Dale Kalina, a Canadian infectious disease specialist, came to lecture to international students at Masaryk University's Faculty of Medicine. Years ago, he used to be one of them.
Seven thousand kilometres and almost a day and a half of travel separates Brno from Oakville, Canada, near Toronto. Yet he underwent that distance with pleasure. During Easter week, Dale R. Kalina visited the South Moravian metropolis. He has made his mark in the history of the Masaryk University Faculty of Medicine not only as a successful graduate of the General Medicine program but also as one of the founders of the association of international students of our faculty - MIMSA, of which he was the first president.
The Canadian, in whose veins - as is evident from his surname - Czech blood also flows, graduated from the Faculty of Medicine in 2013, exactly ten years ago. After that, his steps through the University of Saskatchewan and McMaster University in Hamilton led him to Joseph Brant Hospital in nearby Burlington, where he now serves as medical director of the infectious diseases clinic. From this position, he has also become one of the faces of Canada's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic over the past few years, regularly commenting in the media as an infectious disease expert.
On the first Wednesday in April, he lectured about his experiences and opportunities for further study abroad to about three dozen primarily international students in a space that was just being built during his time at the faculty. And as the warm smiles and friendly hugs at the beginning of the meeting indicated, the memories of the faculty were not to be forgotten. "The Czech Republic is a region that is not necessarily the first choice for international students, especially overseas. However, Masaryk University's Faculty of Medicine is a fantastic school offering fantastic opportunities," he praised his alma mater. "I have been surprised several times over the years when I realised what I have learned and gained here, not only in the medical field."
Every year, over sixty students come to Brno hospitals for exchange internships under the auspices of the IFMSA student organisation. They take home not only valuable work experience.
