Academic mobility is an opportunity not only to gain new knowledge, but also to meet world-class scientists, work in modern laboratories, and expand your own professional networking. Milena YALYZHKO (a SumDU student who has already completed three internships at the University of Latvia and is soon leaving for Canada) shared her experience of participating in international programs.

Why medicine at SumDU?

The choice of her future profession was a natural step for her, because at school she knew chemistry and biology well, participated in medical competitions.

Milena says she chose medicine for several reasons:

“Firstly, I have always been good at natural sciences. Secondly, this specialty has many prospects in future. And finally, I was often sick as a child, so I wanted to become the same hero who saved my life”.

For many students, choosing a university is a difficult decision, but for the girl, it was obvious.

“I am a local, so I did not have to travel far. Our university is actively involved in international programs and projects that allow students to gain additional knowledge and experience. Besides, our medical institute has excellent learning resources for practical training. And a SumDU diploma is no different from a diploma from Lviv or Kyiv universities – it all depends on the student and his desire to learn. In addition, many well-known doctors who work all over Ukraine and abroad have graduated from our SumDU Medical Institute”.

Internships in Europe and Canada

Over the years of study, the student has already completed three internships at the University of Latvia, and will soon go on a research trip to Canada: the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences at the St. Boniface General Hospital Research Center (University of Manitoba).

“I have been a member of the BRC research team for several years. We have a culture, bacteriology, chemistry laboratory and a vivarium. We are studying the impact of MXene, a class of two-dimensional inorganic compounds consisting of carbides, nitrides, or carbonitrides of transition metals. This is possible thanks to the support of our partners at Carbon Ukraine. Our center wins many projects, which gives us an opportunity to do internships at universities participating in these projects. When I found out that I could go on an internship, I was happy. It is not only new knowledge, but also new acquaintances and expanded networking”.

First acquaintance with Latvia

An internship in another country is not only an educational process, but also an introduction to culture and traditions.

“When I arrived in Riga, I was impressed by the city center, made in the Art Nouveau style, the Riga Modern. But I remember the Latvian Opera and Ballet Theater the most – I try to visit it every time. The only thing I missed was sunny days in winter. As for the university, it is a high-tech building designed for the comfort of students and teachers”.

Differences in the educational process

Studying abroad has its own peculiarities, and a comparison with SumDU allows us to see them even more clearly.

“I can judge by my specialty. For example, at the University of Latvia, sixth-year medical students have to write and defend a thesis. It is not just a dry scientific research, but also experiments in laboratories (and we do not have a thesis in the 6th year).

The university has also created many amenities for students: there are glass mini-rooms where you can study in silence, as well as comfortable tables and chairs where you feel at home.

In addition, each department not only teaches students, but also conducts experiments and wins international grants and projects. Do not be afraid of anything – it is a myth that studying abroad is more difficult than in Ukraine”.

The brightest moment of the internship

An internship is not only about learning, but also about the people you meet along the way.

“The thing I remember most was meeting new people, big-name scientists who are happy to talk to you about both scientific and personal topics,” – Milena recalls.

Advice to students

The student, who has extensive experience in academic mobility, advises not to be afraid to try your hand at international programs:

✔ Try until you succeed and do not give up.

✔ Learn foreign languages: they will always be useful.

✔ Have good grades and be an active member of the research group (if you are from a medical institute, Milena invites you to the BRC group).

✔ Carefully analyze the program terms: pay attention to how long it lasts and what expenses it covers (some do not pay for health insurance).