White coats on, time to begin your studies

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A young woman and a man in white coats shake hands during the White Coat Ceremony. Another attendee is standing in the background, while two people can be seen at the service desk.
This academic year, 160 students of the English-language medical program and 25 students of the English-language dentistry program are joining our community. To help the newly admitted students get off to a good start at university, Orientation Week was held from September 27 to 30. One of its most exciting moments was the White Coat Ceremony. The auditorium where the ceremony took place was filled to capacity.

A good start in a new place

Orientation Week is a series of special meetings during which international students receive comprehensive information about studying at WUM and life in the capital. This helps them adjust more easily to their new reality. After all, studying abroad is not only a fascinating adventure but also a major challenge.
The opportunity to integrate is equally important. During Orientation Week, students meet fellow students with whom they will share both successes and more difficult moments related to their studies and everyday life over the coming years. This is particularly important at the beginning of their studies, when the first-year curriculum immediately presents students with demanding subjects such as anatomy and histology. These are considered among the most challenging subjects, so it is worth having people around who are going through similar experiences. 
The event is organized each year by students from the English Division Student Government (EDSG) in cooperation with the English Division and English Dentistry Division.

Advice from the heart

The welcome ceremony for new students, held in the auditorium on September 27, was full of valuable advice from both student representatives and university authorities.

“Never regret what happens in your life. There are no highs without lows. During your studies, you will have moments of weakness, but you must not compare yourselves to other students, because this will hinder your development,” said Alexis Vourtsis, President of the EDSG. “Focus on your own path, stay calm, and have fun.”  

“Studying medicine and dentistry is a tremendous privilege, but it is also a demanding undertaking. In the coming days and months, you will have to explore many challenging subjects at a very high level of detail. There will be moments of exhaustion and times when the sheer volume and complexity of the material will feel overwhelming,” emphasized Professor Rafał Krenke, Rector of WUM.

The Rector nevertheless asked the newly admitted students to remember, in moments of doubt and difficulty, that they had earned their place at WUM through their determination and abilities, and not to hesitate to ask university staff for help. He also encouraged them to always support one another.

“Medicine is a team effort,” Professor Krenke emphasized.

The international students were also congratulated on their admission by Prof. Paweł Włodarski, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine; Dr. hab. Jacek Sieńko, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Medicine for the English Division; and Dr. hab. Piotr Regulski, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry for International Cooperation and the English-language dentistry and radiology programs.

“Being part of our student community, including those studying in Polish, means having the privilege of being part of a very inspiring environment,” Professor Włodarski emphasized.

A few words about mental health

A very important part of Orientation Week was a lecture devoted to mental health, traditionally given by Dr. Magdalena Łazarewicz from the Department of Health Psychology, who supervises the Psyche Student Scientific Club (SKN) and coordinates the University Psychological Counseling Center.
There is no doubt that medical studies are demanding. Particularly at the beginning of their academic journey, students can easily forget about their own well-being amid the multitude of daily responsibilities.

“When you begin your studies, you will experience many different emotions: stress, satisfaction, pride, excitement, curiosity, and anxiety. It is completely natural for all these feelings to occur at the same time. What matters most, however, is what you do with them,” the speaker said.

The patient always comes first

This message came through particularly strongly during the White Coat Ceremony. The ceremony, which originated in the United States, was first held at WUM in 2021 and has since become a permanent fixture on the academic calendar. The ceremony is always a joyful occasion, with students accompanied by their families and friends.

The white coat worn by newly admitted students is not only a symbol of the medical and dental professions. It represents a commitment that comes with practicing these two professions.

“It is a testament to responsibility and respect for the patient. Always remember these two values. The way you treat your patients will be a source of personal satisfaction and pride,” emphasized Dr. hab. Jacek Sieńko.

“For you, white coats represent pride, but for patients, they represent relief and trust,” said Dr. hab. Piotr Regulski.

Prof. Paweł Włodarski and Dr. hab. Piotr Regulski assisted first-year students of the English Dentistry Division in putting on their white coats, while Prof. Paweł Włodarski and Dr. hab. Jacek Sieńko assisted first-year students of the English Division.

Academic year inauguration on October 5

After that, classes at the university will get fully underway. We hope that the meetings organized as part of Orientation Week will help our new students begin their academic journey with greater confidence and peace of mind. We also wish them a speedy integration into our academic community and hope they will make the most of the opportunities that studying at WUM offers.

 

A man speaks at the podium during the opening of Orientation Week 2026. A screen displaying the name of the event is visible in the background.
Attendees are seated in the auditorium, listening to speeches during the opening of Orientation Week 2026.
The Rector speaks at the podium during the opening of Orientation Week 2026. A screen displaying the name of the event is visible in the background.
Students are seated in rows in the auditorium, attending the opening of Orientation Week 2026.
The Dean speaks at the podium. Two event participants are seated at the head table.
The Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Medicine speaks at the podium to attendees gathered in the auditorium.
Students are seated in rows in the auditorium, attending the opening of Orientation Week 2026.
The Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry speaks at the podium during the opening of Orientation Week 2026. Two people are seated at the head table.
A woman, Magdalena Łazarewicz, gives a presentation at the lectern. A presentation slide is displayed on the monitor, and two people are seated at the head table.
Several dozen people are seated in a lecture hall. Folded white coats are placed on the desks in front of them.
Students are seated in the auditorium and taking part in the White Coat Ceremony.
Four people are standing at the front of the auditorium during the White Coat Ceremony. One person is addressing the participants gathered in the auditorium.
A man addresses the participants gathered in the auditorium. Students and university representatives are seated in the front rows.
Two people are standing at the speaker’s podium. One of them is addressing the ceremony participants.
A man wearing a white coat speaks during the ceremony.
A man wearing a white coat addresses the event participants. Members of the team organizing the ceremony are standing in the background.
A man wearing a white coat addresses the event participants. Members of the team organizing the ceremony are standing in the background.
Two people wearing white coats shake hands during the ceremony.
Two people wearing white coats shake hands during the ceremony.
A man wearing a white coat helps a female student put on a white coat during the ceremony. Other event participants can be seen seated in rows in the auditorium in the background.
Four people pose for a group photo during the ceremony. They are all wearing white coats.
Four people pose for a group photo during the ceremony. They are all wearing white coats.
People wearing white coats on stage.
People wearing white coats on stage.
A female student approaches a university representative with a white coat during the ceremony.
A university representative helps a male student put on a white coat during the ceremony.
Four people wearing white coats pose for a group photo during the ceremony.
Four people wearing white coats pose for a group photo during the ceremony.
Students wearing white coats are seated in the auditorium during the ceremony. One female student is looking directly at the camera.
Students wearing white coats are seated in the auditorium during the ceremony. Three people can be seen in the front row. Two of them are smiling for the photo.
A female student wearing a white coat shakes hands with a university representative, who is also wearing a white coat.
Two people wearing white coats are standing next to each other. One of them is giving a thumbs-up gesture. The logo and the words “Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw” are visible on the coat pockets.
Four people take part in the White Coat Ceremony. They shake hands in a gesture of congratulations.
Four people wearing white coats are standing next to each other during the ceremony. The logo and the words “Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw” are visible on their coats.
A person takes a photo with a mobile phone during the ceremony.
Ceremony participants pose for a group photo in the auditorium.