Universitas Brawijaya Faculty of Medicine has once again opened its doors to medical students around the world, thus finally allowing exchange programs after more than two years. Medical Student Committee for International Affairs Universitas Brawijaya (MSCIA UB), which one of the organizations in the Universitas Brawijaya Faculty of Medicine, has been accommodating curious and spirited students, so that medical students of Universitas Brawijaya are able to go out and explore the world, while also allowing foreign students to visit and participate in a one-month long exchnge program. Beginning from July 2022, more than 30 foreign students have been visiting Universitas Brawijaya to learn more about medicine from a different point of view.
As MSCIA is an affiliate of IFMSA at the international level, MSCIA Universitas Brawijaya is connected to a network consisting of 125 countries, with millions of internationally-minded medical students ready to partake in the Research and Professional Exchange programs facilitated by IFMSA. These two programs are essential academic pillars for medical students; knowledge of the medical field will always improve whenever more research is done, and putting into practice that medical knowledge is the duty of doctors and other medical personnel. Add to that, these two exchange programs offer opportunities to better understand the many clinical settings around the world. Upon arriving in Malang, foreign medical students will find many uniqueness in our values and cultures, which are also adapted into clinical settings, as will our medical students when flying overseas and visiting the different countries.
During Research Exchange, students will participate in a tutor’s research project and will learn from the project. The process of learning and the interactions available for students depend on whether the project is a basic research project, a clinical project with laboratory work, or a clinical project without laboratory work. During Professional Exchange, students will participate in a clerkship of their desired field in Rumah Sakit Umum Daerah Saiful Anwar Malang, one of the biggest hospital in the East Java Province. They will learn many practical skills during their clinical or surgical rotations and also will have the opportunity to observe how the Indonesian Health Care System works. Both exchange programs are professionally organized, and the progress of each student will be evaluated by their tutors and supervisors.
To add to the experience, social programs and gatherings will be held for students. These programs will make sure that students will not only learn academic and practical skills, but they will also learn to appreciate and respect different cultures when presented to them. Indonesia is a country rich in cultural diversity, and it is with great honour that we introduce traditional and common values found in Indonesia to incoming students; be it from the places they will visit, the people they will meet, or the distinct interactions they will find amongst the locals.
With the start of this exchange program, we are excited to continue keeping open these doors and welcome more students to learn with us.