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Trip to the world of medicine

The Institute for Language and Preparatory Studies (ÚJOP UK) organized a one-time opportunity to visit two medical faculties in Prague for students of preparatory programmes focused on medicine and pharmacy. The students interested in these prestigious studies had a chance to see the life at the oldest medical faculty of Charles University and its younger sister in Motol.

Zuzana Haniková, head of the foreign department of the First Faculty of Medicine, gave a well-organized presentation about the faculty for the students of the Prague and Poděbrady centres, in which she laid out the steps and the requirements of the admissions process. "I will highlight only a few points which are important for successful application to our faculty, because I know that the students of ÚJOP UK receive help with their applications to universities from their supervisors. If you have any questions, feel free to ask the supervisors, me or the student representatives present here. We are here to help," said Haniková, pointing out that the admissions process for all programmes is open from 1 December to the end of February 2024. Haniková mentioned that a great advantage of the First Faculty of Medicine is the largest number of teachers per student and an extensive clinical base in five hospitals in Prague.

The students' interest was sparked by presentations of the representatives of the student association MEDSOC, which represents foreign students of the First Faculty of Medicine of Charles University. "I compared the requirements of the individual medical faculties I applied to, because the requirements differ," recommended Aisha Sadueva, a representative of the association for dentistry and an alumna of the preparatory programme of ÚJOP UK in Poděbrady.

Rishabh Joneja, head of student support at MEDSOC, described how MEDSOC helps English language programme students navigate through university life. He also drew a lot of interest with information about sporting events such as the football league.

The theoretical part was followed by a practical demonstration of the basics of resuscitation on a manikin, which the students could try out themselves, and a tour of the preclinical and simulator classrooms for dentistry subjects.

Petra Fabingerová, a member of the board and the coordinator for studies in English, together with the vice-dean for studies in English, Professor David Kachlík, waited for the students of the preparatory programmes at the Motol campus of the Second Faculty of Medicine. They had prepared an unusual way to present the faculty to the prospective students of medicine, where the first part of the tour through the modern building started in the underground premises with a visit to the autopsy room. Professor Kachlík prepared the students for everything they would see and then led them around the tables where the medics were performing autopsies.

After the mentally challenging start, the students settled down in a cozy classroom with a soothing view of a forest and listened to a presentation by Professor Kachlík, who among other things mentioned the possibility of taking the entrance exam outside the Czech Republic.Petra Fabingerová took the attendees through further details of the studies at the Motol faculty. "You really don't have to be afraid of the interview. The important questions are about ethics, your motivation to study this field, eventually about your other activities," explained the coordinator.

Autor: Petra Köppl