Reports on Study Abroad Programs

experiment technique needed for thecer institute, where we euthanized micesuch as Italy, China, Saudi Arabia andic in Japan. I imagined that foreigners

various activities, sightseeing and shop-

gained a lot of knowledge, so I hopeproject. Though I had learned someand obtained bone material. Later wemore. They all had different back-would be pleased to receive treatmentping. My favorite in particular was Thaithat I can use that new knowledge intechniques in Japan, at Harvard I en-

analyzed the mice in our laboratory

grounds. I really enjoyed talking within such a well-managed clinic.

food. I really like to try unfamiliar

my future career as a dental hygienist. I

countered difficulties learning unfamil-using the new technique I learned. Thethem and learned much about their

There were plenty of opportunities forfoods, especially exotic dishes sold bywould like to thank all those involved

iar protocols and new, challenging tech-Harvard laboratory experience wasrespective countries. As most of themme to speak English. Although I’m notstreet vendors, various delicious sweets,in this overseas training, teachers whoniques. I found euthanizing mice to beinvaluable because it provided opportu-were doctors or dentists, I could ask

particularly good at speaking English, I

and fruits that are not accessible insent me overseas, the professors andparticularly difficult. We had to dissect

nities to learn about career paths fromthem about the medical environment

enjoyed communicating and interacting

Japan.

family members who took care of me inmice as fast as possible to get freshmentors and co-researchers and observeand education for dental students inwith Thai students.

Overall, through this overseas short-Thailand, and students from the School

samples, but the process was extremely

first-hand the environment of a large

their country. Outside the laboratory,

Finally, I learned a lot about the cul-term training program, I was able toof Dentistry at Mahidol University whotime consuming. After much practice, I

laboratory on a scope I had never seen

I had dinner and lunch with them. At

tural aspects of Thailand. I experienced

have many invaluable experiences. I

kindly made contact with us.

was able to do it more quickly. My firstin Japan.

the end of my stay, they held a farewellmonth was spent primarily acquiring

It was also my first time to visit theparty for me, complete with cake, andReport 07

knowledge and experimental technique.

U.S. I was surprised at the rich inter-kindly gave me a card wishing me theMy main project started the second

national environment. In my laboratory,best. I had a great time thanks to them.

My Overseas Stay in Sweden

month there. It was a collaboration withDr. Baron was from France, and otherI visited sightseeing place in Boston

a researcher at DANA-FARBER, a can-members came from other countries,

on my holidays. There were many

With membersof my laboratory

famous places, for example, Museumof Fine Arts and Freedom trail. I usually

Kimika Nakajima

3rd year student, School of Oral Health Engineering
Study program in Sweden

went out with medical students fromI PARTICIPATED IN a dental tech-

immediately gave me a helping hand. ItTaiwan in my laboratory.

nology course in Sahlgrenska Academy

was very heartening.

My experience in Boston was invalu-at Gothenburg University (Sweden)

Secondly, I was very happy to be ablegy. He was a professor of the universi-able. I am determined to make use offrom September 7th to 28th, 2019. While

to visit a dental material company andty. I had the opportunity to observe

my experience there in my future career

it was a short stay, I really learned a lot.

hospitals. I went to Dentsply Sirona At-

implants being used for dental treat-

as a dentist.

Designing teeth using CAD

Firstly, I was surprised to learn that

lantis in Mondal. Ms. Sugata showed

ment. Unlike Japanese insurance which

each procedure in the laboratory work

me around the company office and fac-does not cover implants, Swedish na-Report 06

class entailed many different aspects. I

tory lab. She is the only Japanese in thetional health insurance covers implant

My Nine-day Special Experience in Thailand

struggled to even grasp a hand piece

office there. I learned much about im-treatment fees for any and all teeth. In

engine. Just getting used to Swedish

plants, procedures, materials, machines,fact, I heard the more teeth you hadmachines and tools was confusing andand people there. However, the mosttreated, the more insurance support you

almost impossible at first. But in theimpressive thing is that there are job

received. I was very impressed withend I figured things out and actually

opportunities for non-Swedish people

dentistry in Sweden.

found such strange differences quite in-such as Japanese. Ms. Sugata working

Because I was the only Japanese stu-teresting. Of course, when I came backat the company showed me that it wasdent in residence at Gothenburg, I had

to Japan I had to relearn how to use thepossible to work abroad. It really en-to learn overseas survival skills. Wher-Yuri Nakahama

3rd year student, School of Oral Health Care Sciences
Study Program in Thailand
IN SEPTEMBER, I visited Mahidol

example, in the practice of elementary

University in Thailand for nine days.

school screening, children were given

I really enjoyed my stay in Thailand andtreatments that are generally performed

were very friendly and cute. I was able

tools here! Naturally, I learned many

couraged me to set my own goals andever I went, I had to do everything

gained a lot of valuable experiences.

in dental clinics in Japan, such as

to interact a little with them by teaching

things from my conversations with theto think about my future career.

myself. This experience forced me tothem simple Japanese, like “Arigato”.

With Thai students

In my overseas training, I experienced

removal of tartar, instruction on how touniversity students about dental techni-

I went to two hospitals in the universi-

grow up mentally. Also, seeing people

and learned three major things.

use floss, and application of fluorine.

Second, I learned about Thai dental

cian matters in Sweden. They were veryty. One is Branemark Center, the otherworking outside Japan is really valuable

The first is about Thai dental educa-

We were also allowed to participate intreatment. After visiting various facili-

kind and reached out to me early on.

is University Hospital.

to think about my future career. I amtion. At Mahidol University, dentistry

this training assistance. The children

ties, I was surprised to learn that dental

Thanks to them my lab work was fun. IBranemark Center is named after theinterested in working abroad, so living

treatment in Thailand was at a level not

felt like they always cared about me.

reseacher, Professor Per Ingvar Brane-in Sweden helped me form connections

much different from that in Japan, orWhen I was having difficulty, theymark, who invented implant technolo-

outside Japan for the future.

students participated in actual treatment
in hospitals as practical training. For

even better. The most impressive ofI greatly appreciate with this opportu-

these facilities was a clinic that provid-nity. It is a lifetime treasure for me.

ed a large volume of dental aesthetic
treatment to foreigners. In this clinic,

Waxing up for emax

cleaning, sterilization, and packing ofinstruments were performed in a single
set of treatments. The clean area wasmanaged very strictly. This can only bedone because the hospital is very large,
At community health center

During the actual treatment

32

which is difficult in a small dental clin-

Farewell dinner with my close friends atthe university

33