About the picture: I said my goodbyes to the registrar who let me sit in her room to observe, and the nurses who guided me in the procedure rooms on Friday. Unfortunately my supervisor was not around on my last day so I was not able to get a picture with her. Then, on Saturday, I went on another tour to Glendalough to see a sheep farm. There was a sheep dog herding demonstration, which was fascinating to watch, and we were allowed to hold the lambs for pictures. Sunday was a resting and packing day. Finally, on Monday, I left Ireland for Malaysia.

1. The objectives of the project were very much fulfilled. I got to observe the healthcare system in Ireland and the trends in Dermatological diseases in Ireland. I was also able to learn to adapt to learning and living in a foreign country, albeit for only 2 weeks. 

2. I enjoyed the learning atmosphere in St James Hospital. Perhaps it was due to the summer holidays there, so there are very few medical students there, but the consultants, registrars and nurses were very willing to teach me what they know. They were very friendly and will take time out of their work to explain things to me. A registrar even printed an extra copy of the information packet she was going to give her patient. If they were busy, they will apologise and look for me when they had free time to answer my questions. The difference in treatment was very refreshing, and I quite looked forward to attending sessions in the hospital. Besides that, even the patients are more open-minded, they understand that I was there to learn, and allowed the doctors there to teach us what was going on with their body.

3. I actually did not know how to respond to their friendliness at first. I am usually introverted and don’t speak up unless someone speaks to me first, and we aren’t usually welcome to chat about in hospitals back home, so I was a little anxious to socialise with the doctors and nurses in St James Hospital. The students here are quite chatty with the registrars, so they had more opportunities to observe things that I don’t hear about. I realised that I was missing opportunities by keeping quiet, so I mustered some courage and chatted with the nurses and registras a little more about the activities done in the department as well as my home country. They were very receptive towards my chatter and will carry the rest of the conversation (thankfully).

4. I think the part of the project that worked really well was the exposure to the field of Dermatology. Skin cancer is very prevalent in Ireland, so I was able to learn about how it’s diagnosis and management plans have evolved to what it is now. St James Hospital is also one of the leading hospitals in MOHS surgery, something I only learned about there, so I feel quite proud to be able to learn about something so revolutionary.

1.        Were the objectives of the project fulfilled?

I am in the 4^th week of my Professional Exchange in Serbia. There are four objectives I listed in my application form.

1-       To experience Serbia healthcare system

I would rate the experience a 6 out of 10. During the first two weeks, I had the opportunity to engage with various operations and procedures, but my learning opportunities diminished in the final two weeks. Moreover, the city where I completed my exchange played a role in shaping the overall experience. As Serbia's fourth-largest city, it lacks the advanced facilities and technological resources found in the capital, Belgrade. The hospital here reminded me of Hospital Teluk Intan. On a positive note, I did explore some of the benefits that Serbian healthcare workers receive from their government and noted that there is a general lack of medical awareness among the local population regarding treatment options.

2-       To experience and learn a different culture and language

In my opinion, this objective has been met. I learned some basic Serbian words, such as numbers and simple phrases used in daily communication. Additionally, I made an effort to learn the Cyrillic alphabet to read patients' notes.

3-       To make connections and interact with international medical students in an effort to expand my network

In my opinion, I also fulfilled this objective. I had a wonderful time with the 21 international students from around the world. We followed each other on Instagram to stay updated on our lives and continue to make good use of our WhatsApp group chat to stay connected.

4-       To enhance my interpersonal communication skills personally and professionally

I think I’ve successfully enhanced my interpersonal communication skills and also try to be more open up to people.

2.        What have you enjoyed or liked the most about the project?

One of the things I enjoyed most about the project was meeting friends from various countries. It was my first time visiting Europe, and everyone was so friendly, with some being exceptionally extroverted, which made the environment truly enjoyable. We would have lunch together at the canteen and share interesting stories from our departments each day. The lasting bond we’ve maintained since returning to our home countries makes me deeply grateful for the experiences of August 2024.

3.        What have you found challenging about this project? (any part of the project you found hard to do)

The most challenging aspect of the project was the lack of attention from my supervisor and the lack of communication about upcoming procedures. I was supposed to be attached to one department, but instead, I was assigned to work under a single supervisor who would then assign me to various tasks. The problem arose when this supervisor was difficult to locate without direct contact. Despite my attempts to resolve the issue by liaising with the local committees, they were unable to offer a solution. This situation was discouraging and demotivating, especially in the final two weeks, but I managed to persevere.

4. What has really worked? (any part in the project that you thought worked well)

I believe I have built my courage throughout the exchange experience. I learned to step out of my comfort zone to interact with doctors and nurses and to make new friends. This experience broadened my perspective on global issues, including the world economy, the history of the Balkans, the European Union's relations with other countries, and the living conditions in developing nations. It made me realize that I had been so focused on my studies that I had neglected to explore and understand the world beyond academic boundaries.

5. What can be improved in this project?

In terms of the organisation, the local committees of Kragujevac, Serbia can improve in organising social programs and liaising with the faculty to get the supervisors.

1. Were the objectives of the project fulfilled?
Yes!

• The objective to explore healthcare in Belgium through clinical sessions, observing procedures, and interacting with patients was fully achieved. I was impressed by the hospital system's efficiency, as everything is fully digitalized. They have an innovative scrub and white coat system where scrubs are taken and returned via a machine and washed daily. The hospital environment is very conducive, with no obvious hierarchy between surgeons and junior doctors—they get along like friends. I observed and assisted in many procedures, including some unique ones like FEVAR and EVAR, which not many hospitals can perform.

• I also learned that the specialization pathway here is much quicker compared to Malaysia, as it is 5 years shorter. Doctors here do not go through housemanship or medical officer training; instead, they can practice their chosen specialty right after graduation. However, one universal truth remains—being a doctor is very demanding. Even in a pleasant working environment, they often have to work overtime due to manpower shortages.

• Personal development and improvement of soft skills (independence, adaptability, resilience):
  Definitely! From being shy and hesitant to approach people in the first week, I gained confidence and independence as the weeks went by.

• Networking opportunities with medical students and professionals worldwide:
  Yes, I met many medical students from countries like Romania, Jordan, China, and Tunisia, to name a few. I also made connections with doctors and surgeons in Belgium.

• Enjoying and learning about Belgium's natural and cultural beauty:
  Absolutely! I visited almost all major Belgian cities, including Brussels, Bruges, Ghent, and Dinant. The country is beautiful, and I experienced quite a bit of culture shock in some areas.

2. What have you enjoyed or liked the most about the project?
I loved the opportunity to travel across the world and broaden my horizons. I’ve learned so much, not just about another country's healthcare system but also about myself. I appreciate how this experience allowed me to develop personally while gaining medical knowledge, skills, and the privilege of exploring Europe. I’ve grown a lot in just 4 weeks.

3. What have you found challenging about this project?
The biggest challenge for me was adapting to a completely foreign environment. This was my first time in Europe, and the primary languages spoken in Belgium are French and Dutch, not English. Communication was a bit difficult, but most Belgians can speak decent English, so it worked out. The first week was particularly tough, as I encountered a relatively strict team, but I managed to fit in eventually. It was a growth process.

4. What has really worked?
One of the highlights was interacting with students from vastly different backgrounds. As a Malaysian, I noticed many differences in how people from other countries carry themselves, their culture, and how they embrace life in the moment. This experience gave me many new and diverse perspectives, which I greatly appreciated.

5. What can be improved in this project?
On a personal level, I think I should have put more effort into learning Dutch before the exchange. It would have significantly enhanced my experience, allowing me to connect better with the locals.

As for the project managed by IFMSA adn SCOPE, there are areas that need improvement. For instance, the committee members (national exchange officers) should handle things more efficiently and seriously. There were several hiccups with no clear solutions. One example was the distribution of old certificates with outdated logos, printed in black and white on A4 paper. This aspect of the management should definitely be improved, and I plan to provide this feedback to SCOPE and IFMSA.

1. Were the objectives of the project fulfilled?

Yes, my main objective is to experience a different culture. I had done it. I am experience such a different culture from Asia. They are so relaxed and chilled in their daily life and I rarely seen someone rushing their time in Serbia. The people is really what define their culture. Most of them are extremely friendly!

2. What have you enjoyed or liked the most about the project?

I like the fact that I live with a group of people from different countries from Europe, Middle East and India. Getting know these people are just incredible. We enjoyed our time together by going to play basketball, swimming pool and drinking.

3. What have you found challenging about this project? (any part of the project you found hard to do)

Language barrier is a big problem in this city. The people in Kragujevac do not usually speak English and their English literacy is low. To cater this problem, I learnt a few phrases to buy groceries, order taxi and asking for direction.

4. What has really worked? (any part in the project that you thought worked well)

The things that really worked is I developed a good friendship in Serbia. Living here one month really makes us a group of close friends from different countries. I miss the time with the people there and I hope to see them again in future.

5. What can be improved in this project?

The hosting committee could have done a better job by organizing more meaningful social event.

In terms of hosting, I think there is room of improvement for the Local Committee of Brussels as the pocket money, extension of stay and certificate could have been settled in a more professional and responsible way. I will make sure to report them to the IFMSA database and exchange officers of Malaysia so that actions can be taken to improve the management of exchange students.

After two weeks being in Indonesia, I have gained an understanding of key global health challenges, including infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, and social determinants of health. I also have learnt on how global health issues manifest at the local level within communities, considering factors such as culture, socioeconomic status, infrastructure, and access to healthcare. This summer course had cultivated my skills in identifying local health challenges and designing evidence-based strategies to address them, drawing from lessons learned from global health approaches. All the table-top exercises resulted me in learning the interdisciplinary nature of global health, integrating knowledge from fields such as medicine, health, and social science to address health disparities effectively and efficiently. Lastly, I also had the opportunities to collaborate with peers, community stakeholders, and experts in the field to develop and implement health promotion initiatives aimed at improving community well-being.

2. What have you enjoyed or liked the most about the project?

Throughout the project, there were a lot of things that impressed me and Medan definitely has many attractions to offer. Other than the event being in one of Indonesia’s most populated cities, the faculties and facilities were amazing. Universitas Sumatera Utara is absolutely a game-changer, especially their most infamous faculty, the school of medicine. The doctors, specialists, lecturers, are all experienced, assisting, and friendly. The talks were all contently and beneficial to each and every medical professional especially their impact on global health. The lab visit was indeed adding some variety on method of learning about global health as we able to hands-on. There was also free food on all days throughout the event, which I can resist of. Medan’s food is the best.

3. What have you found challenging about this project? (any part of the project you found hard to do)

One thing that I found difficult was to make friends as they speak in their own dialects such as Bahasa Batak. Coping with difficulties in making friends across nationalities and language barriers requires patience, open-mindedness, and adaptability. Cultural differences may create misunderstandings, while language barriers can hinder communication. To overcome these challenges, it's essential to embrace empathy and curiosity, showing interest in others' backgrounds and being willing to learn from them. Non-verbal communication, like gestures and facial expressions, can bridge gaps when words fail. Additionally, learning basic phrases in another person's language demonstrates respect and effort. Building friendships in diverse environments often takes time, but it fosters greater understanding, tolerance, and personal growth in the long run.

4. What has really worked? (any part in the project that you thought worked well)

     Other than what has been mentioned above, everything went well throughout the event. I was able to catch up with the knowledge and all although it being a bit advanced.

5. What can be improved in this project?

     This project can be improved by adding more activities in the tentative to make the learning more fun as the schedule was a bit packed with talks back-to-back making it a bit heavy to the head. It always better when there is more variety to learning. Other than the schedule, everything else was alright and I am looking forward to join more summer courses in the future.