Anna Melnyk is a pediatrician from Ukraine who courageously chose the path of professional fulfillment in Slovakia. Her story is about believing in herself, perseverance, and the dream of treating children again — but this time in another country. She made the decision to move to Slovakia back in her sixth year of medical university. She was looking for an environment where she could grow professionally, where the work of a doctor is valued not only morally but also materially.
How the process works for pediatricians and what to expect
After arriving in Slovakia, doctors from Ukraine must go through the nostrification procedure — the official recognition of their diploma. I learned about the nostrification procedure on my own. And I immediately realized: for pediatricians, everything is a bit more complicated than for general practitioners. First of all, it is necessary to pass an additional test exam — skúška spôsobilosti, which grants the right to work as a trainee.
This exam consists of questions from various specialties: from neurosurgery to immunology. The good news is that it can be taken in Ukrainian, Russian, or Slovak, and sample tests are available on the Slovak Medical University website (Slovenská zdravotnícka univerzita).
This exam consists of questions from various specialties: from neurosurgery to immunology. The good news is that it can be taken in Ukrainian, Russian, or Slovak, and sample tests are available on the Slovak Medical University website (Slovenská zdravotnícka univerzita).
Preparing for the main exam
The main exam requires significantly more preparation. Anna began preparing even before moving, studying the language and taking courses. After passing the skúška spôsobilosti, she dedicated eight months to intensive preparation: daily study sessions of 10 hours, a structured learning plan, and mastering terminology in Slovak. She studied four key subjects — one month for each, and spent the final month on revision.
Prepare in advance. Even if the test does not seem difficult, it still brings additional stress, time, and costs.
Prepare in advance. Even if the test does not seem difficult, it still brings additional stress, time, and costs.
Typical mistakes and how to avoid them
Anna openly shares common mistakes that should be avoided during the oral exam.
Anna’s personal tactic is to take a 20-minute walk before the exam, spend 10 minutes without gadgets, and tell herself: “This is not my last chance — I can do this!”
- Silence — it’s better to start answering right away.
- Lack of structure — answer according to the scheme: definition → etiology → clinical presentation → diagnostics → treatment → prevention.
- Short answers — expand your thoughts, demonstrate your reasoning.
- Stress — find your own way to calm down.
Anna’s personal tactic is to take a 20-minute walk before the exam, spend 10 minutes without gadgets, and tell herself: “This is not my last chance — I can do this!”
Full Interview
Each of us has a profession, but sometimes, in order to remain who you are, you have to start from scratch.
Our guest today is Anna Melnyk, a pediatrician from Ukraine. She has gone through the full process of diploma recognition and is now searching for a job in Slovakia. But before regaining the right to treat children, she had to go through a more challenging path than most foreign doctors in Slovakia: an additional exam, a different system, and a new language. This is a story not only about medicine, but also about resilience — about what it means not just to adapt, but to rediscover yourself and become even stronger.
Let’s start with the first question. How did you decide to go specifically to Slovakia? Was there a turning point?
In fact, I made the decision to move a year earlier, when I was in my sixth year of medical university. Throughout my studies, I was always thinking about my career and what I should do afterward. I was constantly looking for opportunities for professional growth in a stable environment where work is valued fairly. Slovakia met all the criteria: close to Ukraine, a similar language and culture. There were also personal reasons — in particular, part of my family had already been living in Slovakia for quite a long time, so I knew this would be additional support for me throughout my journey here.
So it wasn’t a spontaneous decision. It was a plan.
Yes, it was a very well-thought-out decision. I understood what I was giving up there and where I was going.
I suppose when you were making this plan, you already knew that the recognition process for a foreign pediatrician’s diploma in Slovakia has a more complicated path, right?
At first, I had no information at all. I started searching online and found out that pediatricians have a different — and more complicated — path compared to general practitioners. How did I feel about that? It was a bit frightening: an additional exam, more preparation, more stress. But on the other hand, when I learned that previously diplomas were not recognized in Slovakia at all, it felt like a weight off my shoulders — I realized that I had arrived at the right time, when, by passing two exams, I could recognize my diploma.
That’s great! I actually had that exact question written down — whether you knew that just a few years ago your diploma would not have been recognized, and that we can now say hello and thank you to the International Association of Physicians in Slovakia.
About preparing for the exams themselves — tell us more about the additional exam, the skúška spôsobilosti. What does it include? What was easy, and what was not?
Indeed, there is a difference between the process for general practitioners and for pediatricians. The difference is that, for final diploma recognition, pediatricians must take an additional test exam called skúška spôsobilosti. After successfully passing it, this exam allows you to work as a trainee doctor until you take the main exam. By contrast, general practitioners can start working after diploma recognition without this step.
As for the skúška spôsobilosti — it is an exam that consists only of a test section. The main goal is to make up for the difference in hours of certain subjects during university studies. The test can be taken in Ukrainian, Russian, or Slovak, which makes it easier for a doctor who has just arrived in Slovakia and does not yet speak the language.
On the other hand, it includes tests in subjects such as neurology, neurosurgery, immunology, nuclear medicine, and so on. The test is not considered overly difficult, since there is a test database available on the website of the Slovak Medical University (Slovenská zdravotnícka univerzita). However, it still brings additional stress, anxiety, extends the time for diploma recognition, and comes with an extra fee, which is currently €200.
So, did you take this exam in Ukrainian?
Yes.
Is it also possible to take it in English?
I think so, but I might be mistaken. I know for sure about Ukrainian and Russian.
How did you structure your preparation for the main exam, the Doplňujúca skúška?
My preparation actually began six months before my move — that is, six months before graduating from university, I started learning Slovak in courses. By the time I arrived in Slovakia, I already had a basic level of Slovak, which made things easier for me.
I submitted my documents for nostrification and waited for a response. In September, two months after moving, I took the pediatricians’ skúška spôsobilosti. After that, I began intensive preparation for the main exam. Overall, my preparation lasted eight months, which I divided into a transitional period and an intensive period.
During the first three months (the transitional period), I focused on learning medical terminology and translating exam questions. My strategy was to combine studying the exam questions with learning the terms. I would take a question, write out the key terms I needed, repeat and study them. This stage was slow — sometimes it took an entire day to fully understand and translate just one question. This period lasted three months. By January, I realized I already had a solid base of conversational Slovak and medical terms. Then I began the more intensive five-month phase.
My strategy was based on the fact that the exam covers four subjects — one month for each (internal medicine, pediatrics, gynecology, surgery), with the fifth month for revision. I decided to study surgery last, because it is the most frequently asked subject at the start of the exam, and those questions give you the chance to demonstrate your knowledge.
As for the other three subjects — internal medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics — I studied them together. Every doctor chooses their own strategy. For me, it was more convenient to work by tickets: one question from internal medicine, one from pediatrics, one from obstetrics — and repeat in that cycle. This approach allowed me to cover all the material in four months, leaving the fifth month for review. The preparation was very intensive — I studied at least 10 hours a day. I deliberately refused work in a hospital to fully focus on the exam. It was long, hard, and sometimes boring — but worth it.
Was there anything in this preparation process that surprised you, something you wish you had known in advance?
The volume of material. At first, it seems familiar — every doctor has studied it all at university. But then the language barrier adds another layer, and that’s what becomes intimidating. While learning the language, you realize the amount of material is huge. You have to not only review it but also re-think it in another language in a short period. Many things have been forgotten, so absorbing and mastering it all again is truly challenging.
Alright, so you prepared and came to the exam. Like most doctors, you had probably read something, talked to others, and had some expectations. But was there anything unexpected during the exam itself? Something you weren’t ready for?
Honestly, I don’t think there were any real surprises for me. I tried to find out as much information as possible from colleagues — how the exam went, whether there was time to prepare on the spot, what the atmosphere was like, and so on. So I guess there weren’t any surprises for me personally.
Okay, so no surprises during the exam. Let’s go back to preparation. Were there moments when you felt like giving up, when you didn’t want to do anything anymore? What helped you keep going? Why?
I think there were two main low points during preparation. The first was at the very beginning — when you see the amount of material, you feel deep doubt, you can’t believe the human mind can grasp all of it. The second was during the review phase. You’ve studied, you feel progress, and after covering all the material you think, “I know this, I’ve done great.” But then you start reviewing, go back to the very beginning, and realize that 50% of what you knew perfectly just months ago is already forgotten. And that is extremely discouraging — especially right before the exam.
What helped me then was, first of all, the support of my family and loved ones — people who believed in me much more than I believed in myself. And besides that, whenever I didn’t feel like doing anything, I would simply go outside, walk a lot, sit on a bench. Sometimes spontaneous shopping helped, sometimes talking to friends. After a walk and a coffee, I would return and sit down to study again. It gave me a bit of a reset.
So — to distract yourself?
Yes, to distract myself. To change the atmosphere.
I think that about the exam process we have already spoken with many, and many doctors share this information among themselves. What I would like to find out from you: were there any such typical mistakes at the exam among doctors, which you could observe exactly during the answer at the exam?
The first and most common mistake many make is remaining silent — waiting for the commission to ask questions. When we come to the exam, we draw a ticket with four questions, and we are given preparation time. On average, four or five doctors are in the room. While someone else is answering, you have time to prepare. Then your turn comes. They may ask you a few introductory questions about your career, university, and so on. It’s very important to immediately start speaking about your assigned question — not to stay silent and wait for prompts. When we speak, we convey what we know; when we’re silent, tension builds between the commission and the doctor, and they begin asking many varied questions — some of which you may not know the answers to.
The second mistake I’ve heard about is the lack of structure in answers. When you get a question, it’s crucial to answer according to a clear plan. For example, if the topic is a disease, start with the definition, then etiology, classification, pathophysiology or pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnostics, treatment, and prevention. Following this structure keeps your answer organized — which is extremely important.
The third common mistake is giving closed answers. When the commission asks something, you shouldn’t just answer “yes” or “no” — this makes it seem as though you’re guessing. If they ask, for example, “Is there a treatment for this disease?”, you should reply, “Yes, there is. We use this group of medications, with this scheme and this duration.” In other words, give a complete answer.
And the fourth is nervousness. It affects both your answers and the atmosphere. It’s very important to choose a personal method of calming yourself before the exam — for some it’s walking, for others breathing exercises. Try to enter the exam as calm as possible. Once you get your question, follow the basic rules of communication: eye contact, gestures, clear pronunciation. The goal is to create a relaxed atmosphere between you and the commission — this helps both sides.
Can you share your own calming strategy?
For me, first of all, it’s a 20-minute walk in the fresh air — that always calms me. Then I turn off all gadgets for 5–10 minutes to avoid the temptation to review anything again. I try to distance myself from others, because the atmosphere is tense there. I sit alone and breathe calmly. I also reassure myself that this is not the end: if it doesn’t work out now, there is another exam in three months. I will definitely pass. These simple things helped me a lot.
Great — you’ve just mentioned two techniques I’ve also heard from other doctors. One said that after the test she disconnected from everyone, went to the hotel, and came back later. Another said she reduced the importance of the result, breaking the process into steps: submit the application, try studying, take the exam — and if she failed, it was not the end of the world. She also passed on the first attempt.
Let’s move on to life in Slovakia and work. As far as I remember, you’re now job hunting. Can you tell us about that process? Where and how are you looking? Have you had any interviews? What do Slovak employers expect from foreign doctors?
Yes, I’m currently at the stage of obtaining all the documents after the exam. This is also an important step that can take several months. At the moment, I’m waiting — but I already have a workplace where they’re expecting me. Initially, I searched for a job on my own using different websites like Profesia.sk. Then I realized that finding a job in Bratislava independently is quite difficult — competition is high here. So I contacted Med-Integro, specifically Marián Neriadny, who helped me find my dream job.
I only had one interview — it was a standard format, just like in Ukraine. What do they expect from you? First of all, they ask about your level of language proficiency, since it’s important for most hospitals. They also ask about clinical experience, and sometimes about knowledge of other languages (German, English). In some cases, they may ask medical questions.
Interesting — because one pediatrician I know, who is now preparing to move, asked me what questions would come up at the interview. I told her it’s mostly about language, but you’re saying they can ask about medicine too — though rarely. What question did you get?
Honestly, they were very basic — like the treatment of pneumonia, or treatment of bronchial asthma, just the most fundamental questions. Nothing overly difficult that a pediatrician couldn’t answer.
So nothing like the exam?
No, absolutely not. In 90% of cases — and usually, as you said — it’s all about language skills, work experience, and basic work-related discussions such as pay and working conditions.
So it’s not another exam — it’s a job interview. The one you had for your dream workplace, which is now waiting for you — can you tell us more about it?
An additional factor was that I had the interview a month before I was due to take the exam. Marián believed in me — and still does — and he always said, “She’ll pass the exam in a month, you’ll see — she definitely will.” We were simply waiting for me to pass.
So the interview was nothing special. They could assess my language immediately, since we spoke Slovak.
As for knowledge — of course, they understand you’re a doctor from Ukraine. They know you have medical expertise, but you don’t know the Slovak healthcare system. And most hospitals that need staff are happy to train you in that during the internship period.
So, if not about work now, then probably about life. How is your life and adaptation in Slovakia going? And were there any interesting or unexpected moments that you definitely did not expect?
I have been living here for a year, and adaptation is still ongoing. It is not too difficult, since there are many positive moments, including the fact that I came to Slovakia with minimal knowledge, but of the language, including a certain similarity of cultures, and with available support from close ones. The thing that impressed me the most was the rhythm of life. Slovaks live more slowly, enjoy and savor life more, unlike us, Ukrainians, who are constantly used to running. And this is exactly what I would like to adopt.
Okay. So you think that this is exactly enjoyment? This is not something else, yes? Because when I came — and that was about nine years ago — I heard a lot from our, Ukrainian- and Russian-speaking, that Slovaks don’t want to do anything at all, that they are lazy, and that you cannot expect anything from them too quickly.
And now — about looking back. Any advice, or maybe a moment on your path that you remember with special pride, warmth, or with a smile?
It was exactly a year ago — the moment when I refused the internship in Ukraine. It was painful, because I was leaving a good job in Lviv and choosing the unknown in Slovakia. Then it seemed that this was the worst day of my life, but now I am glad about this decision.
The second important moment — the day of the exam. When you understand that you passed it, you are overwhelmed with emotions: you want to shout, jump, hug everyone. These emotions are worth all the months of preparation — and I am proud of this.
What could you say or advise to a doctor who is just about to move or is still deciding — to go or not to go?
Probably, if I met such a doctor, I would say: you will definitely succeed. And if to your big dream you add inspiration, regular preparation, and a crazy belief in yourself, then at the end of this path you will definitely hear the cherished: “Congratulations, you passed the exam.” The main thing — is belief in yourself and regular preparation.
If to describe all this path in one word or image — what will it be?
The first thing that probably came to my mind — is a labyrinth. A dark labyrinth, in which a person stands at the beginning. He takes a step into the unknown, makes mistakes, goes back, tries again. That is, it means also different stresses, moments when hands go down, and preparation, and, for example, choosing a strategy, etc. But, despite all this, the person goes — step by step — forward. And if he applies enough effort and does not put his hands down prematurely, then he will definitely at the end of this labyrinth see that cherished light.
So is this image or word a labyrinth or is it light?
It is the path that a person goes — exactly the path.
So this path was not easy, but it proves: if you really know who you are, no system will be able to take it away from you. Thank you for your courage and example — it was powerful.
Thank you for the invitation.
Our guest today is Anna Melnyk, a pediatrician from Ukraine. She has gone through the full process of diploma recognition and is now searching for a job in Slovakia. But before regaining the right to treat children, she had to go through a more challenging path than most foreign doctors in Slovakia: an additional exam, a different system, and a new language. This is a story not only about medicine, but also about resilience — about what it means not just to adapt, but to rediscover yourself and become even stronger.
Let’s start with the first question. How did you decide to go specifically to Slovakia? Was there a turning point?
In fact, I made the decision to move a year earlier, when I was in my sixth year of medical university. Throughout my studies, I was always thinking about my career and what I should do afterward. I was constantly looking for opportunities for professional growth in a stable environment where work is valued fairly. Slovakia met all the criteria: close to Ukraine, a similar language and culture. There were also personal reasons — in particular, part of my family had already been living in Slovakia for quite a long time, so I knew this would be additional support for me throughout my journey here.
So it wasn’t a spontaneous decision. It was a plan.
Yes, it was a very well-thought-out decision. I understood what I was giving up there and where I was going.
I suppose when you were making this plan, you already knew that the recognition process for a foreign pediatrician’s diploma in Slovakia has a more complicated path, right?
At first, I had no information at all. I started searching online and found out that pediatricians have a different — and more complicated — path compared to general practitioners. How did I feel about that? It was a bit frightening: an additional exam, more preparation, more stress. But on the other hand, when I learned that previously diplomas were not recognized in Slovakia at all, it felt like a weight off my shoulders — I realized that I had arrived at the right time, when, by passing two exams, I could recognize my diploma.
That’s great! I actually had that exact question written down — whether you knew that just a few years ago your diploma would not have been recognized, and that we can now say hello and thank you to the International Association of Physicians in Slovakia.
About preparing for the exams themselves — tell us more about the additional exam, the skúška spôsobilosti. What does it include? What was easy, and what was not?
Indeed, there is a difference between the process for general practitioners and for pediatricians. The difference is that, for final diploma recognition, pediatricians must take an additional test exam called skúška spôsobilosti. After successfully passing it, this exam allows you to work as a trainee doctor until you take the main exam. By contrast, general practitioners can start working after diploma recognition without this step.
As for the skúška spôsobilosti — it is an exam that consists only of a test section. The main goal is to make up for the difference in hours of certain subjects during university studies. The test can be taken in Ukrainian, Russian, or Slovak, which makes it easier for a doctor who has just arrived in Slovakia and does not yet speak the language.
On the other hand, it includes tests in subjects such as neurology, neurosurgery, immunology, nuclear medicine, and so on. The test is not considered overly difficult, since there is a test database available on the website of the Slovak Medical University (Slovenská zdravotnícka univerzita). However, it still brings additional stress, anxiety, extends the time for diploma recognition, and comes with an extra fee, which is currently €200.
So, did you take this exam in Ukrainian?
Yes.
Is it also possible to take it in English?
I think so, but I might be mistaken. I know for sure about Ukrainian and Russian.
How did you structure your preparation for the main exam, the Doplňujúca skúška?
My preparation actually began six months before my move — that is, six months before graduating from university, I started learning Slovak in courses. By the time I arrived in Slovakia, I already had a basic level of Slovak, which made things easier for me.
I submitted my documents for nostrification and waited for a response. In September, two months after moving, I took the pediatricians’ skúška spôsobilosti. After that, I began intensive preparation for the main exam. Overall, my preparation lasted eight months, which I divided into a transitional period and an intensive period.
During the first three months (the transitional period), I focused on learning medical terminology and translating exam questions. My strategy was to combine studying the exam questions with learning the terms. I would take a question, write out the key terms I needed, repeat and study them. This stage was slow — sometimes it took an entire day to fully understand and translate just one question. This period lasted three months. By January, I realized I already had a solid base of conversational Slovak and medical terms. Then I began the more intensive five-month phase.
My strategy was based on the fact that the exam covers four subjects — one month for each (internal medicine, pediatrics, gynecology, surgery), with the fifth month for revision. I decided to study surgery last, because it is the most frequently asked subject at the start of the exam, and those questions give you the chance to demonstrate your knowledge.
As for the other three subjects — internal medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics — I studied them together. Every doctor chooses their own strategy. For me, it was more convenient to work by tickets: one question from internal medicine, one from pediatrics, one from obstetrics — and repeat in that cycle. This approach allowed me to cover all the material in four months, leaving the fifth month for review. The preparation was very intensive — I studied at least 10 hours a day. I deliberately refused work in a hospital to fully focus on the exam. It was long, hard, and sometimes boring — but worth it.
Was there anything in this preparation process that surprised you, something you wish you had known in advance?
The volume of material. At first, it seems familiar — every doctor has studied it all at university. But then the language barrier adds another layer, and that’s what becomes intimidating. While learning the language, you realize the amount of material is huge. You have to not only review it but also re-think it in another language in a short period. Many things have been forgotten, so absorbing and mastering it all again is truly challenging.
Alright, so you prepared and came to the exam. Like most doctors, you had probably read something, talked to others, and had some expectations. But was there anything unexpected during the exam itself? Something you weren’t ready for?
Honestly, I don’t think there were any real surprises for me. I tried to find out as much information as possible from colleagues — how the exam went, whether there was time to prepare on the spot, what the atmosphere was like, and so on. So I guess there weren’t any surprises for me personally.
Okay, so no surprises during the exam. Let’s go back to preparation. Were there moments when you felt like giving up, when you didn’t want to do anything anymore? What helped you keep going? Why?
I think there were two main low points during preparation. The first was at the very beginning — when you see the amount of material, you feel deep doubt, you can’t believe the human mind can grasp all of it. The second was during the review phase. You’ve studied, you feel progress, and after covering all the material you think, “I know this, I’ve done great.” But then you start reviewing, go back to the very beginning, and realize that 50% of what you knew perfectly just months ago is already forgotten. And that is extremely discouraging — especially right before the exam.
What helped me then was, first of all, the support of my family and loved ones — people who believed in me much more than I believed in myself. And besides that, whenever I didn’t feel like doing anything, I would simply go outside, walk a lot, sit on a bench. Sometimes spontaneous shopping helped, sometimes talking to friends. After a walk and a coffee, I would return and sit down to study again. It gave me a bit of a reset.
So — to distract yourself?
Yes, to distract myself. To change the atmosphere.
I think that about the exam process we have already spoken with many, and many doctors share this information among themselves. What I would like to find out from you: were there any such typical mistakes at the exam among doctors, which you could observe exactly during the answer at the exam?
The first and most common mistake many make is remaining silent — waiting for the commission to ask questions. When we come to the exam, we draw a ticket with four questions, and we are given preparation time. On average, four or five doctors are in the room. While someone else is answering, you have time to prepare. Then your turn comes. They may ask you a few introductory questions about your career, university, and so on. It’s very important to immediately start speaking about your assigned question — not to stay silent and wait for prompts. When we speak, we convey what we know; when we’re silent, tension builds between the commission and the doctor, and they begin asking many varied questions — some of which you may not know the answers to.
The second mistake I’ve heard about is the lack of structure in answers. When you get a question, it’s crucial to answer according to a clear plan. For example, if the topic is a disease, start with the definition, then etiology, classification, pathophysiology or pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnostics, treatment, and prevention. Following this structure keeps your answer organized — which is extremely important.
The third common mistake is giving closed answers. When the commission asks something, you shouldn’t just answer “yes” or “no” — this makes it seem as though you’re guessing. If they ask, for example, “Is there a treatment for this disease?”, you should reply, “Yes, there is. We use this group of medications, with this scheme and this duration.” In other words, give a complete answer.
And the fourth is nervousness. It affects both your answers and the atmosphere. It’s very important to choose a personal method of calming yourself before the exam — for some it’s walking, for others breathing exercises. Try to enter the exam as calm as possible. Once you get your question, follow the basic rules of communication: eye contact, gestures, clear pronunciation. The goal is to create a relaxed atmosphere between you and the commission — this helps both sides.
Can you share your own calming strategy?
For me, first of all, it’s a 20-minute walk in the fresh air — that always calms me. Then I turn off all gadgets for 5–10 minutes to avoid the temptation to review anything again. I try to distance myself from others, because the atmosphere is tense there. I sit alone and breathe calmly. I also reassure myself that this is not the end: if it doesn’t work out now, there is another exam in three months. I will definitely pass. These simple things helped me a lot.
Great — you’ve just mentioned two techniques I’ve also heard from other doctors. One said that after the test she disconnected from everyone, went to the hotel, and came back later. Another said she reduced the importance of the result, breaking the process into steps: submit the application, try studying, take the exam — and if she failed, it was not the end of the world. She also passed on the first attempt.
Let’s move on to life in Slovakia and work. As far as I remember, you’re now job hunting. Can you tell us about that process? Where and how are you looking? Have you had any interviews? What do Slovak employers expect from foreign doctors?
Yes, I’m currently at the stage of obtaining all the documents after the exam. This is also an important step that can take several months. At the moment, I’m waiting — but I already have a workplace where they’re expecting me. Initially, I searched for a job on my own using different websites like Profesia.sk. Then I realized that finding a job in Bratislava independently is quite difficult — competition is high here. So I contacted Med-Integro, specifically Marián Neriadny, who helped me find my dream job.
I only had one interview — it was a standard format, just like in Ukraine. What do they expect from you? First of all, they ask about your level of language proficiency, since it’s important for most hospitals. They also ask about clinical experience, and sometimes about knowledge of other languages (German, English). In some cases, they may ask medical questions.
Interesting — because one pediatrician I know, who is now preparing to move, asked me what questions would come up at the interview. I told her it’s mostly about language, but you’re saying they can ask about medicine too — though rarely. What question did you get?
Honestly, they were very basic — like the treatment of pneumonia, or treatment of bronchial asthma, just the most fundamental questions. Nothing overly difficult that a pediatrician couldn’t answer.
So nothing like the exam?
No, absolutely not. In 90% of cases — and usually, as you said — it’s all about language skills, work experience, and basic work-related discussions such as pay and working conditions.
So it’s not another exam — it’s a job interview. The one you had for your dream workplace, which is now waiting for you — can you tell us more about it?
An additional factor was that I had the interview a month before I was due to take the exam. Marián believed in me — and still does — and he always said, “She’ll pass the exam in a month, you’ll see — she definitely will.” We were simply waiting for me to pass.
So the interview was nothing special. They could assess my language immediately, since we spoke Slovak.
As for knowledge — of course, they understand you’re a doctor from Ukraine. They know you have medical expertise, but you don’t know the Slovak healthcare system. And most hospitals that need staff are happy to train you in that during the internship period.
So, if not about work now, then probably about life. How is your life and adaptation in Slovakia going? And were there any interesting or unexpected moments that you definitely did not expect?
I have been living here for a year, and adaptation is still ongoing. It is not too difficult, since there are many positive moments, including the fact that I came to Slovakia with minimal knowledge, but of the language, including a certain similarity of cultures, and with available support from close ones. The thing that impressed me the most was the rhythm of life. Slovaks live more slowly, enjoy and savor life more, unlike us, Ukrainians, who are constantly used to running. And this is exactly what I would like to adopt.
Okay. So you think that this is exactly enjoyment? This is not something else, yes? Because when I came — and that was about nine years ago — I heard a lot from our, Ukrainian- and Russian-speaking, that Slovaks don’t want to do anything at all, that they are lazy, and that you cannot expect anything from them too quickly.
And now — about looking back. Any advice, or maybe a moment on your path that you remember with special pride, warmth, or with a smile?
It was exactly a year ago — the moment when I refused the internship in Ukraine. It was painful, because I was leaving a good job in Lviv and choosing the unknown in Slovakia. Then it seemed that this was the worst day of my life, but now I am glad about this decision.
The second important moment — the day of the exam. When you understand that you passed it, you are overwhelmed with emotions: you want to shout, jump, hug everyone. These emotions are worth all the months of preparation — and I am proud of this.
What could you say or advise to a doctor who is just about to move or is still deciding — to go or not to go?
Probably, if I met such a doctor, I would say: you will definitely succeed. And if to your big dream you add inspiration, regular preparation, and a crazy belief in yourself, then at the end of this path you will definitely hear the cherished: “Congratulations, you passed the exam.” The main thing — is belief in yourself and regular preparation.
If to describe all this path in one word or image — what will it be?
The first thing that probably came to my mind — is a labyrinth. A dark labyrinth, in which a person stands at the beginning. He takes a step into the unknown, makes mistakes, goes back, tries again. That is, it means also different stresses, moments when hands go down, and preparation, and, for example, choosing a strategy, etc. But, despite all this, the person goes — step by step — forward. And if he applies enough effort and does not put his hands down prematurely, then he will definitely at the end of this labyrinth see that cherished light.
So is this image or word a labyrinth or is it light?
It is the path that a person goes — exactly the path.
So this path was not easy, but it proves: if you really know who you are, no system will be able to take it away from you. Thank you for your courage and example — it was powerful.
Thank you for the invitation.