Linda Baurさん

Spending four weeks at Hyogo Medical University was an incredibly enriching and unforgettable experience, both on a professional and personal level. I feel deeply grateful to have been part of this exchange program and hope that this report will reflect the many meaningful moments I experienced during my time in Japan. From the very first day, I felt incredibly welcomed by everyone at the university.
The support from the international office—especially Tomoka Shimada—was exceptional. She was always available for any questions we had and made the organizational part of our stay very easy.

My internship was divided into two parts: two weeks in the Department of Gynecology/obstetrics under Professor Seiji Mabuchi, followed by two weeks in the Department of Neurosurgery under Professor Shinichi Yoshimura.

The time I spent in Gynecology was especially fascinating as I was able to witness a wide variety of procedures that I had never seen before. A significant number of surgeries were performed using the Da Vinci surgical robot. I observed minimally invasive procedures such as laparoscopic myoma removals and the treatment of endometriosis including chocolate cysts. One of the most impressive surgeries I attended was an open resection of ovarian cancer. I was also introduced to the field of assisted reproductive technology (ART), where I observed egg retrieval procedures and accompanied doctors in the outpatient clinic. Additionally, I watched fetal ultrasounds, during which the physicians kindly explained the anatomical structures of the fetus to me. An especially memorable moment was observing my first ever C-section, an experience I will never forget. Weekly case conferences were also part of the rotation, giving me insight into clinical decision-making and team communication within the department.

My second rotation in Neurosurgery was equally fascinating. The department had a very international atmosphere, with doctors from countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Hong Kong also participating in the program. Morning conferences were held in English, and the doctors’ high level of English made it easy to engage and ask questions. I felt incredibly welcomed—not only professionally, but also personally. During my time in the department, I was even invited to a birthday celebration and a farewell dinner at an Italian restaurant, which made me feel truly included. In the operating room, I observed a wide range of complex procedures such as aneurysm clippings and cervical spine surgery.
One of the most interesting cases for me was a six-hour glioblastoma resection, which I attended from start to finish. Before the procedure, the doctors explained the radiological images, and during surgery, they carefully walked me through each step. Furtheremore, I attended a bypass operation for Moyamoya disease. This was a great learning for me, because I’ve never heard of this condition before as it is extremely rare in Europe. Another highlight of my time in neurosurgery was witnessing interventional radiology procedures such as thrombectomies and coiling of aneurysms using the WEB device. I also had the chance to observe diagnostic angiographies of arteriovenous malformations and vascular stenoses. The hybrid nature of the department—where neurosurgeons also perform interventional procedures—was particularly impressive and very different from the system I’m familiar with in Germany.

Outside of the hospital, our daily life was just as memorable and meaningful as the clinical experience.
We stayed in the university's guest house, conveniently located just a five-minute walk from the hospital.
After the first week, we were joined by two Bulgarian medical students. Living together allowed us to get to know each other's countries and cultures better. One Sunday evening, for instance, we invited Japanese students over and each of us prepared a dish from our home country—Japanese, German, and Bulgarian cuisine all in one evening. A great experience!

One of the absolute highlights of my stay in Japan was the time we shared with Japanese medical students. From the beginning, we were welcomed with open arms. Every day, I had lunch with Japanese students, and we spent many evenings together - playing badminton, singing karaoke, and trying traditional dishes like sushi and okonomiyaki. They even invited us to a rugby match in Kyoto and a dinner afterwards. One Japanese student joined us on a bike tour of Awaji Island and another accompanied us on a trip to Hiroshima. These moments of shared experiences and cultural exchange are among my fondest memories of the internship.

Thanks to the well-organized structure of the internship and the proximity to many beautiful places, we had the chance to explore Japan during the weekends. One day we hiked up Mount Rokko and relaxed at Arima Onsen afterwards, following a doctor’s recommendation. One of my favorite trips was to Koyasan, a small mountain village near Osaka with the tranquil Okunoin Cemetery and a deeply spiritual Buddhist atmosphere. Furthermore we visited Himeji castle, the beautiful beaches of Wakayama and the sacred deer in Nara. Since we were lucky enough to be in Japan during the time of March, we were able to see Kyoto and Osaka in full cherry blossom bloom.

This internship was far more than a clinical training opportunity—it was a cultural and educational experience that broadened both my personal and professional horizons. I not only observed rare and highly specialized medical procedures but also built meaningful friendships and gained a deeper understanding of life in Japan. The kindness and hospitality we encountered everywhere—whether in the hospital, in the guest house, or during our travels—truly left a lasting impression on me. I would like to express my deepest thanks to all the doctors, nurses, medical students, and staff at Hyogo Medical University for their incredible kindness, support, and hospitality.

To any medical student considering applying to this program: I wholeheartedly recommend it. You will not only grow as a future physician, but you’ll also gain invaluable cultural insights, friendships, and memories that will last a lifetime. I sincerely hope to return to Japan one day- and I look forward to welcome some of my new friends in Europe.