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1. Your name, matric number, date

Muhammad Haziq Bin

Kamal Ariffin

A191975

30th june - 6th july

2. What have you done?

I do my elective in the thoracic surgery department at the Clinical Centre of Serbia and the University of Belgrade, Serbia. I'm being supervised by renowned Serbian thoracic surgeon Prof.

Maja Ercegovac and her resident, Dr. Milos. Under her direction, there are additional students from Spain, Greece, and Turkey.

We do a number of things during this first week, like interpreting CT scans of the chest, discussing the findings of physical examinations, performing chest tubes, and practicing surgical hand skills.

Dr. Milos showed us how to make a knot to secure the chest tube and demonstrated the insertion and removal

process on a real patient.

He also teaches us various surgical knotting and suturing techniques.

Professor Maja shows us how to interpret CT

scans of the chest and explain physical examination results, including subcutaneous emphysema crepitus and crackles heard on the lung that contain consolidation.

We are get the chances to observe Prof. Milan Savic's operations. I have seen three surgeries in total: VATS left upper lobectomy, thoracic decortication, and open segmentectomy of right lung segment 3. I gain a lot of knowledge from it since a resident volunteers to describe each step the surgeon takes.

We also learned about the anesthetic aspect of thoracic surgery from Dr.

Sara of the

anesthetoologist

department. I'm really appreciative of that.

3. Points to remember from week 1

Of course, in addition to my elective position at the hospital, I am also taking part in a social program, and I have made many new friends from other countries, like Brazil, Tunisia, Russia, Spain, Czechia, and many more. We will engage in social activities such as tours or other activities, every day in the evening following the hospital attachment.

I'm also thankful that I've had a few chances to meet and socialize with the Embassy of Malaysia in Serbia. He treats me wonderfully every time and is so kind.

4. Your feelings & thoughts

I'm pleased with how my first week is going; everyone in Serbia is friendly and kind. My friends who are in charge of me, Vasilis, a Serbian medical student here, also greatly aid in my quest for a deeper

understanding of Serbia.

It also surprises me because many of the individuals I chat to here have positive opinions about Malaysia and have lona wished to travel there. which makes my Malaysian identity proud.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

I'm a Muslim. I am unable to participate in many activities since they include acts that are prohibited in Islam. Since religion is always my primary priority, I usually choose to explore other things here by myself rather than taking part in their activities. I try to meet a lot of Muslim brothers and sisters here in Serbia since I sometimes feel a little alone. And I succeeded!

I currently have many

Muslim acquaintances from a variety of nations, such as China, Turkey, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Serbia, who follow Islam.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

Eye opening, Inspiring

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

Continue observing surgeries, enhance surgical skills, and deepen understanding of thoracic surgery.

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General Surgery - University Medical Centre of Maribor, Slovenia 

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General Surgery - University Medical Centre of Maribor, Slovenia 

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1. Name, Matric Number, Date

Danesh Rao A/L Prakash Rao, A196177, 4/8/2025 – 10/8/2025

2. What you have done?

I officially began my elective posting in Slovenia this week. It started with an arrival orientation organized by the Local Exchange Officer, which was very helpful in introducing us to the hospital system and cultural expectations here.

I joined the surgical rotation and had the opportunity to observe a cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. I also assisted in a total gastrectomy with esophagojejunostomy for a patient with a gastric tumour — a truly unforgettable experience. This was my first time scrubbing in for surgery, and I also learned and practised basic suturing skills under supervision. I was introduced to the Head of the Abdominal Surgery Department, and the surgeons were incredibly welcoming, taking time to explain the department’s workflow and the hospital’s advanced facilities.

Over the weekend, I participated in the National Food and Drink Party, where I proudly represented Malaysia by preparing teh tarik. I also enjoyed tasting traditional dishes from many different countries — a wholesome and fun cultural exchange!

3. Points to remember from Week 1

• Always take the initiative to introduce yourself and ask questions

• Be open-minded and embrace cultural differences

• Learning happens both inside and outside the hospital and operating theatre

• Stay adaptable — not everything will go as planned, and that’s okay

4. Your feelings and thoughts

I feel incredibly fortunate and proud to be part of this elective, especially the only representative student from Southeast Asia here in Slovenia. Assisting in a major surgery like a total gastrectomy and learning to scrub in for the first time was both nerve-wracking and exhilarating. It has been an eye-opening experience so far — not just from a clinical perspective, but also personally. While there was some nervousness at the start, I’ve begun to find my rhythm and am thoroughly enjoying the learning environment.

5. Any difficulties/ concerns? How did you cope?

One of the initial challenges was that my assigned mentor was not available during the first week. This left me feeling a little unsure of how to begin, but I decided to still join the surgical team and make the most of the opportunities available. The surgeons and hospital staff were very supportive, which helped ease my transition. I coped by staying proactive, asking for help when needed, and keeping a positive mindset.

I also faced some challenges in terms of having language barrier since most of the citizens here speak on their native language. So sometimes I need to use sign languages or translator app to communicate.

6. Two words to describe elective posting progress so far

Enriching and empowering

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

Next week, I plan to officially meet my mentor once he returns and continue with the surgical rotation. I aim to be more involved in patient discussions, observe and assist in more surgeries, and refine my basic surgical skills. I also hope to explore more of the city and deepen my interactions with other international students for both cultural and personal growth.

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General Surgery – Hospital Moulay Abdellah, Salé, Morocco

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General Surgery – Hospital Moulay Abdellah, Salé, Morocco

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Name: Muhammad Fahri Bin Bukhari

Matric No: A191969

Date: 1 July 2025 – 4 July 2025

2. What have you done?

On 1st July 2025, I began my elective posting in the General Surgery department at Hospital Moulay Abdellah, Salé. On the first day, I joined two other international exchange students (from France and Tunisia), and we spent a good part of the morning going through formalities and necessary document clearance.

The hospital routine was familiar—quite similar to my clinical exposure in HUKM. I attended teaching sessions, joined ward rounds with the professors, and observed surgeries in the operating theatre. Most discussions and teaching were conducted in French, which posed a significant challenge for me. Still, I saw it as an opportunity to grow outside of my comfort zone.

During one of the surgical case presentations, the professor-surgeon suddenly turned to us and asked about the definitive features of a TIA (transient ischaemic attack). Initially, he posed the question in French, but seeing my confused expression, he kindly repeated it in English.

To my relief, I recalled what I had learned during my Internal Medicine rotation in HCTM and was able to answer. This moment reminded me of how valuable those foundational rotations are—even in a surgical setting. It gave me a small but encouraging boost of confidence in a week full of language and cultural challenges.

We also covered several interesting surgical topics during rounds and CME (continuous medical education) sessions:

Developmental abnormalities of the pancreas: including annular pancreas, pancreas divisum, and pancreatic agenesis.

Causes of jaundice (called “Ictère” in French):

Pre-hepatic: Haemolysis (e.g., hemolytic anaemia, malaria, thalassaemia)

Hepatic: Hepatitis (viral, autoimmune), cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma

Post-hepatic: Obstruction (e.g., gallstones, strictures, pancreatic head cancer)

Further classification:

Medical causes: Hepatitis, cirrhosis

Surgical causes: Obstructive jaundice from stones or tumors

Neoplastic causes: Cholangiocarcinoma, pancreatic cancer, liver metastases

Beyond clinical activities, I also engaged in conversations with local medical students. We exchanged insights on our respective training systems. Interestingly, unlike Malaysia’s structure of 5 undergraduate years followed by 2 years of housemanship, Moroccan students undergo 7 years of undergraduate studies. At the end of their 7th year, they can either take a competitive entrance exam to pursue a residency or begin practicing as general practitioners.

To end the week, the exchange committee organized a cultural outing to explore Rabat, the capital of Morocco. We had mint tea at the scenic Kasbah of the Udayas, a medieval fort built in the 12th century. Later, we watched the sunset over Marina Bouregreg, a vibrant waterfront lined with colourful fishing boats and views that captured both history and modern life.

3. Points to remember from Week 1!

Morocco has a different pathway to specialty training compared to Malaysia.

The public speaks a mix of Arabic, French (Darija), and Amazigh—Morocco’s indigenous language. This reflects Malaysia’s own multilingualism and highlights the reality of language barriers in healthcare.

I need to improve my medical French vocabulary to enhance my learning and communication during ward rounds.

4. Your feelings & thoughts

I felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. The hospital setting was familiar, but the language barrier made me feel like I was starting over again. However, I find comfort in knowing that the people here—doctors, students, and staff—are welcoming and willing to guide me through this journey.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

My main concern was the language barrier, particularly during French-language case discussions and ward rounds. I coped by:

Using a translation app discreetly during downtime

Asking professors, residents, or fellow exchange students to explain key points in English
This experience has shown me the importance of being adaptable and resourceful in unfamiliar environments.

6. Two words to describe elective posting progress so far

Challenging & Eye-opening

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

Build stronger rapport with local medical students for peer learning and translation support

Shadow in the emergency department, focusing on trauma cases

Dedicate time each day to review and practice medical French vocabulary

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Cardiothoracic Surgery in Clinical Centre of Serbia

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Cardiothoracic Surgery in Clinical Centre of Serbia

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1. Your name, matric number, date
Muhammad Haziq Bin Kamal Ariffin
A191975
30th june - 6th july

2. What have you done?

I do my elective in the thoracic surgery department at the Clinical Centre of Serbia and the University of Belgrade, Serbia. I'm being supervised by renowned Serbian thoracic surgeon Prof. Maja Ercegovac and her resident, Dr. Milos. Under her direction, there are additional students from Spain, Greece, and Turkey.

We do a number of things during this first week, like interpreting CT scans of the chest, discussing the findings of physical examinations, performing chest tubes, and practicing surgical hand skills.

Dr. Milos showed us how to make a knot to secure the chest tube and demonstrated the insertion and removal process on a real patient. He also teaches us various surgical knotting and suturing techniques.

Professor Maja shows us how to interpret CT scans of the chest and explain physical examination results, including subcutaneous emphysema crepitus and crackles heard on the lung that contain consolidation.

We are get the chances to observe Prof. Milan Savic's operations. I have seen three surgeries in total: VATS left upper lobectomy, thoracic decortication, and open segmentectomy of right lung segment 3. I gain a lot of knowledge from it since a resident volunteers to describe each step the surgeon takes.

We also learned about the anesthetic aspect of thoracic surgery from Dr. Sara of the anesthetoologist department. I'm really appreciative of that.

3. Points to remember from week 1!

Of course, in addition to my elective position at the hospital, I am also taking part in a social program, and I have made many new friends from other countries, like Brazil, Tunisia, Russia, Spain, Czechia, and many more. We will engage in social activities, such as tours or other activities, every day in the evening following the hospital attachment.

I'm also thankful that I've had a few chances to meet and socialize with the Embassy of Malaysia in Serbia. He treats me wonderfully every time and is so kind.

4. Your feelings & thoughts

I'm pleased with how my first week is going; everyone in Serbia is friendly and kind. My friends who are in charge of me, Vasilis, a Serbian medical student here, also greatly aid in my quest for a deeper understanding of Serbia. It also surprises me because many of the individuals I chat to here have positive opinions about Malaysia and have long wished to travel there. which makes my Malaysian identity proud.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

I'm a Muslim. I am unable to participate in many activities since they include acts that are prohibited in Islam. Since religion is always my primary priority, I usually choose to explore other things here by myself rather than taking part in their activities. I try to meet a lot of Muslim brothers and sisters here in Serbia since I sometimes feel a little alone. And I succeeded! I currently have many Muslim acquaintances from a variety of nations, such as China, Turkey, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Serbia, who follow Islam.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far
Eye opening, Inspiring

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

Continue observing surgeries, enhance surgical skills, and deepen understanding of thoracic surgery.

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General Surgery in Univerzitná nemocnica s poliklinikou Milosrdní bratia

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General Surgery in Univerzitná nemocnica s poliklinikou Milosrdní bratia

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1.Name, Matric Number, Date

Name : Lee Jing Ning

Matric Number : A196083

Date : 1/7/25-4/7/25

2. What have you done?

At Milosrdní Bratia (The Brothers of Saint John of God Hospital in Bratislava), I had the chance to observe two surgeries.

The first was an open cholecystectomy (laparotomy cholecystectomy) performed on a 48-year-old man with acute calculus cholecystitis. The procedure was quite challenging due to a perforated gallbladder, which made laparoscopic surgery impossible. I was amazed to see the large gallstone in person.

The second operation was a hemangioma resection combined with a right hemicolectomy and end-to-end anastomosis on a 56-year-old man. I even got to hold the 5 cm tumor. During the surgeries, the surgeons kindly shared valuable teaching points with us, which greatly enhanced the learning experience.

3. Points to remember from Week 1

Intubation method:
The anaesthesiologist taught us how to intubate a patient after administering anaesthesia. We had the chance to see the vocal cords, where the endotracheal tube is inserted.

Epidural anaesthesia:
One patient underwent epidural anaesthesia. The epidural space typically has a negative or slightly subatmospheric pressure, especially in the thoracic and lumbar regions. The anaesthetist inserted the needle while applying gentle pressure to a syringe. When the tip entered the epidural space, the resistance suddenly dropped, and the pressure slightly increased, confirming correct placement.

These were taught in both theory and practical settings, and I was able to witness them first-hand during surgeries.

4. Your feelings & thoughts

I feel very grateful and excited to be here. It’s eye-opening to experience how healthcare is practiced in a different country. The team was friendly and helpful, which made learning more enjoyable.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

Language barrier was a challenge as most of the staff and patients primarily speak Dutch and Slovak. However, they made a great effort to explain things clearly in English whenever possible. I also used translation apps and tried to learn some basic Slovak phrases to communicate better. I also read up beforehand to prepare myself better.

6. Two words to describe elective posting progress so far:

Challenging, Exciting

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

In Week 2, I plan to attend clinic sessions at the hospital. I am mentally prepared to face even greater language challenges. I also hope to learn about post-operative patient care and pain management.

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General Surgery in Univerzitná nemocnica s poliklinikou Milosrdní bratia, Slovakia.

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General Surgery in Univerzitná nemocnica s poliklinikou Milosrdní bratia, Slovakia.

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1.⁠ ⁠Your name, matric number, date

Name: Pang Yi Xin

Matric Number: A196089

Date: 1-4 July 2025

2. What have you done?

At Univerzitná nemocnica s poliklinikou Milosrdní bratia (The Brothers of Saint John of God Hospital in Bratislava), I had the opportunity to observe two operations.

The first was an open cholecystectomy (laparotomy cholecystectomy) secondary to acute calculus cholecystitis for a 48-year-old man. The operation was quite complicated due to a perforated gallbladder, which made laparoscopic surgery unsuitable. I was shocked when I saw the huge gallstone in real life.

The second surgery was a hemangioma resection with right hemicolectomy and end-to-end anastomosis in a 56-year-old man. I even had the chance to hold the large tumour. Since I had only learned these conditions from textbooks before, seeing them in reality was incredible and fascinating.

3. Points to remember from Week 1!

Intubation method: The anaesthesiologist taught us how to intubate a patient after administering anaesthesia. We had the opportunity to see the vocal cords, where the endotracheal tube is inserted.

Epidural anaesthesia: One patient underwent epidural anaesthesia. The epidural space typically has a negative or slightly subatmospheric pressure, especially in the thoracic and lumbar regions. The anaesthetist inserted the needle while applying gentle pressure to a syringe. When the tip entered the epidural space, the resistance suddenly dropped, and the pressure slightly increased, confirming correct placement.

Stomach anatomy: During a laparotomy, my supervisor, Dr. Milan Schnorrer, taught us how to distinguish the stomach from the duodenum at the pyloric sphincter.

4. Your feelings & thoughts

The first week in Slovakia was satisfying but tiring. The hospital staff were very kind and helpful. Even though they couldn't speak much English, they tried hard to explain what was happening, and were always happy to answer my questions, which really put me at ease.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

My biggest difficulty was the language barrier. Most locals speak Slovak and have limited understanding of English. We often relied on Google Translate to communicate.

They also study medicine in Latin, so some medical terms are different from English. Luckily, some of the surgeons, doctors, and anaesthesiologists could speak English and explained what was going on in the operating theatre. This was very helpful and a huge relief.

6. Two words to describe elective posting progress so far:

Challenging, Insightful

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

In Week 2, I plan to attend clinic sessions at the hospital. I am mentally prepared to face even greater language challenges. To reduce the barrier, I also plan to learn some commonly used Slovak phrases to help communicate with local people.

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1. Your name, matric number, date

Name: Alyssa Azzarina binti Mohd Aziyan

Matric Number: A192133

Date: 7/7/2025

2. What have you done?

At Hôpital Hassan II, a regional hospital in Agadir, we got to observe two operations in the operating theatre. The first was a posterior medial soft-tissue release performed on a three-year-old boy with clubfoot, and the second was a pyloromyotomy on a four-month-old baby girl who had pyloric stenosis. Since I had not been on a paediatrics posting before, I was fascinated to see the methods used for paediatric intubation, as well as the differences in equipment, such as the smaller blood pressure cuffs. On Friday, I got the chance to observe a replâtrer procedure, which means changing or reapplying a plaster cast. I was so excited when the interns let me try applying the new cast myself on a child. It was a great opportunity to learn the proper technique.

3. Points to remember from week 1!

Anaesthesia differences — The hospital uses inhalational anaesthetic for general anesthesia such as sevoflurane as well as thiopental.

Family involvement — Mothers are allowed to stay with their children in the wards to help reassure and comfort them. They also play an important role in coordinating with fathers to purchase any necessary medical supplies for the child’s care.

Clubfoot fixation — Clubfoot is typically treated with plaster casting (the Ponseti method) but surgery may be needed if the child is older than 1 year, or if there is a relapse or the foot is too rigid to correct with casting alone.

4. Your feelings & thoughts

I love how positive and welcoming the department has been. The staff were kind and happy to answer our questions, which put me at ease. Their methods differ from Malaysia, which sparked my curiosity. Even with limited resources before moving to a new hospital, they still give their best for patients, which I really admire.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

The biggest challenge so far has definitely been the language barrier. Most of the staff study medicine in French rather than English, so it can be hard for them to explain things clearly to us. Luckily, I met someone who can speak English and help translate when needed, which has been a huge relief.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

Fascinating, challenging

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

Next week, I plan to study the common conditions seen in paediatric surgery and learn some basic French to communicate better with the doctors, professors, and other medical students.