Reality USMKLE Part IV.

Salam Ramadan to all....yes, back to blogging since I have pretty so much of ample time. Alhamdulillah, I am now back home and completed my forth year USM MD handsomely. It was a challenging journey through out but with so many helpful hands from friends and lecturers, we finally made it. 

Those who failed certain postings, must do remedial in which they have to stay in India. Some must do it in USMKK, while us who made it through must do 4 weeks clinical elective in government hospitals. Well, not much to do in this holiday, except for attending friends' weddings and a short gateaway ehehhehe which I have been saving up for. 

Many of the adik-adik who had been so curious regarding the medical course in USMKLE, well right here, right now, I will spill the beans for all of you. I will compile the questions many of you had been inquiring and answer them right here. 

First and foremost, there is a new sort of rule going on for upcoming batch to USMKLE. I have heard that USMKLE would not receive any more students from various matriculation college or foundation programmes. Instead, they built this one particular "PRE-USMKLE" foundation in Kolej Mara Kulim if I am not mistaken. So, if you are from anywhere besides Kolej Mara Kulim, I advice you to not fret and just move on, find another alternative. Probably you won't be accepted in USMKLE despite those forms and pledging (rayuan). Life is just too short to cry..so move on! 

About sports facilities, the main attraction I supposed for budding students; I would say they have improved except for the badminton hall. You can go play basketball, as we also have a multipurpose court at the ladies wings of the hostel, where you and your team can play there after writing a letter to the high committees of the sport of USMKLE and basically you can use the court on the decided time, Since, it is also a futsal court which mostly will be used by the boys every afternoon, so for girls....just be patient and opt other sports. You can also join me doing pilates and dance at the balcony 2nd floor. Or the gym perhaps. 

Other than that, we have swimming center, RS50 per entrance for non member, and RS2000 for attending a month swimming class. There's a unisex gymnasium just at the swimming centre, yearly fees cost you RS11000. We also have a big stadium for those runners who want to run on track. Some do play volleyball, table tennis, tennis and sorry there's no squash arena. Sorry those for those who asked. NO squash....sadly but yes. 

Oh yes. As the new syllabus, you guys attending first year...would have your first professional exam during your 2nd year. During third year, you will directly attending clinical years. KLE Yellur Hospital, which is a bit far will be the place for all of you to be trained into physicians and you have to take a bus to reach that place. The restaurant there is a bit lousy, but they are making it big...so just see how it goes. 

As for lunch and dinner, breakfast as well I supposed, we have a canteen where we called MESS. They cook lovely nasi lemak every Friday, lovely briyani every saturday...and close on Sundays. Recently, we also have Pak Cik Basheer, who can speak fluent Malay and sell nasi lemak ayam goreng, ayam masak merah and rojak at low prices. Nearby, we have KFC, Subway and McD for those who wouldn't have to worry on getting fat. Did I tell you we also have a bakery just downside at the basement of the hostel? Yes darling...we do have. Also, a saloon for girls which have manicure, pedicure, spa treatments as well. And those who hate ironing or doing their own laundry, fret not kids! USMKLE also offered you with a dobby facility. 

To go elsewhere, to dine or to just chill and buy groceries, you can call auto drivers, Uncle Afzal or Uncle Mushtaq...I mostly opt for uncle Afzal since he will give you a much cheaper rate. As technology is getting very handy, you can download an app called "Ola Cab" and you can have a semi small car or even a sedan to pick you up and send you to the places you wanna go. Ola cab has been really useful and affordable to those who wanna go somewhere in a group of more than 4 where it will be inconvenient to take an auto rickshaw. 

Many have changes since we first came. Berkat students Malaysia la kot Belagavi bertambah maju berbanding dahulu. Whatever it is, going to such a small city, don't put so much hope and expect much. We are certainly been chosen to not just live, but to survive. Hope all my juniors will enjoy Belagavi and make Malaysia proud. That is all....please tell me so if you have any more things you wish to know....:)

Reality USMKLE New Edition

Thank you first of all to those upcoming juniors (inshaALLAH) who had contact me multiple times. Yeah, I know the anxiety. The excitement to know you are either going to be accepted or rejected for medical school. I miss the feeling too ! The moment where there's so much confidence! 

I want to say that everything I told you guys would be of what I have experienced. I am now had finished my third year (Alhamdulillah and yeyyy!). So, most of my stories would be of three years back, which I assumed there's not much of a difference. But if there's any bit of a difference, I am really sorry.

What have change?

1. Professors/lecturers

- Many of our lecturers had left us. For example our cheerful physiology lecturer and one of our Godmother they say, named Madam Vidya. Before this, they say, Madam Vidya was a reliable person. She took care of Malaysian Students because she was by the way, the Student Affairs Dean or something (I dont really care), but because she is still an Indian citizen, I still somehow think whether she is available or absent, things are the same. So yeah, we have no longer a 'Madam' who we can run into and complaint things like about washing machines and stuff. Everything would be on our own. And they said the KLE University authority would pretty much dig our money. But wait, don't bother about money aspect. If you are here with a determination, things would be fine. Just concentrate on your main aim. But I am bit worried though for those who are not from a wealthy family and come here on parents' support. It will not be easy and cheap. I am warning you!

2. Syllabus

- For juniors coming for year one, here's a good news. You guys would probably be embarked into a new kind of USM Syllabus. I somehow think they change it to turn USM MD into somewhat similar to other medical schools in Malaysia. I don't quite know deeply how much changes in syllabus you would experience, but your clinical years start in 3rd year. Meaning, you will start your postings in third year, sleep in the hospital, eat in the hospital and making hospital as your first home. YEYYY! While I as one of the pioneer member, would start my posting in forth year, meaning in this september. They said, they will be a new hospital. A new USM hospital just for us. I still do not want to brag how awesome it will be. Because last time I heard, it is still under construction. Let me warn you guys again that coming to India, don't jaw dropped when you are allowed to live in a under-construction building though.

3. Dean might be leaving for good.

- Prof Dr Kamaruddin Jaalam, is the Deputy Dean who is assigned to watch out for us here in USMKLE. He is of course from USM Kubang Kerian. His presence is more like a gem for us especially when examinations are around the corner. Rumor has it, that he might be leaving us for good. Well, if he's leaving just pray for someone better to replace him. Because for us, he is irreplaceable. 

4. New swimming pool!

-You heard it guys and gal! There is a swimming pool, just beside the campus. But it's not just for us the USM students but for all those from JNMC as well. You will know what JNMC is when you come here. They have one separate time for the girls. Also, swimming lesson for those who want to an Olympic class swimmer. So pack along your swimming gear people. See ya in the water! LOL

5. GYM!

-There's basically no reason for one USMKLE student to not stay fit. If you cannot do outdoors, then you (the girls) can join me in the gym. I hope I still have time for gym though. We can do HIIT routines and also dancing, Zumba, just name it. Don't over expect on the equipment, since we would just pay RS1800 for 6 months, so the equipment are quite lousy especially the treadmills. Oh well, India what do you expect? Dont worry boys, I know you guys wanna turn into Abang Sado, there is definitely a big gym for you guys too! Fret not!

6. No kitchen

-Sad news for the new comers. Your room might have a pantry without a sink for you to cook. I think because there have been an experience whereby the pantry being accidentally burnt so they are really worried on us cooking. Drawback is then onto you guys though. But fret now, you can still cook elsewhere where there are plugs located. We cook by using an induction cooker. 

7. Fees

Indian currency keep dropping and hiking. Like now, it's really hiking. So when you come in september, the currency will eventually drop again. By that time, fees would be hiking. And the fees for hostel alone cost USD 900. Meanwhile, the tuition fees per year, is 20000 USD. Those under MARA would probably be of less worry since MARA pay the tuition fees and provides USD 500 allowance per month. Those under self sponsorship would probably need to plan more wisely. 

That's all guys! Sorry if I am answering you guys in a quite monotonous responses. I just not keen anymore into dealing with questions like "Is USMKLE that good?...SERIOUSLY guys and gals, if you think USMKLE is unrecognized or not good, just don't come here with doubts in your head. USMKLE is still an IPTA which is located outside the country. Even Kementerian Pelajaran Tinggi nominated it to those Malaysian students studying in Egypt during the riot crisis for them to choose to continue their studies. The reason why we are still unrecognized is because we still haven't produce our first doctors. They are going to graduate around 2015, so yeah just wait. I hope this will answer you doubt. If not so much, then a little bit would do right?

Till then...assalamualaikum. Nak tidoooo....yaawnnn. Hahhaha!

Try find me if you're really that smart!

Realiti USMKLE: For Freshie on VISA application

Alhamdulillah and congratulations to all our future juniors who are already confirmed with MARA for the sponsorship. We welcomed you the world full of surprises. HAHAHA.

So before you guys come to India, a visa is a compulsory 'ticket' to allow you to enter this country full of magic. 

I don't know how about you guys, but during my time, the ONLINE VISA APPLICATION form was obtained from the same page as the website where you guys applied for USMKLE. 

You just fill up the form till it complete, then print it....and one thing you have to go to the Indian Visa Center to get your visa ready. Oh, please bring along your original USMKLE offer letter as well as your passport. And while putting your signature to any documents during the application process at the center, make sure all your signature are of the similar pattern. Just don't be that kelam kabut. Do things one at a time :)

You must sign up for the STUDENT VISA. The fees is about RM 301 during my time. I would put the link to the Malaysia's Indian Visa Center for you to do all the work. There are maybe some things changed for these past 2 years. 

INDIAN VISA CENTRE IN MALAYSIA 

And for those who are not in Kuala Lumpur area, here is the link to the addresses in some other cities for the center. Collection for the VISA is usually a week after you go and make one, so yeah, be patient :)

INDIAN VISA CENTRE ADDRESSES

Realiti USMKLE For Freshie: On Registration

Ok for those that haven't got the MARA yet, better be hurry to apply it. 

Registration for this course, even though you'll be studying in India; is still at the beloved campus of USMKK, Kelantan. Yes, very far from Kuala Lumpur, I know.

So this post will be basically according to my past experience: as former freshie (two years ago) as well as one of the facilitators for last year's orientation. Sorry if any of these, won't be dealt or endured by you guys this year. Here they go:

1. Document all your certificates in order. Bring the necessary. Don't need to bring the UPSR's and PMR's. 

2. Makes a lot of IC and passport copies and passport photos. Very important. The xerox center in the campus is soooo far away from the hostel you will be placed at. And don't forget to bring along the offer letter. Official ones. So yeah. 

3. BRING BLACK BALLY SHOES/ANYTHING LOOKS FORMAL for boys and for girls bring BLACK SHOES that cover up your toes. You don't want to spend for lousy black shoes in Kubang Kerian.

4. For girls, bring extra white tudung/ black tudung. You need it for the last session of declaration event of being USM students (hari baca ikrar I'd call it :P). Boys bring white long sleeve shirts. Black slacks are more appropriate. 

5. Bring your own bedsheet and pillow to stay at the hostel. Because I know not everybody is comfortable with such a condition with no pillow. But trust me! you'll be having only like a 3 hour sleep.

6. Girls  bring some baju kurung, formal I would say.

7. Bring track bottoms. There'd be aerobic session. 

8. I don't know whether this year, you would have to bring all your luggage to USMKK or not. It depends on your flight date. During my time, the difference between the last day of orientation was just a day, so I did bring everything to Kelantan. To ensure your flight dates, please contact MARA (if you have already confirmed to be under its sponsorship)

9. Bring extra money; you might need it to buy food/daily essentials and some books like keusahawanan, etnik etc. 

10. For the medical check up documents, bring everything. Make sure you do blood test. 

11. Prepare mentally and physically. Some facilitators are very mean. I mean very! But I ensure you if I were there, I would be nice with some limits. We are there to train and guide you to be discipline. Everyday, along the orientation; you must wake up at 5 am for Subuh prayer at Murni's mosque. 

12. You've to walk a lot. So don't just chill on the couch and turn into a potato. Do some jog/train your legs. It'd be tiresome. Trust me!

13. Youtube the USM Theme Song, if there's any. You'be asked to sing it ! Some facilitators would be furious if you don't know how it goes. 

I think these are basically all the things you need to do/ need not to bring. Goodluck on MARA application. Pray hard to get it. You will be surprised by the time you're here. But most of us are nice. HEHE. 

>>p/s: These two years; USMKLE students are placed at Nurani Hostel, near to the main gate. So it's easy to get to this place upon reaching the entrance. Please bring offer letter (original copy!) if you don't want to face trouble upon registration. The Nurani's management is very strict. Enjoy your few days of cuti cuti Malaysia. And we'll welcome you with a warm heart to USM. See ya>>

Reality USMKLE for freshies

Less than 3 weeks will I suffer from my examination syndrome, Selanjar 2, is looming. Preparation is under the progress. Can't say how fast or slow the speed is, only Allah could tell.

In addition, the year 2 is gonna be seniors soon. We didn't quite feel of being a senior this year, since most of the first years are of our age (21 years/born in 1992) so the next new semester will be full of fun. Hahaha

Some things I need to clarify here, about this medical institution where I am in. It is called USMKLE IMP Belgaum, India. Again, it's NOT Belgium. Although, there's winter around December; this place is far beyond Belgium. And chocolates. But the people are variation of 'chocolates' , if you know what I meant. :P

This year, only one person approached me to ask regarding USMKLE, also a cyber friend, by which her brother is considering to come to USMKLE too. I hope this helps by any means. 

1. Common question: Is USMKLE differ in any ways from USMKK? 

-Answer: Yes. Of course, when it's two different places; you HAVE TO EXPECT for differences. When I mention about differences, there are; the teaching staff. In USMKK, the teaching staff are abundant. But most of them are also practicing doctors, so they are super duper busy. I've heard stories from friends at USMKK, that even during PBL (group discussion), the conducting lecturers couldn't show up because they have to attend wards session/surgery or alike. 

It is different in USMKLE. Our teaching stuff, is not Malaysians of course, except for Prof Kamaruddin Jalam (Prof KJ) who is also our Deputy Dean and some short courses lecturers that came all the way from Kampus Induk, to teach Bahasa Melayu, Etnik and Tamadun Islam. By far only Bahasa Melayu is being conducted in a class session for 2 weeks. That sometimes, it will be out of the class schedule so students should bear in mind that, they have to sacrifice time during weekends, during holidays like raya haji to accommodate these classes. HAHAHA. so enjoy!

And in USMKLE, there haven't been much cases where doctors cannot attend us for teaching session like SGD (small group discussion) in first year or PBL in year 2 and 3. Only this year alone, there have been 4 classes postpone from their original schedule. But for SGS and PBL, there are always substitute teachers/lecturers.

NO difference. Since, we will be graduated with the same MD USM title. :D And going for convocation in Kampus Induk (Penang) LOL. 

2. What's so special? 

-The cadavers! Being first year, what you can enjoy is having the cadavers to learn anatomy. Everyone should have known India, is abundant of cadavers so yeah, so does USMKLE. 12 students and one teaching lecturer per cadaver, is good enough to have hands on experience with the dead body's muscles, bones and organs. Just need to be brave. Use this benefit well because anatomy will be again recollected in year 2,3 and till you die!!

Classes on weekends. Yes people! You only have Sunday for a break (except in Year 2 where sometimes the weekends also include Saturdays). Meaning, on Saturday, you'll be embarking yourself with classes. Enjoy!

Co-curicullar activities are somewhat different. In USMKK, students can choose variety of activities, sports, cultural and even language classes as minor courses. But for USMKLE, since it's still new, and the community is not that big (lesser students), some programmes/activities in USMKK will not be held here. 

As for now, we only have Samudra. It's a sports and cultural event for USMKLE students. More like rumah sukan in schools. Games held are like: Badminton, Pingpong, Basketball, Netball, Futsal, Baling Selipar, Galah Panjang, Volleyball and other field tracts events like sprinting etc.

We also have Discover programme conducted by the Sports Bureau; it's out of Belgaum activity. For hiking and camping and other extreme sports/activities.

The bureau also came out with the Kembara programme, Bon Voyage it's called. To promote USMKLE to the world. It's like you plan with a group of at least two members for a voyage abroad and made a video out of the experience and share your experience here with friends studying abroad. But all the expenses are self-initiated of course!

This year, we started to have inter-university competitions: we participated in Legenda Games in Manipal. Interacting with students from Melaka Manipal College MMC as well as those from MSU Bangalore, and other universities around the same states. (of India)

Last year, there was Trinity by JNMC. It is held once in two years. It's for sports and cultural games too. Some of my friends won prizes in the competitions held. It was a fun exposure. 

But I can also tell you that there are some similarities. For instance

1. The schedule: Similar but not the same. Probably the classes in USMKK is lesser than what we have here. I don't know why but that happens. But we share the common public holidays like holidays for deepavali, for raya haji, for post selanjar/pro (big examinations) and of course aidilfitri break.  USMKLE however, also runs for a break during common Indian celebrations which are so many. You come here you will know.

2. Examinations are conducted simultaneously. For big exams like Selanjar (Continuous Assessments) and Pro Exams. Together with Bahasa Melayu, English as well as Etnik. 

3. Students still need to complete the project on business and management (Keusahawanan) and Etnik on the contra of Religion within the date given.

4. Still under the supervision of the board of Governors of USM. Means students still have to abide to certain rules made by USM like curfew hours, and not allowed to have a motorcycle/scooter.

5. Students are welcomed to join with friends in USMKK, in events/programmes like PPSL (facilitating orientation week for the juniors in USMKK) and others if not interrupting with normal schedules of teaching.

6. Students HAVE to work for MyCSD. Merit points for their profiles. But unlike in USMKK, where students have to collect it in order to secure a place in the campus for hostels; USMKLE students are needed to collect this points as to add up to degree marking point. Not for hostel purposes. To get these points; for USMKLE students; abundant events/activities/programmes by the institute could help if you are eager enough to participate.

Hostel and accommodation and facilities

We are now living in a lavish, huge USM Hostel. But it's without single room. You can apply for single room, but have to pay extra (as if you are a two person). The fees for a double room cost 900 USD meanwhile for single it may come up to USD 1800. 

The room comes with a big window (very efficient for ventilation), a small pantry, where you can cook and store your food, furnished with big desk (workstation), equipped with Ethernet LAN (for internet cable), beds etc. Also, each room is having one bathroom. No more sharing of bathrooms like what our friends in USMKK are enduring :P

The hostel is also a walking distance from the USMKLE campus. But don't make it an excuse to come late for classes :P Oh and other thing is that don't expect this hostel is perfect in every sense. It's new, so the building isn't fully completed. You might stumbled upon the Indian workers here and there. 

For facilities: We have a laundry space with washing machines at the basement, together with our cafe where we called it MESS, and also a small counter of bakery Kake Walk that sells cakes, muffins and pastries. Not to mention, we have a spacious gymnasiums. For boys and girls hostel that is. And the fees for 6 months gym subscription is just RS1800. 

SOUL/Kerohanian: There's a musolah at the basement, we called it Az Zumar. And many religious sharing are being conducted there. 

Clinicals:

USM syllabus brings students to the clinical world as early as 2nd year. For phase 2 (Year 2 and 3), we have one session of clinical per week. It's according to the module/block learn in a particular period. We are now using the benefit of Prabakar Kore KLE Hospital which is a walking-distance hospital for clinical teaching/bedside teachings. 

Students at this phase must master/know Kannada or Hindi at the very least; for the purpose of communicating with the patients. Mind you that patients DO NOT comprehend English (very lucky if you get one). We have a clinical book that serves as a reference to communicate with the patients. That helps. Also, we have one Kannada/Hindi class a week. The class is fun because the teacher is fun, but can be very annoying because Kannada isn't fun to learn. Very hard language for me :(

At this phase, students must master the art of taking history out of the patients, and present it (case presentation) in front of the doctors allocated for each group. Don't pee in your pants just yet because this can be very nerve wrecking !!

 In phase 3, when you passed PRO 2, most of the time is allocated in hospitals. And USMKLE is gonna have its own teaching hospital soon, but it's not near. Around 10 minutes from the hostel and the campus. Gonna be super tiring in true clinical years! 

>>p/s: That's all I can write now. Sleepy...ask me more because I might forgot to add some points here. <<