Name: Adam Iskandar
Matric No: A195840

2. Your progress so far

• This week, I feel even more comfortable at the hospital. A new intern joined the department, and I was the one who showed her around so it felt nice to help someone else settle in! I continued joining clinics and surgeries, and I’m getting better at following the cases and asking questions. Over the weekend, I went on a trip to Lisbon. It was really fun, but also very tiring walked over 30,000 steps every day for three straight days.

  
  

3. Your feelings and thoughts

• I can’t believe next week is already my last week. I feel quite sad because just when I’m starting to feel settled and comfortable here, it’s almost time to go back. I really like the hospital environment, the people, and the whole experience I’ll definitely miss it.

  
  

4. How did you learn and apply the skill of decision making in your EP journey?

• Decision-making has been very important, especially because most of the communication in the hospital is in Portuguese. I need to decide when to ask questions, when to observe quietly, and which cases to follow based on what I want to learn. Sometimes I join a surgery even when I don’t understand everything just to see something new. I also have to decide when to rest, when to study, or when to go out and explore. These small choices really affect how much I learn and enjoy the exchange.

  
  

5. How did you manage your time throughout this EP journey?

• I make sure to get enough sleep every night so I can stay focused during the day. I wake up at around 6:30 a.m. because I need to walk about 30 minutes to reach the hospital by 8:30. During weekdays, I focus on hospital work and learning. On weekends, I explore new places like Lisbon although it can be really tiring with all the walking!

  
  

6. Your plan for next week (Week 4)
Next week, I want to:

• Be more involved in surgeries and clinics

• Thank my supervisor and the whole team properly before I leave

• Take more photos and finish my report

• Enjoy my final days in Coimbra and maybe try a Portuguese dessert I haven’t had yet!

Matric number: A196449

2. Your progress so far

Week 3 continued to be clinically and socially fulfilling. I’ve been watching repeated procedures like hernioplasty, cholecystectomy, hemicolectomy and I’ve become more familiar with the steps, anatomy, and surgical flow, which has deepened my understanding and confidence in the OR. Apart from the hospital life, I’ve grown closer to my housemates and our friendship has strengthened.

• July 14th (Monday): Observed a right hemicolectomy with anastomosis for a colonic NET with a 20 cm margin which again I got the opportunity to dissect the colon and localised the tumour myself.

• July 15th (Tuesday) & July 18th (Friday): Assisted in and observed multiple hernioplasty procedures, gaining more understanding of mesh placements and anatomy.

• July 16th (Wednesday): Participated in a surgical workshop organised by the MEDEX project, which included suturing techniques, laparoscopic simulation, and trauma triage — a very hands-on and insightful experience.

• July 17th (Thursday): No surgery today therefore I get a free day. Explored Olsztyn Old Town with my Spanish housemate, appreciating more of the local architecture and vibe.

• In the weekend, I went on a trip to Gdańsk with my housemates and met other incoming students from different cities. We explored some attractions, and enjoyed the beach, food, and culture together.

3. Your feelings and thoughts

I feel more settled and confident this week. All the doctors in the general surgery department are really nice to me and treats me like I am one of them. Clinically, I’m learning a lot through repeated exposure and workshops. Sometimes it gets boring but I remind myself that repetition is key to mastery, and each session helps reinforce my clinical skills and understanding. Socially, I’ve been building strong friendships that make this journey even more meaningful. Traveling and spending time with peers from other countries helped me appreciate the diversity and beauty of this exchange.

4. How did you learn and apply the skill of decision making in your EP journey?

During my elective posting, I developed decision-making skills by learning to prioritize and take initiative in both clinical and personal settings. I chose to join workshops and observe procedures that aligned with my learning goals, which helped me make the most of each opportunity. Even though I observed some repetitive procedures this week, I chose to stay proactive by going to the hospital early every day — arriving at 6:30 a.m. to join ward rounds and attend all scheduled surgeries. Outside the hospital, I made conscious efforts to connect with others and balance clinical exposure with cultural exploration. This experience taught me to be adaptable, confident in my choices, and to view every decision as a chance for growth.

5. How did you manage your time throughout this EP journey?

I managed my time throughout this elective journey by setting clear priorities for each day. During hospital hours, I focused fully on clinical learning — making sure to arrive early for ward rounds and staying through the surgeries to absorb as much as I could. Outside of hospital hours, I made room for cultural and social activities, which I believe are equally important for a well-rounded exchange experience. I planned weekend trips like the one to Gdańsk in advance, ensuring they didn’t interfere with my hospital responsibilities. By having a structured yet adaptable approach, I was able to balance both professional and personal growth. A flexible mindset also allowed me to adjust to any last-minute schedule changes, whether it was a sudden procedure or an impromptu gathering with friends. This balance made my days more meaningful and helped me make the most out of every opportunity.

6. Your plan for next week (Week 4)

• Observe various surgical procedures and ask for more hands on opportunities such as assisting in surgery or suturing the wound.

• Spend more time reviewing and discussing cases with doctors or medical students.

• Weekly reflection session to consolidate everything I’ve learned.

• Have a farewell dinner or cultural sharing with friends before heading home.

• Visit Krakow with friends to wrap up this journey meaningfully.

Matric No: A185503

Date: 15th July 2025

Your progress so far

This week marks the second and final week of my clinical attachment in the Gastroenterology Department at Borgo Roma Hospital. I’ve grown more confident in navigating the hospital environment, and I’ve become more proactive in participating during ward rounds, case discussions, and procedures. I’ve also been able to follow up on several interesting cases, especially those related to chronic pancreatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, and gastrointestinal endoscopy findings. While I’m still limited by the language barrier, I’ve found that my communication with the doctors has improved, and I’m now more comfortable asking questions and seeking clarification.

In terms of personal growth, I’ve become more independent—handling daily commutes, exploring the city, and managing daily tasks despite the cultural and environmental differences. I feel like I’ve grown both as a medical student and as a person.

Your feelings and thoughts

This week has been fulfilling and bittersweet. On one hand, I feel extremely grateful for all the experiences, knowledge, and interactions I’ve had here. On the other hand, I’m already starting to feel sad that my time in the department, and my exchange journey overall, is coming to an end. I’ve formed bonds with some of the doctors and fellow exchange students, and I’ll definitely miss the morning coffees, the warm gestures from the team, and the unique learning atmosphere.

I also feel proud of myself for pushing through the initial discomforts—be it the language, the heat, or the loneliness. Looking back, I can see how much I’ve grown since the beginning of this journey.

How did you learn and apply the skill of decision making in your EP journey?

Decision-making played a key role from the very beginning—starting from what to pack, how to prepare for living in a foreign country, and how to plan my travel logistics. During my attachment, I had to make quick decisions on how to respond when faced with challenges like limited resources such as no air-conditioning, managing language barriers, or choosing how to spend my limited time between clinical and personal exploration.

For instance, I decided early on to focus on observation and communication with doctors, rather than stressing over the inability to clerk patients. That mindset allowed me to maximize my learning. I also made decisions about prioritising safety and self-care—especially when moving around the city or deciding when to take breaks. This experience has helped strengthen my decision-making skills in unfamiliar environments, which I believe is essential in clinical practice.

How did you manage your time throughout this EP journey?

Time management was crucial to balancing my clinical responsibilities, social life, and personal well-being. I structured my weekdays around hospital hours, making sure to arrive early for rounds and staying after to follow up on interesting cases or procedures.

In the evenings and weekends, I made time to socialise with fellow exchange students, explore the city, or simply rest when I felt tired. I also allocated time for journaling and personal reflection on padlet, and updating my family. This helped me stay productive without feeling overwhelmed.

Your plan for next week (Week 4)

As this week is my final week in Verona, and I’ll no longer be in the hospital as my clinical attachment ends. My focus will be on wrapping up this elective journey by reflecting on everything I’ve learned, documenting my experiences, and saying proper goodbyes to the people I’ve met, before I return to Malaysia.

I also plan to do some final sightseeing in Verona and possibly visit nearby cities like Sirmione and Bologna, if time permits. I hope to take this last week as an opportunity to unwind, appreciate the beauty of Italy, and return home with not just new clinical knowledge, but also lifelong memories and lessons.

Name: NUR ALIA SAFIAH BINTI AHMAD

MATRIC NUM: A195284

DATE: 23 AUGUST 2025

2.⁠ ⁠Your progress so far

I feel more comfortable and confident walking around the hospital as I now know my way around and recognize familiar faces. Compared to last week, I was able to join more surgeries, which made me feel more engaged and productive. I am also becoming more familiar with the workflow in the operating theatre, such as preparing before surgery, understanding the sequence of procedures, and observing how the surgical team communicates.

3.⁠ ⁠Your feelings and thoughts

This week, I felt more at ease both inside and outside the operating theatre. Another area of progress is my confidence in approaching doctors and medical students. At first, I was hesitant to ask questions, but now I feel more comfortable initiating conversations and clarifying things I don’t understand. I am gradually adapting to the hospital environment and becoming more open to interacting with new people. I also enjoyed the chance to explore different specialties, which gave me a broader perspective on surgery and patient care. Overall, I feel more motivated and excited to learn.

4.⁠ ⁠How did you learn and apply the skill of decision making in your EP journey?

I learned to apply decision-making skills by actively choosing how to spend my time and which departments to join. For example, instead of limiting myself to one specialty, I decided to observe other departments to maximize my learning opportunities. This taught me that making small but thoughtful decisions can greatly influence the overall outcome of my experience.

5.⁠ ⁠How did you manage your time throughout this EP journey?

I managed my time by planning my daily schedule according to the surgeries or workshops available, while also setting aside time to rest and socialize with other exchange students. Balancing academic activities with personal time helped me stay energized and avoid burnout, ensuring I could make the most of each day.

6.⁠ ⁠Your plan for next week (Week 4)

For my final week, I plan to stay in the Cardiovascular Surgery department to focus on consolidating what I have learned so far. I want to observe more surgeries in this specialty and spend more time with my supervisor, as he has guided me throughout this journey. I will also take the opportunity to ask him to sign my logbook and certificate, and as a gesture of appreciation, I plan to give him a small gift to thank him for his time, teaching, and support. By doing this, I hope to end my exchange program on a meaningful and memorable note.

Name: Ashley Kon Ai Li

Matric number: A195326

Date: 24th August 2025

2. Your progress so far

On Monday, after finding out that the same surgeries were scheduled again, which were CABG and AVR, I decided to join my friends Kristen and Federico in their department which was Invasive Cardiology. First of all, they gave us a tour of the cardiology wards which consists of almost one whole floor. Then they brought us to the Cardiology ICU where their supervisor was trying to draw blood from a patient. She was also using an ultrasound transducer to find the vein. Afterwards, she went straight into teaching us about the patient who has pulmonary embolism. She asked us questions that tested my Internal Medicine knowledge.

On Tuesday evening, we had a pierogi making class with Julia and Vanessa, committees of IFMSA Lublin. Pierogi is a traditional Polish dumpling that has different types of filling. We made ‘Russian pierogi’ which was a dumpling with cottage cheese and potato filling. It was a fun experience making pierogies from scratch.

On Wednesday, I had the chance to perform cardioversion on a patient. The patient has atrial tachycardia and therefore cardioversion was needed to regulate her heart rhythm. For most cases in the hospital, patients had atrial fibrillation and cardioversion is needed to restore the patient. It was a surreal experience being able to do it and I am grateful to the doctor that allowed me to try this once in a lifetime procedure as a medical student.

On Thursday, we joined our friends in the Cardiology ward once again where we learnt how to read ECGs with the doctors. We also joined the doctors’ ward rounds and the doctors were glad to explain every patient’s condition to us and also the ECG readings.

3. Your feelings and thoughts 

In the cardiology ward, my Internal Medicine knowledge was tested when the doctor teaching us was asking questions. It was challenging but I was relieved that I still remembered some things and it was a good refresher for Internal Medicine which is really important in our final year.

In terms of the cardioversion experience, it was such a bizarre and surreal moment. I had just learnt about cardioversion during the cardioversion workshop the week before. It was just like in the movies where the patient goes into ventricular fibrillation and the doctors have to ‘shock’ the patient. However, in this case it wasn't a life or death situation but the thrill was still there. To be honest, I have never heard of cardioversion before coming here so it was interesting how cardioversion is used to regulate someone’s heart rhythm

It was nice bonding with the other international students. We shared a lot about our countries with each other and exchanged many stories. All those stories made me want to travel the vast world even more!

4. How did you learn and apply the skill of decision making in your EP journey?

I applied decision making skills in this EP journey when taking initiative by visiting different departments apart from my own. I was feeling as though I was not learning much and therefore I decided to join other departments. It worked out really well because I managed to learn more and even had a hands on experience.

5. How did you manage your time throughout this EP journey? 

I managed my time by going to the hospital consistently every day during the weekdays. I would spend time in the hospital from morning til afternoon. Then I would spend time and bond with the other exchange students during my free time.

6. Your plan for next week (Week 4)

My plan is to spend time in the Cardiac Surgery operating theatre as my supervisor will be in charge of most of the surgeries next week. I would also like to spend more time with my friends from different countries as it will be a sad farewell next week.

TAN LIK XIANG

A196144

16^th of August 2025

2. Your Progress So Far

This week, I continued to expand my clinical exposure by observing a colonoscopy and a wrist nerve repair surgery. I also participated in a VR simulation workshop that allowed me to practice patient consultations and using a colonoscope in a controlled virtual environment. Outside clinical work, I experienced local culture by sharing meals with my supervisor and traveling with friends to Bilbao, which helped me balance work and personal life.

3. Your Feelings and Thoughts

I felt increasingly confident navigating different clinical settings and appreciated the opportunity to practice skills in a VR simulation before encountering real patients. Observing intricate surgeries like nerve repair deepened my understanding of surgical precision. Traveling and socializing gave me a refreshing break and helped me build connections, which is essential for a well-rounded experience.

4. How Did You Learn and Apply the Skill of Decision Making in Your EP Journey?

Through observing clinical procedures and engaging in VR simulations, I learned to assess patient information critically and make informed decisions regarding diagnosis and management. The VR scenarios especially helped me practice quick thinking and patient communication in a safe environment, which I am beginning to apply during ward rounds and discussions with my supervisors.

5. How Did You Manage Your Time Throughout This EP Journey?

I prioritized clinical activities and workshops during working hours and allocated evenings and weekends for rest and social activities like traveling. Maintaining a schedule and setting daily goals helped me stay organized and ensured I made the most of both learning and leisure opportunities.

6. Your Plan for Next Week

Next week, I plan to focus on observing more diagnostic and surgical procedures to deepen my practical knowledge. I also aim to take on more active roles during patient assessments and seek feedback from supervisors to improve my clinical skills. Additionally, I want to continue balancing clinical learning with cultural experiences to maintain motivation and well-being.