Participation in the 2025 KSES – TSSES Exchange Travelling Fellowship program

It was a great honor and privilege to be part of the 2025 KSES–TSSES Travelling Fellowship Program, which took place from March 10 to March 27, 2025. As an orthopedic surgeon specializing in shoulder surgery, this fellowship offered me an extraordinary opportunity to observe cutting-edge techniques, meet esteemed colleagues, and experience the warmth of Korean hospitality.

During my journey, we visited 13 prestigious centers across Seoul. I had the opportunity to closely observe a wide variety of procedures: rotator cuff repairs, reverse shoulder arthroplasties, tendon transfers such as lower trapezius, and advanced instability surgeries procedures.

Each surgical day was not just an observation, but a comprehensive learning experience. I took detailed notes and recorded visual impressions of the procedures, techniques, and operative philosophies shared by the Korean mentors. These resources will remain a valuable compass for me throughout my professional life.

FYet, what made this fellowship truly unique was not limited to the operating rooms. The moments we shared during meals, the deep conversations, the personal stories, and the candid reflections were equally transformative. Through these experiences, I didn’t just learn about shoulder surgery — I learned about life, values, culture, and connection.

What moved me most was the profound sense of belonging we felt throughout the entire program. From the very first day, we were not treated as visitors or guests, but as true brothers. This sense of fraternity was not ceremonial — it was genuine, heartfelt, and lived in every moment. We often found ourselves saying: “It doesn’t feel like we’re abroad; it feels like home.”

The program concluded with the KSES 2025 Congress held on March 28–29, where the scientific richness and collegial spirit of the Korean shoulder community shone once again. It was an ideal culmination of this intense and rewarding journey.

This fellowship was a turning point for me — both professionally and personally. It strengthened my surgical insight, expanded my global perspective, and most importantly, cemented a friendship and brotherhood that transcends borders.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to KSES and TSSES for making this meaningful experience possible. I am confident that this fellowship will continue to bear fruit in the years ahead — in both academic collaboration and lasting personal bonds.

I look forward to hosting my Korean friends in Istanbul, where I hope to return the same generosity, sincerity, and warmth that we so deeply experienced in Korea.

Alper Şükrü Kendirci, MD
Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Türkiye