Asuna Imakita (5th grade)

I had the opportunity to do a one-month internship at Rijeka Hospital in Croatia. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the people who gave me this wonderful opportunity and supported me.

I left Kansai International Airport for Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, with a sense of expectation and tension. I still remember how happy and moved I was to see the beautiful natural scenery from Zagreb Airport when we arrived after a 20-hour flight. On that day, the person in charge of studying abroad at the University of Rijeka gave us a tour of the facilities and invited us to dinner. I was very nervous about having a meal with the professors, but everyone was very kind and we talked about various things, and it was the perfect start that made me even more excited about living there.

The next day, I started my two-week pediatric internship. When I arrived at the new hospital, about 25 minutes by bus from the dormitory, I was surprised. There was a smoking area right in front of the entrance, and not only patients but also doctors in scrubs were smoking. It was a shocking moment that made me realize the difference from Japan. I was also surprised to hear that many doctors were not wearing masks, and that they basically did not have to wear them. When I entered the hospital, the walls of the wards and elevators were bustling with children's paintings, and I was excited by the very colorful designs in orange, green, and pink. I thought that such bright designs would help reduce the cramped feeling that patients feel in the hospital. The pediatric department is divided into many departments, and I visited the ICU, neonatology, gastroenterology, nephrology, respiratory medicine, oncology, and infectious diseases departments.

The first day of my training was in the neonatology department. First, we had rounds, and the doctor explained things to me in Croatian and translated them into English. When I asked questions, he answered politely and said with a smile, "If you have any questions, please ask!!" He explained the illness and treatment for each patient, and there were many cases that I had never experienced in Japan, which was very interesting. One of the features of this training was that I had many opportunities to actually do things and experience things, rather than just watching. Among them, the experience of palpating a floppy infant was particularly memorable.
In the ICU, I learned about post-operative care in pediatrics. There were many things I had never done before, such as removing chest drains from newborns after surgery, and I felt a sense of urgency, especially in a place where life is at stake.
In the Department of Gastroenterology, Nephrology, Respiratory Medicine, and Infectious Diseases, I was able to perform physical examinations of hospitalized patients and check the reflexes of newborns by myself. Compared to my training in Japan, I had many opportunities to actually interact with patients, so it was a very valuable experience.
In the oncology department, I also had the opportunity to talk with pediatric cancer patients, asking about their progress and their feelings about the disease. It was a time of great realization, as I learned about the unimaginable reality of cancer patients and it gave me a lot to think about as someone who aims to become a doctor. I will never forget the emotions and experiences I had during this time. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who allowed me to spend such precious and fulfilling days.

In the last two weeks, I visited the obstetrics and gynecology department. In Japan, I had few opportunities to see births, but in this hospital, births often took place in the morning, and I was able to observe for a long time, from labor to perineal suturing. Among them, when I saw a case of atonic bleeding with my own eyes, I felt strongly that life and death are side by side, and it left a strong impression on me. Also, seeing the family nursing for hours and the patient enduring the pain of labor, I felt anew the greatness of childbirth. Unlike the pediatrics department, this department does not have a set schedule, so after seeing several births, I observed prenatal checkups and amniotic fluid tests. In the examination room, the doctor carefully explained the ultrasound and test findings, so I was able to watch while understanding, which was very interesting. Also, when I was watching a colposcopy during an outpatient visit to the gynecology department, the doctor explained where he was looking and what findings were appearing for each patient, which was very educational. I was able to understand things that I did not understand well in textbooks by actually seeing and learning.
During our free time, we talked a lot with the doctors. We talked about a variety of topics, from the differences in medical care between Japan and Croatia, the differences in the work of doctors, and cultural differences, to recommended tourist spots and stories about family. Many of the doctors had been to Japan, and we had a lot of fun talking about a variety of topics, such as how to make sushi and their impressions of Japan.

In both departments, the practical training started at 8am, and the teachers said "Enjoy your free time!!", and it often ended in the afternoon. After that, I enjoyed going sightseeing with friends and going to cafes. On the weekend, I also visited other cities such as Pula and Rovinj, and enjoyed the unique European architecture and the unique Croatian nature. I was also able to learn about the history of the land, which was very interesting. The dormitory where we spent a month was very clean and spacious, and we had no inconveniences. I often met international students from other countries in the dining hall, and I spent every day in a fun and fulfilling way that only a dormitory can. In particular, I was able to meet up again in Croatia with the international students who came to our university from Rijeka University in September of this year, and we were able to become closer. Meeting them and spending two intense months together has become a treasure for me in my life.

The month I spent in Croatia is undoubtedly an irreplaceable memory that I can never replace. I will never forget what I felt, the knowledge I gained, and the experiences I had, and I will use them to further my efforts to become the doctor I want to be.

Lastly, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the International Center, the professors at Hyogo Medical University of Medicine, the local professors and staff who helped me with my internship in Croatia, Takahashi-san, Hiromoto-san, my family, and everyone who supported me during the month. Thank you so much.