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What is VIS ?
The International Relations Division of the Faculty of Medicine issues VIS to send out the live messages from International Studentsof Graduate School of Medicine, GraduateSchool of Biomedical Science and School of Medicine,and to promote the exchange ofintercultural information. We hope VIS helps to cultivate intercultural communications and boost international exchanges.
VIS の発行の目的は、医学院・医理工学院・医学部医学科の留学生の生の声を発信することと、異文化間の情報交換を促進することです。
VIS が異文化間のコミュニケーションを養い、国際交流を実行していくうえで役立つことを望みます。

WELCOME EXCHANGE STUDENTS
From National Taiwan University, TaiwanMy name is Wen Wei Lun. I’m from National Taiwan University. In thisJanuary, I had an elective program for 4 weeks in Hokkaido university

hospital. During this period, I have been to the plastic surgery and diagnostic image
department as an exchange student. The faculty there are very nice and enthusiastic
about teaching. If I have any questions, they will try to explain it patiently. Even
though there are still some language gap, they are still willing to communicate withthe help of translation application. In diagnostic image department, I have visitedthe reading room and took the training in reading CT, MRI or PET/CT. They use some
program like quiz bank to let us learn how to finish a form medical image report. It
was quite interesting for me because in our hospital, we don’t have a quiz bank tolet us practice. After finishing the report, I can check the answer and compare it withthe report I wrote. I think the quiz bank is very helpful in learning how to write theformal report.
After 2 weeks of diagnostic image department, I rotate to the plastic surgery
department. Everything was fantastic there. There were passionate professors who
were willing to teach me in out-patient department. Because the medical record

Wen Wei Lun
Department of Diagnostic Imaging
Department of Plastic and Reconstrucitve Surgery
Period: January 9 – February 2, 2024

is written in Japanese, professor explain the conditions of every patient. Most
important of all, the professor was willing to let me be the assistance during the operation. This made me engage in the operation more instead of juststanding and watching. In the last week, I have the chance to practice microsurgery. Dr. Maeda spend some time teach me and another medical student
in using the microscope to suture. It was my first time practicing microsurgery and I felt really challenging. Thanks to the professor and residence, I wasable to finish suturing the tiny plastic tube together under their instructions.
To sum up, I really enjoy the time in Hokkaido university. I have watched some disease that is quite rare in our hospital. It was an unforgettable memory.
Hopefully I can visit Hokkaido university in the future again!

Voice of the International Students

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WELCOME EXCHANGE STUDENTS
From National Taiwan University, Taiwan

After the 3-year-pandemic of COVID-19,
exchange-student program of NTU Schoolof Medicine was finally reopened in 2023, and I amvery glad that I chose Hokkaido University as my firstchoice.

Hokkaido University was not only famous forbeautiful campus, but also had historic building andmany foreign students. Even though my Japaneseis poor, all the doctors, students, and faculty inRadiation Oncology and Diagnostic Imaging werewilling to speak in English and teach me that I was
not confused.

The first 2 weeks of courses was in the department

Wu,Tsung-Hsunof Radiation Oncology. I learned the basic concept ofDepartment of Radiation Oncology
Department of Diagnostic Imaging
Period: January 9 – February 2, 2024

plan. I spent most of time in treatment because theF

procedure was interesting for me.

irst of all, I had to read the medical record and the imaging

could be used in many kinds of tumor. The skills of the doctors weredata of the patient. After that, according to the imaging

also astonishing that could complete difficult procedures in tiny vessels

data, I will draw the contour of tumor, important organ, and theplaces where the tumor may metastasize. After that, I had todesign the suitable beams which had enough treatment effectwith the least side effect. Besides, proton therapy was also
another highlight of the course. It needed a huge machine but it

without any complications.

In conclusion, the one-month exchange program in Hokkaido
University was excellent and impressive. I learned lots of knowledge

and enjoyed the beauty of campus in the 4 weeks. Finally, I would likealso provided the accuracy to millimeter level with outstanding

to thank all of the friendly and knowledgeable doctors and faculty oftreatment effect.

medical school, which made my 1-month stay become the best time ofAmy life!
s for the last 2 weeks, my internship was in the departmentof Diagnostic Imaging. I learned many skills of reading

imaging and differential diagnosis. In neuroimaging and bodyimaging group, I used the teaching system or profile and tried towrite image finding and correct diagnosis. Nevertheless, some of
the cases were difficult, I still learned lots of knowledge from theenthusiastic doctors.
Moreover, I enjoyed the one to one tutoring section because
I can ask any questions and had satisfying answer form
knowledgeable doctors. I also went to the nuclear medicinegroup and visited their ward. It was an unforgettable experience
to visit isolation ward. After that, I join the IVR group in thelast few days and observed several different procedures, suchas TAE and TACE. It was amazing that the TACE procedures

2Radiation therapy and tried to make some treatment

Voice of the International Students

WELCOME EXCHANGE STUDENTS
From Kyungpook National University, South Korea

During the Korean winter break, I participated in a four-week internship at Hokkaido University. I chose Hokkaido University because Japan isgeographically close to Korea and has a similar socio-cultural environment, including the medical insurance system, and I have fond memoriesof my trip to Sapporo five years ago. I thought that the four-week practicum at Hokkaido University Hospital was important to experience a different
medical environment from Korea and to supplement the subjects that I lacked in Korea, so I applied for two weeks each of neurosurgery, which I waspersonally interested in, and emergency medicine, which I heard was very different from Korea.
In my first two weeks in neurosurgery, I was able to experience a variety of surgeries and procedures. Some angiogram cases, bypass surgery for
Moyamoya disease, and awake surgery for brain tumor were interesting because I hadn't experienced them during my training in Korea. Although it was
my first clinic at Hokkaido University and I was unfamiliar with the operating room, ward, etc., I was able to proceed with the clinic without any major
problems because all the teachers in the Department of Neurosurgery, including my supervisor, Prof. Kurisu, were very caring and helpful.
For the subsequent emergency medicine practicum, I stayed in the emergency roomand experienced various cases. I was particularly impressed by the different medical
environment from Korea, where only very serious patients are allowed to visit theemergency room of a tertiary hospital, and the medical staff focuses on only a few patients,
which I felt was more advanced than the emergency room environment in Korea. I wasable to experience cases that are common in Hokkaido, such as hypothermia and wildlife
bites, but also cases that I have not experienced in Korea, such as severe burns and cervicalspine fractures. It was especially interesting to experience many cardiac arrest patients. The
emergency medicine clerkship was also enriched by the support and guidance of manyteachers, including my supervisor.
My four-week experience at Hokkaido University was informative and helpful. I am sure

Chan Woo KIM
Department of Neurosurgery
Department of Emergency Medicine
Period: January 9 – February 2, 2024

I

that it will be an enjoyable experience during my medical school career, and the clinicaltraining in a foreign hospital will remain a special memory for me even after I graduate andbecome a doctor. Finally, I would like to end this article by thanking Prof. Kurisu from theDepartment of Neurosurgery and Prof. Wada from the Department of Emergency Medicine
for their support during my clinical training.

had always been to Japan on short trips, but I had never traveled there for a longer period. I was interested in Japanese culture and the life of Japanesepeople, and as a medical student, I was curious about the system of other countries. Therefore, I applied for a four-week practice in a Japanese hospitalto experience it. I chose Hokkaido University because Hokkaido is famous for its snow in winter.
In diagnostic imaging department, I realized that many things
are similar to Korea. It was an opportunity to study about various
diseases other than the ones I learned about in my class. In the nuclear
medicine, I learned about the differences between Japan and Korea,
such as what radionuclides are used in Japan and what diseases they
are used for. I also visited the IVR, which I was interested in, and I
understood it better.
In neurosurgery department, I was able to experience a wide variety
of surgeries, including meningioma, glioblastoma, lipoma, and DBS
that are not easily seen, and I was able to understand them throughexplanations. I was able to see the bypass of cerebral blood vessels
in the most interesting surgery of Moyamoya disease, and I was able
to experience it through bypass training. During the conference, thepatient's medical history, surgical plan, and surgical process wereexplained in an easy-to-understand manner.
I understood about Japanese hospitals and medical schools and how
they are different from Korea. It was good to experience Japaneseculture and Japanese people's life from the side. Thank you for givingme the opportunity to have such a valuable experience.

DongHyung Lee
Department of Diagnostic Imaging
Department of Neurosurgery
Period: January 9 – February 2, 2024

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WELCOME EXCHANGE STUDENTS
From Gyeongsang National University, South Korea

On my first day of exchange program, I could know intuitively that it must be valuable
experience for a month. All the professors, doctors, and staffs were so kind to me.

They were willing to explain the patient’s history, diagnostic procedures, and treatment plans
in English. It was helpful for me to understand how medical care is provided in Japan. Also, it
was interesting to compare it with Korean medical care.
The most impressive experience was hands-on training. The reason why I want to be asurgeon is that I like to do something with my hands. Hands-on training made me more
motivated. I could experience laparoscopic cholecystectomy, partial hepatectomy withpig’s liver and gall bladder as well as microscope-assisted STA-MCA bypass. I think handson training would be helpful for students to decide whether to become a surgeon or aphysician. So I hope this hands-on training exists in my university, too.
And my favorite part of exchange program was to communicate with Japanese students. I
think it was more special since I can’t speak Japanese. To talk to each other in clumsy English
was so funny. We can have a talk about the differences and similarities between Korean andJapanese culture.
The exchange program at Hokkaido university provided invaluable experiences andLEE YEJIN
Department of Gastroenterological Surgery Ⅰ
Department of NeurosurgeryPeriod: January 22 – February 16, 2024

prepared me for future medical practice. I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn fromexperienced mentors at HU. The skills and knowledge grained during this practice will undoubtedly contribute to developing my capacity as a doctor.
The four-week internship at Hokkaido University Hospital can be considered the most impressive experience of my medical school life. It was fortunate
to have the opportunity to observe their medical care, academic activities, and daily life in hospitals in different regions and countries.
Since half a year before participating in the internship, we have been in constant contact with the International Relations Division. Thanks to their
meticulous care and guidance tailored to our students, we were able to prepare smoothly while juggling a busy fifth-year life in medical school.

The first two weeks at Hokkaido University Hospital were spent in the Hematology department. The internship included morning ward rounds,
observing procedures, seminars, departmental conferences, OSCEs, and case presentations. During the internship, I was able to observe bonemarrow examinations and a cord blood stem cell transplantation. Even on days without procedures, professors made efforts to teach as much as possible,
showing PBS and bone marrow biopsy samples under the microscope or explaining ward
patients. Thanks to the consideration of the professors and students, I was able to learn a lot
about hematology during my first internship in Japan.
In the Pediatrics department, I rounded four parts over two weeks; hemato-oncology,immunology, endocrinology, and neonatalogy. As Hokkaido University Hospital has been
assigned patients from all over Hokkaido, there were many unusual cases to study. And I
realized that there is still much to learn to become a doctor who treats actual patients. Many
lessons were learned from the professors' explanations about the patients during outpatientvisits. When participating clincal practice in NICU, I had the opportunity to experience
procedures I hadn't tried during my fifth-year clinical practice, such as observing deliveries,
conducting newborn examinations, and assisting in removing PCDs from pediatric patients.

JEON ChangHun

While taking an elective at Hokkaido University, I was able to gain new perspectives on life

Department of Hematology
Department of Pediatrics
Period: January 22 – February 16, 2024

as a medical student. Hospitality and kindness shown by all the members in HU towards
patients and colleagues were impressive. They made my one-month stay enjoyable and will
be remembered for a long time.

Voice of the International Students 医学研究院 国際連携部門だより Vol. 32
Issued by the International Relations Division, Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido University
Correspondence to : relation@med.hokudai.ac.jp
Website URL : https://edu.med.hokudai.ac.jp/international-relations/4

Voice of the International Students