Unfortunately you're never going to escape the hierarchy. You'll just learn quickly to develop a thick skin and just let the bs roll off you. Most of the time the person berating you isn't even angry at you, they're just frustrated/tired and have a low tolerance for annoyances like med students. Heck, a solid 80% of the time, the person doesn't even think they're having a go at you - fear and humiliation is genuinely just how a lot of people teach.Thanks for the very comprehensive answer! Honestly the whole medical hierarchy and power rubbish going on is one of my biggest fears about ALM and I'd be glad to do anything to avoid it, so really not keen on that. And as much as I like it down here now, I think the more logical choice is Christchurch, to save costs and hell, I have my license and can drive around, it's alright. I might have been holding what I have right now too highly. It's great and all, but on the whole probably not worth another three years here adding to my debt and being away from family too. Thanks again! ^^
You get used to it. Once you work out how to get around some consultants' rough/mildly terrifying exteriors, a lot of them are actually really cool people who you can learn an awful lot from. Let's face it though, some of them are just people you want to see as little of as possible.
Christchurch does sound like the 'logical' choice for you, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's the 'right' one for you. If you'd be happier in Dunedin, then tbh that overrides all the 'logical' reasons to go to Chch. But if you'd be happy with either, then I'd definitely recommend Christchurch.