Exchange program in kobe university hospital reportduring 2-27 september 2013
I am a 6th year medical student from Thailand, Mahidol university, Ramathibodi
hospital. And I had been studying in Kobe university as an exchange student
during september, 2013. It was a great time staying in japan for me. Though it
was second time for me to visit japan; but it always fascinates me. I met manykind people, tried delicious food, and visited many impressed places.
About my training program, I stayed in the department of plastic surgery for twoweeks and department of cardiovascular medicine for another 2 weeks. I had
chances to see or to do many things that I would never do in Thailand. Forexample, I saw many operations that was so amazing and high technology, I
have a chance to observe the OR, OPD, and Ward, I experienced the catheter
room and saw the OCP thing which barely see in Thailand, and had a good time
studying and getting to know other Japanese students.
In the department of plastic surgery, I met Dr. Sakakibara who was in charge fortaking care of me during my staying. To be honest, he is my idol as he is sokind and take very good care of students. I feel passionate after finish thisdepartment to be a plastic surgeon. And also in the department ofcardiovascular medicine, Dr. Sasaki is my in charge. He also a nice teacher anddoctor as well.
Not only the knowledge I gain during my training, I also experience howjapanese medical student's life is. I see the way Japanese students study which
totally different from Thai students.
Such as in Thailand, we more hands on the patients, we are allowed to touch
the patients since 4th year but in Japan I saw that they are not allowed to touch
the patients much. And it is very important to concern about the patient's right inJapan. And the way we study in Thailand, we learn from the cases and we haveto work so hard since clinical year. Thai students have to do night shift and wenever finish our day before 6 pm. We work 7 days a week, while Japanese
students work freely as long as the can finish their jobs. And they start clerkshipand end the day exact time, no overtime. In my opinion, this make Thai students
can do more practice and after finish 6 years of medical school we can be a real
doctor confidently but in contrary we do not have much time to review theknowledge as we work so hard and barely have time to sleep. I think that thisbecause the structure of our public health is not similar. Thailand we are shortof doctors so after medical school all students have to practice as a general
physician and go directly to the rural, while japan, they are many students
graduate a year and most of them continue study the residency.
Moreover, the extra curriculum activities were interesting. I have many goodJapanese friends and all of them are so kind and very helpful. And the Kobe city
itself is very beautiful. I enjoy very much about sightseeing around this city.
Every moment I spent in Kobe, it is one of the best time in my life. I have met avery good japanese people, and living in the civilized, well organized, safety
country. I will not forget all the good things here. And hopefully one day I will
come back here again.

Nattaphon Phuengcome, 6th year student
Ramathibodi hospital, Mahidol university