Medicine in Paraguay: how does it work? Is it worth it?

Paraguay ends up attracting a lot of attention from students, as it is a country that offers easier access to medical courses, which is why many end up choosing to study Medicine in Paraguay.

Why study medicine in Paraguay?

But why do all people look for these opportunities in another country and not in Brazil?

The answer to this question has a few reasons, but the main one is that the costs of tuition fees and even living in Paraguay are lower than in Brazil.

Of course, tuition fees will vary greatly depending on the colleges and universities chosen, but they will generally be around R$1,000,000.

Furthermore, it is a way to escape the great competition we have in Brazil, both in faculties both public and private.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of studying medicine in Paraguay?

And of course, like everything else, this practice of going to another country to study medicine offers certain advantages and disadvantages regarding the process.

According to a document produced by Itamaraty, there are approximately 65 thousand Brazilians studying in Paraguay, and this number only grows in line with the advantages that can be seen by students.

Advantages

If so many students are migrating to Paraguayan universities, surely there are some advantages, right?

And the first of these is that the courses are extremely cheaper, with an absurd reduction in costs compared to the monthly fees of almost R$10 thousand that we can find in Brazil.

But of course, tuition costs will vary depending on the university chosen. For example, there are colleges with tuition fees of R$700, which can go up to R$2,000, which is very different from the reality we have here.

Furthermore, the cost of living in Paraguay is one of the cheapest among Brazil's neighboring countries.

Another very positive point is the ease of the language, which is a mandatory requirement for anyone who wants to do this exchange between countries.

It is necessary to at least understand what the teacher will be saying during classes, which is why Paraguay is so often chosen, since its official language is Spanish, which ends up being easier for Brazilians.

And even though it is the official language, Portuguese is also widely spoken on the streets of Paraguay.

To enter these universities you will not need to pass an exam like Enem, some of them do not even require entrance exams, they only ask for an enrollment fee.

Disadvantages

But we cannot fail to mention that there are some negative aspects to studying medicine in Paraguay, not everything will always be a bed of roses.

And the first one is that despite being cheap, there are other colleges with better courses. Especially considering the fact that Paraguay's medical schools are ranked in position one thousand and above according to the QS World University Ranking.

Furthermore, many people mention that the country does not have the best education, with low quality, infrastructure problems, undue charges and even cases of harassment that occur frequently.

And even though the tuition fees are low, Paraguay does not offer scholarships for studying in Brazil.

Another disadvantage that cannot be forgotten is that professionals trained in other countries, even in Paraguay, will need to take a mandatory exam to guarantee the validity of the diploma in Brazil as well.

This exam is called Revalida, and it turns out that the exam is very difficult and requires the student to prepare very well, which ends up being complicated due to the low quality of Paraguayan health courses.

We cannot fail to mention the dangers that surround Paraguayan cities; crime is a major factor that forces people to take the greatest possible care.

Is it worth studying medicine in Paraguay?

The decision to study medicine in Paraguay or any other country will depend on several factors, such as your goals, your income, ability to adapt, and more.

That is why it is not a simple decision to make, but something that needs to be thought about and well planned so that everything goes as expected.

If you are looking for quality education, Paraguay may not be your best option, but if you are looking for cheaper tuition fees that fit your budget, it is definitely what you are looking for.

But remember that you must be prepared to adapt to different lifestyles, the new language and we cannot forget the investment you will need, related to housing, tuition fees, food and others.

Therefore, the decision to study medicine in Paraguay is a personal one and depends on your career goals, financial resources and willingness to face challenges.

We recommend that you do your research thoroughly, consult with healthcare professionals who have been through this experience, and carefully consider the factors mentioned above before making a decision.

Additionally, consider seeking advice from an educational or career counselor.

What is Revalida?

We talked about the Revalida, but not what this exam is about, so let's learn more about it.

If you decide to go to college in Paraguay and obtain your degree there, you will need to take the Revalida, a mandatory exam for all doctors who graduated in other countries but want to work in Brazil.

This exam is divided into two parts, the first being a multiple choice test and the second being a test of discursive questions.

The first stage of the multiple choice test has 135 questions that are divided between basic and clinical sciences, and to pass you need to get at least 50% correct.

The discursive test will have 18 questions with 200 words each, and will cover the same subjects, basic sciences and clinical sciences.

Regardless of whether you are studying medicine in Paraguay or in another country other than Brazil, you will need to take this test, which costs on average R$$850.