Why I chose to work in Germany as a doctor

In the pivotal year of 2010, as a fourth-year medical student, I found myself expecting the usual conversations during the holiday season at my parents' house—questions about how I was taking care of myself and inquiries into the progress of my studies. However, what transpired was a significant departure from the norm.

Thankfully, the conversation didn't delve into family secrets like adoption. Instead, my parents, with a touch of concern on their faces, steered the discussion toward a rather gloomy outlook for Spain's future. Having grown up in Spain, I was no stranger to discussions about economic challenges, a dim outlook, and the realization that a comfortable life might demand a lifetime of hard work.

Despite the emotional nature of such discussions within families, my parents encouraged me to contemplate the possibility of living and working abroad. The rationale was simple yet profound: if I were to dedicate the next three decades of my life to medicine, why not do so in a country that rewarded hard work with better prospects, safety, and stability?

This sparked a journey of research into the world's most promising destinations for a medical career. Every European country, along with the USA, Australia, Canada, Singapore, the UK, and Switzerland, underwent scrutiny. Factors like language, culture, salary, and ease of integration were meticulously considered.

While a detailed breakdown of the elimination process for each country would make this post longer, suffice it to say that legal and recognition issues led to the exclusion of America, Canada, Australia, and the UK.

The Brexit process and the legal uncertainty it created deterred me from considering the UK. Ireland, with its saturated medical field, seemed too competitive.

Italy didn't meet overall expectations, and France had a USMLE-like entry system akin to Spain.

Norway, though seemingly perfect, was dismissed due to its extreme cold temperatures and a considerably small population. Singapore had restrictions accepting residents from a short list of top universities, making it less inclusive. Australia and Canada, following the American system, proved challenging not only to get into but also to secure a decent position.

Choosing Germany was influenced by several positive factors. Notably, Germany lacked a USMLE-like entrance exam. Although there was the FSP Exam, the absence of an additional entry hurdle meant that mastering the language was the primary requirement for admission—an aspect that suited my goals at the time.

As of today (2024), I reflect on the decisions made back then. While the clarity of whether it was the right choice remains elusive, writing this blog in my apartment in Zürich as a resident in anesthesia convinces me that, so far, it hasn't been a bad journey. The ongoing contemplation continues, and the verdict on the right choice remains open-ended.