Academic Journey from Vietnam to the World – The Story of a PCTU Medical Student

In August 2024, Hà Nguyên Phương Duyên – a General Medicine student at the Institute – Phan Chau Trinh University of Medicine – became the sole representative of Vietnam at the World Medical Students’ Conference in Finland. Carrying the pride of her university, Duyen made a remarkable mark by building connections and securing six academic exchange agreements with prestigious medical universities in Germany, Italy, Bulgaria, Denmark, and Poland. From that moment, a two-way academic gateway officially opened: international students come to PCTU for clinical training, while PCTU students gain the opportunity to experience advanced healthcare systems abroad.

Ha Nguyen Phuong Duyen (third from the left) attended the AM24 event of IFMSA (International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations) in Finland in August 2024.

Among them, Duyen stands out as one of the pioneers. After months of preparation, she completed her application with the SCOPE – IFMSA Vietnam Coordinating Committee, successfully passed the selection round, and later received an acceptance letter from TUM University Hospital in Germany. Duyen then had a wonderful internship experience there, lasting from July 1 to July 31, 2025.

Before her departure, Duyen devoted significant time to finalizing documents, obtaining a visa, improving her language skills, and reviewing clinical knowledge to be well-prepared for the journey ahead.

During her internship in Germany, Duyen was assigned to the Department of Neurosurgery. There, she had the opportunity to observe a variety of complex surgical procedures, from brain tumor resections to other specialized techniques. More than just an observer, she also joined case discussions with doctors and local medical students, honing her medical communication skills in English and learning about multidisciplinary approaches to patient care.

What impressed Duyen the most was the professionalism, systematic organization, and discipline embedded in every medical process. The doctors were always dedicated in their explanations, open in sharing experiences, and treated medical interns as true members of the team.

Outside of her training hours, she explored European culture, joined activities with international students, and experienced the differences in lifestyle, cuisine, and the straightforward yet approachable communication style of the Germans. Nevertheless, for Duyen, the taste of Vietnamese food always remained an irreplaceable memory.

This experience helped her grow: becoming more confident, independent, and clear in her path toward becoming an international general practitioner. It also inspired her to continuously improve her language skills and gain more experiences to be fully prepared for her future medical career.

From the World Medical Students’ Conference in Finland to her clinical training experience in Germany, Phuong Duyen’s journey is not only a personal milestone but also a testament to the spirit of international integration and the aspiration to reach further of the students at the Institute – Phan Chau Trinh University of Medicine.

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