Tobias Derks

What experiences make you a great ambassador?
My experience as Vice-President of MIMSA 24/25 and now as President 25/26 gives me unique insights and understanding of how the university and our community work. In my first two years, I really appreciated the mentorship from older students, and now I want to give something back. I’m also a proud supporter of our university and this city.

What advice would you give to new students?
No excuses—study and listen to the students from third year or above, because we’ve done it. If we can do it, you can too. The first two years at any medical faculty are known to be the hardest. Starting with the right work ethic and techniques makes your whole experience much more pleasant than constantly struggling. What really helps is surrounding yourself with people who have the right mindset. But of course, it’s not all about studying—find something that helps you release stress. For me, it was MIMSA parties and doing BJJ.

What do you love most about Brno?
Brno is, in my opinion, a perfect city. In 15 minutes, you can be almost anywhere in Brno (except on campus, haha). This makes it easy for our community to live close together. You can see your friends quickly, go for a quick coffee, or walk home from parties. Brno might seem small because of this, but it actually isn’t.