University of Zagreb School of Medicine

'Medical Studies in English' Program:

A Student's Perspective

by Jake Raguz, a student at UZSM/MSE

jake_raguz@yahoo.com

There are a lot of things to learn in medical school. One of the many things that the University of Zagreb School of Medicine (UZSM) endeavours to teach students is to pass on information and knowledge to others. With that in mind, i hope this article will:

1. inform others about the UZSM program, and encourage prospective students to attend;

2. help prepare students, and make the transition to Zagreb and the UZSM a little easier.

Some readers may already be aware that the UZSM, which was founed in 1917, has an excellent reputation, with many of it's graduates working all over the world, including the US and Canada. What readers may not be aware of is, in addition to it's Croatian-language program, in 2003 the school added a 'Medical Studies in English' (MSE) program. The similarities between the two programs at UZSM are: the same medical school; the same professors; the same Medical Doctor (MD) degree. The differences are: language of study (English), and the MSE program has the added advantage of using all the latest editions of medical texts used in US and Canada.

The 'Medical Studies in English' (MSE) program has already completed it's third year and each year is getting bigger and better. This past year, in 2005, the school added a 4-year program alongside it's preexisting 6-year program. The school added the 4-year program in response to the increased number of students attending from the US and Canada with previous university degrees and transferable credit courses. Essentially what this means is that students with prior university credit may be exempt from some courses, even if they aren't accepted into the 4-year program. The 6-year program is based on the European system of accepting students straight out of high school with no previous university experience, unlike the North American system where typically students need an undergraduate degree before applying to medical school. An important note to remember for students coming from North America is that UZSM, as is the system in Europe, offers each student at least three (3) opportunities to pass an exam. In other words, if you don't pass an exam, it's not counted as a 'fail', and there is no record of how many attempts it takes you to 'pass' the exam. So the school offers students every opportunity to succeed.

According to Prof. Davor Jezek, thr coordinator of the MSE program, MSE currently has 51 students, spread across 3 years. Most of the students come from the US and Canada. In total, 12 different countries are represented. Also, over 30% of the students already possess one or more Bachelor degrees. Some of the students are former university graduates who have left full-time jobs or unrelated careers for an opportunity to pursue a medical degree. Other students are recent university graduates. Still other students are straight out of high school. Some students are children of medical doctors; others have no doctors in their family. Each student has his or her own story, his or her own reason why they chose to attend. UZSM/MSE offers each of them an opportunity. In some cases, it is an opportunity of a lifetime.

Most of the professors at UZSM are extremely intelligent (with MD and PhD degrees) and surprisingly young. Most also have a strong command of english and have a good sense of humor, which makes them very approachable. Also, the professors encourage students to ask questions and they make themselves available to students for questions after class. In particular, Prof. Jezek, who is in charge of the MSE program, has been extremely enthusiastic and approachable since day one. He always has time to meet with students, and is constantly endeavouring to make the MSE program better. Towards this goal, the school has visiting professors attending from various countries to give lectures. Also, Prof. Jezek is working with the university to establish internships and residency placements for the MSE students in the US and Canada. I would encourage any doctor or administrator who can help the students find internship and residency placements, in the US and Canada, to please contact Prof. Jezek. Your assistance in this matter would be most appreciated. According to Prof. Jezek, some doctors from the US, Canada and Europe have already established an informal 'Friends of Medical Studies in English Club' („Klub prijatelja MSE“).

For those students planning to attend UZSM/MSE, here are a few things that might help make your transition a little easier. The school: In 2007 the UZSM will be celebrating it's 90th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the school has recently been renovated, internally and externally. Also, the school has a student cafeteria ('menza') conveniently located in the medical school building. All students receive an 'x' card ('iksica') which entitles them to eat at the school cafeteria at a reduced rate (approximately ź the cost). The school also has 2 new computer rooms, each with 12-15 internet equiped computers, and a medical library.

Textbooks: Any textbook that you want to order, you can do so from the bookstore 'Algoritam' in Zagreb. The bookstore is located near Trg Ban Jelacic, behind the Hotel Dubrovnik. Books usually arrive within 2-4 weeks. The cost is similar, if not even less expensive, to what you would pay in your home country. An example is the text 'Clinically Oriented Anatomy', which i purchased in Toronto for the equivalent of 500 kunas, but which can be purchased in Zagreb for around 350 kunas. The list of recommended texts can be found on the school's web-site. However, i would go so far as to say that for first year the only courses that really require textbooks is Biochemistry and Anatomy. For all the other courses the school or professors provide all the material on a CD or on powerpoint presentations. So there is no need for students to unnecessarily purchase expensive textbooks or to drag a case load of texts from your home country. Also, some students manage to get a copy of a text from students in upper years. I should also mention that some students may have CD copies of the 'Sobotta Atlas' and 'Netters Atlas', used in Anatomy, so that there is no real need to purchase these yourself.

However, I highly recommend getting a laptop computer for school. Many of the classes have their lecture presentations available on CD or you can download it onto a USB stick. Also, wireless internet is readily available in Croatia. When you arrive in Zagreb, you'll also want to get yourself a cell phone. Cell phones are virtually mandatory. Students typically exchange phone numbers with each other at the beginning of school. They are extremely useful for sending text messages to one another.

Student Dorms/Apartments: students dorms are not available to students in the MSE program. So you'll have to get an apartment. Some students have family living in Zagreb and stay with them. Others have to find their own place. What you'll need to do is to go to any newspaper kiosk and get a copy of 'Plavi Oglasnik' and search the apartment rental section. The other option is to check the bulletin boards at the medical school. Some students/landlords post notices on bulletin boards looking for tenants or roommates, but most are looking for female students only. 

This is a good time to mention that there is a Tourist Information Centre located on the Trg Ban Jelacic (the main square in the city). They can provide you with all sorts of valuable information, including complimentary mini-maps of the city with all the 'tram' (streetcars/trolleys) routes. When you get to Zagreb, go to the Tourist Information Cente and ask them how to get to the medical school on Salata. They'll give you a mini map and draw the best route to get there.

As mentioned, the medical school is located on Salata, which is a 10 minute walk from the main square (Trg Ban Jelacic). On Salata there are also many recreation facilities, including a work-out/fitness gym, tennis and basketball courts, soccer field and ice-skating rink. And of course, several cafes and night clubs.

Admittedly there's an adjustment period for most, if not all, students. Most all of the students are away from home, some for the first time. Some make the adjustment better than others. But every individual has his or her own struggles being away from family and home and friends. Some students, especially the ones straight out of high school, seem to take too much of an advantage of the fact that they're away from home and parents and spend too much time partying and too little time studying. The students who have previous university experience tend to be a little more disciplined in their study habits. However, not every student is the same. The good news is that any student that puts in the time and effort will get a good result. Just as in the story of 'The Tortoise and the Hare', perseverance can prevail. Typically, students that make it past first year tend to become more serious and disciplined in their studies and continue on to 2nd year and beyond. Unfortunately some students are unable to strike the right balance and fall too far behind and eventually leave the program. In each of the the first 3 years approximately 20 students were admitted. However, about 5 students from each of the 2nd and 3rd years are no longer at the school. As a result, the upper years have about 15 students each. Students drop out for various reasons. Some transfer back to schools in their home country. Others drop out for academic reasons.

But it's hard to tell from one year to the next what each new year will bring. Each group of students, from each of the three years, seem different. Each has its own character. Next year's class will have its own character. It will be different in its own unique way. However, the problems will still be the same. Of course having the right friends, study partners or roommates can have a big effect on an individual. During first year the students are still trying to figure out who's who and what's what. And everything goes by so fast. That being said, some upper-year students are very friendly and helpful, offering advice or comments about the program and other matters. My advice is don't be afraid to approach other students to ask for advice or comments.

I'm looking forward to next year's crop of new students. Speaking with other students, they also say that they hope there's an even greater number of students enrolled in next year's class. Not only some of the staff, but also some of the students here are trying to improve and expand the MSE program.And that's one of the reasons why i'm writing this article, to notify any and all students of the great opportunity to study medicine here, and to encourage all who are so inclined to apply to UZSM. The good news is that as of June 1, there are more than 25 students (15 from US and Canada) accepted so far for the upcoming year (06-07). There is still room and still time to apply for this coming year (October 2006). If you're interested in applying, send in your application, even if the official deadline has past. In previous years, students have applied as late as August and September and have gotten accepted for the October start date.

Regarding student financing, i managed to get the government of Canada to recognize UZSM, so that residents of Canada can now apply and receive student financing (OSAP in the province of Ontario). Please check the school's website for more information, and the OSAP website to apply. If anyone can provide information or assistance regarding student financing from the US, please notify Prof. Jezek or myself so that the information can be posted on the school's website.

When all is said and done the fact is this: if you want to get a medical degree, with an excellent education, at a reasonable cost, from a renown medical school that has graduates working all over the world, including the US and Canada, then come to UZSM. See you in October, when classes start!

Jake Raguz

UZSM/MSE web-site is www.mef/mse.hr. Prof. Jezek (MSE Program Coordinator) can be reached at davor@mef.hr. The Admissions Officer, Mihaela Jakovac, can be reached at mjakovac@mef.hr.

By Dominic Bliss
Published: July 6 2006 03:00 | Last updated: July 6 2006 03:00

Those who believe Roger Federer to be the greatest grass-court player ever received more evidence for their argument on Wednesday when the three-times Wimbledon champion eased through his quarter-final.

His opponent Mario Ancic of Croatia played superbly, varying his style between powerful serve-and-volleying and solid baseline play. But it simply was not enough to hold the Swiss at bay. Despite rain breaks and a court invasion by fathers' rights protesters - one of them dressed as a young John McEnroe - Federer was able to maintain concentration and squash Ancic three sets to love, 6-4 6-4 6-4.

When play started on Centre Court, thunder clouds were looming above south-west London. Only four games were completed, all going with serve, before the services of the court coverers were called upon.

Once back on court, Federer then required only three points to break his opponent. He quickly proceeded to steamroller his way through the rest of the match, thwarting every increasingly desperate attempt Ancic made to resist him.

The 22-year-old from Split, who learnt much of his court craft from compatriot Goran Ivanisevic, was the last man to beat Federer at Wimbledon. That was in 2002, however, before the champion had fully asserted his All England Club dominance. Nowadays Federer has elevated his grass-court matches to an entirely different level. There comes a stage halfway through every one of them when his opponent's shoulders start to droop and his facial expression gradually switches from hope to exasperation.

The latter emotion began to manifest itself at the beginning of the second set, when Federer had whipped yet another of his angled forehands past the flailing Ancic. Every time Ancic produced a fine shot, the 24-year-old Federer would trump it with something even more brilliant. Deep volleys were met with unreturnable passing shots; dying drop-shots were inevitably retrieved. Players less mentally strong than Ancic would have thrown up their arms in despair.

Three-love down in the third set, the Croat needed both luck and immense skill to do it, but finally broke his opponent's serve - only the second time this has happened during the tournament. It was a teasing glimmer of hope that served only to delay Federer's inevitable win by a few minutes.

Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2006

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/68465a82-0c8b-11db-8235-0000779e2340.html

MEDICAL STUDIES IN ENGLISH (MSE) STARTED THE FIRST JOINT ELECTIVE COURSE WITH UNIVERSITY OF KENT!

From left to right: Zelimir Bradamante, John Ramsden, Nada Cikes, Davor Jezek and David Oliver

Today (June 26, 2006) School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, started the first joint elective course with University of Kent. The elective „Palliative Care“ will last 5 days and will be conducted by mixed Zagreb and Kent faculty members. The Zagreb faculty is lead by Prof. Dr. Anica Jusic. She and her co-workers will significantly participate in the presentation of selected chapters in the field of „Palliative Care“ to the students of the 3rd year of MSE. As for the University of Kent, the co-ordinator is Dr. David Oliver, a guest-professor of Medical School University of Zagreb. Other faculty members are Dr. Fliss Murtagh, Mrs. Ann McMurray and Mrs. Amanda Harris. Palliative care is a part of the clinical medicine, gaining on its importance due to the growing elderly population. The elective was opened in the presence of the Dean of the Medical School, Prof. Dr. Nada Cikes, Vice-Dean for International Co-operation, Prof. Dr. Zelimir Bradamante and His Excellency Ambassador of United Kingdom, Sir John Ramsden.

Davor Jezek

Kona Deep - set to compete against high-end Fiji and Jana

Michael Stipe from REM

Croatia abolishes prison sentences for defamation

03/July/2006
Croatia is now the third Southeast European country to abolish criminal punishment for defamation in the past year, following Serbia and Macedonia.

There were several Croatian journalists convicted for defamation in 2004 and 2005. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe negotiated with the government to change the law, by moving defamation from the criminal code to the civil code.

Miklos Haraszti, the OSCE media freedom representative, said the move was an important step toward freer media.

“This change will boost the self-confidence of the press and also improve its professionalism," Haraszti said.

OSCE: http://www.osce.org/item/19716.html.

Reporters Without Borders: http://www.rsf.org/country-53.php3?id_mot=505&Valider=OK. 

http://www.ijnet.org/Director.aspx?P=Article&ID=305196


OSCE media watchdog praises Croatia's abolition

of prison sentences for defamation

ISLAND OF SUSAK

http://www.cosy.sbg.ac.at/~zzspri/travels/susak/
(in the Apsyrtides Archipelago)
During our holidays in May 1998 we got a chance to make a boat trip to SUSAK Island. We boarded a medium size motor boat at CIKAT bay that took about 45 minutes to arrive at Susak's small harbor. This trip was for me a kind of old time remembrance as I made the same passage some 49 years ago. At those times Susak had still good economic basis which declined precipitously in the following 35 years. The exposed position of Susak at northern Adriatic and its vicinity to Italy caused this decline. Yugoslav Navy closed the island to foreign tourist and one needed police's permission to go over in a fisherman's boat from Mali Losinj harbor.

It may be of some interest to see how the Islands' population changed during the period from 1857 to 1991 in some Adriatic islands. As a random sample I choose two most exposed islands from military point of view (Susak and Vis) and four other Adriatic islands down the coast.


 

Odlikovanje 'Nikola Tesla' Prof. Dr. Davoru Pavuna

Sutra u srijedu 5. srpnja u 11h Predsjednik Republike Hrvatske ce uruciti odlikovanje 'Red Danice Hrvatske s likom Nikole Tesle' Prof. Dr. sc. Davoru Pavuna :za brojne inovacije i radove u podrucju ultrabrzo-kaljenih
slitina i tankih elektronskih filmova, te za doprinose hrvatskoj medjunarodnoj znanstveno-tehnoloskoj suradnji.

Davor Pavuna je profesor fizike i ravnatelj Laboratorija za fiziku funckionalne materije na Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne u Svicarskoj :http://ipmc.epfl.ch/page31440.html

Baric to coach Albania for Euro 2008 qualifiers
 

Mon Jul 3, 2006 2:01 PM BST
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TIRANA, July 3 (Reuters) - Otto Baric will replace German international Hans-Peter Briegel as Albania coach for the Euro 2008 qualifiers, the Croatian said on Monday.

"Briegel has done a good job with this team, he has taken Albania two or three steps forward," said the 74-year-old, who coached Croatia to third place at the 1998 World Cup.

"I shall do my best to qualify, but my main aim is to help this team take more steps forward."

Albania have been drawn in Group G with the Netherlands, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Belarus and Luxembourg. The qualifiers start on Sept 2 and end in November 2007. The finals run from June 7-29, 2008 in Switzerland and Austria.

Under Briegel, the national team became a symbol of reborn Albanian national pride after beating European champions Greece in Tirana.

They have risen to 86 in the FIFA world rankings but failed to qualify for the World Cup, finishing fifth in their qualifying group.

http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldFootballNews&storyID=2006-07-03T130128Z_01_L03597287_RTRIDST_0_SPORT-SOCCER-ALBANIA-BARIC.XML

Barr Raises Pliva Bid to $2.3 Bln, Beating Actavis

(Update2)

June 30 (Bloomberg) -- Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc. raised its offer for Pliva d.d. to $2.3 billion in cash to trump Actavis Group hf in the largest takeover of an eastern European drugmaker.

Pliva investors will get 755 kuna a share, or about $26.15 for each global depositary receipt, Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey- based Barr said in a PRNewswire statement today. Actavis offered 735 kuna a share yesterday, and said it already owns more than 20 percent of Zagreb, Croatia-based Pliva.

The acquisition would give Barr, the largest U.S. maker of birth control pills, access to Pliva's European markets, where Barr currently has little presence. Actavis says it will fold much of Pliva's European operations into its own. The winning bidder will become the third-biggest company in the world generic-drug market, which may reach $100 billion by 2010.

``Barr means more independence for Pliva, at least in the European markets,'' said analyst Hrvoje Stojic at Hypo-Alpe-Adria Bank in Zagreb. ``Actavis will want to take more control.''

For that reason, Actavis may have a tough time persuading the Croatian government, which holds about 18 percent of Pliva through pension and privatization funds, to sell, Stojic said.

``I think they will continue to show their resistance,'' he said. ``They're more for Barr.''

Actavis Stake

Reykjavik-based Actavis used private purchases and call- option agreements to build up a stake in Pliva after the Croatian company's management endorsed Barr's bid June 27, Actavis Chief Executive Officer Robert Wessman said. U.S. takeover law prohibits Barr from making private purchases of Pliva stock.

Actavis spokesman Halldor Kristmannsson said company executives are examining Barr's counterbid and will comment later today. Actavis touched off bidding for Pliva with a 570 kuna-per- share offer in March, later raising the offer to 630 kuna. Pliva's management said the offer was too low, and opened up the bidding to other companies.

Pliva spokeswoman Marija Mandic couldn't be reached for comment.

Barr is paying about 2 times Pliva's revenue, compared with the 4.2 times that Sanofi-Aventis SA paid in March when it bought 24.9 percent of Czech generic-drug maker Zentiva NV.

Pliva was founded in 1921 and now has operations in more than 30 countries. About 1,400 of Pliva's 6,000 employees are involved in sales and marketing, compared with 350 of Barr's 2,000 workers.

Barr Markets

Barr gets about two-thirds of its sales from generic medicines, including the widely used blood thinner warfarin. The company sells the Plan B ``morning-after'' emergency contraceptive as well as the Seasonale birth-control pill that works by making women menstruate only four times a year.

Barr, with 50 generic drugs in development, will also gain the 120 that Pliva has in the works, and the capacity to expand into copies of genetically engineered medicines. The companies began cooperating last year on a copycat version of Amgen Inc.'s Neupogen, a white blood-cell stimulator used to treat cancer patients.

Actavis says it's currently working on more than 300 products, and the addition of Pliva's drugs would create ``one of the strongest pipelines in the industry,'' the company said in a statement yesterday. Actavis's Wessman said he wants to create a company that will be able to take on the generic-drug industry leaders, Israel's Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and Switzerland's Novartis AG.

To contact the reporter on this story:
Alex Kuli at akuli@bloomberg.net.
Last Updated: June 30, 2006 04:49 EDT
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=ar44HjPfpkn0&refer=

op-ed

Is there anybody in Croatia who can answer these questions?

1. Why is Pliva being sold?
2. Where is that money going?
3. When Strategic industries are being sold, what is left of autonomy?

Nenad Bach
letters@croatianworld.net