As my dream is to be a globally competitive doctor, I have always applied for the international exchange program of my school at every chance. Attending an exchange program means not only I can get used to a new foreign language but also I can accept the cross-cultural difference which leads me to achieve comprehensive and mature mind to embrace the others.

However, I could have missed this beneficial experience because I hesitated to apply for the exchange program to Chiba University Hospital at first. Due to the pressure about the time that has left before the KMLE (Korean Medical Licensing Examination), it was a big concern for me that it could be extravagant to apply for an exchange student. Moreover, abandoning the exchange program could give me the additional options for me to do the bedside training in Inje University Hospital. However, I had faith in that this opportunity should worth more than those worries and besides the thought that this would be my last chance to encounter the overseas exchange program made me eager to apply. Subsequently, I did as my mind says.

Among a variety of departments, I applied to the 'Dermatology department' and 'Rehabilitation medicine department' in series because I was deeply interested in these departments and wanted to have a good accomplishment. Luckily, I was assigned to both departments, 3 weeks for Dermatology and 1 week for Rehabilitation medicine each, in Chiba University Hospital.

Dermatology

From the time of entering the university, I had a vague interest in dermatology, and it became clear that I am very fond of it, since I was enamored to study 'Skin & Sensory organs' block lectures with certain dermatology textbooks in my 4th year. My first impression of dermatology was rather a cosmetic procedure which is mainly dealt and advertised especially in the local private hospitals in Korea than treating severe diseases.

Interestingly, in dermatology of Chiba University Hospital, I could not witness any procedures for cosmetics. On the other hand, I could see many skin cancer patients who were suffering with basal cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Chiba University Hospital is the only university hospital in Chiba prefecture which has a population of 6.2 million. In Chiba prefecture, multitudes of people are engaged in agriculture or fishing industry which is vulnerable to the exposure of UV light from the sun. For these reasons, Chiba university hospital treats the biggest number of skin cancer patients in Japan. Besides, as dermatology is a clinical division, of course they have great skill in doing proper examination and diagnosis to the patient. They also perform many surgeries such as excision of malignant tumor, amputation and sentinel node biopsy. At the same time, they also conduct the analytic biochemistry assays such as "ELISA" to foresee the severity of the disease or the progression of it. Simultaneously, they read the histological findings of tissue samples on their own, even without consultation of pathology department. I could attain unique things consistently, thanks to all dermatologists in the department. They considered me as I am one of their teammate and let me observe and participate in various procedures with generous attitude.

Rehabilitation Medicine

Although I could only experience the Rehabilitation medicine for the last 4 days, it was quite enough to experience many things in there and get an impression with it. Rehabilitation medicine department in Chiba University Hospital was also the very active department that they have 15~20 new patients every day. Dr. Asano let me observe the physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy for various kinds of cases such as cerebral infarction, cervical spine stenosis, stomach cancer post-op status, ICU patient, brain tumor, aortic dissection, respiratory rehabilitation and so on. I could also visit Chiba Rehabilitation Center nearby and see more chronic and severe patients who receive the special rehabilitation so that I could feel many different aspects of Rehabilitation medicine. Moreover, I visited government-affiliated welfare organization and identified the work of Rehabilitation medicine doctor that they assess and check the lesion of the patients who use the orthotics or prosthetics to help them get a subsidy from government to advance into the new devices.

Leisure time

One of the biggest advantages of Chiba University Hospital is that it is near the capital city of Japan, Tokyo. I had 5 consecutive holidays called 'Golden week' during the clerkship in Chiba University Hospital. So me and my co-workers could travel around Chiba, Tokyo and suburbs during these weekends. I went to Harajuku, Shibuya, Fuji-Q Highland, Shinjuku, Hakone, Gotemba, Odaiba, Akihabara, Nikko, Asakusa and so on. The group included not only 3 Koreans but also with Chiba medical school students as well as doctors in Chiba University Hospital, so it was an exceptional time to raise satisfying relationships with foreign friends.

Closing remarks 

Now I come back to my daily life and recall my life in Chiba, I earned so plenty of priceless memories and it was absurd of me to be uncertain of participating the program. I participated in every training schedule vigorously because I applied for the departments that I have been attracted to, so consequently I could get many things. I obtained ample knowledge, made a large number of friendly relationships with good Japanese doctors and friends. Furthermore, the impression of the departments and this exchange program definitely set a direction of my life. Above all, I deeply appreciate to the faculty of Inje University and Chiba University for giving me valuable opportunity.