MANILA: When Ahmed Wali arrived in Manila in 2016, he first focused on learning English, an opportunity he became aware of thanks to a friend who was studying in the Philippines.
Now, a decade later, as a graduate of a Filipino medical university, he is helping Saudi students follow a similar path.
“I gave it a try. When I came here, I found out it was better than I expected. People are nice, people speak English, and English schools here teach one-on-one classes,” he said. “That made me improve faster than if I studied in my country.”
As he became fluent in English, he decided to continue his higher education in Manila and eventually, in 2024, graduated from the College of Dentistry at Unciano Colleges and General Hospital.
The courses were not easy at first, as he was studying in a new language and instructors seemed stricter than back home. But the amount of practice the Philippine university offered was greater than at other universities, preparing him well for the profession.
