Gabriel from the United States

Ancla Gabriel

Meet Gabriel Virador

1.Tell us a bit about yourself

Hi, my name is Gabriel Virador, i’m from the U.S. from Maryland, and I’m studying medicine here at Navarra. I did one year of study back home, and once Navarra opened the Med School, and the government removed the selectividad requirement, I came here.

2.Why UNAV?

It is one of spain’s top schools. Also they make it easy for international students to come here. So when the program opened up, I jumped on as soon as I could.

3.What were your expectations when coming and where they fulfilled?

I thought the were not going to be that much international students. I like it a lot. I can speak in english and people understand me, and at the sametime I get to practice my spanish.

4.What do you wish you had known before coming?

For people that are coming to study medicine, study biostatistics the summer before coming.

5.What has been your biggest impact since arriving?

The Colegio Mayor, I thought it was going to be like the dorms in the U.S. but it has been totally different they encourage us to live as a community, and they help us with things like studying, organization, etc.

6.What was your major setback when applying?

It wasn’t a huge setback, but you have to keep in mind that when applying here, if you come from a non spanish speaking country you need to translate all your paper work to spanish, or pay someone to do it for you.

7.What are three essential tips you would give newcomers?

Head over to an estanco and buy the bus card
If you feel lost in a class in medicine, you can head over a papelería and buy notes from older students
Talk to your professors they are there to support you

8. What are some outside sources that have helped you in your classes?

When I’ve felt lost in class I use notes from older students, which you can buy in all the papelerías.

9. What are some expectations the career had such as the amount of time it consumes, the projects or other things?

In medicine you have to know you will study more than the average student. You will need to study 3 or 4 hours a day.