The meetings between the Director of Lisbon School of Medicine, João Eurico Cabral da Fonseca, and the first-year students have begun. As was the case last year, these meetings aim to bring these new students closer to our School, while also allowing some FMUL staff to be present at these meetings, showing them some sectors that could make a difference in the coming years for these young students. Spaces such as the library or projects such as GAPIC are presented to students so that they can make choices.

In this first week, they're almost all from Lisbon, because classes haven't started yet and it's natural that those coming from outside aren't here yet.

They are almost all under the age of 20, except for the students who already have a degree. There are nurses, nutritionists and others with degrees in engineering, chemistry or biology. Some saw their entry to FMUL postponed, but fulfilled it this year, others share that their preference for medicine is still recent, and there are others who have been interested in medicine for as long as they can remember. Medical students are thus very different, but they all share the same idea: the spirit of mission, whether on the front line, treating patients, or at the back, doing research.

The meetings will take place over the next few weeks until all the students have been welcomed. In an informal meeting over a slice of cake and a glass of juice, barriers are broken down and bonds are forged, some of which will last a lifetime.