Sagamite:

You will not (or rather, in a sane society, should not) get into a medical school writing/typing like that.

hey, wots wrng wit wot am typin, am usin my mobile fne nt lyk am usin a pc,atleast to save tym nd evrytn.bsyds wot has dt got 2do wit wot i asked u, trust me am aware of my writn in skul or ny informal writin, jst ansa me nd dnt give me an atitude

Flawless~diva:

hey, wots wrng wit wot am typin, am usin my mobile fne nt lyk am usin a pc,atleast to save tym nd evrytn.bsyds wot has dt got 2do wit wot i asked u, trust me am aware of my writn in skul or ny informal writin, jst ansa me nd dnt give me an atitude

I really can't comprehend what amount of time you can save typing like that.

I dare say you spend more time thinking of how to shorten than actually just typing the right word.

If not, you most likely have some bad writing habits intensely embedded in your writing style.

Flawless~diva:

Gd dae y'al.wud b grateful if u guys wud b of immense hlp2me.
I knw sm of u mst v grad frm d prestigious unilag med.skul.wanna knw hw gd d r.cos i jst wrote jamb nd preparn hard 4my pume tst nxt mnth.
Furda mre,in as much i'l lyke 2b of services2human,i lve modeln nd dunno hw am gona cope if i actuali gt cntract 4dt tho z partime.
Afta graduatn frm medical skul,do your practice in d states.wot else.wud lyk 2b a medical cnsultant in ny of d big firms.if u cn rply me ASAP tho i knw mst of u barely v tym.i'l b glad.nd if am cnfused smwia,u cn let me in or direct me.wud want2knw d wae 4ward.tnx

Can't you write plain and good English? What's it with abbreviating every single word?I'm sure u know that people wouldn't ve the patience to read through ur post .You kept me wondering if you ve a limited writing space.
mchew

D_BestDoc:

Can't you write plain and good English? What's it with abbreviating every single word?I'm sure u know that people wouldn't ve the patience to read through your post .You kept me wondering if you ve a limited writing space.
mchew

Sagamite:

I really can't comprehend what amount of time you can save typing like that.

I dare say you spend more time thinking of how to shorten than actually just typing the right word.

If not, you most likely have some bad writing habits intensely embedded in your writing style.

*exhaling deeply* am rily nt impressed,i knw you guys r acting in my bst interest big brodas&sistas.bt i have hrd it.am nt using a laptop bt my mobile phone.
After al d correction,yet none cudnt even give a yunga sista an ansa z dt suposed b mke me feel gud. I nided d info urgently nd atleast ur encouragement bt al i gt are ur craps lyk i dnt knw d cankerworm dt is eating deep in2 our society.
Nt becos u v pasd tru my stage that u cnt give smple advce 2anoda.z dt hw u gonna/train ur kids by jst teln dm off nd ignoring dem. Am rily dsappointed. Smh

Really? Ok kid sis what was your question again? 
Yeah i believe you can do better than u did last time.
This Short hand can eat deep into u,believe me(you'll almost always want to use dimunitive forms every time u write without knowing it).You can abbr some words but for God sake,u dont ve to abbreviate every word to make you faster(e.g in ur first post u used WAE instead of WAY-all 3 letters,i really don't get it).It potrays u as unserious(srry if i'm judgemental but i can't take u seriously if u write dat way)

Flawless~diva:

*exhaling deeply* am rily nt impressed,i knw you guys r acting in my bst interest big brodas&sistas.bt i have hrd it.am nt using a laptop bt my mobile phone.
After al d correction,yet none cudnt even give a yunga sista an ansa z dt suposed b mke me feel gud. I nided d info urgently nd atleast your encouragement bt al i gt are your craps lyk i dnt knw d cankerworm dt is eating deep in2 our society.
Nt becos u v pasd tru my stage that u cnt give smple advce 2anoda.z dt hw u gonna/train your kids by jst teln dm off nd ignoring dem. Am rily dsappointed. Smh

Unfortunately I can't advise you, I am not a Doctor or in that sector or based in Nigeria.

D_BestDoc:

This Short hand can eat deep into u,believe me(you'll almost always want to use dimunitive forms every time u write without knowing it).

Thank you. Exactly my point.

D_BestDoc:

You can abbr some words but for God sake,u dont ve to abbreviate every word to make you faster(e.g in your first post u used WAE instead of WAY-all 3 letters,i really don't get it).

Thank you. I saw that too. That is why I find her time-saving excuses lame.

This whole text-speak is suppose to be funky and cool amongst Nigerian kids. It is poor for the education, I can guarantee you that no well-educated UK kid will type like that on a forum, even if they are on their phone.

D_BestDoc:

It potrays u as unserious(srry if i'm judgemental but i can't take u seriously if u write dat way)

Thank you.

It portrays very, very unserious.

I have spotted a few like her amongst our so-called graduates:

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-564866.32.html#msg7307673
https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-564866.32.html#msg7310412

It is is simply poor, mental laziness mixed with a misconception of what is funky. I am yet to see an educated UK person type like that on a forum and they frequently access forums from their mobile devices.

It is a bad habit that has become a core habit.

Good day.would be grateful if any of you would be of immense hlep to me.
I know some of you most v graduated from the prestigious unilag medical.school.want to know how good the  are,cause i just sat for jamb and am preparinm hard for my pume test next month.
Furthermore,
after graduating frm medical school, do your practice in the states if opportuned.wot is the next thing in line.what  i want to know is how good unilag's medical college is?? Thanks
have modified my post,now can i get an answer(s).please.
There is a mobile messenger known as 2go,it restricts a user to limited spaces to put up an update/status.what do you ask them to do in that situation.
But still answer me if your of help.

Flawless~diva:

Good day.would be grateful if any of you would be of immense hlep to me.
I know some of you most v graduated from the prestigious unilag medical.school.want to know how good the  are,cause i just sat for jamb and am preparinm hard for my pume test next month.
Furthermore,
after graduating frm medical school, do your practice in the states if opportuned.wot is the next thing in line.what  i want to know is how good unilag's medical college is?? Thanks
have modified my post,now can i get an answer(s).please.
There is a mobile messenger known as 2go,it restricts a user to limited spaces to put up an update/status.what do you ask them to do in that situation.
But still answer me if your of help.

This is good.

Much more readable.

Just to show what we have been advising you about, I have highlighted in red, what I bet is, an unintended text speak. That is evidence of the point we were making to you. If you develop a habit of such extensive text speak which is a bad habit, it will occasionally creep in unconsciously into your normal writing.

I am not saying you should not use text speak but it is horrible when (as an educated person) you use it to write a paragraph. Using 1, 2, 4 or even 10 is ok, but volumes or all in text speak is really atrocious and reflects badly especially when your likely audience (in this case Doctors) are serious people.

But this is a good start you are willing to listen and improve.

Flawless~diva:

Good day.would be grateful if any of you would be of immense hlep to me.
I know some of you most v graduated from the prestigious unilag medical.school.want to know how good the are,cause i just sat for jamb and am preparinm hard for my pume test next month.
Furthermore,
after graduating frm medical school, do your practice in the states if opportuned.wot is the next thing in line.what i want to know is how good unilag's medical college is?? Thanks
have modified my post,now can i get an answer(s).please.
There is a mobile messenger known as 2go,it restricts a user to limited spaces to put up an update/status.what do you ask them to do in that situation.
But still answer me if your of help.

I think Unilag has got a good medical School.Though i don't know much about them.But you should be more concerned about passing your Pume test and securing a seat there.
It isn't gonna be easy cos there will be strict competition, coupled with the fact that a huge number of candidates wil be vying for a limited space,so you just try and put in your best.
WISHING YOU THE BEST kid sis

I must say, it is kind of ironic that someone wants to know if Unilag medical school is a good school, or how good they are.
It's kind of a relative question in Nigeria. There are no good schools if you benchmark by global standards. But by Nigerian standards . . . well, it's not a question of good or bad schools. It's a question of if you can even get into any medical school

AjanleKoko:

I must say, it is kind of ironic that someone wants to know if Unilag medical school is a good school, or how good they are.
It's kind of a relative question in Nigeria. There are no good schools if you benchmark by global standards. But by Nigerian standards . . . well, it's not a question of good or bad schools. It's a question of if you can even get into any medical school

Well said

AjanleKoko:

I must say, it is kind of ironic that someone wants to know if Unilag medical school is a good school, or how good they are.
It's kind of a relative question in Nigeria. There are no good schools if you benchmark by global standards. But by Nigerian standards . . . well, it's not a question of good or bad schools. It's a question of if you can even get into any medical school

hey,you do not know me nor my educational background.you are very very insane to stay that.uniben,unizik,uniport has lost acreditatn,jst wantd to know how sound it is in unilag despite the social activities. I HATE PESSIMIST.vry annonying mttttchewwwwwwwwwwww.nd hey,dnt think you are good,am better than you.

D_BestDoc:

I think Unilag has got a good medical School.Though i don't know much about them.But you should be more concerned about passing your Pume test and securing a seat there.
It isn't gonna be easy cos there will be strict competition, coupled with the fact that a huge number of candidates wil be vying for a limited space,so you just try and put in your best.
WISHING YOU THE BEST kid sis

thanks dear
regarding your previous post;if there's anything i know,is that learning never ends

D_BestDoc:

Well said

speak for yourself. Guess there's nothing useful running through that skull

Flawless~diva:

hey,you do not know me nor my educational background.you are very very insane to stay that.uniben,unizik,uniport has lost acreditatn,jst wantd to know how sound it is in unilag despite the social activities. I HATE PESSIMIST.vry annonying mttttchewwwwwwwwwwww.nd hey,dnt think you are good,am better than you

Of course you're better than me. Indeed.
That's why you can't piece an English sentence together without producing text-speak.
Even your attempt at decent writing, though commended by Sagamite, was still well below expectation.
Even in the West, you don't get to choose medical schools. They choose you. Anyways, in this era of cash-and-carry education, nothing is impossible. You write like a vain, empty-headed child. Even if you manage to find a school that will accept you, I shudder to think what sort of doctor you would be.

AjanleKoko:

Of course you're better than me. Indeed.
That's why you can't piece an English sentence together without producing text-speak.
Even your attempt at decent writing, though commended by Sagamite, was still well below expectation.
Even in the West, you don't get to choose medical schools. They choose you. Anyways, in this era of cash-and-carry education, nothing is impossible. You write like a vain, empty-headed child. Even if you manage to find a school that will accept you, I shudder to think what sort of doctor you would be.

you are jst exhibiting intellectual deterioration,narrow-mindedness and of course ridiculous misrepresentation of what you should be doing as a moderator.i do not waste my energy and time on peeps like you.
Show your immaturity by responding since you 're not an adult.
By their fruits,we shall know them

AjanleKoko:

Of course you're better than me. Indeed.
That's why you can't piece an English sentence together without producing text-speak.
Even your attempt at decent writing, though commended by Sagamite, was still well below expectation.
Even in the West, you don't get to choose medical schools. They choose you. Anyways, in this era of cash-and-carry education, nothing is impossible. You write like a vain, empty-headed child. Even if you manage to find a school that will accept you, I shudder to think what sort of doctor you would be.

Encouraged by Sagamite!

Flawless~diva:

you are jst exhibiting intellectual deterioration,narrow-mindedness and of course ridiculous misrepresentation of what you should be doing as a moderator.i do not waste my energy and time on peeps like you.
Show your immaturity by responding since you 're not an adult.
By their fruits,we shall know them

Hush, child
Stop posting nonsense and go back to your post-UME studies.

Sagamite:

You will not (or rather, in a sane society, should not) get into a medical school writing/typing like that.

Flawless~diva:

hey,you do not know me nor my educational background.you are very very insane to stay that.uniben,unizik,uniport has lost acreditatn,jst wantd to know how sound it is in unilag despite the social activities. I HATE PESSIMIST.vry annonying mttttchewwwwwwwwwwww.nd hey,dnt think you are good,am better than you.thanks dear
regarding your previous post;if there's anything i know,is that learning never endsspeak for yourself. Guess there's nothing useful running through that skull

Ok thanks.
But you seem to forget the system you guys ve got in Nigeria,money talks and not what you've got upstairs most of the time.Yeah i know what i'm talking about.
I wish you the best though but i will be here again in  January to know your fate

Good Luck dearie

I think for once people should stop comparing courses. If you go to school to study "Fish and Chips" , believe you won't have it on a platter of gold. If you've not studied two different courses, don't claim yours is harder, everyone has a fair share of whatever is going on in the world/Nigeria

This thread is meant for seeking medical career advice,you guys should not pls derail.
@flawless.first i ll want to advice you to minimize your text speaking writting style,because if this eat into you,you may(Will) subconciously use them while writing an exams and other formal writeup, believe me,there are no marks for any point made with source text.Secondly,medical schools in Nigeria are virtualy the same in standard,it is personal effort that makes a better doctor.You are even likely to get better cases to learn with,when you go up North.

whats ur take on migrating to greener ventures, America vs Australia>>>seeking Residency training?

Just a quick question,
Finishing med school in a few months,i have started thinking that the clinical route may not be the best for me.I am truly confused.
What is the best option for me to take,i have zero skills except reading text books.Where and how do i start developing the skills?Let's say i have an interest in working with an NGO or something in health management,Do i have to study something new?Am i doomed to giving injection?
What do i do?Married so movement is limited.
Final abode UK.Helllp!!!

imconfused:

Just a quick question,
  Finishing med school in a few months,i have started thinking that the clinical route may not be the best for me.I am truly confused.
What is the best option for me to take,i have zero skills except reading text books.Where and how do i start developing the skills?Let's say i have an interest in working with an NGO or something in health management,Do i have to study something new?Am i doomed to giving injection?
What do i do?Married so movement is limited.
  Final abode UK.Helllp!!!

I am also confused you sent me here from another thread, to answer a question that I'm definitely not the best qualified to. Cos I no bi doctor.

Anyway, I think not every doctor becomes a specialist in clinical medicine. Some go into research, while others go into healthcare management.
So you can choose which one you think you have a flair for. For research, you probably have to do something like a specialist Phd (yes, doctors also do Phds!) in the area of your choosing. For the healthcare management stuff, maybe public health. If you read further up this thread, I think beneli addressed a number of questions like yours.

Why not go into something like psychiatry?

^^
lol,i'm sorry sir.I love psychiatry already and it's what i had planned to specialise in but my whole family and hubs are against it.They have named psych docs back home and truly truly,there's something a bit off about all of them.
  Beneli has been mia,even mailed but no answer so i am seeking advice cos i am confuseddd.
Where are all the doctors on NL??
What options are open to me if i don't want clinical medicine and what do i do to start off??

imconfused:

Just a quick question,
  Finishing med school in a few months,i have started thinking that the clinical route may not be the best for me.I am truly confused.
What is the best option for me to take,i have zero skills except reading text books.Where and how do i start developing the skills?Let's say i have an interest in working with an NGO or something in health management,Do i have to study something new?Am i doomed to giving injection?
What do i do?Married so movement is limited.
  Final abode UK.Helllp!!!

Finishing med school in a few months, i have started thinking that the clinical route may not be the best for me. . .

The fatigue thing is setting in a lil’ bit too early in your career don’t you think!  Honestly a lot of doctors from all subspecialties have felt that way at some point in their careers, but your own get as ee be! 

I was trying to be humorous in case you missed it – so no offence meant . . . !

Now to the things that burden you . . . 

1. What is the best option for me to take; i have zero skills except reading text books.

I believe that you should be guided by what you perceive to be your strengths. Doing a SWOT analyses of your personality will, to some extent, help you decide what exactly you should consider pursuing as a career.

If, as you said, you like reading (and perhaps research), you can consider academic medicine in any speciality. I am sure in Medical school there would have been some specialities that you found a bit more interesting than the rest. Explore that specialty a bit further and see how you feel about it during the Foundation years (Housemanship in Naija). If you still fancy that specialty enough then consider getting a PhD etc in it and possibly engaging in research in that field.

Medicine is in need of Academicians at the moment. . .

2. Where and how do i start developing the skills?

Start by deciding what it is you are good at already, then follow-up on it by exploring the things that you hope to subsequently do. If you’re good at ‘reading’, then consider acquiring skills in critical appraisal of academic papers. You could get a Masters in Public Health with a lean towards epidemiology or any other such areas that will enable you to improve on research methodologies.

3. Let's say i have an interest in working with an NGO or something in health management, Do i have to study something new?

Yes, you’ll need to study more. Perhaps not exactly something new.

I have given a lot of information previously about how to go about getting a job with the International NGO’s. In summary you’d probably need to get yourself a Masters in Public Health at least. 

4. Am i doomed to giving injection?


Though I am still in clinical practice - despite what people may say about us Psychiatrists, and the whisperings that we are charlatans or quacks – i have not given injections for almost 10 years!

Here in the UK it’s usually the nurses who administer the injections. Our role is to prescribe the treatment, monitor the patients response to it and deal with any adverse effects from it. We don’t give the injections.

Even my friend who runs his own GP practice (so is a ‘genuine’ Doctor) get’s the nurses to give the injections!


5. What do i do?

The choice is ultimately yours, my dear. Whatever you do, follow the path of happiness . . .

imconfused:

i'm sorry sir.I love psychiatry already and it's what i had planned  to specialise in but my whole family and hubs are against it.They have named psych docs back home and truly truly,there's something a bit off about all of them.

The same ol’ stigma thing going on here, i see . . . But that’s ever so  last century.

Honestly, there’s nothing inherently ‘off’ about Psychiatrists. The perceptions held by some, have more to do with (their) ignorance . . .

imconfused:

Beneli has been mia,even mailed but no answer so i am seeking advice cos i am confuseddd.
Where are all the doctors on NL??

I didn’t get your mail. I would have taken time off to respond to it.

imconfused:

What options are open to me if i don't want clinical medicine and what do i do to start off??

Some of the options include;

1. Public Health
2. Academic Medicine
3. Health Management

Psychiatry, believe it or not,  is still clinical medicine. The bulk of the work is more 'integrative' or 'holistic', if you prefer, so encompasses the biological, psychological and social aspects of diseases and their manifestations. There are few Psychiatrists who are Psychotherapists so spend most of their time just ‘talking’. . .

gmyguy:

whats your take on migrating to greener ventures, America vs Australia>>>seeking Residency training?

It depends on what you want to do your residency in and your definition of ‘greener pastures’. . .

Of the two places you’ve mentioned America, still stands out as the best place for an International Medical Graduate (IMG) to migrate to for residency. Some say you may achieve a reasonable quality of life, in Australia, but the reality is, it’s not been known to be exactly IMG friendly. That’s what i am told.

I am more familiar with America and their needs. Over the next 10 – 30 years their demand for Psychiatrists and Primary Care Physicians will not be met by the local supply, so they will be relying on IMG’s . . .

The fact is, it’s become increasingly more difficult for International Medical Graduates to do Residency in fields other those for which they cannot meet the demands locally. The local interest in Psychiatry and Family Medicine is poor because of the pay disparity between them and the more fashionable Dermatology, Anesthesiology, plastic surgery etc. The remuneration for these less glamorous are usually at the bottom of the pile! The locals are usually in a hurry to offset their debts from medical school which iusually runs into the hundreds of thousands, so naturally they gravitate towards maximising their earnings as soon as possible. . . 

A surgeon would earn from about 220k. Dermataologists and Anesthesiologists earn even more. Psychiatrist earn from about 180k per annum, whilst Family Physicians earn a little less, on completing residency. But then, you are more likely to get a Green card a lot quicker with Psychiatry and Family Medicine than say, Surgery.

I hope that answers your questions.

Beneliiiiii!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm sooooo happpy you are here(dancing alanta
I mailed you,no relplyy,hehehehehehe, Guess you didn't see it.
  Truly,my exhaustion get as e be ooo,you no lie but i just taya for the thing,lol.
Maybe it's exam stress.
  I love psychiatry,i can't explain the reason.Behavior fascinates me,i just dunno how to break it down.It's just amazing that every one is different,and that we all choose our own reality to be able to cope,lemme stop babbling.I just cannot put it into wordsss.
  I have heard all you said and will take time to reflect then email youuuu.
Thanks soo much for always pulling through,  you are uber amazing sir!!!

   I don't like reading text books ooo  ,i just have to.I prefer interesting stories and talking .
Maybe my talent is persuasion,i am known to be extremely convincing, where am i needed?
Jah save me ooo

Hello, I'm a 500l med student. I have been considering going to the US for a residency program in Internal Medicine when I graduate. I've done a little research and an exam called USMLE seems to be pretty important. Other stuff like US Clinical electives seem to be necessary. My questions are
1. How exactly do I transform from Naija med student to US resident?
2. Can I finish the American residency and still work in Nigeria as a consultant?
3. Is it possible to work in the UK after my NYSC while preparing for the USMLE? How?
Thank you for responses

Please I need sincere advice. I'm currently a house officer @ Usmanu Dan Fodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto State. I'm halfway into my 2nd posting but just last week, I got another internship offer in LASUTH, ikeja, this has always been my dream place of doing internship. I am primarily based in Lagos, graduated from UNILORIN last year october & the only reason i'm in the north now is because I didn't get internship placement down south. Here i'm missing out a lot because of language barrier( I don't speak hausa & sometimes in emergency, when patients come we'll just be looking @ each other until an interpreter comes cos most people here are illiterates and can't speak or understand English @ all). Now i'm so confused, if I say I should take the offer in LASUTH, i'll miss july 2012 NYSC + LASUTH pays less, but I think i'll have a better experience there. Please i need the opinion of those that are ahead of me. Thanks.

igbo-boy:

Hello, I'm a 500l med student. I have been considering going to the US for a residency program in Internal Medicine when I graduate. I've done a little research and an exam called USMLE seems to be pretty important. Other stuff like US Clinical electives seem to be necessary. My questions are
1. How exactly do I transform from Naija med student to US resident?
2. Can I finish the American residency and still work in Nigeria as a consultant?
3. Is it possible to work in the UK after my NYSC while preparing for the USMLE? How?
Thank you for responses

There is no other route of getting into the US health system other than the USMLE route. USMLE stands for the United States Medical Licensing Exams. Google USMLE and it will take you straight to their official site for detailed information.

US Clinical electives are helpful as they offer you a US letter of recommendation, which would boost your application for the residency, but they are not indispensable; however seeing that the Residency is very very competitive, anything that will boost your application should be considered. If you can get a few weeks of clinical electives in the US, especially when you go for the Step 2 CS exams (see below) then it would be advisable to do it. . .

1. How exactly do I transform from Naija med student to US resident?

To become a US resident as an International Medical Graduate, you will need to complete the following:

i) Do the various steps of the USMLE - there is a total of 3 steps: step 1, step 2 (which is divided into Clinical Knowledge - CK and Clinical skills - CS) and step 3. 
ii) To start residency you need only complete Steps 1 and 2 (i.e. 3 exams).
iii) The 4th exam (step 3) is necessary if you will be applying for a H1 Visa (which leads to a Green card). Without it, you can only apply for a J1 visa (which does not lead to a Green card).
iv) For the Step 2 CS, you will need to travel to the US for the exams.
v) Most people will recommend the usmleworld website as a major resource for the exam preparation. It has a very good question bank for all the steps and an active discussion forum.
vi) Once you are done with the exams (steps 1, 2CK & 2CS), you can then proceed to match for the residency programme of your choice. 

2. Can I finish the American residency and still work in Nigeria as a consultant?

Yes, but you will still be required to register your qualification with the Nigerian Dental and Medical Council. They will assess whether you can start work immediately as a Consultant. On their site there is a list of registrable post graduate qualifications. Google Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria. You will find the relevant information under MDCN recognized Additional qualifications on the ‘Quick Links’ section. 

3. Is it possible to work in the UK after my NYSC while preparing for the USMLE? How?

Yes it is possible; however to work in the UK you will still need to pass the Professional and Linguistic Board (PLAB) exams.

The energy and resources to prepare for it might as well be expended in preparing for the USMLE.  Having said that, quite a lot of people travel to the US from the UK after having worked in the UK for some time.

All the best!

drt:

Please I need sincere advice. I'm currently a house officer @ Usmanu Dan Fodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto State. I'm halfway into my 2nd posting but just last week, I got another internship offer in LASUTH, ikeja, this has always been my dream place of doing internship. I am primarily based in Lagos, graduated from UNILORIN last year october & the only reason i'm in the north now is because I didn't get internship placement down south. Here i'm missing out a lot because of language barrier( I don't speak hausa & sometimes in emergency, when patients come we'll just be looking @ each other until an interpreter comes cos most people here are illiterates and can't speak or understand English @ all). Now i'm so confused, if I say I should take the offer in LASUTH, i'll miss july 2012 NYSC + LASUTH pays less, but I think i'll have a better experience there. Please i need the opinion of those that are ahead of me. Thanks.

I think the issue is really about what ‘better experience’ you are really talking about here, Dr T . . . 

If it’s clinical experiences, then the fact is that different places offer different sets of useful clinical exposures and experiences. So, I would embrace – rather than alienate myself from – the new set of experiences offered by the different culture wherein I find myself. To be honest you can never know when that exposure will come in really handy!

The language barrier thing can almost be dismissed as an excuse for something else, to be honest . . .

The ‘illiteracy’ thing is also something that you will not be able to really run away from in your career, no matter where you find yourself in Nigeria, so unless you are after some other ‘experience(s)’, I would complete the Internship up there, learn some Hausa in the process and then go for the NYSC in 2012, if i were you. Chikena! 

All the best.

PS: During my NYSC ‘up North’, most of us non-Hausa speaking Doctors learnt passable Hausa within 3 months, (and in emergency situations were able to take reasonable history from the locals without having to be ‘looking at each other until an interpreter comes’); so Dr T, it’s really do-able, if you really wanted to. . .