Why medicine?

I have just read an article on Kompas.com, about a state university in the province of Nusa Tenggara Timur, Indonesia. In the uni, the tuition fee for each medical student is 20 million rupiah (=USD 2000) each semester. Well, I dont see how cud it be that expensive. The average tuition fee for other state medical school is only about USD 100-300 each semester, even for a world qualified university. The university which im talking about now, has just received its accreditation last year!

Oh God!

How could that happened? Why medicine? The rector of the university admitted that the amount of fee is the most expensive in Indonesia, for a state university, regardless of the faculty. He also added that, the sumptuous fee should be considered as future investment for students.

Now, why medicine? As long as I understand and feel at the very moment, living as a physician is not that promising, not to mention the stages of examinations and procedures that are obligatory to received the practice license. The shift of global needs from primary to tertiary needs has changed how people see their doctor. Now, its not that people go to their physician only to get drugs for their disease, but to understand more about it. This shift has actually been recognized by academic institution by converting the learning method from teacher-centered to student-centered, with any of its various method. But, you see..this doesnt work well enough in this country. The rector comment about the fee, for me, is not enough to justify such extreme cost. In my opinion, his comment is as unwise as someone who says that having a Turkish Angora cat as a pet is a great investment, since it will bring you lot of fortune, without explaining the booby traps that may occur. Being a medical student doesnt guarantee that you will become a medical doctor that brings fortune as well.

But, by the way, I am a medical student, and I find it difficult for me to say that im a prospective investor now.

hm..only God knows.