Both students participated in an exchange program coordinated by Mahidol University Ramathibodi Hospital and offered to undergraduate medical students.
The Directorate of International Relations and Alumni Affairs at Semmelweis University provided comprehensive support well in advance of the students’ arrival. Detailed guidance covered not only academic and administrative matters, but also practical aspects of daily life in Hungary, helping the students feel prepared and supported even before departure from Thailand.
Throughout their stay, staff members of the directorate maintained close contact with the exchange students, regularly ensuring that both their professional and personal needs were met.
During her four-week placement between January 12 and February 6, Nitchanun Kuptanon gained comprehensive clinical experience in radiology as well as in surgical and transplantation care. In the first two weeks, she worked at the Department of Radiology of the Medical Imaging Center under the supervision of Assistant Professor Dr. Zsuzsanna Földes-Lénárd, participating in daily clinical activities alongside attending physicians and residents. Her training covered the full spectrum of radiology, including X-ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI, interventional radiology, nuclear medicine, neuroradiology, and cardiac imaging, with particular emphasis on imaging related to transplant patients.
In the second half of her stay, Nitchanun Kuptanon continued her clinical practice at the Department of Surgery, Transplantation and Gastroenterology (STéG), where she observed as well as assisted in general surgical procedures, emergency abdominal surgeries, and transplantation-related interventions, including kidney and liver procedures.
Passpeam Chandanamattha completed his elective training at the Department of Internal Medicine – Cardiology and the Department of Pediatrics – Nephrology.
Semmelweis University provided free accommodation for the students at the Balassa János Dormitory, located within walking distance of the clinical facilities. The students also received support upon arrival in Budapest, including assistance with transportation passes and practical orientation. In addition to their professional commitments, both students took the opportunity to explore the cultural and historical heritage of the Hungarian capital.
Both Nitchanun Kuptanon and Passpeam Chandanamattha described their time at Semmelweis University as professionally enriching and personally memorable. The combination of high-level clinical training, attentive institutional support, and a welcoming academic environment left a lasting impression on them.
Their experiences reflect Semmelweis University’s strong commitment to international student mobility, excellence in clinical education, and meaningful global partnerships. The exchange program not only provides outstanding learning opportunities for visiting students but also strengthens long-term academic and professional ties between institutions and future generations of healthcare professionals.
Image and text: Directorate of International Relations and Alumni Affairs, Nitchanun Kuptanon, Passpeam Chandanamattha
