Category: Exchange Students

On September 4, 2023, we welcomed medical exchange students for the September 2023 program from 5 European universities including University of Zagreb (Croatia), Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek (Croatia), University of Bergen (Norway), University of Ferrara (Italy), and University of Málaga (Spain).

On their Orientation Day, Assist. Prof. Jutarop Phetcharaburanin, Assistant Dean for Research and International Relations Affairs delivered a welcome speech and gave useful information for enjoying life on our campus. The International Relations Officers introduced them to the Faculty of Medicine program and to some essential Thai language. Then they proceeded to the departments to meet their program supervisors and key persons.

In the afternoon they attended a campus tour on our KKU Smart Transit (shuttle bus). The KKU Sports Complex was their first stop. They were introduced to our fitness, swimming pool, and sports facilities by international services staff there. After that they moved to the KKU Art and Culture Center to see art exhibitions and also saw Isan culture and architecture at Koom Sri Tarn. They then visited the Natural History Museum, where important natural and historical resources are exhibited. Their final stop was at Food and Services Center 1 (Student Complex) where they tried out speaking Thai for shopping and buying food.

Their first day in KKU was really productive learning about KKU and medical school to ready them for their new experiences on first day of school with new Thai medical students, professors, and the Thai health care system.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

On August 18, 2023, we congratulated medical exchange students from Cambodia, Austria, France, Poland, Portugal, and Greece on completion of their exchange program with us. The program ran during August 2023.

On their graduation day, all made end-of-program presentations to share their elective experiences. During their presentations, all reported being impressed with their KKU experience including the environment, culture, friends and staff, and learning facilities.

They were really amazed with our KKU environment such as fresh air and physical structure. “I had a very amazing time here and I like KKU structure and environment so much,” said a Cambodian student. “KKU has so great and fresh environment that I can enjoy it so much,” he added.

They felt the KKU medical school and hospital were very positive learning environments. “The Faculty was amazing because it had everything inside the campus such as a big hospital, great education system, and good environment,” said a French student.

On the MD-KKU campus, they could easily explore a variety of clean food and many coffee houses. “The food was so good and hygiene,” said a Cambodian student. They were absolutely excited all the time when enjoying Thai food in our cafeteria. “Thai food in Hospital canteen is out of this world,” said a Polish student. 

They had a very great time not only outside but also inside the classroom. They met really good Thai friends and faculty staff taking care of them throughout the program. “Students and staff here were polite, cheerful, kind, and helpful,” said an Austrian student. Their friends and teachers were very helpful because their English was proficient, so communication in the class was so effective. “My Thai friends and teachers spoke English with me during my training, and they can translate many things about consultations on surgery cases,” said a French student. 

Our systematic learning management facilitated them to receive so many medical experiences. “I can see and learn from a lot of cases in the Srinagarind Hospital,” said an Austrian student. “I really like the work flow here because I saw that the department was divided into sub clinics which were great for the doctors and patients for easier consultation,” a Cambodian student supported.

They gained a lot of impressive experience spending their time in our campus. They also hoped to join us again and want to recommend their friends to be part of KKU once in a lifetime. “I’ll highly recommend to my friends because I had a great experience in KKU, one of the best universities I’ve ever visited,” said a Cambodian student. “For me, one month is very short but it gave me a great memory and I can’t wait to come here to study again in the future,” he added.

On behalf of MD-KKU, we congratulated all of them on their achievement. We were so pleased to be part of their successful time and glad to have them in our faculty in Khon Kaen, Thailand.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

On August 7, 2023, we welcomed a diverse group of medical exchange students from Cambodia, Austria, France, Poland, Portugal, and Greece for the August 2023 program.

On their Orientation Day, Associate Professor Wimorat Sriraj, MD, Associate Dean for Research and International Relations Affairs delivered a welcome speech and gave useful information for enjoying life on our campus. Then the International Relations Officers introduced them to the Faculty of Medicine and program and to some essential Thai language.

In the afternoon they attended a campus tour to meet their program supervisors and departments and were introduced to the campus transport system. After that they took city tours of famous attractions of Khon Kaen. They enjoyed visiting Wat Nong Waeng to see a 360-degree panoramic view of Khon Kaen city from the peak, and to visit the elegant architecture of Wat Thung Setthi.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

On July 27, 2023, we congratulated medical exchange students from France, Poland, Slovenia, Indonesia, Belgium, Canada, Hungary, Austria, and Japan on completion of their exchange program with us. The program ran during July 2023.

On their graduation day, all exchange students made end-of-program presentations to share their elective experiences. On this occasion Assoc. Prof. Supinda Koonmee, MD and Asst. Prof. Sakkarn Sangkhamanon, MD, Department of Pathology and Prof. John F Smith, English Specialist attended to listen to their presentations.

During their presentations, all reported being impressed with their KKU experience, such as convenient campus facilities, friendly people, useful practical training, and kind faculty staff. Here are some of their shared experiences:

“It’s big university with a lot of sports area, and the Thai students are very kind to us,” said a French student.

“I’m very thankful to all staff, residents and nurses who took their time to explain and teach me,” said a Slovenian student.

“I found very friendly, polite and helpful people that make my exchange program a great experience,” said a Polish student.

“The staff and residents in Srinagarind Hospital are one of the best mentors I’ve ever had throughout my practical training, so I’d like to thank you all for their kindness and constant willingness to respond to all of my questions, and I’m grateful for having the opportunity to learn from them,” said a Slovenian student.

We congratulated all of them on their achievement. We were so pleased to be part of their successful time and glad to have them in our faculty in Khon Kaen, Thailand.

KKU-MD recently welcomed four exchange students from France, Austria, and Poland:

1. Miss Safa Derouiche, 4^th year medical student, Université Paris Cité, France, to our Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery between July 11 – 17, 2023 and to our Department of Anesthesiology between July 31 and August 17, 2023,
2. Miss Claire Janine Dominique Laurence, 4^th year medical student, Université Paris-Saclay, France, to our Department of Surgery between June 11 and August 3, 2023,
3. Miss Nicole Kobler, 5^th year medical student, Johannes Kepler Universität Linz, Austria, to our Department of Emergency Medicine between July 11 and August 3, 2023, and
4. Mr. Grzegorz Dorabialski, 1^st year medical student, Medical University of Bialystok, Poland, to our Department of Pathology between July 11 and August 3, 2023.

At their Orientation Day, they were introduced to our faculty and programs via a campus tour and supervisor meetings organized by KKU-MD international relations officers.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith

KKU-MD Nursing Division recently welcomed Ms. Amphone Khamsivolavong, a nurse from The National Ophthalmology Center (NOC), Lao PDR, for a three-month training program in Operating Room 1, Srinagarind Hospital between July 1 and September 30, 2023. The training is organized under the Elective Staff Exchange Program to strengthen cooperation between KKU and foreign academic institutions.

Reporting by Sathaphorn Onlamun

Editing by Prof. John F Smith