Clinical Exchange in Japan

I had always wanted to study neurology and also always wanted to visit Japan, so my time at the Neurology Department of Nagoya University Hospital was quite literally a dream come true. I was there for 4 absolutely marvellous weeks and every single day was a new adventure.

All the doctors and staff at Nagoya University Hospital were incredibly kind-hearted and patient, and I am so grateful for the effort they put in to make me feel welcome and to teach me. I am particularly grateful for the time they took to translate for me during tutorials, lectures, ward rounds, and meetings as my grasp of Japanese can only be described as very simple at best.

I was very fortunate to receive many tutorials by the neurology doctors in their areas of expertise. In the mornings, I had tutorials on peripheral nerve disease, triple repeat disease, and genomics, to name a few. In the afternoons, I attended ward rounds, and the conditions I encountered ranged from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s dementia, CIDP, Parkinson’s disease, to rarities I’d barely heard of before, such as mitochondrial disease, neuromyelitis optica, HTLV-1 associated myelopathy, and Miller Fisher Syndrome. Additionally, I was given opportunities to attend muscle biopsies, lumbar punctures, NCS/EMG, and to visit the labs and see some research in action.

My schedule was well balanced and left plenty of time for exploration. I came to Japan with my friend, another med student also doing her elective at Nagoya University Hospital at the same time, and together we had a tremendous time adventuring. We spent the week prior to commencing our elective in Tokyo, and took weekend trips to Kyoto and Osaka. Of course, we explored Nagoya the most and I particularly recommend visiting Nagoya Castle and Nagoya Science museum.

I will never forget my superb time at Nagoya University Hospital. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity; to learn so much neurology; to meet so many outstanding people; to visit the wonders of Japan. To all the doctors and staff of the Neurology Department, I cannot thank you enough for welcoming and teaching me. I will always cherish the education you have all given me during my 4 weeks with you. To the staff of the Office of International Affairs, none of this would have been possible without you. I deeply appreciate all your effort and support, and thank you all so much for all your kindness and help.