Ten years of European International Intensive Infectious Disease Courses (I3DC/IDEAL): long-term impact for undergraduate medical students

After a decade of successful cooperation through a series of Erasmus+ projects, we sought to evaluate the long-term impact of undergraduate medical students’ participation in the Infectious Disease International I3DC/IDEAL course organized in 4 different European Institutions: Catholic University, Rome-Italy; Paris-Descartes, currently Université de Paris Cité-France, University of Edinburgh-UK, and Antwerp University-Belgium. We invited 323 I3DC/IDEAL former students to complete an online questionnaire focused on how participation in these courses influenced: (a) study approach, (b) international experience, (c) European awareness, (d) choice of career path, (e) interest in Infectious Diseases. Former I3DC/IDEAL students reported a positive impact of course participation across all surveyed domains. Overall satisfaction was high, with 90% rating the course as very good or excellent. The international dimension was particularly valued, with 78% rating exposure to international faculty and 70% rating European perspectives on disease management with the highest score, indicating strong effects on international experience and European awareness. Active-learning approaches were well received, with over 50% assigning the highest score to active student involvement and key methodologies (case-based, team-based, interdisciplinary learning, knowledge application, and clinical reasoning). As a result, 61% reported a very good to excellent impact on study approach, and 70% considered infectious disease knowledge highly relevant to future learning and professional activities. While only 20% reported a direct influence on career choice, 67% indicated increased motivation to pursue international educational opportunities. The implementation of an international intensive infectious disease course for undergraduate medical students yields substantial long-term benefits. By integrating cutting-edge cultural content and expanding students’ awareness of a European dimension, this format is a highly valuable investment in the future of European medical education, contributing to its modernization and harmonization.