In India, from the smallest of smallest houses to the biggest mansion one could find one can find students who aspire to take by storm the medical field. However the best colleges have only a limited number of seats making it statistically possible for only around 10% of the students applying to actually achieve top quality education. It leaves parents scrambling around with students who could have potential but would have to study in sub par education or students travel abroad to countries like the UK, Philippines etc.

The Philippines is a gem waiting to be appreciated by those who know its true value and Indian students have already thought of it as a diamond in the rough especially as a destination to study MBBS in.

The country's medical colleges have such a strong foundation that can be owed due to the rigorous and continuous progress it has reached. Accredited by world renowned organizations like World Health Organization, Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates, Medical Council of India etc. ensures quality education is received by students who study here at an affordable price.

Finding a home away from home is one of the most commonly faced challenges students who go abroad to study face. This entails having to battle the change in circumstances, cultural upbringing of the people and climate and with a demanding course that could take up most of one's time one wouldn't want to deal with these problems. These will be the least of your worries as one can shift from their comfort zone in India and easily blend in with the locals.

Universities also offer assistance in regards to the courses provided, housing, visa, scholarships, jobs both full time or part time and if not Universities there are several clubs run by a student body that are more than happy to ease you into your new life. Furthermore Universities have taken up the huge responsibility to brush up your medical training both theoretically or practically by providing world renowned technology and infrastructure with an extremely enriching syllabus. To help facilitate this Universities have created interactive Classrooms and Labs and students have more hands-on and practical training.

We are getting ahead of ourselves. We have to address the elephant in the room and that is how will one understand the foreigners whom they would have to share a life with. That won't be a problem because having conversation won't be difficult with people who know to converse in English.

Yes, you read that right!

The Philippines is ranked in the world index as the 3rd largest English speaking country thus removing the language barrier most students face while studying abroad. A student's life revolves around the need to have communication on a day to day basis. One needs to communicate with one's professors, peers and locals which will help one's individual progress but as mentioned already Indian students communicating with the Filipinos won't be a problem because they already know English.

India and the Philippines are two Asian countries that fall around the same area subjecting it to similar climate patterns, from which it won't be difficult to deduce that they will have similar eating and living habits. Further, their similar history of being colonized by a western country and their proximity results in several similar cultural practices and traditions.Students from India will for sure not have major problems acclimating to their new home.

Also it wouldn't hurt to point out that due to their similar climate patterns both the countries are subjected to similar diseases patterns which for a medical students opens a door of research and hands on experience to learn about the same diseases that haunt the Indian population something which would be difficult to experience if studying in a western country where it would be more expensive and wouldn't be worth one's time or experience.

Affordability is something one can expect from a country that already shares so many similarities with ours. With a similar currency conversion, cost of living and course fees are almost the same. Some universities even provide affordable accommodations  that serve food in the hostel messes, making it easier to not rely on eating outside food ( mess food would also emphasize more on quality than food made outside in restaurants). Many university messes even offer Indian food that could give a run for their money. It is a no-brainer that Average expenses by students in both countries are similar.

The Philippines is also extremely accessible with major forms of transportation being aeroplanes, trains, buses, rickshaws and some forms of local waterways that help students travel locally or internationally

The Philippines could be a spitting image of India with everything as accessible and accommodating. Even though the Philippines share similarities with India and offers students top quality education, these aren’t the only reasons why Indian students opt to study MBBS in Philippines.