Flinders University

Attending Flinders in Adelaide has been a great experience. The campus is big with lots of amenities, the medical studies take place in the hospital on campus which is convenient. The teaching is a mix of academics, researchers and senior clinicians. However, there is a massive emphasis on self directed learning- meaning you need to find your own resources to cover the material that will be tested. So this is something to take note of if you don’t do well with self directed learning. Although, one of the benefits of this is the class schedule is very flexible. Many of my classmates (including myself) work part time during the week and we have access to all lecture material via recordings.

The course itself has been good so far. There are heaps of program specific clubs and societies- everything from medical student music society, surgical society, women in health, psych society, etc. The teaching is a mix between live lectures and pre-recorded lectures, taught by clinicians, researcher, or academics. However, there is a large emphasis and need for self-directed learning. The hands on skills start in first year with learning cardio and respiratory exams, otoscopy, vitals and history taking.

One massive perk for Flinders is they are one of the only medical programs in Australia that still have cadaver dissection for anatomy. Many schools utilize cadavers but at Flinders, you work in a group and complete all of the dissection on your assigned body, you work with the same cadaver body for over a year! Be prepared for a lot of self-directed learning, you have to be disciplined with it or you could fall behind quickly. The class size is about 200 which means lots of friends to be made! Adelaide is a great city with beaches, good food and right near the vineyards.

Love the city. Classmates and teachers are great too. Love the course. Dislikes include sometimes vague expectations and wish there were more patient interactions. Like dissection and clinical skills classes. Dislike that class sizes are bigger than I anticipated. Australia is a great option. The people here are great and the teachers are approachable. Much more laid back compared to Canadian institutions.

I like the events held for medical students throughout the school year. I like the schedule mixture of lectures, labs, and practicals. The biggest adjustment for myself was not medical school but moving to a new country knowing no one. Go out and make friends with EVERYONE not just fellow Canadians. Do what you like to do. I used to sing, so I joined the medical theatre club.

I like the small class sizes (professors get to know you on a personal level), love TBL learning (MD at Flinders is split into blocks).

Flinders is a great option for medical school because it is laid back in the sense that they want everyone to pass, and if you put in effort you will do well. Adelaide is a relaxed placed to live in, it is not too busy or big. I like how the design is for students to learn, pass fail grading method, not high pressure, but I dislike how it is a bit disorganized and outdated.

Great facilities, instructors and program, especially the dissection component. Be prepared to undergo a lot of self-regulated learning i.e finding own resources, learning from peers, etc.