Gaia Wrussさん

When I first found out I would be spending a month at Hyogo Medical University in Japan, I was excited but also a little nervous. I didn’t know what to expect from a completely different medical system, a different culture, and a language I don’t speak. Looking back now, I can honestly say it was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life, both personally and professionally. I spent two weeks in the Department of Anesthesiology and a little less than two weeks in the Department of Dermatology, and both left me with memories and lessons I will carry with me for a long time.

From the very first day in anesthesiology, I felt welcome. Everyone was incredibly sweet to me, and I never felt like just another visiting student. Every morning the department had presentations, which were normally all in Japanese, but the doctors took the time to translate everything into English so that I could follow along. That might sound like a small thing, but it meant a lot to me. They didn’t have to do it, and it took extra effort on their part. I always had the feeling that they were focused on me and on making sure I understood what was going on, and even when communication was difficult, they always did their best.

I was also involved in the induction process before operations, and the doctors explained every step as they did it, including the medications they used and the reasons behind their decisions. This helped me connect what I had learned in my studies with real clinical practice. Watching them work, I started to notice differences between the way things are done in Japan and the way they are done in my country. What stood out to me most was how precise and careful they are. They are very focused, they take their time to do everything properly, and they are extremely patient. Most of all, they care deeply about the patient being comfortable and understanding what is happening to them. Getting to experience that way of working is something I am truly grateful for and will definitely take back to my country.

One of the most inspiring parts of my time in anesthesiology was the Pain clinic. This is not something we have in Croatia yet. There, doctors treat patients with painful conditions, such as different kinds of neuralgia, which are often considered untreatable. They perform nerve blocks with care and precision, causing as little pain as possible, and the patients keep coming back in
different intervals because their quality of life has become so much better. Seeing people’s lives improve like that was really moving. The doctors there also explained everything, they showed me books, explained the reasons behind their decisions, and showed me medications they use in Japan that we don’t use at home, and explained why. It showed me that even when a condition seems impossible to treat, there may still be a way to help a patient live more comfortably.

I also spent two days in the ICU, where the doctors went through every single patient with me and explained their situation. Many of the patients were very seriously ill, with cancers, pneumonia, and heart problems. Again, the doctors took the time to explain everything as best as they could and made me feel included in their discussions. Throughout my time there, I noticed how positive the Japanese people are. They were cheerful, kind, and genuinely happy to have us there, and I felt truly welcomed.

My experience in dermatology was just as wonderful. I spent most of my time in the outpatient clinic together with Japanese students. What I loved most was that I saw diseases I had never seen before in my life. Some of the dermatologists were specialists in specific areas and rare conditions that I had only read about. Seeing how they diagnosed and handled these cases was fascinating and very inspiring. I know that in the future, if a patient ever comes to me with something similar, I will think back to what I saw in Japan and be able to help them.

The team also took me to see both the outpatient and the inpatient clinic, and they made sure I was always included, even when the language made things a bit difficult. They even gave me a small translator so that I could ask anyone a question at any time just by speaking into it. That gesture showed me how much they cared about my learning.

Of course, the exchange wasn’t only about the hospital. I also had a lot of time to explore Japan, and the doctors were a big part of that too. Whenever we talked about our plans, they were so happy for us, they gave us recommendations about where to go, what monuments and places to visit, and they gave us time to go and see things. Together with my friends from the exchange, we went everywhere: around the hospital, the neighboring cities, Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Amanohashidate, and even Tokyo. Everything was amazing, from the old temples to modern cities and beautiful nature. It was very hot during our stay, but honestly, the heat didn’t even bother us, because we were so captivated by everything around us.

We also made friends with the Japanese students who will be coming to Croatia on the exchange. They were very sweet to us and showed us around. We can’t wait to see them again, and we plan to give them the same treatment they gave us. We will show them around Rijeka and around Croatia and make sure they feel just as welcome as we did.

In the end, I came home with so much more than medical knowledge. I came home with new friends, new perspectives, and memories that I will treasure for the rest of my life. I want to sincerely thank Hyogo Medical University for welcoming me so warmly and for making me feel like a real part of the team from the very first day. Every doctor, nurse, and student I met made this experience unforgettable. A special thank you goes to Shinya, our administrative assistant, who was by our side through everything. Whether it was our stay, finding our way around, or simply answering our questions, Shinya was always there with a smile and never once made us feel like a burden. I truly wish every student could have a similar experience. I already can’t wait to go back, and I will always be grateful to everyone who made my time in Japan so special.