„Choosing a faculty is a bit like choosing a wand in Harry Potter – it has to grow together with your heart,“ says Ladislav Král, a medical student from Ostrava
He originally wanted to become a commercial pilot, but he had to give up on that dream due to health issues. Fortunately, he soon found another passion, natural sciences, and decided to pursue a medical career. Like most high school students, he applied to almost all medical faculties and was accepted into most of them. Why did Ostrava win his heart? We asked Ladislav Král, a student at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Ostrava, about this and more. Read on to find out which exam has been the toughest for him so far and what else he appreciates about the Moravian-Silesian metropolis, besides the "Ostrava metro."
That's quite a tricky question to start with. The idea of becoming a doctor had been in my mind since childhood. Initially, I dreamed of becoming a commercial pilot, but due to a severe eye condition, I had to let go of that childhood dream. Luckily, I soon discovered another passion. In elementary school, I became completely fascinated by natural sciences, especially topics related to the human body. I started looking up information on my own, and the real turning point came when I had to provide first aid multiple times.
If I had to mention one specific moment, I clearly remember an incident in my third year of high school, right before the end of the school year, when a man collapsed in front of the school. As he fell, he sustained cuts on his face and neck. Without hesitation, I provided basic first aid, and I even received a letter of appreciation from the Moravian-Silesian Regional Police Directorate for my actions. But if I were to go into all the reasons behind my decision, we'd be here for quite a while...
I figured this question would come up. Back in high school, this condition caused me issues with geometry, writing, and related activities. However, I have to highlight how amazing the support system at our university is. Right after I submitted my application, our coordinator for students with special needs and the Pyramid Center stepped in to help. My time was extended, and the entrance exam text was adjusted accordingly. After I was accepted, they conducted a functional diagnosis and adapted the conditions for upcoming exams. So, no, I don't see it as an obstacle at all. The University of Ostrava, along with the faculty members, genuinely strives to support students with any form of disadvantage.
I applied to most medical faculties in the Czech Republic, including our faculty, the Faculty of Medicine at Palacký University in Olomouc, Masaryk University in Brno, the Faculty of Medicine at Charles University in Hradec Králové, the 1st and 3rd Faculties of Medicine at Charles University in Prague, and the Faculty of Medicine at Charles University in Plzeň. I was accepted to most of them.
When it came time to decide where to apply for university, I received an offer to look into Parkinson's disease research at the Institute of Physiology. During my first contact with the faculty, something special drew me in. Once I entered, that feeling deepened, and I suddenly knew that this was the place where I wanted to study. I just have the sense that the faculty chose me as much as I chose it. I always say that choosing a faculty is a bit like choosing a wand in Harry Potter – it has to grow to your heart. A big part of my decision also came from the support of my family, my class teacher, my biology teacher, and the school counselor at my high school, who all strongly supported my choice.
At high school, I was lucky to have some truly great teachers who could understandably explain the material. However, I still had to prepare for the entrance exams on my own in some areas. What helped me the most was going through the exam topics available on the websites of the different faculties and supplementing them with the recommended literature. It's also not a bad idea to attend a preparatory course, which can help with orientation and consistency in your overall preparation.
Our entrance exams are unique in that they are taken on a computer, and we know our scores immediately after submitting the exam. Unlike some other faculties, such as the one in Hradec Králové, there is always only one correct answer here, and there are no point deductions for incorrect answers.
During medical studies, everyone probably goes through moments when they feel like giving up. In those moments, the best thing to do is take a break, switch off, and let your mind rest. I used to not understand why so many medical students emphasize how important it is to have hobbies outside of medicine, but after my third exam session, I now understand it completely. I try to make time for swimming, playing board games, or bowling with my classmates. It helps me recharge and find new motivation for studying.
Every exam seems like the hardest one beforehand, but if I had to pick just one that gave me a hard time, it would be biophysics. Physics was never my strong suit, so just the word "biophysics" made me feel nervous and apprehensive. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to grasp the complex topics, and even less so explain them during the exam. It surprised me even more when the exam was conducted in a relaxed, almost friendly atmosphere, which helped me overcome most of the stress. In the end, it turned out to be one of the most pleasant exams I've ever had, and I was even offered a chance to study at the Faculty of Science. I didn't expect that, but it gave me inner peace and showed me that even exams that seem insurmountable can turn out well in the end.
Ostrava offers a wealth of activities – there are theaters, parks, cinemas, shopping centers, and the popular Lower Vítkovice area, where festivals like Colours of Ostrava or Beats for Love are held annually. And even though Ostrava is the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, you can get anywhere relatively quickly. It's no wonder that the local public transport system is nicknamed the "Ostrava metro." Personally, thanks to our faculty in Ostrava, I've found the best friends, both among medical students and in other fields, like dentistry. When time allows, we enjoy going to escape rooms, cafes, or restaurants around the city.
The Czechoslovak Medical Students' Association is one of the most prominent organizations, not only at our faculty but also at the entire university. It mainly focuses on education and helping students throughout their studies. This concept has always been close to my heart. So, when I was offered the opportunity to join, I didn't hesitate. In my first year, I helped with the "Kam Pak" fair, which is a fair for those looking for internships, placements, or future job opportunities. This year, we also organized the first Coffee Festival, with the proceeds going to patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, we don't just organize educational events, but also relaxation activities like laser tag or theater visits, where we try to forget about all the school stress and enjoy the evening together. The magic of any association lies in the fact that it brings together both older and younger students who can help each other. Older students pass on their experiences and advice to the younger ones, while the younger ones inspire innovations.
It's hard to choose just one advantage because there are several. The most notable one is probably the smaller number of students. This allows our professors to truly dedicate time to us, they have space to get to know us better, and they often address us by name. It's nice to know that we are not just anonymous numbers in the system, but real people with whom they have personal contact. This relationship reminds me a lot of studying at high school, where teachers remember your name, creating a friendlier and more relaxed atmosphere, even during the challenging studies.
A big disadvantage, not only at our faculty but also at the whole University of Ostrava, is the lack of a university cafeteria (menza). However, the university tries to find alternatives, and we have discounts at various restaurants. Unfortunately, these places are quite far from our faculty, so we have to sort out our meals on our own.
It's too early to say which field I'd like to specialize in. Medicine is incredibly interesting to me, and I like many areas, but I have the least interest in surgical fields so far. I would like to get involved in teaching students in the future as well.
Updated: 11. 03. 2025
