Are you looking to study in the medical schools in Curacao? Then this is the right guide for you. Student life in Curacao is interesting because it not only consists of studying, it consists also of fun, and making friends, not to talk about the numerous conferences and seminars for students across the universities.
Apart from medical school life, Curacao offers a lot of fun to her students, interesting and useful programs, as well as an opportunity to make lifelong friends.
Exploring the country is another benefit of studying in any of the medical schools in Curacao.
During your time as a student here, most of the activities on offer are outdoors-based, making the country a nature lover’s dream destination. Previously, we have listed the 17 medical schools in the Dominican Republic, however, in this article, we will be discussing the medical schools in Curacao and more.
About Curacao –
Curaçao is an island in the Caribbean Sea and a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is situated some 37 miles (60 km) north of the coast of Venezuela.
Although physiographically a part of the South American continental shelf, Curaçao and neighboring islands off the northern coast of South America are usually considered to constitute the southwestern arc of the Lesser Antilles.
The capital is Willemstad. Curaçao was settled by Arawak people from the South American mainland.
It was first visited by Europeans in 1499 and was settled by the Spanish and, later, by the Dutch, who established it as a major center of trade for the Dutch West India Company.
The Spanish deported the entire indigenous population as slaves to Hispaniola in 1515.
Curaçao is the home of the oldest continuously inhabited Jewish community in the Western Hemisphere, originally formed by Sephardic Jews who emigrated from Portugal in the 1500s.
The island provided one special advantage for the Dutch—one of the finest natural harbors in the West Indies.
At the southeastern end of the island, a channel, Sint Anna Bay, passes through reefs to a large, deep, virtually enclosed bay called Schottegat, the site of the capital town, Willemstad.
The need for salt to preserve herring initially drove the Dutch to the Caribbean.
During the period 1660 to 1700, the Dutch West India Company flourished; the slave trade boomed, and the port of Curaçao was opened to all countries both to receive the incoming food supplies and to dispose of products from the plantations of South America.
The island was subjected to frequent invasions from competing privateers and suffered during the wars between the English and Dutch.
It has remained continuously in Dutch hands since 1816. In 1845 Curaçao was one of the six Dutch dependencies in the West Indies that were brought under collective administration.
Those dependencies were reorganized as the Netherlands Antilles in 1954 and granted autonomy in internal affairs.
In 2006 the people of Curaçao, along with those of the other islands and the Dutch government, agreed to dissolve the Netherlands Antilles.
On October 10, 2010, Curaçao and Sint Maarten became—like Aruba, which had separated from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986—countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Step-by-step Admission Process in Curacao
- Step 1: Finding the right program
- Step 2: Application to Universities
- Step 3: Receiving the Conditional Acceptance Letter
- Step 4: Receiving the unconditional Acceptance Letter
- Step 5: Obtaining Visa
- Step 6: Accommodation Reservation
- Step 7: Flights Booking
- Step 8: Get connected
- Step 9: Arrive
- Step 10: First Week Induction
The List of Medical Schools in Curacao
- Avalon University School of Medicine
- Caribbean Medical University School of Medicine
- John F. Kennedy University School of Medicine
- New York Medical University(NYMU)
- St. Martinus University Faculty of Medicine
Avalon University School of Medicine
The mission of Avalon University School of Medicine is to prepare competent physicians who can serve communities locally and around the world.
Avalon graduates are committed to patient safety and public health while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and ethical behavior required for medical practice.
They offer Premed Program and MD Program.
The Pre-Med program will help you develop the foundational knowledge needed to be successful in the MD Program.
These undergraduate-level courses will be both challenging & exciting!
The MD program is designed to foster the knowledge & skills that will be used when practicing medicine.
This program will teach the art of practicing medicine & becoming a competent & well-rounded physician.
Premed Tuition:
- PM1: $ 4,500
- PM2: $ 4,500
- PM3: $ 4,500
- PM4: $ 4,500
- Total Premed Tuition: $ 18,000
Total Basic Science Tuition: $33,700. Check out the tuition and fee in detail.
Caribbean Medical University School of Medicine
The Perks:
- MCAT Not Required
- 9/10 Pass Rate USMLE Step1
- Student Loans & Payment Plans
- Friendly Tuition ($5.900 For Basic)
- Accreditations & Affiliations
They offer Pre Med Program and Medical Program.
Pre Med Program: The Premedical Program is designed to provide students with the strong foundation needed to handle the rigorous course of study they will experience in the MD Program.
Premed course has been designed for high school graduates or college students with less than 90 credit hours, who seek admission to a medical school and don’t meet the MD Program requirements. Below are the requirements:
- Applicants must be at least 18
- GPA: 2.8
- High/ Secondary School Diploma and Official Transcripts (minimum educational background)
- TOEFL: 60 or IELTS: 6.0 (if applicable)
- Full-time Tuition (per semester): $2,950
Medical Program: The majority of students enter with a bachelor’s degree, required premedical sciences, and/or optional scores from the Medical College Admission Test, directly into the MD Program.
These students generally complete the requirements for the MD degree after 4 years comprised of 12 trimesters of successful academic progress.
By participating in the dedicated BS Subject Shelf Exam Counsels, students are well prepared for the National Board Medical Exams (NBME) and the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) as well as through the Basic Science curriculum, review courses, and simulated exams.
Caribbean Medical University’s Curriculum comprises 12 trimesters: 6 trimesters of Basic Medical Sciences and 6 trimesters of Clinical Medical Sciences taught at CMU SOM Clinical Medicine Centers in the United States. This is in compliance with the accreditation standards.
- MD Full-time Tuition (per semester) for Basic Science: $5,900
- MD Full-time Tuition (per semester) for Clinical Science: $9,900
Get more details about the part-time, dorm rates, meal plans, and other fees.
John F. Kennedy University School of Medicine
John F. Kennedy University School of Medicine is a place to achieve your dream of becoming the physician of the next generation.
JFK is committed not only to providing a noteworthy education in their Doctor of Medicine (MD) Program at affordable prices but also a rewarding one built to challenge your breadth in medical knowledge and persistence in becoming great physicians of the future.
JFK university continues to strive in producing graduates with the utmost caliber with the primary focus on medical integrity, trust, and honor. They offer premedical programs, medical programs, and clinical rotations.
JFK’s Premedical program is specifically designed for students who do not meet the basic requirements for the MD Program.
MD degree is a four-year program. It consists of four (4) semesters of the Basic Sciences (The first two years of the MD program) which are completed on the Island of Curacao.
The other 2 years of Clinical rotations are to be completed in the U.S. and UK Hospitals.
Upon successful completion of 2 years of Basic Sciences on the Island and a fifth-semester review course in the U.S., their students will be put in for the preparation of Clinical training in the U.S., UK, Europe, and South Africa.
The Clinical Sciences semesters are completed in the U.S. through American Medical Clinicals (AMC) as well as their other affiliated partners and hospital affiliates.
- Tuition fee per semester for Pre-Med Program I-III: US$ 3,900
- Tuition fee per semester for Basic Science MD I – MD IV: US$ 5,900 (Waive $900 Scholarship) $5000
- Tuition fee per semester for Review Course MD V: US$ 6,900
- Tuition fee per semester for Clinical Science MD VI – XI (72 weeks):
US$ 7,900 with USMLE exam
US$ 8,900 without USMLE exam
- Find out more about tuition and fees.
St. Martinus University Faculty of Medicine
St. Martinus University Faculty of Medicine offers:
Pre-Medical program: The Pre-Medical program was created for those students who do not meet the Admissions criteria of SMUFOM on the basis of not having completed the courses and credits required for Admissions into the MD Program.
Their Pre-Medical Program is a one-year, 90 credit hours accelerated program consisting of THREE intensive semesters.
Medical Program: The medical program offered at St. Martinus University, Faculty of Medicine is a rigorous program that integrates the Basic Sciences into the clinical practice of medicine.
The Basic Sciences Program is a 2-year program offered over four semesters of 20 weeks each.
Clinical Science program: The Clinical Science program consists of six semesters for a total of 74 weeks, including 48 weeks of basic required rotations and 26 weeks of elective rotations.
Clinical clerkships provide a supervised educational experience, a part of the clinical component of the program of medical education and takes place in a teaching hospital acceptable to the University.
Furthermore, this University recognizes the growing importance of Board Examinations in medical education and as such St. Martinus University has developed a unique approach to effectively prepare students for USMLE Steps 1 and 2 and the Canadian Qualifying Examinations.
- Full-Time Student (per semester) for Pre-Medical: $5,400.00
- Full-Time Student (per semester) for Basic Sciences: $7,200.00
- Full-Time Student (per semester) for Clinical Sciences: $9,900.00
See tuition details.
New York Medical University(NYMU)
- Location: WTC Piscaderaweg, Willemstad, Curacao
- Visit – http://www.nymu.org
The New York Medical University School of Medicine Curacao is one of the premier universities when it comes to MBBS in the Caribbean that is suited to American standards.
For that purpose, the university is determined to ensure the complete development of the students through a top-quality curriculum as well as hands-on training.
New York Medical University School of Medicine Curacao encourages students to develop their own knowledge, and views as well as become active participants in medicine.
This is done in order to inculcate qualities that will allow students not just to be efficient doctors, but also experts in critical and patient care.
This medical school is it has been accredited by the WHO, NBA, FAIMER, MCI Recognized as well as the Govt. of Antigua and Barbuda and the Antigua and Barbuda Accreditation Council.
Eligibility Criteria
- Successfully completed 10+2/intermediate/higher secondary
- At least 18 years of age as of December 31st of the year in which admission is being taken.
- Can read, write and speak English
Located on the beautiful island of Curacao, New York Medical University was established to train the newest generation of Physicians at our state-of-the-art facility.
Upon successful completion of our 4-year Medical Doctor program, students will be conferred the degree of Medical Doctor.
For students not having the Core Requirements for their M.D. Program they offer a Pre-Med program which is taught over the course of 4 Semesters.
Successful completion of their Pre-Med program allows immediate entrance into our M.D. Program.
New York Medical University is an international-oriented university whose academic staff comes from all over the world, who aspires to be the best in Latin America and the Caribbean Islands.
Their intellectual environment inspires and challenges their students and staff so that they can extend the scope of academic disciplines and benefit society.
NYMU challenges its students to actively participate in the academic community and trains them to be critical thinkers and committed to medical academics.
They allow their students to model and develop their own views regarding modern medicine and society and strive to take up responsible positions in a society that is becoming increasingly globalized.
New York Medical University is a place where people meet and futures are made.
Jobs for Students in Curacao
If you have the intention of working during your period of study in Curacao then you must plan in time.
You should check out more regularly about available part-time job opportunities. Most college programs in Curacao allow students to work on a part-time basis, preferably twenty hours a week.
Earning from such jobs would not be sufficient to pay for tuition fees but it will be of little help to support your studies.
For instance, it can help you pay for your food bills or maybe travel expenses. So, in general, you can make some money working part-time while pursuing your program in any of the medical schools in Curacao.
Furthermore, the kind of job you will get depends on your qualification, previous work experience, and skill set.
When you work in places like the college cafeteria or as college security, you are opportune to meet new people, learn new dialects, and get a fair chance to socialize with local people.
If you stay back on campus during summer breaks chose to work full time to make some extra money and this can add well to your next semester’s expenditure.
Also, weekends are free, you can look around for some jobs that can be done over holidays to make some extra money; for example, you can mow the lawn or do house cleaning.
If you know driving and have a local driving license you can take people sightseeing and would be pretty exciting.
You will enjoy your holidays while serving travelers. Also, you can get part-time job opportunities outside the campus for example to work for a gas filling station or newspaper delivery, etc.
Many colleges and universities provide internships to students as a part of their programs.
Thus, students can also earn through internships and continue with their studies.
When you work part-time for someone this makes it part of your CV and works as a good recommendation when looking for a regular day job.
You can find part-time work opportunities around campus from local newspaper advertisements, classifieds or social media, etc.
Also, senior students and college groups will be helpful. Students can work with organizations, institutions and private firms in various departments as per their preference; bar attendants, housekeeping, IT assistants, Interpreters, and gas filling stations amongst many others.
Visa Requirements for international students in Curacao
As an aspiring student in Curacao, you will need a student visa that will help you to gain entry into the country without any problems.
Thus we have put together the requirements for a student visa in Curacao.
The student visa has to be obtained whilst you are in your country of origin.
However, it is always advisable to check updated information on visa requirements in case there are any changes.
Documents and Requirements:
- Two recent Passport- Sized Photographs
- Applicant’s Birth Certificate in English.
- Applicant’s mark sheets and certificates.
- TOFEL and IELTS score certificate whichever is applicable in the concerned educational institute.
- Fill in your application for a study permit carefully and completely.
- Type or print clearly, using black ink.
- Answer all questions carefully, completely and truthfully. Incomplete application packages will not be processed but will be returned to you.
- After the visa office receives your application, it might request more information or documents. These may include the following:
1) Medical information: To get medical clearance, you will need to undergo a medical examination.
A visa officer will send you instructions if you need a medical examination. This process if needs to be followed will require a longer processing time of your application.
2) Security information.