The importance of exchanges

Text: Nadja Morello | Vice-President for Exchanges 21/22

Until 2019, more than 15’000 medical students from more than 90 countries each year were going on exchange worldwide with the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA). The whole exchange program then came to a sudden stop during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Two years later, going back to normal business, after a lot of practical knowledge has been lost and the international infrastructure changed, proves to be very challenging. And yet exchanges are important, even more so now.

The IFMSA was founded in 1951 as an organization to bring together medical students after the second world war. The founders and first members of the IFMSA were the former version of swimsa, the “Verein Schweizer Klinikerschaften (VSK)”, founded in 1917, and 6 other European medical students’ associations. The idea was to create bonds and connections between future medical professionals to reestablish and promote collaboration, international education and global health awareness. The first standing committee of the IFMSA was the Standing Committee on Professional Exchange (SCOPE), with the purpose of conducting clinical exchanges between participating countries.

Hence the slogan of the IFMSA: “think globally and act locally”. The IFMSA grew rapidly as more National Member Organizations (NMOs) from all continents were joining and five more standing committees dedicated to different topics, among them the Standing Committee on Research Exchange (SCORE) were created. Throughout, it was clear that the exchange on a global level between medical students was vital for the education of future medical professionals on global health awareness for the world was constantly becoming more open and accessible.

With the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in 2019, the world shifted to working online. Some institutions were able to do so faster, some slower. In some countries, medical education was more or less secured, with the downside of not being able to gather any important hands-on experience. In others, medical students had to start working at the hospital due to staff shortage without much preparation. After experiencing a global pandemic for two years, the virus has almost become a constant to be considered before planning virtually anything. Exchanges are no exception, with cancellations having been more common than actual exchanges when looking at the past two years. A lot of practical knowledge has been lost in the meantime.

Looking forward, exchanges are one of the tools we have to actively shape the future of the world.

There are many good reasons for going on an exchange. Among others, it encourages and enables future medical professionals to

Put local work into a global context. Learn clinical skills outside of the curriculum. Get in touch with other healthcare systems. Improve cultural knowledge and intercultural collaboration across borders and with patients. Enhance the understanding of medical and social structures.

Exchanges are a way to bring medical students of all nations together, to learn about good and adequate communication, to combat misinformation with knowledge and replace prejudice and racism with curiosity and respect. All while actively improving medical knowledge and knowhow, enabling future doctors to think globally and act locally. Confronted with a global pandemic and many current wars raging around the world, promoting the international exchange of knowledge and practical skills as well as advocating for peace and intercultural exchange seems to be just as needed in 2022 as it was back in 1951. There are several opportunities for you to get active.

If you are interested in going on an exchange, all information can be found on our website (link below). The application is open from March to June 2022 for the following season, meaning for an exchange in the period between April 2023 and March 2024. Starting from September 2022, leftover spots will be communicated.

You can be part of the program without having to travel. IFMSA’s exchange network is organized by local students volunteering. You could help with organizing internships and lodging for someone coming to Switzerland. If you become their Contact Person (CP), you can pick up the incoming student at their arrival, take them on a guided tour of your city and take part in social programs. This way, you get to know a different culture and at the same time re-experience Switzerland in a new light. Some further perks include a discount on your own exchange and a higher chance to get the destination of your choice.

If you have any questions or would like to participate in swimsa Exchanges on a national or local level, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your national or local exchange teams. You will find further information and all contacts on swimsa. ch/exchanges.

Nadja, Zuen and Alexandra from the swimsa Exchanges team