Nina Vranićさん

Going to Japan had always been a dream of mine, so having the opportunity to spend a month at Hyogo Medical University felt truly special. The idea of improving my medical knowledge and clinical skills in a completely new environment was incredibly appealing to me. I was excited to see how medicine is practiced in Japan, learn from doctors with different experiences and approaches, and gain new perspectives that I could bring back with me to Croatia. At the same time, I was looking forward to experiencing Japanese culture, meeting new people and stepping outside my comfort zone. Looking back, this exchange gave me so much more than I had expected, both as a medical student and as a person.

During my exchange, I had the opportunity to spend time in the Departments of Anesthesiology and Plastic Surgery. Both departments gave me a different perspective on clinical work and allowed me to see how much attention doctors in Japan pay to every detail.

What I particularly enjoyed in Plastic Surgery was the way the doctors involved me in their work. They explained the procedures they were performing, showed me photographs and, whenever there was time between patients, sat down with me to explain the diagnoses and answer my questions. They spoke excellent English, which made communication very easy and allowed me to learn from them every day I spent in the department.

In Anesthesiology, I was able to follow patients through the preparation for surgery and observe different aspects of anesthesia. I was impressed by how carefully the doctors approached every step and how willing they were to explain their decisions and clinical reasoning. During my time in the Department of Anesthesiology, one of the things I found most interesting was the Pain Clinic. I was fascinated by the variety of conditions they were able to treat using regional anesthesia techniques. It was especially interesting to see how these approaches could help patients suffering from different types of pain and improve their quality of life. I appreciated the opportunity to learn about treatment options that I had not been exposed to in such detail before and to see how anesthesiology extends far beyond the operating room. This experience gave me a new perspective on the specialty and showed me how versatile its role in patient care can be.

Another very special part of the exchange was getting to know so many people outside the hospital. We made many new friends, and I am especially grateful to all the doctors who welcomed us as colleagues rather than just visiting students. They often invited us to dinner and took the time to introduce us to their culture, traditions and different Japanese dishes. These evenings were some of the most memorable parts of our exchange, and they gave us the opportunity to get to know our Japanese colleagues outside the hospital.

I returned home with new medical knowledge, a better understanding of a different healthcare system and, most importantly, many friendships and memories. I am truly grateful to everyone at Hyogo Medical University who made us feel so welcome and made this month such a special experience.