Shifting Abroad – USMLE, PLAB, AMC
“It’s not just an exam plan, it’s an emotional journey no one talks about.”
At first, it sounds exciting.
“Let’s go abroad.”
“USMLE is better than NEET-PG.”
“Life’s sorted once you get a residency in the US or UK.”
But here’s the side of that dream that isn’t spoken about enough:
The silence, the uncertainty, and the self-doubt that creeps in when:
You start preparing in 3rd year, but your peers are acing MBBS subjects. You’ve spent months watching Kaplan or BnB videos, and still wonder if it’s enough. You miss out on local exams, clinical exposure, or even campus life — and start feeling “out of place.” You hear things like:
“Why are you preparing so early?”
“What if you don’t get Step 1 in time?”
“NEET PG is more stable.”
What you’re really feeling isn’t just academic pressure.
It’s the fear of being on a different timeline.
The fear of investing years into a system that’s so different from what your classmates are doing.
It’s the fear of “What if I fail both — there and here?”
But here’s what you must remember:
You’re not confused — you’re courageous.
You’re choosing uncertainty now to build clarity later.
You’re not “behind” — you’re walking a path less visible, but deeply valuable.
Yes, the process is long.
Yes, it often feels isolating.
Yes, you’ll question your decision — many times.
But the answer will always be this:
If you’re doing it with awareness, purpose, and adaptability — then it’s not a mistake.
Ask yourself:
Is this truly my goal, or am I doing it to escape another?
Am I willing to be patient, consistent, and flexible with this path?
Can I respect my own pace — even when others don’t understand it?
Because going abroad isn’t just a career move.
It’s a mindset shift.