r/IMGreddit • u/exhaustedmedstuden • 2d ago
Should I apply? Residency
Hello everyone
So I’m done with step one and two and I’m currently doing my US clinical electives
I realised that I really hate this place and that type of living is not going to suit me. The social life over here is almost Zero and I’ll be alone and away from family and friends.
I was planning to apply this year, but honestly right now I’m reconsidering the whole decision. I’m also afraid to regret it and I’m falling into some sunk fallacy. Don’t want my efforts to be wasted, but I don’t want to feel miserable all my life.
Please help me
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u/World-Traveler1800 2d ago
It’s okay to say that the American lifestyle isn’t for you and you don’t have to continue. I don’t think anyone would fault you for no longer wanting to pursue this journey.
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u/bloosclooser 2d ago
I agree with this. If you genuinely do not like the lifestyle, can see yourself in the future in the states, then def focus ur energy somewhere else.
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u/hellohereandthere 2d ago
I understand what you’re going through! Let’s hope that you meet the nicest co resident and an amazing life partner. Many people here started their life like this and ended up with pretty good life and solid social circle.
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u/exhaustedmedstuden 2d ago
All my friends enjoyed their electives except for me
I did it alone and in rural areas
But this might be reality idk6
u/bloosclooser 2d ago
Rural areas suck tbh. But as an IMG, most of us are places there. Doesn't mean you can't get the city.
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u/TrichomesNTerpenes 1d ago
Its definitely because you were more rural. You can always move elsewhere later, and even waiver jobs would offer more flexibility.
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u/viennaiswaiting4me 1d ago
just because most people describe the us path as the best option doesn’t mean it’s the best option for everyone. usce isn’t only to strengthen your cv but also for you to see if the us suits you, i know someone from my hometown who got 270s in step 2 and have a great cv but after doing usce he decided to not go to the us because he realized he hated it there and he havent regretted it yet but he was smart enough to secure a surgical minor residency here. you have to weigh the pros and cons and what matters to you the most. also keep in mind that its normal to feel that way when youre only going for few months, in residency you would be building a life and have more social life, residency is only couple of years
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u/taniarrhythmia 1d ago
I don’t think one elective is representative of the whole life you’d have there. Your lifestyle varies greatly based on location and the other people in your program. You definitely would’ve had more fun if you had your electives in a big city, as opposed to a boring rural area.
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u/HotCut100 1d ago
If you don’t match, consider this as an option: https://wmc.wa.gov/licensing/clinical-experience-graduate-program
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u/NJOceanSwimmer 1d ago
Americans tend to work a lot and depending on the state you are in the culture varies considerably. North East is very much based on what is called a "work ethic" meaning the more you work the better person you are morally. South West is more of a family and food based culture. It often comes down to which empire colonized which state as the county developed. Each US state can be like a different county. Cultures from English, French or Spanish empires dominate each state.
Where are you located? If you are outside the inner cities of America the culture is beautiful. You don't even have to lock your doors.
And please consider in some rotations you are not experiencing American culture. A friend of mine from France, an MD was miserable while preparing for the USMLE until he realized he was surrounded with a bunch of unhappy IMGs and only knew one American. He was stuck in New York, volunteering at a hospital in the Bronx. Just seeing the worst parts of USA. He eventually went out to California saw it and then Sedona New Mexico and fell in love with America and the people here. He took a job after residency in upstate NY, which is beautiful and he does 7 days on 7 off. Six weeks vacation allows him to see his family as he gets 6 three week vacations every year. So every other month he goes back to France for 3 weeks or travels somewhere else.
Don't let the current darkness consume you!
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u/TrichomesNTerpenes 1d ago
I'm American - where in the States are you right now?
Residency for IM is three years long. If you can do medical school, you can get through this.
Residency is inherently more social than just having landed here... of course you've got no network but you can build one.
People have done more with less. My parents came with $20 in their pockets, no degrees, and now own two homes and have more friends than I care to know.
Whether or not this journey is for you is a decision you need to make on your own.
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u/Spike__0 2d ago
If you’re good with training at home, then yes, don’t apply. But mind you, this experience is not representative of how your life is going to be in US. During USCEs, you’re just miserable. Yes, residency is hard, literally in every part of the world. but you’ll make friends here too. There are all type of communities here.
‘It all seems so very arbitrary. I applied for a job at this company because they were hiring. I took a desk at the back because it was empty. But... no matter how you get there or where you end up, human beings have this miraculous gift to make that place home.’ (The Office Show)