RSU Students Discover: At Liepāja Hospital You Can Learn Surgery Without Cutting Your Finger

Rīga Stradiņš University 6th-year students have discovered a revolutionary fact — turns out, in Liepāja you can actually learn medical skills without just reading books. This discovery has caused confusion in the capital, where during internships students are only allowed to watch and stay quiet.

Artūrs Vecbaštiks from Nīca enthusiastically shares that at Liepāja hospital he's even allowed to participate in operations, not just carry coffee. "I really like working here — the facilities are beautiful and modern," he admits, obviously having never experienced Riga hospital basement rooms with Soviet-era equipment. Artūrs already knows for sure he'll be a surgeon, which proves — even someone from Nīca can become a good specialist if given the opportunity.

Gustavs Grasis, who is from Liepāja, gives a down-to-earth assessment of the situation: "Competent specialists work here — mentors." Such an admission from a local is like the Liepāja Olympic Center pool in winter — surprisingly warm. He adds that students can always ask questions, which in Riga would be considered a waste of professors' time.

Roberts Tumeļkāns from Aizkraukle has chosen radiology because he loves working with the latest technologies. "In radiology, each day can bring something new," he explains, obviously not considering that in Liepāja even a regular X-ray machine working could be the day's sensation. About Liepāja hospital he's heard only good reviews, which proves — our fame has reached even Aizkraukle.

The situation is best characterized by Artūrs Titovs from Riga, who is doing his internship in Liepāja for the second time. "In the regions, students are allowed to do a lot themselves," he admits, not realizing that such an approach in the capital would be considered negligence. Artūrs emphasizes the mentors' demanding nature, which is obviously a pleasant contrast to Riga's approach, where students are perceived as nuisances.