Student interviews

1. What is your name, where are you from?

My name is Dimah Al-Azzawi, and I’m from Iraq.

2. Why did you decide to study abroad?

I’ve always had a strong desire to explore the world beyond my home country. Having lived in the same place my whole life, I felt it was important to step outside my comfort zone and experience something new—not just for personal growth but also for academic and professional development. Studying abroad, especially in the field of medicine, opens up so many more opportunities than I would have access to back home. It’s not just about the degree—it’s about learning new languages, interacting with people from diverse cultures, and gaining a more global perspective.

3. Why did you decide to study medicine?

I’ve always been surrounded by family members working in healthcare, and from a young age, I looked up to them with admiration. Their dedication truly inspired me. I’ve always seen medicine as an incredibly honorable and meaningful profession—being able to make a difference in someone’s life, even in the smallest way, is a privilege I deeply value. This path is also a tribute to my family, especially my grandmother, whose biggest dream was to see me become a doctor. Of course, medicine is known for being challenging and competitive—but that’s exactly what excites me. It requires resilience, patience, and true passion—qualities I believe I possess.

4. Why did you choose MUL?

I chose the Medical University of Łódź because it came highly recommended by people I trust—my cousins and relatives who studied here and spoke very positively about their experience. Their success and the strong academic foundation they received at MUL really influenced my decision from the very beginning. Even before applying, I had my mind set on this university. The city itself is incredibly student-friendly—calm, affordable, and perfect for focused learning. You can truly feel it’s a city built around student life, which makes it easier to adapt and thrive.

5. What do you like about your studies?

What I like most about my studies is how deeply they connect theory with real-life purpose. Studying medicine isn’t just about memorizing facts—it’s about understanding how the human body works, how diseases develop, and, more importantly, how we can help people heal and live better lives. Subjects like anatomy and pathology really fascinate me because they help me visualize and understand the human body in a detailed, practical way.

6. What was the strangest, funniest thing you have encountered during your stay here?

One of the funniest things that happened to me in Poland was during my first weeks here when I went grocery shopping and accidentally bought kefir, thinking it was regular milk. I had no idea what kefir was at the time, so I poured it into my cereal the next morning, and let’s just say I was very confused by the taste and texture. I thought the milk had gone bad! Later, I asked one of my Polish classmates, and they explained what it was. Now, I actually like it—but back then, I had no clue.

7. What is one part of your culture that you would like to share with Poles?

Food is a big part of my culture, and I would love to share our traditional dishes like dolma, biryani, or kubba. Cooking and eating together is something that brings families and communities closer in Iraqi culture, and I think Polish people would really enjoy the flavors and the stories behind each dish.

1.What is your name, where are you from?

My name is Marco and I’m from Ireland.

2. Why did you decide to study abroad?

I decided to study aboard because I wanted to experience a new culture, gain a broader perspective and challenge myself by stepping outside my comfort zone. Moving to a different country for my studies has given me the opportunity to develop independence, adaptability, and a deeper appreciation for diversity. It is an experience that goes beyond academics.

3. Why did you decide to study medicine?

I have always had a interest in the human body and science, but my passion for medicine sparked when I broke my arm as a child. Seeing firsthand how doctors can directly improve a person’s health and well-being, made me realise that I wanted to pursue a career where I could make a difference in person’s life.

4. Why did you choose MUL?

I chose MUL because of its strong academic reputation and internationally recognized medical program. The diverse student body and the opportunity for clinical exposure early in the program made it an ideal choice for me. Additionally, its location provides great accessibility for travel in Europe. Studying at MUL gives me access to numerous career opportunities after graduation.

 5. What do you like about your studies?

One thing I really enjoy about MUL is the early clinical exposure. From first year, we have compulsory summer training where we gain hands-on experience in a clinical setting. This practical approach allows us to apply what we’ve learnt in the classroom to real-life scenarios, making the learning process more engaging and meaningful.

6. What was the strangest, funniest thing you have encountered during your stay here?

One cultural tradition I’ve encountered in Poland is Tłusty Czwartek (Fat Thursday). It marks the beginning of the last week before Lent, in which you enjoy as many doughnuts (pączki) as possible. This is similar to Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day) in Ireland, where we enjoy pancakes before the fasting period of Lent.

7. What is one part of your culture that you would like to share with Poles?

One aspect of an Irish culture that I would share with my Polish friends, would be Irish music and dance. Traditional Irish music is lively and full of history, and Irish dancing is a fun and energetic way to express our culture.

1. What is your name, where are you from?

My Name is Marc Chalhoub and I’m from Lebanon

2. Why did you decide to study abroad?

I always loved travelling and wanted to study abroad, it was definitely one the best decisions I have ever made. Studying abroad can be an incredibly rewarding experience that offers a wealth of benefits. It provides the opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture, learn a new language, and broaden your horizons. You’ll have the chance to explore new places, make new friends, and gain a fresh perspective on the world. I believe that studying abroad is an excellent way to challenge yourself and step outside of your comfort zone. It can be a transformative experience that helps you to grow as a person and gain a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you.

3. Why did you decide to study dentistry?

I am  a very sociable person and I love communicating with people on daily basis especially in my job. Teeth are actually the first thing I look at when talking to people and that’s when I discovered that I’m really interested in helping people with their oral health and improve their quality of life. The oral cavity can reveal a lot about a person’s overall health, and many systemic diseases can manifest themselves in the mouth. . Nonetheless, I always loved the fact that dentists can work independently.

4. Why did you choose MUL?

The Medical University of Lodz is one of the top medical schools in Poland, offering a high-quality education to students from around the world and it was recommended to be by family friends and relatives.

5. What do you like about your studies?

Dental students have the unique opportunity to work with their hands and make a tangible difference in people’s lives. They get to develop practical skills that can help them restore patients’ oral health and function. This hands-on experience can be incredibly rewarding, allowing dental students to see the immediate impact of their work on patients. Additionally, dental students often form close-knit communities with their peers and faculty, sharing a passion for oral health and learning from one another. Overall, dental students have the opportunity to develop both practical skills and close relationships, making for a fulfilling and enjoyable educational experience.

6. What was the strangest, funniest thing you have encountered during your stay here?

First Monday after Easter, there is a polish tradition called Smingus Dyngus. Mainly it is throwing a bucket full of cold water on someone else. I never heard before about such a tradition. So basically, I got properly washed on my first Easter in Poland and ever since I became fully aware about this wet day.

7. What is one part of your culture that you would like to share with Poles?

Lebanon is a country of striking contrasts, where the old and new, east and west, and tradition and modernity converge. Nestled between the Mediterranean Sea and the rugged peaks of the Mount Lebanon range, this small country is blessed with natural beauty and a rich cultural heritage. It’s a land of ancient ruins, stunning architecture, mouth-watering cuisine, and warm hospitality. Despite its challenges, Lebanon remains a vibrant and resilient nation, known for its entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and joie de vivre. Whether you’re exploring the bustling streets of Beirut, hiking through the scenic countryside, or lounging on a pristine beach, Lebanon never fails to captivate and inspire.

1. What is your name, where are you from?

My name is Shuroq and I’m from Saudi Arabia

2. Why did you decide to study abroad?

There are many reasons for that, such as the fact that I like to get to know more about other cultures and meet new people, but the main reason was to be with my family since they got to Poland before I did. Moreover, studying abroad is an experience and a life chance that shouldn’t be missed.

3. What did you like most about Premedical Course? What were the benefits of participating in it?

The best was the relationship between the doctors and me as a student. It wasn’t as formal as it would normally be. They were really kind and helpful as if they were my friends. The premedical course helped me a lot during my first year due to the fact we had similar subjects.

4. Why did you decide to study medicine?

I’m a curious person and I’ve always been wondering about the human body and how it works – specially how complicated the brain is, therefore, I decided to study medicine.

5. Why did you choose MUL?

I am not going to lie and say the cliché answer that it’s because it is a good university or its well reputation or etc. I just chose it because my sister is studying here and again to be with my family in the same place, Lodz.

6. What do you like about your studies?

It’s hard to specify but I like the clinical classes which are more real than the theory learning. I like the way we communicate with patients and how I improve my language (since most of the patients speak polish) and skills.

7. What was the strangest, funniest thing you have encountered during your stay here?

The strangest yet funniest thing is hearing the Poles saying “no” but what they really mean is actually “yes”.

8. What is one part of your culture that you would like to share with Poles?

There are a lot of differences between the two cultures and what I love the most about the Saudi culture that it is more family oriented than here. Also, I would love for the Poles to try Saudi food, since it has more spices, rather than just salt and pepper.

1. What is your name, where are you from?

My name is Christina Kajca and I’m from Germany.

2. Why did you decide to study abroad?

I decided to study abroad because of the experience and because of the fact that I will study in English and will be able to practice in a lot of different countries other than Germany, after I graduate.

3. What did you like most about Premedical Course? What were the benefits of participating in it?

About the Premedical Course I liked that you slowly got introduced to the lifestyle and studying habits of a medical/dentistry student and that you learnt all the basic knowledge and language skills before you actually start your studies.

4. Why did you decide to study dentistry?

Since my mom is a Dentist and I spent a lot of time in her Dental Practice watching her working and got interested in dentistry pretty early already. My interest got bigger as I got older and finally after my High School graduation I decided to study dentistry at the MUL.

5. Why did you choose MUL?

I chose MUL because of its location in Lodz where part of my family lives and the Dentistry Department with modern Dental Units which enables students to learn their practical skills on a high quality level.

6. What do you like about your studies?

About dentistry I like the fact that you can improve the oral health of your patients and cure their diseases, as well as the interpersonal contact with patients and the room for career growth in this profession with so many various fields of specialization.

7. What was the strangest, funniest thing you have encountered during your stay here?

Lodz and its people are actually surprising me every day. From people casually carrying monkeys as a pet on their shoulder, others randomly dancing on the streets or participating in one of maaaany random parades you can see everything on a normal study day on the Piotrkowska street. Even if the weather here is as predictable as the drivers…not at all. One day you might take out your Flipflops because it suddenly got 30 degrees while during the next day you will need a paddle boat to get to Uni because cars are sinking on the streets due to all the rain.

8. What is one part of your culture that you would like to share with Poles?

Since Germany and Poland are neighbor countries there are actually a lot of similarities in their cultures. The only thing I could think of would be the hardworking, punctual and precise personality traits of a German I would show to a Polish person, since that’s what Germans are known for.

1. What is your name, where are you from?

Steve de Santo and I am from Germany with an American Italian background.

2. Why did you decide to study abroad?

I am an absolute travel addict. I enjoy experiencing the world with its different cultures and what it has to offer. I moved away from home when I was 14 in order to explore overseas, and ever since then I seek new experiences. Life is just too short to stay in one place and live the same routine our entire lives.

3. Why did you decide to study medicine?

I have always been fascinated with the human body. Back home I work as a fitness coach and that inspired me to expand my knowledge and further make a more professional career out of this profession. Also my parents are very passionate doctors.

4. Why did you choose MUL?

While coaching, I met a young couple that had studied here. She is now a dentist and he works in a hospital. They advised me that the Programme is great, and that there was a diverse student body which made the studies an interesting experience.

5. What do you like about your studies?

I enjoy the freedom and independence that the Programme offers. Also the direct “hands on” experiences in the Anatomy Building made it a pleasant transition into the medical Programme and what we have to expect.

6. What was the strangest, funniest thing you have encountered during your stay here?

I’d say the strangest thing so far here is the music genre “Disco Polo”. It’s vibrant energy that fills Piotrkowska at night, is quite amazing and very different compared to Germany.

7. What is one part of your culture that you would like to share with Poles?

I would love to take every Polish person to the Oktoberfest in my hometown of Munich. The food & drinks are phenomenal and in combination with the German folk music are just a sensation.

1. What is your name, where are you from?

Mitrasweetha A. Selvarajuh, Malaysia

2. Why did you decide to study abroad?

I was eager to explore Europe and to meet many new people with various ethnicities and cultural backgrounds.

3. Why did you decide to study medicine?

I chose to pursue medicine as I love helping people around me. Plus, the traumatizing death of my beloved grandfather due to a silly medical mistake made me more determined than I ever was to become a good doctor in future.

4. Why did you choose MUL?

To be honest, one of the many reasons as to why I chose MUL was because the tuition fee is considered to be very reasonable among many other European Universities. Apart from that, I also was well-acquainted with a few students from this university who guided me into choosing MUL. I was awed by the efficient facilities and services provided by the university.

5. What do you like about your studies?

I like that I get to learn in a rather friendly environment with amazing peers and understanding lecturers. I get to learn new things everyday while having great fun.

6. What was the strangest, funniest thing you have encountered during your stay here?

The most strange thing that I encountered here was the Mega Black Friday Sale that was on a couple of weeks ago. It was my first time experiencing an event like that.

7. What is one part of your culture that you would like to share with Poles?

As Malaysians, our dishes mainly consist of rice and spicy gravy that almost always consists of coconut milk and a hefty amount of herbs and spices. We LOVE food.