logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2025
17m 45s

Why are medical students going to Bulgar...

Bbc World Service
About this episode

We head to the Eastern European country to find out why it's become so popular with people from the UK and elsewhere in the world, who are going there to study medicine.

And we hear how Bulgaria is dealing with its own issues in retaining healthcare workers, as it faces a 'brain drain' to other countries and sectors.

Produced and presented by Gill Dummigan

(Image: An international student in a tuition session in Plovdiv, Bulgaria)

Up next
Yesterday
Power Players: What does Mamdani's Manhattan mean for the world?
Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani rode a wave of anti-Trump sentiment and cost-of-living pressures to win the New York City mayoralty. But talk of new taxes to fund spending spooked some on Wall Street. Six months in, has he found a balance? Presenters: Michelle Fleury and Will ... Show More
26m 1s
Apr 7
Headspace: from mindfulness app to military partner
Headspace started life as a mindfulness app. Now it's partnering with the US Navy and investing in artificial intelligence for mental health support.The company's CEO Tom Pickett speaks to us about therapy, the increasing role of technology, and tackling burnout at scale.If you'd ... Show More
17m 28s
Apr 7
Anthropic: the $300bn AI firm at war with the White House
Anthropic’s rise from startup to one of the world’s leading players in artificial intelligence has been staggering, but so in recent weeks has been its row with the US Government.Today, we look at that journey to becoming a 380 billion dollar company, ask why Claude has become on ... Show More
17m 28s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2024
Assignment: Bulgaria - the people smugglers
Migration is high on the political agenda in countries across Europe, as the number of asylum seekers rises once more. As well as those who risk life and limb on flimsy boats in the Mediterranean, thousands more come via the Balkans, many of them through Turkey and across the bor ... Show More
27m 27s
Oct 2022
The Brain Drain
Paul Kenyon investigates the ‘brain drain’ of doctors from developing countries to work in the UK. The large scale recruitment of foreign doctors from nations with the greatest need to retain their medical personnel is increasing on a massive scale. What’s more, thousands of doct ... Show More
27m 43s
May 2022
Medical Tourism
Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan take a close look at the top medical tourism destinations in the world. Which countries are big players in this sector? What kind of medical procedures are popular? And who is having these procedures done? Listen in to learn the answers to these quest ... Show More
20 m
May 2023
#75: Applying to Medical School As An International Student
Dr. Nessim discusses the road to getting accepted into medical school as an international student. Interested in premed tutoring or coaching? Visit www.thepremedconsultants.com 
5m 36s
Oct 2022
The Brain Drain
Paul Kenyon investigates the ‘brain drain’ of doctors from developing countries to work in the UK. The large scale recruitment of foreign doctors from nations with the greatest need to retain their medical personnel is increasing on a massive scale. What’s more, thousands of doct ... Show More
36m 44s
Dec 2024
In the Studio: International film school
Mark Reid visits a school in Bulgaria where they are teaching their pupils how to make movies. They are making a short film about their local horse market. There are classes like this across the world, in Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom, to name but a few. And it is all par ... Show More
26m 29s
Apr 2022
Ukrainian students
We bring together three Ukrainian students, who studied at different universities in Kyiv before the war, to hear about how they are continuing their education. One decided the solution was to do her exchange year abroad early, but the others have remained in the country and it’s ... Show More
24 m
Feb 2012
Working Together to Reach Agreement
Welcome to the Splendid Speaking podcast. This recording features Ekaterina and Lachesara from Bulgaria. In this interview we looked at the skill of reaching agreement. Free Transcripts! At Splendid Speaking the transcripts for the current podcasts are FREE! Sign up to the Splend ... Show More
16m 44s
Apr 2022
Meningitis
<p>Sofia is joined by senior neurology registrar Xin-You as they go through the topic of meningitis. We explore the various causes of meningitis and discuss how to recognise and manage patients that present with infective meningitis! This episode is catered for final year medical ... Show More
20m 17s
Dec 2021
Febrile Seizures
<p><strong>Delving into the world of Paediatrics Sofia is joined by senior Paediatric registrar Dom as they go through the topic of febrile seizures. This episode is catered for final year medical students and junior doctors working in the UK.</strong></p> 
20m 21s