I went to Serbia on the second day of august 2021. The journey was a bit exhausting. Because of border controls, there was delay and I spent 12 hours in the bus. But arrival to the Belgrade was so pleasant. The contact person, from Belgrade was very obliging. He insisted on taking my luggage all the way to the dormitory. While we were traveling by tram from the bus station to the dormitory, we had a great conversation about serbian culture, and some similarities with slovakian culture. By the way, when I told someone in Serbia, that I am from Slovakia, they really took me like I am one of them 😊 Its not far away from our country, but its really different in some ways. Like Slovakia mixed with arabic and russian influence. Yea, its not so developed, as other european countries, their manners are more chaotic and people there are quite emotional, but they are opened to everyone, who is coming to their country. Another thing, which was quite awesome, was fact, that Serbia is relatively cheap country. In comparision with Slovakia, or Czech republic, its like 30 – 40 % cheaper. Especially, restaurants, pubs and bakeries. People from serbian IFMSA office were helpful, and incomings from other countries could write them at any time with their problems. From the very first day, they were trying to “put our group together“, and they were taking us, to the local pubs and restaurants. Also, there was a rich social program, like 3-4 times a week, we went on many trips arround Belgrade. People from IFMSA just wanted to be sure, that we will have seen all tourist sights in capital city of Serbia. My intership in the neurological deparment of hospital, called „Klinički centar Srbije“, (which is something like national center of medicine) was interesting and edifying. To by honest, the doctors here didnt have a much time for me, but they answered every single question I had, and they were trying to give me as much time, as it was possible. And I felt in my department like I was part of it. The doctors there were offering me coffe and conversations everyday, and they were really trying to make me feel comfortable on their department. Since all my neurology lessons at my home university were in the „online mode“, it was like living book of neurology in front of me. I know that it may sounds a little morbid, but it was so interesting, to saw all neurological diagnoses, like acute strokes, myasthenia, sclerosis multiplex, ALS, dysphasia, Bells palsy. I mean it that way, that its so important for me, as a medical student, to know, how these conditions are looking in “real world“. As the last days of our intership were coming, me and my friends from all of the Europe, we started to be sad, and the atmosphere was gloomy. But that was because we became a real family in that month. I will never forget, how we were sitting at the reception on the floor, playing the guitar and crying, that we dont wanna go home……….. It was great summer adventure, and I am thankful, that I could be there.
Š. Artim