I didn't actually plan to study medicine.
At least not seriously... Sure, I had wanted to be a doctor growing up, but in high school I got really into psychology. Problem is: in Finland, the yearly intake to study psychology in the university I wanted was 20 people! And 3000 people applied. That's a crazy entrance rate... I was working my minimum wage job at Gigantti, and spending my free time gaming and honestly just a little aimless. In late 2024, my plan still was to apply for psychology in the spring and see where that would take me. One day, my dad asked me whether I'd be interested in studying medicine. My family member was at the time studying here (now graduated!), and he said it would be a good idea, since I had wanted to be a doctor growing up. The psychology field is very saturated in Finland, and Finland is actually the country with most psychologists per capita in Europe. So I thought, medicine would have better job security in the future. So, I applied to study medicine at Riga Stradiņš University (RSU) in Latvia. It was only a week before the application period ended. Talk about a spontaneous decision... Five days later, I was accepted. Two months later, I had moved to Riga. Now I'm becoming a doctor.
This post is not an advertisement for RSU. I am not affiliated with the university in any way. I am writing this because when I was applying, I would have wanted to read something honest, written by an actual student, not a recruitment page or an agent’s blog.
This is simply how it happened for me.
Who This Post Is For
This blog is primarily for people who are:
- Considering studying medicine abroad
- Looking specifically at RSU
- From countries like Finland, Sweden, Germany, or elsewhere in the EU (not excluding other countries, but your experience might differ in some ways)
- Recently graduated from high school, or have taken a few years off (same disclaimer as last point)
- Considering alternatives because getting into medical school at home is slow, competitive, or uncertain
Everyone's experience is very different. This is mine :)
How I Applied (Very Late)
I am from Finland. I applied when I was 20 years old, during the winter 2024 application period. I applied extremely late, about one week before applications closed and somewhat (100%) impulsively.
There is no entrance exam. My application was based on:
- Finnish matriculation examination results (ylioppilastodistus)
- Upper secondary school diploma (lukion päättötodistus)
- Two recommendation letters
- A motivation letter
I applied directly, not through an agent. I know some people use agents but I honestly have no idea how that works (sorry...). I received my acceptance letter within five days. This fast turnaround was partly because I applied so late in the cycle, when decisions were made quickly.
I know many students apply to RSU because they do not want to spend years reapplying to medical school in their home country. That was not my original plan but life can throw you a curveball sometimes...
If you want to read more in detail about the application process, check this blog post.
Why RSU?
Honestly, timing. At the time, I had ended a long-term relationship six months prior. I was working a job I seriously disliked, and felt quite aimless. I was gaming a lot, and I knew my chances of getting in to study psychology were slim. Sure, I could have worked my ass off and gotten in, but the chances were quite low. The entrance exam to psychology was also just about to change (to what I now know is a horrible exam).
So at the time I had no real commitment to Finland. Of course, I would miss my family a lot. But I had no school or specific job that I really wanted to continue in Finland.
So I applied, and I got in.
At that point I really had to face reality. I was about to change my whole life in a way I never thought I would.
Moving to Riga
I moved to Latvia in January 2025 and started my studies in February.
Riga is significantly cheaper than Finland, especially when it comes to rent and everyday expenses. I lived in Old Town for 1,5 years. It was a very central location and nice in the sense that I could walk anywhere. But holy frick it is LOUD. Some people will straight up just yell at 4AM! Not even words, just yell as loud as possible for fun.
What surprised me though, was how utilities work.
In my apartment building:
Electricity, heating, and other utilities are not handled individually, like it would be in Finland.
I cannot choose my electricity provider, costs are not based on personal usage, total building usage is divided based on apartment size. I live alone in a 43 m² apartment and use very little electricity. Still, during winter months, I have paid around 200€ per month in utilities because families with children in the same building use far more energy!! This system is common in Latvia, but it was unfamiliar to me and something I wish I had known beforehand. So if you want to live cheaper, really consider a smaller apartment.
If you want to read more about finding an apartment in Riga, read this blog post.
One Important Thing
RSU is not for everyone.
One major difference compared to Finland is mandatory attendance. Attendance is strict. If you miss too many sessions, you can fail a course. If you are sick for an extended period, you will be required to repeat a semester. This really affects how flexible your life can be and you need to plan ahead. I have some friends who have serious attachments to Finland, and have to travel there frequently. It's really difficult at times, because you can't miss some classes at all without a sick note.
In Finland, medical studies are generally more flexible in this regard. At RSU, you are expected to show up, with some courses, always.
Why I’m Writing This Blog
When I started studies at RSU, I hated how unclear everything was. Everything felt 100x more difficult than it needed to be. I hope to clear some confusion with this blog for new students.
If you are considering studying medicine abroad and want a realistic picture, this blog is for you.
My posts cover academics, workload, exams, social life, and what studying medicine at RSU is actually like day to day.
If you have any questions, feel free to follow me on Instagram and DM me :)
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