Clinical Exchange in Japan

I had the pleasure of participating in the Nagoya University clinical exchange program this year, and through this experience I gained a much better understanding of both the clinical and cultural aspects of Japan. My experience consisted of a two-week rotation with the neurology department and one week with the anesthesiology department. Given the timing of my rotation, I was also fortunate to have the opportunity to visit my family over Golden Week.

Immediately after arriving in Japan, I was welcomed by the incredible hospitality and kindness of the people. Unable to speak a word in Japanese, I, for the first time, appreciated the struggles of living in a foreign country. I started my rotation on the neurology service. On the first day, I was given a detailed and personalized schedule for the following two weeks, consisting of a balance between morning lectures and afternoon rounding. Each morning, I had the chance to talk with an attending physician about their research and the standards of practice in Japan. It was a great way for me to compare the practice of medicine from where I trained and how it is done here. Furthermore, I greatly enjoyed discussing their research projects and brainstorming further topics to explore. In the afternoon, I had the pleasure of rounding with individual residents, when I was able to gain a better understanding of the symptoms and treatment plan. Over the two weeks I was on service, not only was I able to learn about the common neurological disorders and treatments in Japan, but I also experienced the patient-centered focus of the medical culture.

Similar to my time on neurology, I was also given a schedule accounting for my interests during my anesthesiology rotation. I spent three days in the operating room, a day in the ICU, and a day in clinic during my week on service. Considering my specialty interest, I was glad to be able to spend two of the OR days in the neurosurgical room. It was very interesting to see the similarity of the surgeries performed in Japan compared to the U.S, suggesting how standardized modern medicine has become over the world. The fact that much of the medical terminology and reports were in English was also very helpful for me to understand.

Over the weekends, I explored Kyoto, Nara, and Tokyo. From the serene shrines and bustling old streets of Kyoto to the adorably tame deer in Nara, I had an amazing time hiking through the historical districts and soaking in the culture. The following weekend I had the pleasure of visiting Tokyo, where I tried my luck in the arcades at the Akihabara district. Being in Tokyo, I couldn’t resist dedicating a day to visiting DisneySea. I arrived early in the morning, 30 minutes before opening time, yet the lines were already formed or growing. Despite the extreme crowds, I was pleasantly surprised by the politeness and orderly fashion with which the lines moved. Of all the rides and food, I would highly recommend the blueberry popcorn and the Fantasmic nighttime show. During Golden Week, I visited my family in Yokohama. We went on a road trip down the Izu peninsula and stopped by several onsens and parks along the way. It was definitely a relaxing getaway from the busy cities. Overall, I had a great time traveling around Japan and appreciating the different aspects of the culture.

My month-long experience came to an end, and I struggled to fit all the trinkets and souvenirs I managed to collect along the way into the single tiny carry-on I had. In the process, I realized that I have gained so much both in the form of clinical knowledge and cultural awareness. Over my four weeks in Japan, I have grown to love the delicious food, beautiful scenery, and most of all, the kindness of the people with which I was welcomed into this country. This has been an unforgettable experience for me, and I look forward to being back to this amazing place.