From Rome to Madrid: A journey of learning, discovery, and gratitude
The past two weeks spent participating in the EAU/TUA Exchange Programme have been nothing short of extraordinary—a truly eye-opening experience that broadened my professional and personal horizons. While this was not my first time attending the Annual EAU Congress, it was, without a doubt, the most memorable.
Visiting Gemelli University Hospital
The first stop of the journey took us to the “Eternal City” of Rome—a place I had long dreamed of visiting but never had the chance until now. I was thrilled that this exchange programme provided the perfect opportunity to finally explore this historic and culturally rich city.
Our clinical visit was to the renowned Gemelli University Hospital (Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli), one of the largest and most prestigious hospitals in Italy.
Right at the hospital entrance stands a solemn statue of Saint John Paul II. Our visit happened to coincide with Pope Francis being hospitalised, and we saw many of the faithful gather around the statue to pray for his recovery. That moment left a deep impression on me—it was a powerful reminder of the strength of faith, hope, and healing.
During our three days of clinical exchange in Rome, we had the privilege of observing several robotic surgeries for urologic cancers. It was my first time seeing the Hugo™ robotic-assisted surgery system developed by Medtronic. The system left a lasting impression on me. It was already introduced in Taiwan, and I sincerely hope to have the opportunity to work with it in the near future.
What amazed me the most was the hospital’s research infrastructure. On the third day, we visited the Biobank and the Phase 2 Trial Scientific Facility, which was one of the most advanced and comprehensive laboratories for next-generation sequencing (NGS) I have ever encountered. Their ability to perform high-throughput genomic and transcriptomic analyses, and the way their databases were structured were truly impressive. It gave me a lot of inspiration for advancing research and personalised medicine back home.
Second stop: Ramón y Cajal University Hospital
Our second stop was Madrid, the vibrant capital of Spain, where we visited the prestigious Ramón y Cajal University Hospital—named after Santiago Ramón y Cajal, the 1906 Nobel Prize laureate in Physiology or Medicine. The hospital’s urology department is internationally recognised for its excellence in cancer surgery and kidney transplantation. It is also an accredited European training centre for transplant urology.
Throughout our time there, I could feel the genuine care and dedication the medical team showed toward every patient and surgery. This kind of intangible quality left a very positive impression on me.
I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to Prof. Javier Burgos Revilla, Head of the Department of Urology at Ramón y Cajal University Hospital. He meticulously planned every aspect of the visit to Madrid and generously shared his knowledge and insights.
Thanks to his thoughtful arrangements, we were able to witness a wide range of urological procedures in just three days — including prostate cancer surgery, kidney cancer surgery, stone surgery, urethral reconstruction, and kidney transplantation. We also joined their morning meetings, academic discussions, and watched live demo surgeries.
Among the many impressive technologies we saw were the Versius robotic surgery platform (my first time seeing it in action!), endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery (ECIRS), and even their very first case of robotic-assisted kidney transplantation using the da Vinci system—we were so lucky to witness it!
The visit was packed with highlights, and every moment was meaningful. I came away with a wealth of new knowledge, unforgettable memories, and a deep sense of gratitude.
More cultural experiences
Beyond the academic activities, our time in Madrid was also filled with unforgettable cultural and social experiences. Prof. Burgos guided us on a tour of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium—home of Real Madrid—as well as the Royal National Academy of Medicine and several museums. We even had the chance to attend a basketball game. And of course, we were treated to some truly delicious and authentic Spanish cuisine. The entire visit struck a perfect balance between intellectual enrichment and emotional resonance—it was flawless in every way.
Suit up!
One amusing anecdote is worth sharing. On the evening before the congress ended, I was invited to attend the International Friendship Dinner. It was my first time joining such a formal event. The invitation mentioned the dress code as “black tie”, but at the time, I had no idea what that actually meant. I simply assumed a regular suit and tie would do. It wasn’t until I arrived in Spain and spoke with some of the other participants that I realised just how formal this occasion actually was!
As I soon learned that “black tie” refers to a near-full-formal dress code, I managed to purchase an entire outfit in Madrid. For someone like me, who knows nothing about fashion, this turned into a surprisingly fun and memorable experience—definitely one worth writing about!
Two weeks, two cities, countless insights!
From the very first day of the exchange programme to its last, I enjoyed every moment. Even as I write this now, I still feel deeply moved by the experience.
At the final session of the EAU Congress, I had the chance to meet Prof. Arnulf Stenzl, the Secretary General of the EAU. I took this opportunity to thank him personally.
When I posed for a photo with him, the large screen behind us happened to display the words “Thank you”. Fittingly, those two words perfectly capture the most heartfelt sentiment I carried with me throughout this incredible journey: Thank you, EAU/TUA Exchange Programme!
