International Mobility of Near East University Students within Global Internship and Research Exchange Programs

International engagement in higher education plays a key role in improving academic standards, supporting intercultural understanding, and enhancing students’ professional competencies. In line with these goals, Near East University has implemented a wide range of international exchange, internship, and research programs that provide students in health sciences with valuable cross-border academic experience.

During the 2025 academic year and summer term, students from the Faculties of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Veterinary Medicine participated in international training and research programs across more than 30 countries. These activities allowed them to improve their scientific knowledge, practical skills, and cultural awareness while gaining first-hand experience in global healthcare environments.

The exchange and internship programs are conducted through the university’s memberships and cooperation agreements with international student federations, including:

• International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA)
• International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation (IPSF)
• International Association of Dental Students (IADS)
• International Veterinary Students’ Association (IVSA)

Within these programs, students joined clinical and research placements lasting between four and eight weeks, hosted by universities, hospitals, and research centers abroad. In accordance with the principle of reciprocal exchange, Near East University also hosted over 80 international students from more than 30 countries during the same period, creating a diverse academic and cultural environment on campus.

Faculty Participation and Program Details

In the summer of 2025, the university’s mobility programs recorded significant activity across multiple disciplines:

• Under the IFMSA Exchange Program, 26 international students completed internships at Near East University in July, while 19 NEU students undertook internships abroad. In August, 27 students from partner countries were hosted at NEU, and 14 NEU students participated in international clinical and research placements.
• Within the IPSF Program, five international pharmacy students conducted research at the NEU Faculty of Pharmacy in July, and one student from NEU joined an overseas research program in August.
• The IVSA Exchange Program welcomed four students from Italy during the fall term. In the spring term, 16 students (eight from Poland and eight from Türkiye) completed internships at the NEU Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, while 20 NEU veterinary students traveled abroad for international training.

Two Erasmus+ students from Romania joined our university to participate in an internship exchange program within the Departments of Pathology and Gastroenterology. The internship program was carried out between July 7 and September 7, lasting for a period of three months. Within this scope, the students took part in practical training activities in the respective departments and gained valuable international academic experience.

>Overall, 80 NEU students from the Faculties of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Veterinary Medicine participated in exchange and internship programs across 25 countries during the 2024–2025 academic year.

Host Countries and Fields of Practice

The host countries included Bosnia and Herzegovina, Azerbaijan, Romania, Türkiye, Czech Republic, Egypt, Russia, Spain, Bulgaria, Germany, Tunisia, Poland, Denmark, Portugal, Croatia, Hungary, Palestine, Finland, Lithuania, Jordan, Lebanon, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine, and Ghana.

Students were actively involved in a wide range of clinical and research-based disciplines, including pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics and traumatology, dermatology, internal medicine, cardiology, otorhinolaryngology, general surgery, cardiovascular surgery, neurology, and urology.

Most internships took place in university hospitals, research institutions, and health centers. Students participated in patient monitoring, laboratory work, multidisciplinary case evaluations, and research meetings, gaining valuable experience in real-world healthcare settings.

Veterinary Student Engagement

Veterinary medicine students participated in both academic and cultural workshops organized by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and the Animal Hospital. Topics included “Wildlife and Veterinary Medicine,” “Laboratory Animals and Ethics,” “Radiographic Imaging in Horses,” and “Spaying and Neutering Surgery.” These workshops provided students with theoretical knowledge as well as hands-on training opportunities.

Outcomes and Institutional Vision

Through these international exchange and research activities, Near East University students demonstrated clear progress in their clinical competence, research capabilities, and intercultural communication skills. Exposure to different healthcare systems and professional approaches broadened their understanding of global practices and strengthened their readiness for international collaboration.

Near East University remains committed to developing globally competitive graduates through its expanding network of academic partnerships. The university plans to further enhance the scope and participation of its international internship and exchange programs in the coming years, ensuring that students continue to benefit from a well-rounded and internationally connected learning experience.