Medical students are frequently characterized as getting bogged down with a monotonous routine of classroom lectures, lab sessions, clinical rotations, and studying into the wee hours of the morning. Academics are obviously the most important part of medical education, but just as important are the areas of physical fitness and mental well-being, as well as recreational activities. The availability of sports facilities within MBBS international universities allows students the opportunity to stay physically fit, deal with stress, and form friendships with each other while developing holistic personalities that go beyond their textbooks and test scores. The stressful nature of medical training contributes greatly to the mental and psychological stress and strain experienced by a majority of medical students when they have to clock in over a thousand hours of studying, combined with mastering a tremendous amount of knowledge, dealing with the reality of human suffering during the course of the clinical training, and facing exam-related anxiety.
In addition to the mental and physical benefits, sports facilities create areas where students from all over the world with various backgrounds and cultures can interact and develop relationships with one another. An example of this is that a basketball court can serve as a place where Indian medical students can play basketball with other medical students from Russia, Africa, the Middle East, etc., thus forming lasting friendships that span across cultures. The friendships and relationships created as a result of teamwork, etc., its activities, along with developing the ability to work closely with others toward a shared goal, contribute to improving and enhancing the overall experience of obtaining an International Medical Degree.
Understanding the Range of Facilities
MBBS programs in universities around the world must not only provide high-quality academic learning opportunities, but they should also provide an overall positive experience while in attendance. MBBS programs in universities around the world must include an outstanding athletic and recreational experience and a healthy atmosphere as part of that experience.
As such, many universities offering MBBS programs abroad now have much more sophisticated sports facilities than they did just a few years ago. For example, many medical universities outside of the United States and Canada now have gymnasiums that are equipped with modern fitness equipment. Gyms generally include both cardio machines (i.e., treadmills, ellipticals, and stationary bikes) and strength-training equipment (i.e., free weights and weight machines) and often feature designated functional training zones. Most universities offering MBBS programs abroad also employ personal trainers who can assist students regarding their exercise techniques, build personalized workout programs for each student, and provide guidance to students about how to exercise safely.
Swimming pools are frequently available at universities in warmer climates and are becoming more popular as a recreational option at many universities in colder climates. Further, outdoor facilities greatly expand recreational options for students. For example, outdoor football fields are available at most universities, where MBBS students play casual competitions and sports tournaments on a properly maintained turf or grass surface. Similarly, cricket pitches at many universities with a large number of students from South Asia also serve the sporting interests of this large group of students. Tennis courts, running tracks, and outdoor basketball courts are all available at many universities to satisfy students who prefer to exercise outside in natural light and fresh air.
Sports Programs and Activities
Just having sports facilities at universities is one thing; how those facilities are utilized by students is what gives them their true worth. The highest quality sports facilities found in (MBBS) overseas universities usually have a well-rounded and comprehensive set of sporting programs that encourage students of all skill levels and all types of sporting interests to participate.
For example, many universities establish & support intramural sports leagues that allow students to participate in friendly competition. University athletic departments and student associations conduct basketball tournaments, football championships, badminton competitions, and table tennis contests, creating reachable goals for students that include the ability to represent their respective groups.
Even more significantly, many universities have organized inter-university athletic competitions, through which students may represent their medical schools against other medical schools. This allows for a higher sense of school pride amongst students and allows students the opportunity to experience athletic competition.
Most sports facilities also offer various forms of fitness classes and group activities to students who may be intimidated by the thought of participating in competitive sporting activities or may simply not be familiar with certain activities. For instance, students may be presented with the opportunity to attend a certified yoga class, participate in a certified Zumba session, or participate in a certified aerobics program. In this regard, students can experience both physical fitness and participating in a hobby or recreating with like-minded individuals.
Sports clubs that are designed around specific activities give the student community an opportunity to build rapport and create a community of like-minded individuals who enjoy participating in that specific activity. Many students, particularly international students who may find themselves away from home, find that these clubs provide them with a surrogate family as well as provide them with a means to receive athletic development while providing them with social support.
Accessibility and Inclusivity
When evaluating sports facilities at MBBS programs abroad, we should not only look at how many facilities each university has to offer but also how accessible those facilities will be for all students, regardless of athletic skill, gender, or any physical limitation. Many progressive universities/vocations make it a priority to provide facilities for all students, from elite athletes down to students who have never played a sport before.
In order to remove the financial barriers preventing students from using the facilities, many universities/vocations implement open-access policies that allow students to access their recreational facilities during specified hours without incurring any additional costs associated with becoming a member of the facility. In addition, these institutions offer loaner sports equipment programs to students without access to their own sports gear (e.g., rackets, balls, apparel, etc.) This allows students who need to have access to sports equipment without having to buy their own to still participate.
Furthermore, female-friendly recreational facilities/programs encourage more female students to become involved in recreational activities. This can include providing a changing area space for women, scheduling women-only events when appropriate for cultural reasons, and providing sports programs developed specifically for women. Since there has been an increase in female student enrollment in overseas medical schools, and since there are a lot of female students attending medical schools, it is very important to create recreational facilities that are conducive to these students.
Lastly, providing adaptive sports programs/recreational facilities for students with disabilities is essential to facilitating their participation in recreational activities. Although there are still many opportunities for improvement in this area by the majority of universities, the acknowledgement of the significance of providing adequate and inclusive recreational facilities is increasing in many progressive universities.
Education Orbit Counseling and Link
EOCL India (Education Orbit Counseling and Link) has substantive experience as a counselor for students transitioning from an educational experience in India to an overseas institution and building the best possible match for their academic, social, and emotional success.
The consultants at EOCL India provide detailed information concerning athletic facilities and related activities on various campuses. This enables students to discover those academic institutions that align with their personal values and academic interests.
Contact EOCL India to begin your journey!
