Cuba Medical school : My Experience, Advice for Medical Students, Pros and Cons

Until recently Cuba has always had a shroud of mystery surrounding it. In this video I share my experience having lived there for 7 years to demystify a lot of speculation and untruths told about this beautiful island. I hope this video serves as a sort of PSA to prospective medical students considering Cuba as an option. Enjoy.
Instagram: @chanellanisbett

[@georgeleddy483]

One of my students at UCLA went o to get her medical training in Cuba. She is now an outstanding physician treating a mostly low income immigrant community in the border region of California. She has stayed in touch with her Cuban family and visits now and then.

[@ChanellaNisbett]

That’s so lovely to hear. Thank you for sharing.

[@alrobinson261]

Sounds great, but why did she not stay in Cuba to practice...seeing that it was such a great experience?

[@Arun71150]

@@alrobinson261 they expect you to go back to your country of origin. And they train many physicians

[@alrobinson261]

@@Arun71150 And that is all well and good, however there are some inherent problems with that approach. Don’t ignore the fact that most of the students are NOT Cuban. Second, Cuba is not interested in training doctors for other countries. Yes, they can return to their native country, except for the U.S., where they must take the FMG test, which the overwhelming majority CANNOT pass! I notice that no one wants to talk about that.

[@mosesm6040]

@@alrobinson261 could it be that we make it difficult for Cuban trained doctors to work in US? By the way, just look at Russia/USSR! They were the first to go to space, sent Laika the dog as the first living being into space, Yuri Gagarin the first human into space first built Mir the space Center before ISS(our Universal International Space Station), transported our NASA scientists to space for 20 years but their space scientists and astrophysicists weren’t/aren’t still qualified enough to work in US(and almost all western countries). It’s all about politics and political games on both sides but not the reality!! Do you know that this small isolated island nation developed its own vaccines for Coronavirus( 3 vaccines) that work perfectly? Again the first vaccine by Pfizer/BioNtech was developed by a Turkish couple that naturalised in Germany? In fact the man was about 8 years when he arrived in Germany with his parents! There are lots of Cuban doctors in Western Europe that I have met personally that turn out to be excellent doctors with exceptional knowledge of science and technology! By the way I have never been to Cuba and don’t intend to go there but I truly believe that its doctors and as such its educational standard is as good as any western country!

[@rcm993]

I just want to say that although I understand Americans live a very fast phased life, which might be why stress is a major problem in the US, for the hispanic world a slow and relaxed life is actually not a con but the way we like things to be.

[@medicostudy101]

Can relate to this so much. We stayed on campus and could go to the wards anytime. seniors would always be up for teaching us anything. Nobody to tell us we're too young and inexperienced to learn or do something. Love from India

[@ChanellaNisbett]

💖

[@tinadraper9143]

The biggest pro for me would be no stress about mass shootings, I seriously have anxiety every time my kids leave the house in USA

[@AmorVitae93]

I'm Cuban. Living in America . Absolutely 💯 loved this video.

[@ChanellaNisbett]

Muchas gracias 😘😘

[@favoredchildabs]

Thank you very much for sharing these key points, really appreciate every bit of this video🙏🏽

[@ChanellaNisbett]

You’re most welcome Abigail 😊

[@miolana3777]

This is exactly what I wanted to know. Thank you so much for the great information!!!! 💕

[@snteag]

Thank you for your transparency. it was very informative.

[@ThymeandChive]

This is such a great video!! 💛 Verrryy detailed!!

[@ThymeandChive]

The place sounds a bit scary and beautiful at the same time!! 😅 but then again I’m scared of every where!! 😂

[@zolyguy]

This will be an invaluable resource for me. Thank you

[@keidronmiller7273]

Great vid! Thanks for sharing your experience, and for sharing this information.

[@HM_Academy]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpDOdmOYgbN9qbc&pp=ygURY3ViYW4gc2Nob2xhcnNoaXA%3D complete detail and application process.

[@loriespino]

The best doctors in the world. Cuba 🇨🇺.

[@geoboy700]

What makes u so sure? Just asking from curiosity and medical point👋

[@seanwright5287]

Thank u so much! So enlightening and informative! As an American and through American propaganda , Cuba and many other countries are most often placed in a negative light! Thank u so much and Congratulations Doctor!

[@chantalmarieee]

I’m from south FL and have had several Cuban doctors and nurse practitioners throughout my years and I always felt that I was well taken care of by them. Idk why Americans think that only their way of practicing medicine is acceptable when we have one of the worst medical systems in the western society.

[@julienalexander6113]

❗️❗️❗️👏🏾

[@bree2040]

Thank you so much,this helped a lot

[@sharonelaine5419]

Congratulations on completing your studies

[@jasoncorley5703]

Highly informative video - both accurate and objective. I know personally at least a few people who have graduated from ELAM.

[@ChanellaNisbett]

I’m happy you enjoyed the video Jason 😊

[@marlenelarose4470]

Thank you ,very kind of you.

[@sithembisogama2130]

Ooh that Prof Lidia she is very good in teaching morfo I salute her

[@avamauve7388]

This is the best video I've seen on the topic. To the point and answered everything I was thinking about, thank you.

[@ChanellaNisbett]

Thank you Ava!

[@quentinuluilakeba3936]

Nice video, and greetings chanella. What happened to your locks?

[@ViceCoin]

I wished I applied to a physics PhD in the USSR.

[@Darlingg94]

Thank you for this informative video Chanella. I am US citizen interested in applying to ELAM. Unfortunately, I am 27. By the time that I will be finished with my Masters degree, I'll be 28. Is it still possible to gain acceptance into ELAM at my age? Thanks!

[@djguycuban]

Me encantó estooo!!!

[@ChanellaNisbett]

Gracias amor 💕

[@garysharpe2]

Thanks so much for sharing.

[@crappocrappoproductions-ak9403]

I attended the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara from 1980-84 and little is spoken about it being a politically right wing oriented institution in the informational KZbin videos that I have seen. Students were expected to maintain a very conservative code of dress and behavior. There was a watchdog student organization called the TECOS which was the eyes and ears of the university. All Mexican and other students from Latin American countries were required to attend political anti-communist indoctrination meetings called “encuentros”. American and Canadian students were specifically excluded from these meetings.

[@ChanellaNisbett]

I wish they would minimize doing that. Students attend to learn and focus on their course of studies, it is sometimes unsettling feeling like you’re forced to participate in political events you barely understand.

[@straightshots4427]

​@@ChanellaNisbett I'm glad you knew how to maneuver around our shitty political situation. You were there to study medicine. Smart

[@straightshots4427]

Both are wrong, Cuba trying to politice from the communist side, and in your example of doing it from the conservative side. Medicine helps humanity: left/right/non-political

[@lorrainekellerw7090]

What does this have to do with Cuba. Cuba is a non religious country due mainly to it's history and totally not right wing capitalist

[@serenak2001]

@@lorrainekellerw7090 OP is just highlighting how in his school (mexico) they too had a politically-oriented curriculum where students were subjected to political indoctrination. In this case, it was anti-communist views, whereas in Cuba, its pro-communist, both of which are problematic in the spirit of medicine which is supposed to be free of affiliations including politics

[@manjimak.v3484]

I am from India. Now i am pursuing my degree in chemistry. Would i able to join mbbs in Cuba? If possible what are the things that i should do before applying for it?

[@tmc1373]

Thank you so much for the video! Can you still attend school at ELAM and get the scholarship if you're past the age of 25? What's the link that you were showing with the prices? Are you able to stay permanently in Cuba after you complete the program?

[@ChanellaNisbett]

Yes you can get a scholarship past the age of 25, the link is in the description and I’m not certain whether you cab stay after or not.

[@tmc1373]

@@ChanellaNisbett THANK YOU SO. MUCH!!

[@jontaydarko1236]

US students 18-25 years old for scholarship

[@soibioruwari4032]

If you already have an associate pre nursing degree does it cut down on the amount of years you are in the program?

[@manjimak.v3484]

I heard that there is practice in other countries as part of the mbbs course, is that true ma'am?

[@sagarroy9038]

Really nice to heard I am from India

[@nykareem2001]

I'm trying to attend a medical school in Cuba from the US. Where do I start? I can't get a hold of anyone :(

[@ChanellaNisbett]

The US students that were in my year got in through Pastors for Peace. Hopefully that can give you a nudge in the right direction

[@helensamuels6817]

How do you go about getting a scholarship for Med school in Cuba ? Where do you apply to ?

[@percyr7117]

Hello and thank you for this video. Did you ever return home while you were enrolled(during holidays or the summer for example)? I apologize if this is a naive question :) .

[@ChanellaNisbett]

Yes I did. 🙂

[@mmatlanyalepadima6089]

Great video,very informative ❤which country are you from?

[@ChanellaNisbett]

Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed the video. I’m from St. Kitts

[@motivaskyzh2829]

Hi , can I pursue my postgraduate in Cuba?

[@amjdso9031]

is it difficult to live there?..like internet,food and those stuff..?

[@samahf1669]

US should learn from cuba to change or to create health care for people not profit driven like we have.

[@Shortvideos-qs3ww]

If a medical student want do internship in cuba what’s the process

[@ChanellaNisbett]

I’m not sure they do that but let me ask and get back to you

[@fauziyakhan441]

Hello mam ...i want know what is the procedures for scholarship in Cuba

[@uniqueone8928]

What's the best hospital in Cuba?

[@12567NoYouCannot]

WOW. WOW. WOW.

[@praisealexander1812]

Hi thank for the video How do someone get into postgraduate medicine or residency I’ll await your kind response

[@ChanellaNisbett]

The process is similar. You can either apply independently and pay tuition which works out to be less expensive than many other places while still giving you great experience and exposure or you apply for a full scholarship through your government. Thank you for your question, I’m glad you enjoyed the video 😊

[@ghirmaiyy]

I met several cuban graduate doctors and found their meducal knowledge far below that of local medical school in africa. I thougt the curriculum was not good or the professors passed everybody who attended the class. Did you face challenges when practicing with US doctors? It was hard to discuss pathophysiology or mechanisms of action with the cuban doctors. And they were struggling to pass local exams.

[@jeihka1]

The good thing in Cuba thing is that anybody can study medicine. The bad thing in Cuba is that anybody can study medicine. A lot of males enter med school to avoid military services or as a way of free visa. So they study for benefits instead of passion.

[@emihlememese5131]

hey, so are there completely no english medicine courses? so you'll only be able to practice in spanish dominated areas?

[@ChanellaNisbett]

No, there are no medical courses in English..

[@ixxgxx]

Fuisteis a la ELAM? estaba ahí en 99.

[@ChanellaNisbett]

Sí..estaba allí 2012-2015

[@anisleyviperdomorodriguez481]

Apollo a nuestros cubanos médicos

[@David53D]

With a Cuban Medical degree what does someone need to practice medicine in the US?

[@musacsikhosana6118]

Can you please guide my son to study medicine in Cuba

[@terriannlyew3662]

If you study medicine in Cuba can you practice somewhere outside the caribbean, let's say Europe or maybe US?

[@ChanellaNisbett]

Hey! Yes you can. You would have to do the board exams of that region to be licensed and registered to practice there.

[@Anush_253]

Pls volume up🙂

[@ShaikSameer-dx3yz]

How much fee mam

[@sonofthunder5574]

Is this also for nursing? Like the equivalence of a US RN (registered nurse)

[@ChanellaNisbett]

Yes they also have nursing scholarships

[@azifahahmed4462]

I am considering studying medicine in Cuba do you know any Cuban schools that offer the MD program or a 5-year program.? Thanks for the great video

[@bcrazyqc4596]

you said we can get scholarship ?

[@vajpuabtais6188]

How?

[@therealworld8065]

I am from Pakistan, Pakistan has launched just 1 scholarship for MBBS ,i wanna do MBBS there but i have many hindrance about applying

[@mecca.dijah2000]

Would they allow you to take a competency exam without a degree?

[@vitico1630]

I would think so, the tests tells them if u know the material or not - not the degree. In would assume that if it was the degree they would make more automated?

[@Mc-bz1to]

Hello. What about residency programs? How does that happen?

[@ChanellaNisbett]

Hey, thanks for the question . They also offer scholarships for residency programs if one chooses to do that. Cuba’s (and the rest of the Caribbean’s) system is a bit different from the US in that you don’t technically have to do residency. The General Practitioner is still an important part of the medical system in this region.

[@beyond2272]

Hey, Thank you for the video! I'm from India, do you think I can join? If yes then how can I contact the college? I have no idea how to join. Thank you

[@abcgames4454]

Neet kr le bhai

[@sharathsiddarth4594]

Helo bro iam from India I saw ur comment in this video . Have u got any idea abt cuba mbbs. If u have means tell to me bro me aslo trying to study mbbs in cuba ?? U know wt the procedure is there???

[@keke3338]

Dommage que ce n'est pas enFrançais (sniff... )

[@cassidylee397]

The reason the school is free and structured the way it is to draw from a global population says something about the politics that it came from, no?

[@kenoibrown913]

How did you apply?

[@ChanellaNisbett]

Hey Kenoi, for the scholarship you typically have to apply through your government’s Human Resources or foreign affairs department. So you would hand in your necessary documents to your government officials, they would make the final decision of who would get the scholarship or no, then they transfer the documents to the Cuban government. For a first step, contact your country’s foreign affairs and/or HR department and ask if they have the scholarship available. Hope this helps. *NB in the US the process is a bit different. They go through an organization known as Pastors for Peace.

[@bcrazyqc4596]

Hell sweety ,i just have question about how if a parents come along with their girl and to stay with her till she gets her medecin diploma .I wonder if we will ble to rent for appartments there .

[@ChanellaNisbett]

Hey, there are apartments you can rent on a monthly basis however the length of stay for non cuban nationals is usually only 30 days. The parents would either have to exit and re enter the country every 30 days or talk yo immigration and see what can be worked out.

[@bcrazyqc4596]

@@ChanellaNisbett thank you very much for the answer sweety

[@nonhlanhlambanjwa1955]

Hey What if you already have a medical science degree?

[@nonhlanhlambanjwa1955]

Do they credit you for the years you've done?

[@ChanellaNisbett]

Yes. If you have previous training you can exonerate certain classes by taking an competency exam.

[@talktaklife1434]

If you study medicine in Cuba and get your degree, how can you get to work in USA? What is the process, tk u

[@ChanellaNisbett]

Hey! I made a post where I shared a link to the page that’s in charge of coordinating scholarships to cuba for us students Pastors for Peace. I’m also uploading a new video today at 1 pm AST where I answer a lot the questions (including yours) from this video. Links will be the description box.

[@eufiraeufirarongrin6672]

What is the cost for college fees??

[@ChanellaNisbett]

Click the link in the description box

[@mob6569]

You may not see the importance of the political side now, but having some knowledge does not hurt. You are young, the future is your!!!🖤🤾🏽‍♀️🤾🏿‍♀️👫🏿✌🏿

[@Xinkgs]

No te casastes con un Cubano? O Cubana?

[@jahovasministry4999]

DId This college is recognised by MCI /WHO .I Am a indian...If i do my mbbs degree in this college ,my degree is valid in india or not......Please reply Which public medical colleges are recognised by MCI/WHO And Degree valid in india

[@ChanellaNisbett]

Hey. You would have to reach out to your Ministry of Health to find out what their requirements are to be licensed to practice to medicine in your country.

[@anisleyviperdomorodriguez481]

Luz

[@saran3429]

Can Indian students can get seats?

[@vitico1630]

I dont think it should be a problem

[@sanaelazizi1009]

Thank you for the video. Can I study medicine in Cuba, my age is 35?

[@ChanellaNisbett]

Hi @sanaelazizi1009, you’re welcome. I’m not sure if they changed the age requirements recently, but I recall having persons in my class well over 30

[@sanaelazizi1009]

Thanks for your fast answer. It is my only wish, I hope it will be possible 🙏

[@fauziyakhan441]

Plz reply mam I really need information

[@testtor2714]

Now I am hungry for chocolate.

[@sithembisogama2130]

I never went to even 1 gathering but they did nothing to me I just told them I'm not interested. They threatened us but they never did nothing🤣🤣

[@robertorodriguez2609]

I don't believe they force outsiders to attend political activities that don't concern them, Cubans go because they want to and because they fight and defend their revolutionary achievements. there's a good reason communication is expensive and it's all because of the blockade the u.s. has imposed on Cuba since 1961, also the reason why it's hard to come by medical equipment and medicines. remember that Cuba could not buy components to make covid vaccines but nonetheless their scientists were successfull in making them.

[@vitico1630]

U are missing the point-medicine is outright a political issue. To be a doctor w/o understanding the cause of issues like homelessness/addiction/crime/war/sieges is an incomplete education and a failure by the medical school that trained you…If u turn a blind eye to those issues well, you arent being a healer but just an anesthesiologist who numbs pain for only a while!

[@gannibalof21st]

@@vitico1630 also, if someone is just there to get the degree and make money. What's the point of being a doctor and the only goal is to make money. Should've given that spot to someone who has a real outlook on humanity rather than someone that takes advantage of a free medical education.

[@ajeythomas2762]

Doctor, do you realise why most of the cons you explained exists in Cuba. The only reason for that is due to the stringent sanctions imposed on Cuba by US and the other so called first world countries. Do you have anything to say about this inhuman activity which is a political issue, which you are not at all interested in.

[@dragnell1348]

Triggered hahaha

[@hdj7626]

Another have you ever asked yourself the question why so many Cubans live in Florida?

[@ajeythomas2762]

@@hdj7626 , yeah. They were all the bitches of Fulgencio Batista who made Cuba a whore house of US. It was as a result of the Cuban revolution Cubans were able to regain their dignity as a nation?

[@dragnell1348]

@@ajeythomas2762 Dignity? as it is now...... debatible.

[@ajeythomas2762]

@@dragnell1348 , it may be debatable for you people, but for those who know about reality don't need any debates at all. All you need to study about and know is what is US and what a cancer that country is for the rest of the world.

[@sarairivera4006]

You where a soldier 😆 nothing is free

[@hectorwong1692]

Most cuban medical graduates are not well prepared scientifically, nor technically. Lots of ideological and rethorics though but quite poor trainning.

[@TheMukanya]

From what I know, political activities are for Cuban students. However, the expectation is that upon graduation the foreign student will have an informed perspective on the Cuban socioeconomic model that emphasises inclusivity, empathy, generosity, perseverance, hospitality, etc. The US elites, for political reasons illegally and unjustifiably punish the Cuban people with this 60+ year immoral economic embargo. The irony is Americans cite human rights as the excuse for the biting sanctions and one would ask if the current American socioeconomic system can stand the test of scrutiny? USA trades with and enjoys good relations with some of the worst human rights offending countries, particularly in the Arab world. Why Cuba?

[@Andrew-hk4dh]

Lol

[@Andrew-hk4dh]

It's a 4th world country

[@ChanellaNisbett]

Lol

[@luislaplume8261]

With medicine rationed, what good is it? It was better until 1959 even under Batista.

[@tjuwelaartapke1199]

Can you use internet in Cuba and what its cost

[@ChanellaNisbett]

Hey. Yes, you can use internet in Cuba. I believe now it’s something like 0.50 usd for 1 hour of internet in the state owned internet cafes. You can also get mobile data. The prices for the various packages that I don’t know.

[@maryike6380]

Pls can i get your email. I have some very important questions