: [email protected] address: http://www.corribstudents.com

Dunaras ApartmentsDunaras consists of both two and three-bedroomed fully

equipped self catering apartments with all bedrooms en-suite. Located just 15 minutes walk from NUI,Galway, Dunaras provides accommodation for 409 students. This style of accommodation is usually rented for the full

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http://www.corribstudents.com/


http://www.galwayadvertiser.ie/noframes/


academic year. (180 – 220 Euro) per week per Apartment] [2 Bedroom].

Tel: 353 91 589588Fax 353 91 581222E-mail: [email protected]

2. Self-Catering Accommodation

This is where the student shares with the owner and has limited access to the kitchen. Also worth knowing is that in self-catering accommodation, a students may only have visitors at the discretion of the house owner. [Approx. 50.80 – 57.15 Euro per week].

3. Shared Houses

These are normally rented for the full academic year (September to June). Rent must be paid during Christmas and Easter vacations. The register of houses/flats/apartments can be collected from the Student Accommodation Office at the end of August. [A 3-bedroom house housing 5 students approx. 205 Euro per week].

4. Bed-sits

There are sometimes known as studios and consist of one room in which a student sleeps, cooks, etc. Students are discouraged from living in bedsits, as they are seldom custom build and are sometimes represent poor value for money. Experience also shows that students opting for this type of accommodation quite often experience loneliness. [Approx. 102 Euro per week].

5. Lodgings

Lodgings, otherwise known as "digs" is where the student stay with a host family for the academic year. Some lodgings are only available on a 5-day basis (Monday to Friday) and students cannot have visitors and must fit in with family life.[7 day week 95.25-107.95 Euro per week][5 day week 76.20-82.55 Euro per week].

6. Temporary Accommodation

This is advisable to pre-book temporary accommodation such as a

hostel on arrival in Galway. There are a selection of room types

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available and are of quite a high standard.

Kinlay House, Merchants Road, Eyre Square, Galway.Tel. 353 91 565244Fax. 353 91 565245 Manager: Maeve Colohan Rates for single 31.75 Euro.

Remember all tenants in shared houses and apartments should be prepared to pay one month's advance rent and a deposit against damages not due to wear and tear. Utilities such as oil and electricity are extra.

The accommodation used by most students is generally about 1 or 2 miles from the campus, so you will need a bike or bus to get around. Rental costs rise steeply once you get within a mile or so of the City Centre. Expect to pay 254 Euro per month for a well-equipped, two-bedroom apartment > 1 mile from campus. Nearer the university the rent could rise to 762 Euro per month.

Try to find several classmates to share a house with you. Splitting the rent on a three/four bedroom house can save lots of money if you’re willing to commute. Wherever you live, check on the heating arrangements. Central Heating is a must!!

Groceries and Household Items

Big city-centre shops and department stores are open for six days a week, usually closing at 5.30 p.m. or 6.00 p.m. Supermarkets are usually open late on Thursday and Friday nights (until about 9.00 p.m.), and many are open seven days a week, but almost everywhere you can find smaller corner shops staying open much longer hours, including evenings and Sundays. They are usually a little more expensive for groceries than the supermarkets. Most supermarkets will deliver groceries free of charge to your accommodation.

Suggestions for Good Value:

(i) For clothes, shoes, rainwear, bedding, towels and hardware:Dunnes Stores (Eyre Square, Westside Shopping Centre, Terryland Shopping Centre, Headford Road) and Penneys (Eyre Square Centre, Galway Shopping Centre, Headford Road)

(ii) For the same range of goods, plus electrical goods:Roches Stores

(iii) Main supermarkets in shopping centres for a general range of food:

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Tesco (Galway Shopping Centre) and Dunnes Stores (branches listed above)Super Valu (Eyre Square Centre)

(iv) For wet weather clothing at reasonable prices:Army and Navy Stores (Shop Street)Dunnes Stores Roches Stores

(v) For sports clothing:Lifestyle (Galway Shopping Centre, Headford Road)

(vi) Irish-made gifts:The Treasure Chest (Shop Street), Roches Stores, Craft Shop (Quay Street)

The area around Shop Street can meet all your shopping needs. Dunnes Stores You can purchase all household items, such as duvets, sheets, lamps, and pots and pans at Roches Dept. Stores (which generally has the best prices and selection) or Dunnes Stores.

Food Shopping

At first the food appears quite bland. Coleslaw is very popular and is served with everything you can imagine. People also eat a lot of chips (French fries).Most students cook for themselves. The larger chain supermarkets: Dunnes Stores, Supervalu, Tesco have the widest variety of food, especially fruits and vegetables. There are good Fruit and Vegetable shops in the Terryland shopping centre and in central Galway. Most of the supermarkets operate a free home delivery service, so you won’t have to drag tons of bags home with you. Common herbs and spices are available in the large supermarkets. There is a wider range available in the healthfood shops which are situated in central Galway and in the Galway Shopping Centre on the Headford road. The healthfood shops also stock a good range of vegetarian items.

For Muslim students who wish to eat Halal meat, there is a Mediterranean Foodstore in Westside. It also sells imported Asian foods.

There are also canteens (cafeterias) in the university. There is a main canteen on campus, one next to the hospital (known as the nurses’ canteen – it sometimes serves Halal meat), one in the Clinical Science Institute and a few smaller sandwich and snack

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places. However, the variety is not that great. There are restaurants all over Galway. Again, there isn’t too much variety.

Pubs serve good food and many students like to have lunch in the College Bar.There are many ‘corner shops’ that are open quite late. They can be a lifesaver when all you need is a carton of milk or some chocolate. But they are a bit more expensive than supermarkets.

Some supermarkets have “own brand” foodstuffs e.g. Tesco, St. Bernard in Dunnes. These are usually cheaper than regular brands. Tesco, Dunnes and Supervalu will deliver groceries to your accommodation if you spend over 20.00 Euro. Most supermarkets have a good selection of lentils, beans, rice pasta etc., but it is also useful to know about more specialist shops for buying these, plus oriental spices, fruit and vegetables outside the normal Irish range. Some good shops:

*Healthwise Lower Abbeygate Street*McCambridge’s Shop Street*McDonagh’s Fish Shop (Quay Street)*Mediterranean Food store, Westside. Hal-al meats are available at the

MEALS

The College Restaurant offers hot lunches and evening meals at reasonable prices.

Opening hours:

Monday to Thursday

10.00 a.m. – 11.30 a.m. (breakfast)12.00 noon – 2.30 p.m. (lunch) / 12.00 noon – 3.00 p.m. (grill bar)4.00 p.m. – 7.00 p.m. (evening service)

Friday

10.00 a.m. – 11.30 a.m. (breakfast)12.00 noon – 5.00 p.m. (lunch & evening service)

The Junction (beside the Restaurant) opens8.00 a.m. – 7.00 p.m. (Monday – Thursday)8.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. (Friday)11.00 a.m. – 2.00 p.m. (Saturday)

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Snacks and light meals are also available in the Student Common Room (The Hub) in the Student Centre, and also in the Student Bar and at two other snack bars on campus. City centre restaurants are within eight minutes walking distance from the College.

Communications

Instructions for using telephones are found at the front of the telephone directory and in the public telephone kiosks. A local call from a public telephone costs 38 cent for three minutes. Call cards can be purchased at the Students Union Shop, post offices or at general stores.

Special telephone services:

Operator dial 10 Telegrams (International) dial 196Directory Enquiries dial 11811 Emergency International Telegrams dial 10Long Distance Calls dial 10 Time dial 1191International Calls dial 114

Do not ask the operator to make connections for you unless absolutely necessary, as it is usually cheaper to dial through yourself.

Many students rely on mobile phones rather than getting a ‘land-line’ phone. There are mobile phone shops all around Galway. You can get pre-paid cards to top up your phone credit without having to enter into a phone contract (most students go for this option).

If you want to install a land-line, it costs around 127 Euro to install and then another 29 Euro or so every two months t maintain the line. The tax is also very high and may make up the bulk of your phone bill. It also might take up to 2 weeks to get your phone installed.

To make international calls, your best bet is to buy a calling card or open an ESAT Home account or a Spirit account. However, some Eircom rates via land-line can turn out to be cheaper to certain countries. Be careful if you’re using a calling card from your mobile phone because sometimes they charge a connection fee and a surcharge per minute.

If you want to check your e-mail or surf the net you will be listed automatically with the university computer service when you are registered with the university. You will have access to your own e-

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mail address, secure electronic storage and full Internet access. During the first few weeks, while you are waiting to get a college e-mail account, you can use the Internet cafes in town. They charge around 5 Euro an hour. You can also open your own Internet account to connect from home (of course, you’ll need a land-line first). There are a few service providers (e.g., Eircom, Ireland Online, NTL, Ocean Free). The lines are generally good.

If you wish to make a reversed charge (collect) call home, telephone freephone as follows:

U.S. 1800 26 55 328 Germany 1800 550049 France 1800 55 10 33Spain 1800 55 00 34

Transportation

BICYCLESCan be hired or purchased second-hand from Europa Bicycles (opposite Cathedral), Galway. Also check “for sale” advertisements in the Galway Advertiser newspapers. The smaller bike shops away from the centre of town tend to offer good deals on used bikes.

The national transport authority is Bus Eireann / Iarnrod Eireann (Irish Bus / Irish Rail). Ceannt Station is the name of the bus/train terminal off Eyre Square in Galway (behind the Great Southern Hotel). The Telephone Number is 561444 for train services and 562000 for bus services. Private bus companies also operate from Galway to Dublin on a daily basis. Tel. 797144.

You must have an International Student Identity Card with a currentTravelSave stamp

Twenty four hour talking timetables for Galway-Dublin trains 01-8054244.

TAXI/HACKNEYCan be expensive – ask what the price is likely to be before travelling!Some useful numbers:Big O Cabs 585858 Apollo/Corrib Cabs

567222Pro Cabs 565900 United Hackney 529900

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DRIVING IN IRELAND

A full driver’s licence from other countries is valid in Ireland for a period of up to one year. The Irish drive on the left-hand side of the road. Maximum speed limit outside towns is 88 km/h (55 m.p.h.). Seat belts are mandatory for drivers and all passengers.

Travel Agents and USIT/ISIC

The ISIC (International Student Identity Card) is a card that entitles you to cheap tickets. It can be purchased in the USIT Office on the main Campus. USIT is a student-run and student-friendly travel agency that sells cheap tickets for air and rail travel to anyone who has an ISIC. To get the ISIC you need to supply a passport picture (which you can get at USIT) and your university ID, which you will receive after registration during the first week of October. You may also need a passport.

The ISIC costs 10 Euro but if you open a student account with the Bank of Ireland or AIB Bank they will give you a voucher for a free ISIC card. They also sell a TravelSave stamp, which is another 10 Euro (or sometimes free if you open an account), and will get you discounts on travel in Ireland. If you will be travelling frequently by bus, or train, the TravelSave stamp will quickly pay for itself. You do not need a TravelSave stamp to book flights through USIT. One note of caution: USIT fares are not necessarily the cheapest. Most of the time they are, but sometimes you can get cheaper tickets with regular travel agents by flying via other cities such as London or Paris. Shop around before you book a flight. The biggest advantage to using USIT is the fact that you can change your flight date for about 31.75 Euro (depending on availability), whereas regular travel agents charge a lot more to change your ticket. The biggest disadvantages are the smaller choice of flights, the long lines at USIT, and the inexperienced student staff. Some students prefer to use a general travel agent.

BANKING

Most banks provide bureau de change and travellers cheque facilities. Major credit cards can all be used in Ireland (e.g. Visa, Access, Diner’s Club, American Express). Bank opening hours are: 10.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday

On Thursdays, banks are open until 5.00 p.m.

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Banks: Bank of Ireland at the end of the Concourse, NUI, Galway.

Allied Irish Bank on Distillery Road.Ulster Bank opposite the University College Hospital.

CURRENCY

The Euro became the official currency of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) on 1st January 1999.

POST OFFICES

The General Post Office (GPO) is on Eglinton Street, Galway. The opening times are9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m., Monday to Saturday (no lunch-time closing).

Postal servicesIreland/ Airmail to countriesBritain E.C. outside

Europe

Letters 38pc 38c 57cCards 38c 38c 57c

A Post Office is located adjacent to the Newcastle Road entrance/exit to the College.

Services include stamps, registered post, express mail, parcel post, money orders, postal orders, international reply coupons, T.V. licences and savings accounts. Local Post Offices are open between 9.00 a.m. – 5.30 p.m. approximately, Monday to Friday. The Post Office on the Newcastle Road closes 1.00 p.m. – 2.00 p.m. for lunch.

Bookstores

You can purchase textbooks in any of the following bookstores:1. Fannin HealthCare- Dominick Street, Galway.2. University bookshop – main concourse.3. Easons (Shop Street.) Selection is limited.4. Upper level students sell their used books on campus- look

for the ads posted just outside the Health Science Office and on the bulletin boards across campus.

Health and Insurance

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A student health service is provided on campus, which is free and completely confidential. It is staffed by two doctors and two nurses, a physiotherapist and a sports injuries therapist. The Student Health Service does not cover the cost of prescribed medicine, hospitalisation, and optical or dental treatment so it is advisable to have a thorough medical check up before leaving home. Students should ensure that they arrange private medical insurance prior to departing from their home country or in Ireland on their arrival.

Further information on medical care and regulations relating to overseas students can be obtained from Ann Monahan, Room 218, Block S, NUI, Galway or from Nurse Edel Quinn, Student Health Unit, NUI, Galway.

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The years ahead: NUI,G has a reputation for good clinical instruction. From what we have experienced so far, each year seems to be better than the last. Throughout the course, NUI,G strongly emphasizes self-directed learning, meaning you are required to do a lot of independent reading without the safety net of a highly detailed syllabus. The medical school also seems to operate on a sort of “inverse care law”– those who are the most hapless (1st, 2nd and 3rd Meds), receive the least resources and guidance. However, do not be discouraged. Third Med begins to seem clinically relevant and even enjoyable. By 4th Med you will be treated like (and feel like) medical students rather than undergraduates, and by 5th Med most of us were impressed with the personalised instruction we received. The Final (6th) Medical Year is an excellent system of clinical training, and it will make a qualified, competent physician out of you when you finally get there.

The biggest advantage to studying medicine in Ireland, however, is the Irish people themselves. The Irish medical school environment is much less “cut-throat” than those you might find in other countries. While there is some personal and national pride at stake when grades come out, cooperation and camaraderie are the norm. During the clinical years, you’ll find that Irish patients love talking to students (sometimes for longer than you would like) and are almost always willing to let you “practice medicine” on them. This translates into endless opportunities to perfect your skills of history taking and physical examination, which will give you a valuable foundation for your future career.

The remainder of this Guide contains information about the course during each of the 6 years. If you are entering as a 2 in1 student, skip ahead to the 2nd med chapter. Information regarding each year has been compiled from the opinions of students who have just finished the year. Please read on with the caveat that things will be slightly different for each student and from year to year.

Good luck in your first year!

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Chapter 3: Guide to Your Undergraduate years and the Intern Year.

The Medical Course – An Overview

The medical course for most students is a 6-year course which is divided into two and a half years of pre-clinical sciences and three and a half years of clinical sciences. It is possible to do a 5 year medical course at NUI,Galway. However entry to the 5-year programme will require excellent results at A level or international baccalaureate. It is also possible for students with a prior science degree to do a 5-year curriculum.

The pre-clinical sciences aim to provide the students with a sound grounding in the essential sciences for the practice of medicine. The course moves rapidly from biology, chemistry and physics to the more applied sciences of anatomy, biochemistry and physiology. Students meet patients from the first year onwards. There are two early patient contact programmes in the first and second years, and a basic clinical training programme in the third medical year.

The medical course is delivered over 3 terms. The Winter term begins in mid to late September and carries on until the second week in December. The Spring term runs from the first week in January to early March. The Summer term begins at the end of March or early April and carries on into June. Most major examinations occur in either May or June with the option to repeat examinations in the autumn.

The Grading System.

A pass in any assessment is 50%Second class honours is 60%First class honours is 70%.

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THE FIRST MEDICAL YEAR

The first medical year is designed to introduce you to the basic sciences of medicine. The subjects include Experimental Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Behavioural Science and Medical Computing. The Early Patient Contact programme involves introducing students to patients and allowing students to practice patient interview skills.

Assessment

The major assessment for the first medical year occurs in the spring term with the repeats occurring in the autumn. You will be examined in physics, chemistry and biology.

First Med: The students’ point of view

For some overseas students who have completed premed courses in the U.S, Botswana or Malaysia, the First Year course might prove to be quite frustrating. You may have covered most of the subject matter before. It can be a great year however for making friends, getting to know Galway and settling in

Experimental Physics and Chemistry will be examined at the end of the first term. You will also have an exam in parasitology around the same time. After the winter holiday, you will be introduced to some new subjects including statistics, psychology, anatomy (musculoskeletal system, nervous system), embryology and histology. Examinations for these subjects are held in summer, early June and repeat exams are held in August.

The early patient contact (EPC) programme gives you the chance to meet patients in the ward and lasts for 2 weeks. Being first med gives you a chance to make friends with your classmates while everyone is meeting for the first time. You will definitely be doing your attachment and work more frequently with them all over the next 5-6 years.

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THE “TWO-IN-ONE OPTION

The 2-in-1 program applies to those students who have either completed an undergraduate science degree or who previous education included undergraduate study in a scientific discipline. This mainly applies to those whose coursework has partially overlapped the First Medical Year.

The following courses apply:First Medical Year: Anatomy (Musculoskeletal system).

BiochemistryIntro to PsychologyGeneticsBiologyPhysicsGeneral and Organic ChemistryHistology (basic)Embryology (basic)

Second Medical Year: Anatomy (Systems and Clinical)BiochemistryPhysiologyHistologyEmbryology

When applying for 2-in-1 status one must submit complete documentation regarding

previous coursework to both the Dean of Medicine and the Professor of each relevant academic department; the major departments being Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry. Upon processing your submission, the department subsequently determines your eligibility for exemptions and forwards a recommendation to the Dean of Medicine. Therefore, the 2-in-1 syllabus is largely individual as it is formed by those subjects from which you are not exempt.

Generally, the 2-in-1 program is a challenging year involving a rigorous academic schedule thus, time management skills are essential. After successful completion of the 2-in-1 program, the student advances into the third medical year. As promised by the title, the completion of two years of medical study in one year, enables the medical degree to be earned in five years, rather than six.

Often, information is best received from those who have experienced the program first-hand. You may contact former 2-in-1, Elaine Byrne via e-mail at [email protected] for such inquiries.

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If you feel you are eligible for this program, please contact the Dean of Medicine for further information.

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THE SECOND MEDICAL YEAR

Second Medical Year

The second medical year is often viewed by students as the year in which they start medicine proper. The main subjects are Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry. There is a second Early Patient contact course in which students spend time in general practice seeing and examining patients, and observing doctors at work.

Assessment

Physiology: There are continuous assessment quizzes every other week. They make up a large part of your marks at the end of the year. The main exam is at the end of the year in May, along with an oral exam.

Biochemistry: You have an MCQ in December and another one in March along with a practical MCQ in systems anatomy in December and another one in March along with a practical MCQ. The main exam is in May and there also an oral exam.

Anatomy: You have an MCQ in systems anatomy in December along with an oral exam in systems anatomy. The main exam in May encompasses systems anatomy, histology, embryology and clinical anatomy which you will have studied as separate subjects. They are all examined on the one anatomy paper. The end of the year oral also includes all those subjects. There is a histology spot test at the end of the year also.

The first semester (till Christmas) seems quite relaxed, as there are no big exams till May. However, the heat builds up around March and people start to seriously get down to studying.

There is an option to repeat in the autumn term.

Second Med: The students’ point of view

Basically there are only three subjects (anatomy, biochemistry and physiology) that you will be studying in this year. That is what is written in your result transcript anyway. But don’t party just yet. In this part of the course, Anatomy is divided into systemic embryology (as opposed to general embryology in the first year), histology and clinical anatomy. The good news is biochemistry and physiology are not divided into separate subjects, but are still tough subjects and it is recommended to get advice from seniors or lecturers about which books are best to use. Minor exams are held in the winter term for anatomy. Physiology quizzes are held when you finish each body system. The marks for the quizzes will add up

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to about 20% of your final marks. All the major exams will be held in June as well as the repeat in August.

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THE THIRD MEDICAL YEAR

The third medical year is where student begin to leave the pre-clinical sciences behind and move on to the clinical sciences. The first term consists of pharmacology, neuroscience, biochemistry, applied physiology and behavioural sciences. The second or spring term includes pharmacology, behavioural sciences, practical nursing (in which you are attached to a nursing team for one week), an introductory clinical course and a mechanisms of diseases course. The introductory clinical course has been designed to teach students the basic skills of medicine. The include history taking, examination skills and interpretation. It is a very comprehensive course that is run over 4 weeks and is always highly rated by students. The mechanisms of disease course is an integrated course run by the Departments of Pathology and Bacteriology in which the basic mechanisms by which disease expresses itself are demonstrated and discussed.

The third term of third med includes the subjects of pathology, bacteriology, medical informatics, medicine and surgery. This is where students begin their full exposure to a clinical course. Their subjects are bacteriology and pathology are essential to the practice of medicine. Medical Informatics shows students how medical information is created, derived, stored and used. The students learn how to put their new found history taking and examination skills to good use on the medicine and surgery attachments.

Assessment

Neuroscience exam is in December. There is also a neuroanatomy spot test.

Biochemistry exam in December. There is an oral. Pharmacology exam is at the end of February. There is a

pass/fail/honours oral. Behavioural Science exam is at the end of February. There is an

essay that is due in November. In January, you'll have a nursing attachment in the hospital for a

week. This week will be free from lectures and you'll spend your entire day on your assigned ward with the nurses. This is usually quite boring and you don't get to do or see too much. But its exciting finally to be in the hospital.

Once you have finished the "big" exams you can sit back and relax a bit from March to June. There is an MCQ at the end of it but it's not worth much.

You'll also begin Pathology and Bacteriology which you'll finish in 4th year (and be examined in then). There is a bacteriology essay that’s due at the end of May. Pathology has MCQs after

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each section, so you'll probably have one or two MCQs before the end of third year.

Medicine and Surgery: There is a negatively marked MCQ in May (again, no one knows exactly how much its worth). You'll have a series of Medicine and Surgery MCQs from now until Final Med.

You start clinical attachments. You will be assigned to a doctor or surgeon and his team and you spend any free time following them around, receiving tutorials, taking patient histories and standing around in operation theatres trying to look useful and contaminate anything. The quality of the attachments varies. Some consultants ignore you completely and put the burden of the teaching work onto their team, whereas others are extremely helpful and take a more personal approach to teaching.

Third Med: The students’ point of view

This year is going to be an interesting year as you are undergoing ‘transformation’ they called it, from preclinical years to clinical years. Basically, you can consider yourself as seniors to 1st and 2nd years. You will be sitting for your major finals in Neuroscience which consists of neuroanatomy (100 is the full mark) and neurophysiology (also 100 is the full mark) and Biochemistry AGAIN. Yes, this subject will still be haunting you till your third year, but it is there for a good reason , trust us!

Concurrently, you will be having your lectures in pharmacology and behavioural science and these two subjects will be examined in spring –around end of February. And on March, where your clinical years begin, you will kick off with Introductory to Clinical Course Programme which consists of video sessions, lectures and practical classes. This course will take a month to complete after which lectures and attachments in medicine as well as surgery will start. Basically the Introductory course, medicine and surgery will be examined as multiple-choice questions (MCQ’s), which will form part of your final med marks. This of course will be a minor contribution but you will be better of try to score in these. Together with the surgery and medicine attachment you have, you will be given lectures in pathology, bacteriology and medical infomatics as well. These are actually your 3 main subjects in 4th year. They started early simply because you finished your third year course early and because they are a lot in it and you are going to finish it early in 4th year as well. You will have your MCQ’s in June for two systems namely cardiovascular and respiratory for pathology. That’s it for exams in third med. If you pass your exams in winter and spring, you are to be sure to be called 4th Meds.

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THE FOURTH MEDICAL YEAR

The fourth medical year is a continuation of the end of the third medical for the first two terms. That is you will continue to do Pathology, Bacteriology, Medical Informatics, Medicine and Surgery.

This is the year that you will really begin to feel like a medical students now. It will feel very exciting to wear your freshly starched and ironed white coat and carry your stethoscope around in your pocket (which goes unused for weeks, depending on which attachment you’re doing).

Assessment

The major examinations take place in March in the subjects of Pathology, Bacteriology and Medical Informatics.

The third or summer term consists of Social and Preventative Medicine, Forensic Medicine, Medical Ethics, Human Rights, Legal Medicine and Dermatology.

You will have third term exams in Social and Preventative Medicine, Forensic Medicine, Medical Ethics, Human Rights and Legal Medicine.

There are repeats in the autumn.

Fourth Med: The students’ point of view

As mentioned, your core subjects are Pathology, Bacteriology, Medicine, Surgery and Medical Informatics. For pathology, you are going to have MCQ’s after you have finished each of the systems you are taught. For bacteriology, you will have to write an essay and submit the title for the lecturer’s approval and your major exam will be in early February together with pathology and medical informatics. Medicine and surgery lectures and attachments in hospital will be ongoing in this year and MCQ’s will be held in December. After the spring exam, subjects like social and preventive medicine, forensic medicine, medical ethics, human rights, legal medicine and dermatology will be introduced. Examinations for these subjects are held in June and repeats will be in August.

SUMMER ELECTIVES

During the summer months you have ample free time to add to your medical experience. A good option is a research project. There are projects available at NUI,G if you want to spend a summer in

37


Galway. Ask around- many research groups both on campus and in the hospitals would be happy to have another pair of hands.

Staying in Ireland

The advantages are obvious- you can pick whatever subject you like, with a consultant who is known to be eager to teach, and guarantee yourself a spot by asking early. Consultants in affiliated hospitals are very willing to have you hang around for an extra month. The disadvantage is that you don’t get to see medicine practiced in another country. It helps to see things somewhere else to identify strengths and weaknesses of the Irish system.

Wherever you end up on your elective, prepare for it by reading about the subject in advance, approaching it with enthusiasm, and focusing on getting a good letter of recommendation out of it.

THE FIFTH MEDICAL YEAR

The fifth medical year is divided up into a series of clerkships. These are in Paediatrics, Psychiatry, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Ophthalmology, Oto-rhino-laryngology and General Practice. There are also lectures in Surgery and Medicine. The major exams are in General Practice, Psychiatry, Paediatrics, Ophthalmology and ENT and are held in May of the fifth medical year. Repeat examinations are held in the autumn.

Assessment

You will undergo assessments in all the major subjects including Paediatrics, Psychiatry, General Practice and Obstetrics & Gynaecology. These are held on a phased basis throughout the year.

Fifth Med: The students’ point of view

The 5th Medical year is really the beginning of your final med to be frank. There are series of clerkships in Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ophthalmology, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) and general practice. As it has started in third year, lectures and attachments in medicine and surgery will also go on in this year. During this year, you will also be posted to hospitals outside Galway for a two-week attachment for exposure and in the summer you will have to do your attachment for a month in any hospital regardless of where the hospital is (e.g. Ireland, US, Malaysia, Botswana, India), as long as it is not in Galway regional hospital.

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SUMMER ELECTIVES

During the summer months you have ample free time to add to your medical experience. A good option is a research project. There are projects available at NUI,G if you want to spend a summer in Galway. Ask around- many research groups both on campus and in the hospitals would be happy to have another pair of hands.

Staying in Ireland

The advantages are obvious- you can pick whatever subject you like, with a consultant who is known to be eager to teach, and guarantee yourself a spot by asking early. Consultants in affiliated hospitals are very willing to have you hang around for an extra month. The disadvantage is that you don’t get to see medicine practiced in another country. It helps to see things somewhere else to identify strengths and weaknesses of the Irish system.

Voluntary Services Abroad (VSA)

This is a program that sends students to developing countries to give them a glimpse of what life is like outside the comforts of Western civilization. Don’t be fooled into thinking you will save a little corner of the world if you go; usually it turns out to be an exotic vacation in a place you otherwise might never see. The advantages: you can choose any poor country on earth and see spectacular sights. You can get funding to help you get there. You may even help a few people along the way. You may have the best summer of your life. And when is the next time you are you going to have the chance to visit a developing country for free? In addition, if you have a strong academic record, a visit to the Third World gives you an interesting background when applying to residencies.

The disadvantages: You may learn medical habits that you cannot practice anywhere. You will have to invest time throughout the year to raise money for VSA.

THE FINAL MEDICAL YEAR

The final medical year includes the subjects of Medicine, Surgery, Anaesthetics, Radiology and revision courses if necessary in Obstetrics & Gynaecology. Another feature of the year is the junior internships. During these, the students are attached to as junior interns for 4 week periods to medical or surgical firms either in Galway or elsewhere. These are very valuable when preparing for imminent graduation and internship.

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Assessment

The final medical examination is held in May of each with the option to repeat in the autumn.

Final Med: The students’ point of view

Finally, here you are in your last year of study after which you will be paid for what you do, but still the most important thing to bear in mind is that you will be in for a very big responsibility for any action you do or decide which will involve the life and well being of your patient. But anyway, don’t be discouraged by the first line I have written, the good thing is, by this year you would have known a lot after your five year of study/four for the 2 in l students and basically, if you revised them all back and study your materials in your final year as it supposed to be, you will have no problem of becoming a good doctor and patients will be glad having you as their treating doctor.

Subjects taught in this year include Radiology, Medicine and Surgery (AGAIN – but no worry, this will be the last of it), Anesthetics and revision courses if necessary in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Another feature of the year is junior internships. During these, you are attached to as junior interns for 4 weeks periods to medical or surgical firms either in Galway or elsewhere. These are very valuable when preparing for imminent graduation and internship. The final medical examination is held in May of each year with the option to repeat in the autumn.

One last thought: Galway is a great place to do medicine, but it is up to you to make the best of what Galway has to offer. The best of luck to you all!!! THE INTERN YEAR

All medical students who qualify from NUI,Galway are guaranteed an intern year. This is a pre-registration year in which you are temporarily registered by the Irish Medical Council as a medical practitioner, but you are practising under supervision. The year typically consists of 6 months spent as a medical intern and 6 months as a surgical intern. During your internship you will be attached to a medical or surgical team. As the most junior member of the team, a lot of the organisation and responsibility for the team will fall to you. This includes doing the admission of new patients, the organisation of tests and procedures and the reporting of events on a daily basis to other members of the team, including the consultant. You will need to be good at keeping medical records and at organising your time. You will have your first proper experience of on-call. You can expect to be on duty over night at least 2 nights a week on average.

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The intern year will provide you with great experience and will get you off to a good start in your medical career. You will be well supported by other members of your team who will typically include at least one Senior House Officer (greater than one year post qualification) and a Specialist Registrar in addition to the team leader or consultant. When you complete your intern year, you need to arrange with the Dean for a certificate of satisfactory completion of the intern year. When this is sent to the Irish Medical Council, you are then eligible for full registration within Ireland and elsewhere. Your medical degree is recognised in all countries in the world, but you will have to do further entrance tests such as the PLAB if you come from outside the EU area in the EC and the USLME if you intend working in the United States.

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CHAPTER 4 MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION.Useful Addresses

Overseas Student Officer,Ann Monahan,Overseas Student Officer,Room 201, Block S,Tel. (091) 524411 Ext. 3581/2781.E-mail. [email protected]

Counselling & Pastoral CareJim Byrne, CounsellorMargaret Fletcher-Egan, CounsellorStudent Development Services,Room C104, Aras de Brun,Tel. (091) 524411 Ext. 2484.(091) 750377 Direct Line

Sport & RecreationTony Regan,Sport & Recreation Officer,Aras na MacLeinn.Tel. (091) 524411 Ext. 2235.E-mail. [email protected] or

Maria McHugh (Secretary)Aras na MacLeinn,Tel. (091) 524411, Ext. 3482.

Student HealthDr. Fionnuala Lysaght-GeraghtyStudent Health Unit,Aras na MacLeinn.Tel: (091) 524411 Ext. 2604.

Consular Section,Department of Foreign Affairs,72-76 St. Stephen’s Green,Dublin 2. Tel. (01) 4780822

Islamic Foundation of Ireland163-165 South Circular Road,Dublin.

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Useful Web Addresses

www.medicalcouncil.ie This website gives an overview of whatthe Irish Medical Council is, how it functions and provides some insight into Medicine trainingin Ireland.

www.pgmdb.ieThe Postgraduate Medical and Dental Board has Information on postgraduate training in Ireland.

www.medicalcouncil.ieIrish Medical Council

www.whb.ieThe Western Health Board.

www.fsmb.orgThe Federation of State Medical Boards Website.

www.usmle.orgThe Official USMLE website.

www.ecfmg.orgFirst stop for Foreign Medical Graduates wantingTo head to the States.

www.socs.nuigalway.ie and www.clubs.nuigalway.ieThis new site allows access to the webpages ofNUI,Galway’s Clubs and Societies.

www.sin.ieThis is the official website for NUI,Galway studentsWith access to up-to-date information, clubs and Societies events, on-line bulletin boards etc.

Useful Maps

Map of Galway City (See Overleaf)Map of NUI,Galway (See Overleaf)

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Schematic map of Galway City and NUI, Galway’s Location

CLINICAL TEACHING CENTRES

http://www.sin.ie/

http://www.clubs.nuigalway.ie/

http://www.socs.nuigalway.ie/

http://www.ecfmg.org/

http://www.usmle.org/

http://www.fsmb.org/

http://www.whb.ie/

http://www.medicalcouncil.ie/

http://www.pgmdb.ie/

http://www.medicalcouncil.ie/

Schematic map of Galway City and NUI, Galway’s Location

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Map of main Campus – NUI, Galway

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