At the end of July, the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) organized its annual Course in Medical Oncology in Valencia, Spain, aimed at 4th- and 5th-year general medicine students. Among the participants was Martin Nôta, a student at the Faculty of Medicine of Masaryk University, who is about to begin his fifth year. His dream is to become a pediatric oncologist, so he didn’t hesitate to attend this professional event as a chance to explore the field of modern oncology and to further develop his skills. He shared his experience in the following lines.
My journey began – as is often the case with my travels – with a delayed flight, so my first evening in Valencia was mostly spent catching up on much-needed sleep in the otherwise very pleasant dormitory arranged by the host organization.
The following days were packed with lectures, which might sound exhausting, but time flew by incredibly fast. Saturday focused on breast cancer and interpreting clinical studies; Sunday covered prostate cancer, and the final day was dedicated to lectures and workshops on ovarian tumors, colorectal cancer, and lung cancer.
The teaching was excellently structured into blocks – no lecture exceeded 30 minutes – and thanks to top-notch speakers, I never once felt my attention waver. Well-planned breaks with quality local refreshments and coffee (our lifesaver after long evenings out) also played a role. The lectures alternated with workshops where we were divided into small groups of five and tasked with solving clinical cases related to the lecture topics. We then presented our conclusions to the entire audience, which was a fantastic opportunity to practice public speaking.
“I must highlight the quality of education at our faculty – I was pleased to realize that I felt no professional disadvantage compared to students from institutions such as Oxford.”
Due to the packed schedule, we only had time to explore the surroundings in the evenings, which we usually spent on the beach or in tapas bars in the historic city center. On Sunday afternoon, the organizers treated us to a group lunch and free time at a local countryside estate. These moments allowed us to get to know each other better and build valuable connections for our future professional lives.
The final day included a knowledge test evaluation and an award for the best student – which I narrowly missed – but I was pleasantly surprised by the farewell performance of Gaudeamus Igitur by local opera singers. Soon after, we all flew off in different directions – tired, yet enriched with new insights and experiences.
Overall, I can wholeheartedly recommend this course to anyone with even a slight interest in oncology. For me, it was an incredibly rewarding experience – both professionally and personally. I had the chance to meet many like-minded and exceptionally talented peers from top European universities. I especially appreciated the style of teaching, which proved that lectures can be engaging and respectful of students’ attention, and that team-based learning – which in my experience is often misapplied or ineffective in our environment – can be a truly efficient method to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical thinking.
Finally, I must also highlight the quality of education at our faculty – I was pleased to realize that I felt no professional disadvantage compared to students from institutions such as Oxford.
Many thanks to Masaryk University for the support that allowed me to take part in this exceptional course.
The charity collection "Christmas Baking in the Campus," which took place on Monday, December 8, 2025, in the southern corridors of the Campus of the Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Science at Masaryk University, successfully attracted students and staff. A pleasant Advent atmosphere prevailed throughout the day, complemented by the aroma of Christmas cookies and homemade sweet treats.
