Summer School for International Students Offered a Week Full of Hands-On Medical Experience

This summer, Masaryk University Faculty of Medicine welcomed international students from around the world. Two sessions of the Summer School took place in July and August, bringing students from countries including Portugal, Iceland, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the USA, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, Türkiye, Italy, Spain and Lithuania to Brno.

From the very beginning, the programme focused on hands-on experience, giving students the opportunity to explore different areas of medicine in a way that traditional classroom teaching often cannot offer.

On the very first day, students visited the Department of Anatomy, where, under the guidance of experienced teachers, they explored the anatomy of the heart and had the opportunity to perform a heart dissection. It was one of the activities that allowed students to connect their theoretical knowledge of anatomy with real-life experience.

The second day continued at the Department of Physiology. Students learned more about how the human body functions and had the opportunity to experience some physiological processes through practical activities.

The following part of the programme focused on skills that are important not only for future doctors, but for healthcare professionals more broadly. Students tried ultrasound, basic first aid, surgical suturing and casting. These practical sessions allowed them to experience procedures they may encounter throughout their future studies and professional careers.

The final academic day took place at the Department of Health Sciences and offered another diverse selection of hands-on activities. Among other things, students used an ageing simulator and practised blood sampling, giving them the opportunity to experience some of the situations that healthcare professionals encounter in their everyday work.

The practical nature of the programme was one of the aspects students appreciated most. Being able to work with real equipment, simulators and medical tools — and, most importantly, to try the procedures themselves — was repeatedly highlighted as one of the most interesting parts of the week.

The week concluded with a group trip to Prague, giving participants the chance to discover the Czech capital as well.

The two Summer School sessions this year therefore offered international students not only an intensive week of medical experiences, but also an opportunity to discover Masaryk University, Brno and the Czech Republic. Most importantly, they left with practical skills and experiences they had been able to gain with their own hands.