> Having a third party paying them or even just offering dinner to them so they can do their jobs is a huge conflict of interest. Not directly related, but my

> Having a third party paying them or even just offering dinner to them so they can do their jobs is a huge conflict of interest. Not directly related, but my sister studied to become an audiologist some 15 years ago (in Norway). I was absolutely stunned at the corporate sponsorship - full on weekend trips with a nice hotel room and paid drinks and fun activities (plus a conference). Not once, but many times during the studies, for all students, sponsored by different companies (I'm not sure if they were competing companies, but you'd think so..) There must be a lot of money in hearing aid for that to make financial sense.. Is/was this type of sponsorship common for students in other areas, medical or elsewhere?