60+ dental students from the Baltic countries meet up at RSU
One of the most ambitious Baltic dental student projects, Baltic Reunion, took place this autumn at Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU), bringing together more than 60 dental students from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.
The Latvian Dental Students Association (LDSA) unites dental students and residents studying at Rīga Stradiņš University and the University of Latvia. The association regularly organizes workshops, lectures and seminars, while also providing students with opportunities to gain international experience through congresses, exchange programs and professional development events.
One of the joint initiatives of the Baltic dental student associations is the Baltic Reunion project, which aims to promote cooperation and the exchange of experience among students. Within the framework of the project, students from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia meet in one of the Baltic cities - Rīga, Tartu or Kaunas to build professional networks, learn about each other’s study environments, attend lectures and workshops and explore the culture of the host country.
The project name, Baltic Reunion, reflects the idea of a reunion among Baltic students. As the project concept originated in Latvia, the first Baltic Reunion event was held in Rīga at the end of 2024. The initiative was then continued in Tartu and Kaunas. After successfully traveling through all three Baltic countries, the project returned to Latvia this year.
From 11 to 13 September, RSU hosted 33 students from the University of Tartu, the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences and Vilnius University.
For LDSA, this was a significant achievement, as more than 60 dental students from across the Baltic States participated in the project over the course of three days.
Participants arrived in Rīga on Friday evening. During the evening, students got to know one another, took part in team-building activities and joined a nighttime orientation game through Rīga’s Old Town, discovering its history and lesser-known stories.
On Saturday morning, students gathered for breakfast and the official opening ceremony in the Grindelis Hall at RSU. Afterwards, participants had the opportunity to attend three educational lectures at the RSU Institute of Stomatology. The lecture topics covered dental photography, aesthetic aspects of implantology and periodontal diseases in children. The sessions were delivered by Latvian dental professionals as well as a company representative from Romania.
In the second half of the day, students participated in a guided tour of Rīga’s Quiet Centre and Old Town, learning about the capital’s cultural and historical heritage while enjoying traditional Latvian cuisine. The evening concluded with a joint visit to a cultural event in the city centre.
On Sunday, participants learned about the achievements of all three Baltic student associations over the past year and attended a presentation on the European Dental Students’ Association (EDSA) and opportunities for involvement in its activities. At the conclusion of the event, students had the opportunity to explore the infrastructure of the RSU Institute of Stomatology, observe the clinical environment in which students work and visit the teaching facilities. The guests highly appreciated the institute’s modern equipment, spacious premises and the learning conditions available to students.
The project in Latvia was organized by members of the board and volunteers of the Latvian Dental Students Association.
Special recognition goes to Rolāns Vozņesenskis, a fourth-year student at the RSU Faculty of Dentistry and Head of International Affairs at LDSA, who took responsibility for coordinating and leading the event. Thanks to his initiative, dedication and carefully planned organization, Baltic Reunion in Latvia was successfully carried out, providing participants with valuable professional, academic and intercultural experiences.
The event was also organized with the support of LDSA board members Katrīna Sproģe, Sigita Pantele, Amanda Aksenoka, Megija Florentine, Darja Koļesņičenko, and Laura Rumpa (LDSA Auditor).
Special thanks are also extended to the event volunteersAnastasija Auziņa, Diāna Grišuļenoka, Eva Elizabete Brokāne, Jevgēnija Volonceviča, Laura Leoho, Liene Nagle, Georgs Alberts Pimanovs, and Annika Kühne, whose contributions helped ensure the successful execution of the event and the warm reception of its guests.
