Cranial2Caudal

A Personal Blog by Dr. Chinmai, a Neurosurgery Resident in Germany Originally from India

My Story

ABOUT DR. CHINMAI

Cranial2Caudal is a personal blog by Dr. Chinmai, a neurosurgery resident in Germany originally from India. This site documents her journey from med school in India to surgical residency in Germany, offering honest insights into hospital life, licensing processes (Approbation, FSP, KP), and the day-to-day realities of being a woman in neurosurgery. It also features reflections on balancing career with travel, personal growth, and life beyond the OR.

My Life

#CRANIAL2CAUDAL ON INSTA

This ride costs €0. And it’s not for VIPs, it’s for everyone. 🚁

In Germany, the rescue helicopter doesn’t check your bank account or your job title. It only checks your vitals.

If you need the speed, you get the flight. No insurance questions. No delays. Just a race against death.

But the flight is just the beginning of the Rettungskette (Rescue Chain):

1. The Notarzt (Emergency Doctor): They don’t just transport; they treat. They bring the ICU to the roadside, intubating and stabilizing the patient before the rotors even turn.

2. The Notaufnahme (ER): The moment they land, the clock resets for us.

Why the rush? Because “Time is Brain.”

In cases of severe intracranial bleeding (like after a car accident), we are fighting physics. Blood fills the skull, pressure rises, and the brainstem is crushed against the bone.

Inside the Schockraum (Resus Room), the chaos turns into protocol.

The alarm blinks. The team waits. The handover is precise: “Pupils blown. Midline shift.”

The helicopter crew did their job to get them here alive. Now, our team steps in to keep them that way. 🧠🤝

Question: How fast is the emergency response in your city? 👇

#doctorsofinstagram #womeninneurosurgery #residencyingermany #indiansingermany #indiandoctors

After my last reel, my DMs were absolutely flooded with questions like “How do I start?” and “Is Neurosurgery actually possible for Indians?” 🤯
I know how overwhelming this pathway looks from the outside. I was there once, confused and looking for answers. That is exactly why I’ve put together the complete roadmap, from language prep to landing that residency spot.
No more guessing games. Everything you need to know is waiting for you. 👇
✨ Click the Link in my Bio for the full Step-by-Step Guide!

#doctorsofinstagram #womeninneurosurgery #residencyingermany #indiansingermany #indiandoctors

In 2020, I left India with an MBBS degree from Manipal
without appearing for NEET PG,
without a clear roadmap,
and with a heart full of fear.

I was a girl who had never lived away from home,
stepping out for the first time,
into a country whose language I didn’t understand,
whose system I didn’t know,
and whose winters felt colder than my doubts.

Everyone told me it was a bad idea.
“Germany isn’t worth it.”
“The language is impossible.”
“You won’t clear FSP or KP.”
“You won’t get approbation.”
“You’ll never get into surgery.”

But somewhere between the fear and the loneliness,
I chose to believe.

I entered orthopaedics.
Completed my Common Trunk.
And then… I quit.

Starting over wasn’t easy.
Choosing neurosurgery was harder.

“Not for women.”
“Too hectic.”
“You won’t operate.”

Still, I stayed.
Still, I showed up.
Still, I trusted the process.

Today, I stand as a neurosurgery resident
not fearless, but stronger.
Not perfect, but persistent.

5 years in Germany.
A path less chosen.
A dream still unfolding.

If that scared girl could make it this far
so can you. 🤍🧠🇩🇪

If this story resonates with you and you need guidance, feel free to DM me.
I’m happy to schedule a short call and help however I can. 🤍

#doctorsofinstagram #womeninneurosurgery #residencyingermany #indiansingermany #indiandoctors

The feminine urge to want it all… Why not, when you can do it all? ⚡️ From being a resident neurosurgeon, to staying fit, chasing adventures, being bold & classy, fierce & graceful. Always evolving into the best version of oneself ✨
If I can do it; you can do it too. Would you agree with me ?

#fearlessfemales #doitall #viral #fyp #cranial2caudal #foryou #balance #travel #ambitiouswomen #positivity #doctorsofinstagram #feminineenergy #chaseyourdreams #strongandfeminine #fitandfearless #bossbabe #empoweredwomen #theglowup #strengthandgrace #selflove #keeppushing #selfgrowth #imgjourney #indiansingermany #neurosurgery #womeninneurosurgery #womensurgeons #womeninsurgery #neurosurgeoninthemaking #womeninspiringwomen

5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting My Residency in Germany 🇩🇪

1. Language isn’t just about passing exams
Even after clearing B2, C1, and FSP, speaking confidently in a real hospital setting takes time. Medical conversations, fast-paced ward rounds, and patient communication are a whole different level.

2. Everything takes longer than you think
From paperwork to Approbation to job applications, the timelines are slow and unpredictable. Starting early and being patient makes all the difference.

3. You got to be proactive from day one
There’s no spoon-feeding here. No one explains things step by step. You’re expected to observe, follow, and figure things out on your own. You have to take initiative to learn and grow.

4. Most of your learning happens on shifts
Books help, but real learning comes from doing. You grow the most during rounds, assisting in surgeries, and managing patients on-call.

5. They care more about experience than exams
There are no internal exams, no monthly tests, no scores to chase. What matters is what you’ve seen, done, and how confidently you can handle real situations.

—

These are things I wish someone had told me before I started.
If you’re planning your residency journey in Germany, I hope this helps you prepare better.
Drop your questions in the comments or DM me — and follow along for more insights from cranial to caudal.
— @dr.chinmai

#imgjourney #neurosurgeryresident #residencygermany #germanymedlife #cranial2caudal #womeninsurgery #medicalresidency #medlifeabroad #residentstories #futureneurosurgeon

From Med School in India 🇮🇳 to Neurosurgery Residency in Germany 🇩🇪 — here’s the path followed by most IMGs:

✔️ German Language Proficiency: B2 or C1 (depending on the state)
✔️ Fachsprachprüfung (FSP): Medical language exam to assess patient communication, reporting, and professional conversation
✔️ Kenntnisprüfung (KP): A clinical knowledge exam, only if your degree isn’t considered fully equivalent
✔️ Approbation: The full German medical license — required before applying to hospitals for residency
✔️ Residency/Work: Application to hospitals, interviews and Hospitation before entering the desired residency/ field of work

It’s a long process — but possible. I’m sharing my experiences here at @cranial2caudal.
Feel free to ask questions — happy to help 🧠👇
@dr.chinmai
#imgjourney #neurosurgeryresident #kennntnisprüfung #approbation #womeninsurgery #medlife #indiansingermany #cranial2caudal #residentdoctor #residencylife #indiandoctors #doctorsofinstagram

What’s it like going from med school in India to a neurosurgery residency in Germany?
Why neurosurgery? What’s it really like — the OR days, the doubts, the dreams?

After being asked these questions (a lot!), I finally decided to create a space just for this — to share the highs, lows, and everything in between.

🎥 Welcome to @cranial2caudal — where I take you through my journey as a neurosurgery resident, one suture at a time.

Curious about the path? Planning your own? Or just fascinated by brains and backbones?

🧠 Drop your questions in the comments or slide into my DMs — I’ll be answering them in future posts!

Let’s make this a space where we learn, grow, and keep it real — from cranial to caudal.
See you in the next one..
@dr.chinmai

#neurosurgery #neurosurgeon #neurosurgeryresident #womeninsurgery #medlife #imgjourney #medschoolabroad #neurosurgerylife #scrubslife #residentslife #doctorsofinstagram #surgeonlife #brainandspine #fromindiatogermany #cranial2caudal #medicalcontentcreator

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Cranial2Caudal

ABOUT DR. CHINMAI

#CRANIAL2CAUDAL ON INSTA

Contact Me

CONNECT WITH ME

Cranial2Caudal

ABOUT DR. CHINMAI

#CRANIAL2CAUDAL ON INSTA

​

Contact Me

CONNECT WITH ME