Last Saturday was a memorable day for the first-year master's students in Medicine at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). During the traditional White Coat Ceremony, they received the coveted white doctor's coat and the corresponding badge from the university hospital UZ Brussels. This ceremony signifies the transition from primarily theoretical lessons to actual medical practice in the hospital, marking a significant step filled with responsibility eagerly anticipated by the students.
From the second semester, these first-year master's students in Medicine will spend most of their training in the hospital, immersed in medical practice. This transition, which naturally entails a special responsibility, is traditionally celebrated at VUB with a White Coat Ceremony attended by parents and partners.
During the ceremony, the first-year master's students in Medicine are presented with a pristine white doctor's coat by VUB Rector Jan Danckaert and a badge from UZ Brussels by CEO Marc Noppen. The ceremony also emphasizes the ethical and deontological expectations placed on them. Duties and responsibilities have been thoroughly covered in the lessons and additional preparation for the internships, but the White Coat Ceremony adds an extra layer of significance.
"After three and a half years of theory, we're excited and a bit anxious to begin our first steps in the field," says VUB student Maxim Valgaeren. "We're delighted to start our clinical training a year earlier than students from other universities."
By offering a diverse range of internships, VUB aims to provide students with opportunities to discover their true interests and where their skills can be fully utilized.
"The internships are not just for learning but also for enjoying every moment, including those inevitable 'Where do I go?' moments in the hospital corridors," summarizes student Tessa Van Riet. "In a few months, we'll laugh at our beginner's mistakes and help each other grow. There's a big challenge ahead of us."
With the white doctor's coat on their shoulders and a hospital badge around their necks, the students have proudly shown their supporters that a new generation is ready for a challenging 19-month internship period.