Gustav one of three Uppsala students at this year’s VASCERN Summer School

The course is conducted in a format known as blended mobility, which means that participants attend online lectures during the spring semester and then meet on campus in Paris for a week in September. At least 13 countries are involved in the programme. Students compete for places, and Gustav Wiklund was one of three students from Uppsala University who managed to secure a place.

Hi Gustav, tell us briefly about yourself and your background.

“I am in my final year of the Medicine Programme at Uppsala University. In the future, I want to contribute to developing a more sustainable, efficient, and patient-centred healthcare system. That’s why I’m also studying business administration in parallel at the same university and plan to complete my bachelor's degree by the end of the year. I have a particular interest in cardiovascular diseases—an area where medical development and innovation often intersect.”

What made you apply to the VASCERN Summer School?

“VASCERN felt like an opportunity to deepen my medical knowledge while gaining an international perspective on how collaboration around rare diseases can be strengthened. In spring 2026, I will be doing a clinical exchange in thoracic surgery at the Cleveland Clinic in the USA, where I’ll gain insight into how advanced cardiovascular surgery is practised. It’s exciting since it’s ranked as one of the top institutions in the world, so I also see VASCERN as good preparation for that experience, where vascular and rare diseases are a natural part of the work.

“The VASCERN programme is as much about medicine as it is about gaining perspective and understanding how different healthcare systems operate. It was also a chance for us participants to meet, exchange experiences, and build an international network with students and experts who share the same area of interest. The fact that the in-person part of the course took place in Paris made it even more inspiring to participate.”

What did the spring’s digital activities consist of, and how was the interaction with the other students in the course?

“During the spring, I participated in digital seminars with lecturers from various European universities and clinics. We covered different types of vascular diseases, discussed patient cases, and research questions. Despite the digital format, the group quickly bonded, and the discussions among participants were engaging and rewarding. It made me feel part of a community even before the week in Paris.”

How did you manage to combine VASCERN with your other studies?

“It worked well, although it naturally required planning and foresight. I’m used to taking parallel courses and am studying a total of 63 university credits this term, so structure is important. But VASCERN gave energy rather than took time, which was inspiring, and it complemented my other studies really well.”

Tell us about the week in Paris – what did it include and what did you get to do?

“The week in Paris was intense, educational, and very inspiring. We got to hear from specialists from all over Europe, work on patient cases, and participate in workshops on how care for patients with rare diseases can be developed and improved.

“A particularly powerful experience was meeting patients and their relatives who shared their stories with us. It gave a deeper understanding of the human side of the diseases we studied and reminded me why I want to work in healthcare.

“Beyond the medical content, it was also a chance to meet students and doctors from different countries. The conversations ranged from education systems to the future of healthcare. I also took the opportunity to explore Paris when time allowed. It was a perfect balance between learning, culture, and community.”

Were there other Uppsala students in the course, and did you stick together?

“Yes, there were three of us from Uppsala this year, and we kept in good contact during the week. The group was very inclusive, and it was easy to get to know participants from different countries. A strong sense of camaraderie developed, both during lectures and in our free time, which made the week even more inspiring and fun.”

How did the practical aspects like the scholarship and accommodation work out?

“Since Uppsala University is a partner in VASCERN, I was able to apply for the Erasmus scholarship for blended mobility. The process was smooth, and I received good support from the international mobility unit when needed. The scholarship covered travel and accommodation, which made it easy to focus on the education.”

What was the greatest benefit of VASCERN?

“The greatest benefit was the combination of knowledge and perspective. Being exposed to the latest research in the field while discussing with students and clinicians from different parts of Europe gave a broader understanding of both medicine and collaboration. It became clear how much you can learn when different experiences come together.”

Why should someone apply to VASCERN?

“VASCERN is a unique opportunity to grow both as a student and as a person. Participants get to meet researchers and clinicians who are leaders in their fields, build international contacts, and gain a broader understanding of how healthcare works in different parts of Europe. It shows how much learning happens outside the traditional classroom.”

Do you have any tips for students who want to apply?

“Don’t hesitate to apply, even if you don’t feel like an expert in the field. VASCERN isn’t about already knowing everything—it’s about being curious, open, and wanting to grow. Engagement and interest weigh more than prior knowledge, and you truly get a lot in return—in terms of knowledge, new perspectives, and personal experiences. It’s an opportunity I really think more students should take the chance to experience.”

Louise Hernander and Gustav Wiklund