Clinical Exchange in Japan

I want to thank everyone at Nagoya University for warmly welcoming me and teaching me so much. I spent two weeks in Department of Orthopedics/Rheumatology and two weeks in Department of Neurology. In Orthopedics/Rheumatology, I had the opportunity to observe shoulder, hip, knee and hand surgeries, including complex procedures that are done only about once every three years. In Department of Neurology, I had the opportunity to learn about ALS, Parkinson’s disease, CJD, and other rare neurologic conditions.

The professors went out of their way to translate for me and try to involve me in their work. They explained details of the case prior to each surgery, prepared one-on-one lectures, taught me details about their research, and showed me their workflow in wards and clinic. Outside the hospital, they took me to hanami, lunch with their colleagues and dinner with their family. In the student dormitory as well, I had the opportunity to meet many wonderful international students. We went out to kaiten sushi, hanami, explored the city, cooked together, and watched movies in the dorm. My Japanese housemate was so patient in teaching me the language that my Japanese vocabulary exponentially expanded in the course of the month.

Studying at Nagoya University Hospital was a truly unforgettable experience! I will continue to learn medicine and Japanese and someday I hope to meet again the mentors and friends I made in Nagoya. Thank you!

Left: Dinner with Ishizuka-sensei and family (Orthopedics/Rheumatology)
Right: Katsuno-sensei (Neurology)

Kaiten sushi with dormmates