陈子叶（Chenziye）さん（汕頭大学医学院 第4学年次）

My name is Chenziye. I’m a 4th-year medical student in Shantou University. It is my honor to have this chance being exchange student in Hyogo College of Medicine. These 4 weeks studying in the Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism is an unforgettable experience for me.

After more than 4 hours of flight and two days of rushing, we finally arrived at Kansai Airport in July 6th, 2019. With the help of teacher Torii, we got to the Guest House which is a needy accommodation prepared for the exchange students. It’s very attentive for teacher Torii to explain every cautious before she left.

In the second day after we arrived, we have free time to walk around. Before I came to Japan, I’ve heard that it’s very hard to find a cigarette butt in the street in Japan. But I still feel shocked when I see such a clean and tidy street with few trash bin. As a foreigner, what impressed me more is that every Japanese I’ve met was very warm-heart and courteous. That’s the reason why people think that Japan is a very suitable country to live in.

Before I met Dr. Koyama, who is the chief of the department, I was so nervous and afraid that I don’t look sincere and polite enough. But things come out that my worry is unnecessary. Dr. Koyama is so kind to encourage me all the time in the talk. And My teacher, Dr. Miyoshi, is very considerate to make a detailed table of the four-week study schedule.

I spent first 2 weeks in the lab of the department learning a variety of basic experimental techniques, including frozen encapsulation, paraffin encapsulation, frozen slicing, patching, immunofluorescent staining, mouse faeces DNA extraction, and perfusion fixation of mice. In each experimental step, my teacher will demonstrate carefully before I operate. So there are few mistakes I’ve made in the process, which makes the whole experiment process very pleasant and smooth. Every Monday there will be literature discussion conference in the department, although I have a language barrier, my teacher always considerate translate the key information of the conference into Chinese or English for me. After finished my study mission with my teacher every day, we usually said”お疲れ様です”to each other which disappear my tiredness.

In the last 2 weeks, I stayed in the clinic of the department. When I have the first round with my teacher, he introduced me to each patient although I was just an intern. Every time when the patient said ”よろしくお願いします” will remind me of the oath for a medical student, health entrusted. lives confided.

After rounds, I learned that the total number of patients in the whole department is about 20 people through my teacher, which is a quite small number compared to China. Thanks to the mature classified system of hospitals, community hospitals nearby the house will be the first choice when people have some common disease, such as glucose control in individuals with type 2 diabetes and drug therapy of hyperthyroidism. While in the superior hospital, like the hospital affiliated to Hyogo College of Medicine, they usually accept patients who have more complex disease, such as pheochromocytoma and primary aldosteronism. The classified system can greatly reduce the work pressure of doctors, they could have plenty time to communicate with patients about the therapy plan and explain the condition of their disease, which will put patient in an equal position with doctor and makes the relationship between patients and doctors more like teammates who can overcome illness together rather than simply stakeholders. That may be one of the most important reason why the great relationship can be built between doctors and patients.

Time fly so fast. The experience staying in Japan for four weeks is quiet fantastic and unique. During our weekends, we traveled to Kyoto, Nara, Kobe and Osaka, witnessing the charming of this country. We learned not only our expertise but also the Japanese culture in this exchange life.

Finally, thank you for having this exchange program with our college. This experience will guide me further and further down the medical path. There’s no word can express my gratitude for your kindness.