Azerbaijan

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AZERBAIJAN

AzerMDS

Location

Participating LC's

Azerbaijan Medical University, Baku

Medical Faculty of the Odlar Yurdu University, Baku

Medical Faculty of the Azerbaijan International University, Baku

Medical Faculty of Khazar University, Baku

Languages

Azeri, Turkish, Russian, English and German at some departments

Currency (how much is a Bigmac?)

Manat (AZN) coins are named "qapik", Bigmac costs 3.1 AZN

Time zone

GMT(UTC)+4 (DST)

Number of Doctors and beds per 1000 people

3.5 and ~8

Member of IFMSA since...

2005

Number of incoming students per year

~20

Our NEO and NORE

Shafga Yusifova and Nazkhanim Gasimova

Our official website

http://azermds.org/index.php

*Come for exchange!*

1 Welcome Note
2 Overview
3 Our health care system
4 The hospitals
5 Our medical education
6 Get in, Accommodation & Boarding
7 Cultural differences
8 Social program
9 More about Local & National transportation
10 Weather
11 Social life
12 Exchange conditions
13 Feedback

Welcome Note

Baku

If you want to practise your medical skills at new environment and also visit the country with the warmest hospitality, miscellaneous landscapes, delicious cousine, original traditions and very rich cultural background, come for exchange to the land of fire - AZERBAIJAN!

Feel the European charm of the Orient!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TdZch1Ovxo&feature=related

Overview

Azerbaijan is a geographical name. This name is linked with the population, which lived in this region for thousand of years before our era, and who were mostly fire-worshippers. The word "Azer" means "a brave man", "a brave boy", "the fire keeper". The word "Azerbaijan" originates from the name of an ancient Turkish tribe, who resided in those territories.

Azerbaijan has always been famous for its sources of eternal fires - the atashgehs. There is a place called Yanardag (blazing mountain) in Absheron and thermal springs in some parts of Nakhichivan, Kelbejar, Masali, Lenkoran, Babadag. The time kept a range of ancient archeological and architectural monuments for us. The ancient headstones, manuscripts and models of carpets, preserved to the present times from the ancient ages, can provide much information to those who can and want to read them. It seems that the famous Azerbaijan carpets are the incarnation of all colors of nature and of all signs of history. The models of the decorative art made by Azerbaijan craftsmen from the metal, ceramic, silk and woods are kept in many museums of the world. One our national music styles - mugam - inspired such outstanding composers to create their masterpieces, which are still known today throughout the world. It is also significant that 1st Music Conservatory and Opera Theatre in the East were established in Baku – which is now have been proclaimed as Islamic Capital of Culture. The science and the enlightenment in Azerbaijan have a centuries-old history. The Baku State University was founded in 1919; the institutes of the Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan play an exceptional role in scientific, educational and cultural development of Azerbaijan. Through the decades, the local industry was successfully represented by oil producing, petrochemical and oil processing enterprises. The agricultural industry is famous for cotton-growing, viticulture, vegetable-growing and cattle-breeding.

Maiden Tower & Nobel House

The capital is Baku-sometimes known as Baqy, Baky, Baki or Bakü, is the capital, the largest city, and the largest port of Azerbaijan. According to its anciency, scale of territory and number of population (more than 2 mln) Baku is one of the oldest and biggest cities of The East. Located on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula - on the Bank of the Caspian Sea (which lost its connection with the ocean and now the largest lake in the world), the city consists of two principal parts: the downtown and the old Inner City. The centre of Baku is the old town, which is also a fortress. In December 2000, the Inner City of Baku with the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and Maiden Tower became the first location in Azerbaijan classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.Most of the walls and towers, strengthened after the Russian conquest in 1806, survived. This section is picturesque, with its maze of narrow alleys and ancient buildings: the cobbled streets past the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, two caravansaries (ancient inns), the Maiden Tower (nice view of the harbor), the baths and the Juma Mosque .The old town also has dozens of small mosques, often without any particular sign to distinguish them from the next building.

http://wikitravel.org/en/Azerbaijan

Our health care system

After the collapse of the Soviet Union along with economic relations between its states modifications in the state's economic and political system required fundamental reforms in economics, social life and other fields and, of course, public health care. Only in 1993 the situation in public health sector was realistically evaluated and the search for measures to recover the branch from the long-lasting deep crisis was launched. In the last years, measures assumed by the Azerbaijan government and development of paid medical services along with several positive changes in the public health system partially attenuated or completely taken away the problem. Overall, the implementation of well-grounded reforms in public health care system is one of the most important tasks of the new Azerbaijan economic and social politics.

The hospitals

The hospitals where we are planning to place our incomings are:

Scientific Center of Surgery, Hospital for Oil Industry Workers and all the departments of AMU, including new University Medical Center which will be functioning in near future etc.

Our medical education

AMU

Medical education in Azerbaijan is being represented by medical faculties in few private universities and the main governmental Azerbaijan Medical University (AMU). All of them are situating in Baku - the capital city. Total number of medical students in Azerbaijan is about 10 000 and 80% of them are studying at AMU. The education is optional in Azeri (~70%), Russian (~29%) and English languages (~1%). Enrolment at universities is provided by special comity and performed by the means of preliminary governmental examination. Every year about 1400 students enter and graduate from medical faculties of Azerbaijan. Studies at universities last 6 years. After the graduation students should pass united governmental examination to get the spot for specialization. Post diploma education lasts up to 6 years, depending on specialty.

Get in, Accommodation & Boarding

As it is mentioned in exchange conditions if you arrive on 30.06, 30.07 or 30.08 we are going to meet you in airport and bring you to your flat.

If you arrive on some other day most probably you will have to come on your own.

1.Buses #135 are running every 30 minutes from airport to "28may" metro station. They cost 40 qepik (do not forget to make an exchange in airport!). From there we will try to meet you. If not you will be provided with address of flat and tips how to get there.

2. The cab from airport to city will cost 15-30 AZN. If you ask us in advance we can arrange it cheaper than you can get from the airport.

Most of time we are placing our summer incomings together at rented appartment. It is also possible that they will live with local students, sometimes with their families. We will try to provide both, breakfast and lunch. Please do not forget to bring your own white coats, stethoscopes, bed sheets and towels.

Cultural differences

as Azerbaijan is situating between Europe and Asia, culturally we are the combination of both civilizations and there is no significant advises for dressing or behavior. We hope that everybody will feel comfortable in this tolerant and friendly atmosphere. Note than English is not widely spoken language in Azerbaijan so if you do not speak azeri, russian or turkish it would be better to ask us in advance to give you necessary hints. You will always have numbers of your buddies in case of any questions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azerbaijan_(Country)#Culture

Social program

Novchani aquapark

We are going to have a fun as through enjoying Azerbaijani music and dancing as well as spend our time on the coasts of the Caspian Sea making seaside promenade along the boulevard. Program activities in summer also includes sunbathing and swimming on the sunny and softy sand beaches, having fun in the downtown alive with lots of pubs, dancing clubs, cinemas, and other entertainment places, nights walks, tasting delicious Azerbaijan cuisine and drinks. You will never forget the taste of Azerbaijani tea with lemon and local sweets or traditional pomegranate wine! We will try to connect you with international students from other organisations and to organize some trips to the regions and historical places at other cities.

Please note that we are going to organize an international party each month, so be prepared :)

More about Local & National transportation

Taxi costs about 4-15 manats (almost equal to euro) for trips within the center of Baku. If you are taking a cab on a street it is recommended to negotiate the cost in advance. You are able to order a taxy by calling "189" service. They are informing you about the price for the journey in advance. Note that you should know the exact address of departure and arrival.

Buses and minibuses usually cost 20 qapik (you should pay to driver) per person and can take you to almost any place within Baku. It is recomended to ask somebody from local committee in advance which number of busses should you take till your destination. But anyway the list of stops are usually posted on the front and the right side of the bus so that people can know where they are going.

Nizami metro station

The metro goes many places throughout Baku. Be careful when transferring on the only transfer (28 May and 20 January) as there is no signage. Ask a cashier or attendant. 'Bakı Metropiliten Card' requires people to purchase about 2 AZN card and load it like a normal metro pass. In case of no need card can be returned to cashier and 2 AZN can be received back. The metro workers will be more than happy to help if spoken to in either Azeri, Turkish or Russian.

The Baku electric train runs through several parts of Baku, the surrounding area and other regions of the country. On foot: It is possible to get around Fountain Square, the Boulevard, and the old city by foot, but otherwise it would be better to use a different mode of transportation.

Weather

Azerbaijan is known for having nine of the 11 existing ecological zones, although a great deal of it is dry and semiarid steppe.

The weather in Baku in June is about + 20-25 and in July, August and September is up to +35 degrees centigrade. Keep in mind that it’s usually sunny but also a little drizzly sometimes. Baku is a land of wind and it might be very windy. So bring a jacket with u, especially if u want to travel to the Mountains where the temperature may be +10 degrees in summer.

Social life

Green theater

Every day you are able to visit Jazz, folk, classic and other concerts, opera and ballet, theatres and exhibitions, museums and a large amount of various café and restaurants with local and international cousine, bowling and shopping, clubs and much much beyond!

http://www.citylife.az/index.php?lang=en

The inseparable part of the social life in summer is various beaches with many different water activities during the day and crowded dancing parties or international music festivals at night.