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Chapter 1: Unveiling Seoul's Wonders and Navigating SNUH

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Chapter 1: Unveiling Seoul's Wonders and Navigating SNUH

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1. Your name, matric number, date

Name: Tan Zi Yee

Matric number: A181429
Date: Week 1 (02.08.2023 - 06.08.2023)

2. What have you done?

The journey started with the single sentence, “Congratulations, your application has been accepted.” This marked the culmination of months of preparation and anticipation. Along with my friend, Wen Jia by my side, we embarked on a remarkable journey to Seoul, South Korea, commencing on August 2, 2023. Our elective experience began with a week filled with exploration, acquainting ourselves with the city’s transport systems, and attending an engaging orientation at Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH).

The journey to this point had been nothing short of exhilarating. Booking flights, securing accommodations, crafting a detailed Korean itinerary, undergoing medical checkups, and obtaining K-eta visas were all essential tasks on our checklist. Each step brought us closer to the adventure of a lifetime.

On 4th August 2023, our elective journey took a significant turn as we attended the orientation at Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH). The vastness of the hospital’s campus initially left us bewildered, and we found ourselves lost for a while even a map was given beforehand. Fortunately, our early arrival allowed us to eventually locate the orientation venue.

The orientation day was proved to be a memorable initiation into SNUH. We received SNUH merchandise, symbolizing our connection to this prestigious institution. We had the pleasure to meet fellow students from diverse countries like Philippines, Australia, Russia, Taiwan, and France. This diverse mix of backgrounds and cultures promised to enrich our elective journey. Ms. Kwon Hee-eun, the SNUH coordinator led us through the orientation. She began the session by showing us a captivating introductory video to SNUH. Afterward, Ms. Kwon guided us on a tour of SNUH’s extensive campus, showcasing its various departments.

Before diving into week 2, we took the advantage of the weekend to explore Seoul. Our adventures led us to various mesmerizing spots in the city, allowing us to embrace its rich culture and create cherished memories.

3. Points to remember from week 1!

-Embracing the challenges
The decision to have an elective in Korea came with the anticipation of facing various challenges. One of the most significant challenges was the language barrier. Despite my attempts to learn some Korean prior to my trip, I found myself virtually starting from scratch. This made communication with locals a daunting task and led to several difficulties. Additionally, this trip marked my very first solo journey abroad, without the companion of my parents. I had to take on the responsibilities of planning, organization and ensuring the safety the important documents. My top priority was looking out for my personal safety not just for myself but also to ease my parents’ worries about my safety during my time abroad.

-Open-mindedness

Stepping into another country with diverse cultures and interacting with people from various nations taught me the invaluable lesson of being open-minded. This quality is essential when navigating unfamiliar place, encountering different perspectives and particularly, in medical field.

4. Your feelings & thoughts

I experienced a rollercoaster of emotions - excitement and nervousness. The excitement was palpable as I ventured into this new adventure. I was eager to explore a foreign country, immerse in its culture and dive into a different medical environment. I looked forward to making new friends, gaining valuable insights, and broadening my horizons. Yet, there was also a touch of nervousness. The unfamiliar environment, language barriers and the responsibilities of solo travel brought some apprehension. I knew I might face challenges, both in the hospital and in daily life. However, I recognized that this blend of excitement and nervousness was a natural response to stepping into the unknown.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

- The language barrier

As previously mentioned, my limited proficiency in Korean posed significant challenges during my journey in Korea. The language barrier added an extra layer of complexity to my experience, making it more adventurous. Getting lost in Seoul National University Hospital highlighted this challenge, as many locals had minimal English proficiency, making it difficult to seek assistance. However, technology came to the rescue. We downloaded the ‘Papago’ app before the journey, which proved to be an indeed important tool for communication and problem-solving.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

Delighted, adventurous

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)
My plan for the upcoming week is to become more familiar with the hospital’s layout, which has proven to be quite complex, especially with all the signage in Korean. I’m determined to conquer this challenge and make it easier to find my way to various destinations within the hospital. Additionally, I plan to seize every available opportunity for hands-on experience. This hands-on approach will not only enhance my skills but also deepen my understanding of that field. It’s an essential part of my journey and I’m truly excited for it.

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From Hearts to Himalayas: My Volunteer Journey in Nepal

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From Hearts to Himalayas: My Volunteer Journey in Nepal

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Your name, matric number, date

Sarvisuwaran Ravi, A181777, 31/7 - 6/8

1.     What have you done.

Going abroad for my elective posting (EP) was never part of my plan. Somewhere in January, my friend told her plan to do EP in Nepal, and I was very intrigued because visiting a third world country has always been in my bucket list. The programme was organized via an international volunteering agency called IVHQ. I visited their site and did some research about the programme. The programme was well structured and everything was pre-planned making it easier for the volunteers. Later on, I joined my friends group and started making preparations for the programme. As time goes by, the member count increased to 10 as more of them were interested as well. As there were 10 of us, it was easier for us to divide tasks among ourselves.

We bought our flight tickets, applied visa, submitted necessary documents for approval and made necessary payments months before the programme. 2 weeks before the trip, I took typhoid vaccine as a precaution. I made some research on Nepal’s hospital, things to do in Nepal and also necessary things to bring to Nepal in order to have some rough idea on what to expect there. A day before the trip, I exchanged some money, checked my luggage  and finalized my packing.

2.     Points to remember-

1.     Start packing as early as possible. I did my packing very last minute and I missed some important things. Try to prepare a checklist and make sure everything is taken a day before the trip. As it is an international trip, always check your travel documents and make sure its with you at all times.

2.     Do some research about the destination country. It gave me a rough idea on hows life going to be at there, necessary thing to bring there and also their culture.

3.     Your feelings & thoughts

1.     Excited because visiting Nepal was part of my bucket list. Volunteering in Nepal is a whole new experience for me as this is my first volunteering programme. Looking forward to it and hopefully it will be a memorable experience

4.     Any difficulties/ concerns. How do you cope it?

1.     Packing. It was hard to decide on what to bring and what not to bring. I packed only the important things and the others I planned to buy at Nepal

2.     Exchanging currency. It was very hard to exchange money in Malaysia as most foreign exchange had no stock of Nepalese Rupee. I managed to change only a small amount for any emergency purpose.

5.     Two words to describe this journey

Exciting and Tiring

6.     Plans for next week:

Landing in Nepal

Transfer to designated hospital

Briefing on our programme and getting familiar with the hospital and patients

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1. Your name, matric number, date

Jeslynn Koh Hui Yi A182066 14/2/2023- 6/8/2023

2. What have you done?

Ever since I got to know we have an elective posting in 3rd year, I have always been eyeing to go over to Singapore. The reason being was mainly because my sister is currently working over there so I don’t have to worry much about my accommodation and also I might have the plans of further pursuing my future career plans there. I started my elective posting application on 14/2/2023 exactly 6 months prior to my elective posting date through the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine website on Clinical elective posting for overseas visiting student programme offered by NUS.

Through that 6 months of application preparation period, I had to complete a few medical vaccination jabs such as MMR, Dtap and Hep B required by Singapore as I didn’t keep a copy of my vaccination record since when I was a baby. I also went through the PPE briefing and also a mask fitting session to get all the documentation required for application.

During the application, I was given the chance to select which Hospital I would like to attach to and the desired department. I chose Khoo Teck Puat Hospital General Surgery Department  as my first choice because it is 10 mins walk away from my sister’s place. My application was approved around April and since then I will do some research on what should I prepare in terms of documentation, attire, medical equipments such as my stethoscope and etc. However, information on the internet related to electives experience in Singapore is very limited.

3. Points to remember from week 1!

Do not settle the application documents last minute, prepare it at least 9 months before the elective date because some documentation need time to complete.

Do a thorough homework on the hospital selections they offer before making the decision.

Always plan ahead and prepare beforehand to avoid making any unnecessary mistakes

4. Your feelings & thoughts

I am looking forward to this unpredictable 2 weeks of clinical experience in a totally unfamiliar environment. I am actually quite anxious at first because I have no idea what to expect in the beginning and I am the only one from UKM doing electives in Singapore at this period of time. Which means that I will need to get my social battery fully recharged and get to know new friends and also the doctors. I am kind of worried that I will get social anxiety during that 2 weeks of placement. Sometimes, socialising can gets too overwhelming for me and I need some personal space and time for my comfort zone. Every time when I thought of the fact that I’m going over to Singapore by myself, I get mixed feelings of feeling independent and freedom for travelling around at a foreign yet familiar country, but I do get butterflies in my stomach as well for solo travelling.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

The difficulties I faced during the preparation of the application is mainly on the vaccination medical certificate they would like us to show and prove. However, my record are not safely kept and I had no choice but to retake my vaccination and do blood test on a few to prove that I have the antibody in me. The blood test and vaccination cost quite an amount and during that period my body did suffer some side effects of getting too many vaccination jabs at the same period of time such as eczema, severe hair loss and so on. I did consulted a dermatology in HUKM and also GP to advise me on this side effects symptoms and prescribed some medication for me, the symptoms then self resolved few months later.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

Excited

Anticipating

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

1. After settling all the payments, I will be planning my trip and book my flight ticket to Singapore few days earlier from my ep date.

2. Attend the online orientation briefing organised by NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine on Friday (11/8/2023)

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1. Your name, matric number, date
Ng Wen Jia, A180860, 30/7/2023-6/8/2023

2. What have you done?

~ - 2nd Aug 2023 - Preparation:

Receiving the offer letter from The Seoul National University of Medicine (SNU) in late May was a dream come true. My journey began about a year ago when I started learning Korean from scratch after seeing my seniors successfully complete their elective postings at SNU. I meticulously prepared all the required documents for the application process. Once accepted by SNU, I promptly booked flight tickets, accommodation, and obtained the necessary K-ETA (electronic travel authorization) for entry into South Korea. My friend, Zi Yee, who was also accepted by SNU, accompanied me on this adventure. We carefully planned our itinerary and decided on the duration of our stay. Additionally, we had to complete an immunization form, which included vaccinations for Hepatitis A, mumps, measles, rubella, Hepatitis B, and a tuberculosis screening. After completing all the necessary paperwork and packing our luggage, we departed for Seoul on the 2nd of August, a few days before the start of our elective posting, to acclimate to the new surroundings.

2nd of August - Departure to Seoul

3rd of August - First day in Seoul

Our first day in Seoul began with breakfast at the airport and the acquisition of SIM cards for our month-long stay as well as the transportation card. The Incheon International Airport's traditional Korean architecture was a sight to behold. We were amazed by how well foreign tourists conversed in Korean with the locals and bus drivers. Afterward, we took the airport limousine bus to our Airbnb in Jongro-gu, a location that exceeded our expectations. Our accommodation was clean, cozy, and well-equipped. Its strategic location made it easy to explore nearby tourist spots and was conveniently located just one stop from SNU hospital. After settling in and taking a short break, we enjoyed lunch at a nearby Korean restaurant and explored the charming Insa-dong, famous for its unique shops and 'Hanok' buildings. Communicating with locals was a rewarding challenge as most spoke limited English.

4th of August - Orientation Day

The orientation day had its share of challenges as we arrived slightly late due to getting lost in the vast hospital complex. Seoul National University Hospital boasts numerous buildings, including the administrative building, main hospital, dental hospital, cancer hospital, children's hospital, Daehan Center, research building, church, and even a museum. The multiple entry gates added to our confusion, leading us to choose the farthest gate to the meeting point. Fortunately, hospital staff provided assistance, even though we faced communication barriers. During the orientation, Ms. Kwon Hee-eun, the administrator, briefed us, and we received some merchandise. We had the chance to meet medical students from other countries who were also doing visiting clerkships at SNU. We engaged in conversations and later toured the hospital guided by Ms. Kwon. Afterward, we explored Myeongdong and had dinner there.

5th & 6th of August

On the weekend, we had a break from the hospital. We took the opportunity to explore different parts of Seoul, including Hongdae and Seong-su Dong, where we indulged in cafe hopping and shopping. Despite the scorching summer weather, we relished the unique experience of Korean culture, feeling like we were in a real-life Korean drama.

3. Points to remember from week 1!

Adapting to Seoul's environment and its distinct culture was a significant challenge. Korean customs, characterized by courteous greetings involving bows, starkly contrasted with those of Malaysia. Language differences presented an additional hurdle, forcing me to adapt to an environment where I couldn't fully comprehend the language.

Planning and punctuality are crucial. Arriving slightly late to the orientation meeting had an impact on others' impressions of us. It's essential not to be overly confident and to account for possible delays, even when using navigation apps.

Stepping out of my comfort zone by using my limited Hangul language skills was a personal challenge. However, this challenge yielded self-satisfaction and boosted my confidence, as no one looked down on my efforts.

4. Your feelings & thoughts.
I was incredibly excited and eager for this elective posting and trip to Korea, a dream I'd long nurtured. I'm grateful to have had my friend as a companion; otherwise, I might not have ventured to Korea alone, as my parents would have worried. I appreciate my parents for their emotional and financial support in making my dream a reality. Traveling with friends, without my parents, was a new experience filled with both apprehension and excitement. It was a journey of growth and self-reliance, and I'm proud to have undertaken it.

Visiting Seoul National University Hospital, one of Korea's top-notch healthcare institutions, left me awestruck. Initially nervous, I found that the Koreans I encountered were friendly, welcoming, and helpful. Making new friends with fellow medical students and exchanging thoughts was a rewarding experience.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?
Yes, language barriers posed the most significant challenge during my stay. Although I could read Hangul characters, I struggled to understand spoken Korean, especially when locals spoke quickly. Fortunately, some individuals spoke basic English, while others would slow down their speech to help me. Nonverbal communication, such as hand gestures, became our go-to when words failed us. Speaking in Korean required courage, but gradually, I gained confidence. Learning Korean in advance was a significant advantage; without it, survival in Korea would have been even more challenging. We also used translators to convert texts into English for faster comprehension.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far
- Excited
- Fresh

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)
The official commencement of my visiting clerkship at SNU would be starting from next week. I plan to be at the hospital from Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm for surgery observations. During my free time, including weekends, I'll continue exploring Seoul, eagerly anticipating the experiences that lie ahead.

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Nepal here we comee!!! : Preparation stage 

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Nepal here we comee!!! : Preparation stage 

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1. Your name, matric number, date

Nahgeshwarie A/P Ratha Manaalan A182267
20/5/2023-6/8/2023

2. What have you done?

Initially the plan to do elective posting in Nepal was introduced by my fellow posting mate. After so many consideration and approval from my parents, I confirmed that I will be doing my elective in Nepal. We registered ourselves in International volunteering HQ website. From there I got to learn so many things about the program their offering. I got to know that IVHQ is a international volunteering program whereby its been operating since 2007.  Furthermore, volunteer work can be done in 44 countries including Costa Rica, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and many more.

After the registration I got the acceptance letter via email from IVHQ. After the confirmation, we started to prepare all the documents needed for the trip. The process was made easier because IVHQ provided a checklist of all the documents needed. The documents includes flight tickets, passport, visa, travel insurance, verification letter, dean's letter, certificate of good conduct and many more. We held a meeting and listed all the documents that we should prepare. From there we divided our tasks and it went smoothly. First of all, I renewed my passport during my mid semester break in UTC Melaka. The process was quite fast and smooth. We applied for the visa at the Nepal embassy in Malaysia located in Kuala Lumpur. Our travel insurance documents were settled on 20th June 2023 where we took Berjaya Sompo insurance.

We were keen on buying cheaper flight tickets. So we got to know Matta fair was held in Kuala Lumpur and we took the opportunity to buy our flights tickets to Nepal there. Additionally, we went Putrajaya to get our good conduct certificate. The staffs there were very friendly and helpful. Not forgetting special thanks to Dr. Syamsa who played a very important role for providing us support and guidance to make our elective posting smoother and getting our documents prepared such as dean letter. There is another person I would like thank here as well, Miss Scotia our program manager who patiently answering all the questions we were throwing at her direction. I am grateful that we were able to settle the documents together in between our hectic class schedules.

A few weeks before our flight, we divided among ourselves on several things such as the transportation, sim card and accommodation. I completed my required vaccination which was typhoid vaccination at a private clinic near my house as Nepal is an endemic country to get typhoid. Me and my friends created a checklist to avoid missing things before the trip and we packed accordingly to that. Few days before the trip, we had a meeting and discussed the accommodation, currencies, transportation and made sure everyone were on the same page. I was both excited and nervous as this is the first time I am travelling to another country with my friends and pushing myself out of my comfort zone. Our flight to Nepal was scheduled on 6th August, 8pm.

3. Points to remember from week 1!

- Always expect the unexpected. I learned that even if we prepare so well for the trip, we still should be open to the changes that might happen.

- I was truly grateful for all the preparation that went smoothly and people who were kind and helped us so much along the way.

-  When it comes to travelling to other countries, do not delay things by procastinating as we will be the whom will be suffering in the end.

4. Your feelings & thoughts

I was very anxious before the trip as my friends and family were telling me that the foods, water and the facilities are not like Malaysia and it will take time for me to adapt to the environment. Despite that, I felt excited about this trip because the thought of going hospital in another country and learn the things over there was exhilarating. I really do hope that I gained knowledge that will be helpful in my future as a medical professional.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

There were 3 things I am concerned about. The first one is language barrier. I got to know that the natives speak in both Nepali and Hindi. I only know a few words in Hindi. But that did not give me courage to understand their native language. I tried to soothe my anxiousness by learning a few Nepali words in Youtube and the guideline given by IVHQ website.

My second concern was the money exchanging. I went to many money exchanger in my state but non of them had Nepali currencies which made me worried. I even contacted my friends regarding this matter. But unfortunately they also faced the same problem. That is why most of us plan to exchange money at Tribhuvan airport.

My third concern was travelling to another country without my family members. Travelling without my family is something new for me and out of my comfort zone. I was afraid that I will get homesick and constantly. That is why I was calling and video calling my parents constantly so that I would not feel so distant from them.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

- Nervous
- Adventurous

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

- Purchase Nepal sim card at airport
- Exchange currencies
- Attend the IVHQ orientation in Kathmandu

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1. Your name, matric number, date
Name: Richard Sim Jian Cheng
Matric number: A179778
Date:  28/07/2023 (Wed) - 09/08/2023 (Sun)

2. What have you done?

26/07/2023:
I arrived at Narita International Airport at around 7:30am. I took the Narita Express to Tokyo station and from there, took the Tokyo Metro to my place of residence. Upon arriving at Uninest Hakusan House, I checked in, unpacked my things and rest

27/07/2023 - 30/07/2023 (Thurs- Sun):
I spent my time exploring around Tokyo, visiting some famous tourist spots and at the same time, familiarizing myself with their public transport system. I also met up with my brother whom I haven't met in quite some time.

31/08/2023 - 06/08/2023 (Mon-Sun):
On the first day on the clinical Observership program, I reported at Juntendo University International Centre (JUIC) at 9am. There I met other participants from various different places such as Germany, USA and Singapore. We then attended the orientation and subsequently, a basic Japanese lesson by Prof Okita. In the afternoon, I met up with my supervisor, Dr. Sato who gave me my schedule for the week

During my week at the Gastroenterology department of Juntendo University, I watched various procedures including OGDS, Colonoscopy and ERCP. I learned about the indications and possible complications of each of the procedures such as perforation and injury. I was also taught on ways to minimize risk of injury during these procedures.

Besides that, I also observed Double Barrel Endoscope (DBE) for the first time during my attachment at the gastroenterology department. I was told by a supervisor that DBE was done to examine the small intestine. He proudly mentions that this procedure was developed by a Japanese doctor. DBE works via a push and pull method to visualize the entire small bowel. Barium imaging was also done together with DBE.

Other than that, I also observed Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD) for the first time. I was told that it is a minimally invasive procedure used to remove precancerous and cancerous lesions located at the gastrointestinal tract. It is used to remove lesions located at the submucosa hence the term submucosal. During the procedure, the tumor is located and its borders are marked with a special tool passed through the tube of the endoscope. Then, the layer beneath the tumor or lesion is injected with a solution to separate it from the muscle wall. This helps minimize damage to surrounding tissue during the procedure. An electrosurgical knife with electrical current is used to cut tumor tissue free from the GI wall. The electrical current also seals blood vessels to reduce bleeding.

3. Points to remember from week 1!

- Do not be afraid to ask the Doctors if you are unsure of a procedure or indications., The same can be said if you get lost or you are not sure where a place is. This helps save a lot of time
- Always remember to bring cash as some places in Japan do not accept credit card
- If you are living in a dormitory, sort out your trash into burnable trash, plastic, bottle caps, glass and metals before throwing it away. Also, do not litter.
- Respect the Japanese culture as you are in their country

4. Your feelings and thoughts

I always wanted to go overseas for my elective program so naturally I was very excited. At the same time, I was also a little nervous as it was my first time going overseas alone. I was wondering if I could adapt to a new environment with a language I never spoke before.

Thankfully, I was quite blessed to have very supportive parents who encouraged and helped me immensely for me to go for this overseas elective. I am very grateful for their wise advices as without it, I would have a hard time in Japan.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

My main concern when going to Japan was the language barrier as I do not know any Japanese. Communicating with the locals are a little challenging as their English is quite limited. To overcome that, I tried learning a few important Japanese phrases before coming here.  I also relied on google translate when I am unsure

Another concern was the subway system as Japan has a somewhat complicated train system. To overcome this, I downloaded google maps which proved to be priceless in helping me navigate the complex train system

6. 2 words to describe this elective posting so far

Fun, Exciting

7. Your plans for next week ( Week 2)

- I will be attached to the Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery department next week so I am planning to observe different types of surgeries there
- Visit some tourist attractions around Tokyo
- Go for dinner with the other clinical observers

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1. Your name, matric number, date

Name: Tan Xin Yee

Matric Number: A182195

Date: 17/7/2023 – 23/7/2023

2. What have you done?

Juntendo University Hospital had offered me the opportunity to participate in their 2-week Clinical Observership Program from 24 July 2023 to 4 August 2023 at Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery department. My friend, Josephine and I had submitted the paperwork iSTAR to obtain permission from the Faculty of Medicine, National University of Malaysia (UKM) and get approved before heading over to Japan.

We purchased flight tickets 2 day before our elective started after discussion. Since Juntendo University had a very limited number of housing spaces, we had to find accommodation ourselves. Fortunately, we were able to secure an affordable and convenient hotel which is 5 stops away from Juntendo University Hospital.

Based on the department notes given by the previous observers, I had revised my knowledge of the anatomy of liver, biliary tract, pancreas and vascular system and diseases such as hepatocellular carcinoma, pancreatic tumour and neuroendocrine tumour. I believed that I can be better understand about the operation and cases that I will encounter in Juntendo University Hospital through my study.

This is my first self-guided trip with my friend. We made extensive preparation to explore delicious food, place to visit and public transport to have a basic understanding of Japan. We were quite concerned and nervous about getting lost in Japan because the Japan subway system is incredibly complex, and most Japanese natives only speak Japanese. Therefore, we created a comprehensive tour guide one week before our departure.

On 22nd July 2023, my parents dropped me off at KLIA2 where I meet Josephine. Due to the flight delayed and the 7-hour long flight from Malaysia to Tokyo, we arrived at Haneda Airport at 11.30 p.m. We decided to stay overnight at the airport since all public transportation had ceased operations by that time. We had a special opportunity to experience the sunrise at Haneda Airport on 5 a.m. and then took the earliest train to our hotel. It was a very tiring journey as we had to carry 20kg of luggage from the airport to our hotel.

After a short rest, Josephine familiarized me with the route from our hotel to Juntendo University and estimated the time needed. Following that, we explored Shibuya and visited the famous Shibuya Sky Tower. This spot provided a panoramic view of the city, and in addition to the breathtaking scenery, we could identify major landmarks in the distance, such as Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Stadium.

3. Points to remember from week 1!

·         Be Prepared: Preparation is essential before starting any project to ensure its smooth and systematic execution. Creating a to-do list is a good habit to prevent forgetting or overlooking important tasks.

·         Be Brave: This is my first time traveling without my parents, and I believe it will be an opportunity for personal growth. I expect to become more mature and independent through this overseas elective project.

·         Technology and Payment: I have applied for a Wise card and mobile payment apps such as Touch'n Go, which can be used in Japan. This will make payments more convenient, reducing the need to carry excessive cash when traveling.

·         Public Transport: The transportation culture in Malaysia is different compared with Japan. In Malaysia, cars are our primary mode of transportation, in Japan, the subway system is the main mode. Therefore, I need to familiarize myself with it to avoid getting lost during my stay in Japan.

4. Your feelings & thoughts

For me, I feel both nervous and excited. This is my first time traveling without my parents, and it's a dream come true to study abroad. I'm incredibly grateful for my parents fully support after they heard about my plan. I'm also thankful to my faculty and university for not only providing me with this golden opportunity but also for their financial support during my studies abroad.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

My main concern is the language barrier. I do not know Japanese at all, and the majority of Japanese natives only speak Japanese. I am very nervous about whether I'll be able to navigate and communicate in Japan. To overcome this situation, I signed up a Japanese class provided by Juntendo University Hospital and learned through internet in preparation for my trip to Japan.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

·         Adventure

·         Excited

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

I will officially start my elective posting in the Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery department next week. My plan is to participate in the ongoing surgeries every day, join the ward rounds, and attend lectures given by the lecturers. I hope to adapt quickly to the new hospital environment and different culture, and I'm looking forward to enjoying this new journey.

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Phase 1: From Preparation to Adventure in Taiwan

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Phase 1: From Preparation to Adventure in Taiwan

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1. Your name, matric number, date
Ng Zhi Xuan, A182906, 11/7/2023-9/8/2023

2. What have you done?

11/7 - 31/7

A few weeks before my trip to Taiwan, I underwent a medical check-up, purchased travel and health insurance, arranged accommodation, and exchanged Taiwan currency. Additionally, I contacted Ms. Chi, the person in charge of the Medical Education Department at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, to ensure that there would be someone to guide me through the check-in process at the hospital accommodation upon my arrival. I emailed the necessary documents to Ms. Chi and confirmed with her whether I needed to prepare any hard copies of documentation.

One week prior to the trip, I visited the AirAsia website to study the travel requirements and restrictions in Malaysia and Taiwan, with the aim of avoiding any issues at the airports. I packed my essentials neatly and ensured there were no restricted items in my luggage, all to ensure a hassle-free airport experience.

Recognizing that local health policies can change rapidly in response to the evolving situation, I read the latest Taiwan CDC policy to ensure that I am aware of local health policies and guidelines. I also researched public transportation options to plan how I'll get around in Taiwan.

1/8 - 6/8

On the 1st of August, me and my friend, Yi Lyn, both with elective postings at the same hospital, arrived in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Yi Lyn's uncle met us at the airport and helped us get a SIM card, purchase an EasyCard (smartcard for Taiwan's MRT & bus systems), and find our way to the MRT station.

From Kaohsiung, I traveled alone to Taipei via the High-Speed Rail to meet my friend. By MRT, I explored various districts in Taipei, visiting typical tourist attractions such as Taipei 101, the National Palace Museum, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Taipei Zoo, Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf and more.

I also indulged in various night markets and  tasted local iconic street food dishes.

7/8 -9/8

On August 7th, I returned to Kaohsiung via the High-Speed Rail and met up with Yi Lyn. Together, we headed to Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, where we were greeted by Ms. Chi. She guided us through the dormitory check-in process and assisted us with the necessary documentation.

Conveniently, there is a bus station right in front of the hospital. After completing our check-in, we made a quick stop at the nearest convenience store to top up our essentials. We travelled around Kaohsiung City before our elective posting started on 14 August.

3. Points to remember from week 1!

Pay attention to the climate and weather when planning your trip.

Make use of reliable weather websites to stay up-to-date on upcoming weather conditions.

Prioritize safety first.  Always follow local authorities' advice if severe weather is forecasted during your trip.

Maintain flexibility in your travel plans.

Typhoon Experience in Taipei

I was in Taipei City from August 1st to August 6th. Unfortunately, part of my visit coincided with Typhoon Khanun, which swept across the northern part of Taiwan, including Taipei. My travel plans were partly disrupted as I could not visit some districts. Due to adverse weather conditions, rail transport and outdoor events had been suspended in some places.

On August 3rd, I was at Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf. The wind was strong and howling so loud.  It was my first experience with such a powerful wind, and I could feel the coldness even though it was summer in Taiwan. For safety reasons, I had to change my travel plans to indoor activities, such as visiting shopping outlets and restaurants.

Most typhoons hit Taiwan during the summer months, typically between July and September. While completely avoiding typhoons can be challenging, there are precautions one can take to reduce the risk during visit.

After my typhoon encounter, I discovered a valuable resource, The Central Weather Bureau Website, where I can check forecasts, weather reports, and climate information for Taiwan. This website provides animated satellite images, current conditions across the island, a typhoon's current position and expected path, its strength, and much more useful information.

4. Your feelings & thoughts

I feel grateful that Malaysia does not have typhoons. During my stay in Taiwan, from the local news reports, I realized that typhoons could bring significant challenges and disruptions. Typhoons come along with heavy rainfall, while heavy rainfall often accompanies widespread flooding and landslides, all of which can result in property damage, transportation disruptions, and even loss of life.

At the same time, I am impressed by Taiwan's well-preparedness in handling typhoons. They have advanced meteorological technology that provides timely and accurate typhoon forecasts, early warning systems to inform the public about approaching typhoons, as well as resilient infrastructure, flood control systems and reinforced buildings. All of which, significantly reduce the impact of typhoon. From here I learnt that “Preparedness is Key”.

Another lesson I learnt is “We must adapt in adversity.” Typhoons are recurring events, and Taiwan has mastered the art of learning from the past, adapting to ever-changing conditions and continuously improving its disaster preparedness. Adaptation in adversity is particularly relevant to me as a medical student due to the demanding nature of our education and future profession. For example, to adapt in academic challenges, I need to develop effective study habits, time management skills, and seeking support when needed to excel academically.

Just as infrastructure resilience important during natural disasters, for medical students, emotional resilience is vital. We need to learn how to handle our own emotions when witnessing illness and suffering in others during our medical training.

Medicine is an ever-evolving field. New healthcare challenges may arise without warning. Hence, we, as medical students, must continuously evaluate ourselves, update our skills, and stay informed about the latest advancements, integrating evidence-based practices into our clinical care.

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Phase 1: From Preparation to Adventure in Taiwan

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Phase 1: From Preparation to Adventure in Taiwan

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Ng Zhi Xuan, A182906, 11/7/2023-9/8/2023

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

Adapting Travel Plans Amid COVID-19 Policy Changes in Taiwan

Since I contacted the hospital department in mid-March, at that time, the latest COVID-19 prevention policy in Taiwan required international trainees to undergo a 7-day self-initiated prevention period and undergo a PCR test on Day 7 before coming to their hospital. This meant that I needed to check into hospital accommodation on August 7th for the 7-day self-initiated prevention before commencing my elective posting on August 14th. Therefore, I planned to fly to Kaohsiung, Taiwan, on August 1st to have more time to explore the city.

As soon as I received my approval letter at the end of April, I was filled with excitement. My friend Yi Lyn, who is also scheduled for an elective posting at the same hospital, and I immediately purchased our flight tickets for August 1st.

In mid-May, I reached out to the person in charge to inquire about the accommodation address, facilities, and to reconfirm the check-in dates, etc. To my surprise, I was informed that the 7-day self-initiated prevention period had been cancelled, and I was told to check in on August 13th.

At the time, I was concerned about the potential high cost of external accommodation for 12 days, while the hospital provided free lodging throughout the elective posting period. Changing our flight tickets was also not an ideal option, as the prices for other days were much higher compared to the August 1st flight. Therefore, I decided to request a self-paid dormitory for the period outside the elective posting to reduce expenses. This would also allow me to rest and study after a week of tourist activities.

I emailed the person in charge to explain my situation, and thankfully, my request was accepted, which helped me avoid additional expenses.

Adjusting Travel Plans Due to Typhoon Khanun

During my trip to Taipei City, my travel plans were partially disrupted due to Typhoon Khanun. Adverse weather conditions resulted in the suspension of rail transport and outdoor events in certain areas. To ensure my safety, I followed local authorities' advice and stayed indoors. I adapted my plans and engaged in indoor activities, such as exploring shopping outlets and dining at restaurants. Additionally, I made use of The Central Weather Bureau Website, where I could access forecasts, weather reports, and climate information.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

Adventurous

Enlightening

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

1. Before arriving at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, we were instructed to give a presentation on August 16th. Therefore, I will be busy preparing the presentation slides on the following topics:

- A Brief Introduction to the Medical Education System in Malaysia

- Exploring Tourist Attractions in Penang and Malaysian Local Delicacies

2. I will be participating in an orientation on August 10th and will officially commence my elective posting on August 14th.

3. I plan to tour around the hospital to become familiar with the environment.

4. I intend to take a proactive approach to learning and will make notes on what I have learned.

5. While free, I will explore the city and its surroundings.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Your name, matric number, date
Wong Yi Lyn, A179360, 1/8/2023 (Phase 1)

2. What have you done?
I actually started my preparation after the briefing of elective posting given by Dr Syam. I decided to do a medical elective in Taiwan earlier and applied for some of the recommended hospitals. However, after doing a lot of detailed research, I only chose to apply for my elective posting at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. This is due to the facts I learnt from the search of the website that it was famous for its excellence in healthcare, medical education, and research, and also It is among the biggest and most prestigious hospital facilities in Asia and Taiwan.

Hence, I started to contact the administrator from medical education, Ms Chi through gmail and prepared the documents needed such as curriculum vitae,  a purpose statement, enrollment letter, a scanned copy of the passport's information page, recommendation letter, and vaccination proof. Then, I also went to the clinic nearby to do a body examination to obtain a medical record requested by the Taiwan hospital.

After getting approval letters, I started to book plane tickets with my friend, Zhi Xuan and we made a budget estimate for the whole plan. I applied for the Wise card which is the international debit card for my travel and also went to exchange the currency at the bank changer.

Before leaving the house, I double-checked my luggage to confirm I had everything I needed packed inside and also measured the weight of the luggage using an electronic luggage scale so it did not exceed the limit.

On 31st July, we spent the night at Hotel Sepang 99, which is close to Kuala Lumpur International Airport and left for the airport early on 1st August. Once all the procedures were done, we then boarded the AirAsia plane to Taiwan Kaohsiung by 8a.m.

3. Points to remember:

Conduct extensive research to make well-informed decisions. This is a fundamental practice that enhances the quality of our decisions, reduces risks, and ensures that our choices align with our objectives and values.

Earlier preparation is significant as it contributes to work efficiency. It also can enhance our time management skills as we can allocate time effectively to various aspects of a project or task, ensuring that nothing is overlooked.

Being patient despite difficulties faced. Even when progress is sluggish or challenges appear insurmountable, patience is the force that propels us forward.

4. Feelings and thought

I was pleasantly surprised to receive an offer letter from the hospital I had hoped to apply to. It is a valuable opportunity for me to learn family medicine in depth in a hospital in a different country.

I feel a strong sense of curiosity about the culture, environment, and healthcare practices in the location where I'll be posted. At the same time,  thinking of adapting to a new environment also makes me anxious.

5. Any difficulties/ concerns? How did you cope?

Actually, I only chose to apply to this hospital after spending a lot of time doing research and getting advice from my uncle, a doctor who worked in Taiwan; as a result, I was pressed for time when it came to finalizing the paperwork and making travel arrangements. I was initially anxious because I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to complete the tasks before the application deadline, but I was able to overcome the difficulties by creating a to-do list and completing all the critical tasks piece by piece.

Zhi Xuan and I had already purchased our plane tickets earlier in the week since the hospital had decided to impose a quarantine period before we could begin our elective posting. However, as July approached, the hospital changed its mind and allowed us to skip the quarantine period and arrive only on the actual day of our elective posting. Since our flight was scheduled to land in Kaohsiung earlier than expected, we were shocked and concerned about the accommodations. However, we managed to remain calm and reach out to the hospital administrator via email to ask for permission to stay at their hostel as before, with the understanding that we would be willing to pay for it.  In the end, the issue was resolved and our application was accepted.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

Anticipation

Nervousness

7. Your plan for next phase
- Prepare for my medicine elective at Chang Gung Memorial hospital
- Meet with hospital administrator, supervisor, as well as other doctor residents
- Join the orientation day

# data[].attributes.body
1. Your name,matrics number, date

Lohith Selan Raja Selan,A182279,20/5/2023-6/8/2023

2. What have you done?

My friends introduced me to this IVHQ (International Volunteering Headquarters) medical programme a few months prior to this medical elective posting as they knew I was keen to go overseas to do my internship.This organization offered a vast of choices for us to choose from and there were various countries that offered the medical elective programme which was indeed a great option for us.The 8 girls on this trip came to a conclusion that Nepal would be the best option in the sense of language, cost and the experience we would obtain and the two other boys agreed and proceeded to choose Nepl as our intern country.Our main aim was to gain experience and we knew Nepal's healthcare system has many setbacks, shortages and limitations but we wanted to experience the working life there.This only helps the volunteers to obtain new skills,gain new experiences in a variety of medical conditions and make us more knowledgeable on how to handle situations in varies environments.

There were plenty of documents to be prepared which included our visa which we had to do in the Nepal embassy ,passport,certificate of good conduct which we had to go all the way to Putrajaya to prove our innocence, travel insurance under SOMPO,dean's offer letter and many more.It was indeed a very hectic process applying for the programme and it took quite some time for the IVHQ team to process our data and approve our programme that we had opted for.I was so glad we did the whole applying process together which made the whole process a lot more easier.We were applying for this programme in between our class schedules and it was indeed challenging.Special thanks to Dr.Syamsa who played such a vital role in showing us the pathway and guiding us on the smooth process of getting our documents prepared such as the dean letter, and through his guidance our programme application went smoothly.Not forgetting our programme manager,Scotia Blair,who was another major figure who helped us through in our application process.Special thanks to IVHQ for giving us a checklist to prepare and complete so that we don't miss out on anything and my parents who were so supportive to send me and make sure I had a good experience.

Before our flight scheduled,we were busy dividing tasks among ourselves on who is to find the transportation, sim cards, food places to go,accomodation and many more and everyone cooperatively did their part.Everyone was very cooperative and it went on smoothly and before our trip I made sure to get my typhoid vaccine as it was a prerequisite to avoid ourselves from getting any food poisoning.I also got a checklist from my friend on what was needed to be brought for the trip and packed accordingly.I also got a lot of medications that were necessary from the pharmacy in case of any emergency in Nepal. In order to communicate with the natives more easily, we took use of our free time to learn some basic Nepalese language. This enhanced our whole experience.This was my first trip abroad with friends, therefore I was looking forward to it very much. On August 6th at 8:00 p.m., we were supposed to take off for Nepal.

3. Points to remember from week 1!

-Make an attempt to learn some fundamental words or phrases in the native tongue before your trip. This can help you overcome any linguistic hurdles you may run into.

-Always pack much ahead to avoid any last minute mishaps and make sure to bring medications in cases of emergency as we do not know where to get the medications in those countries and we do not know its effectiveness.

-Before setting out on a trip abroad, make sure you have all the required paperwork ready, along with extra copies. Do extensive research on the area and become familiar with its subtle cultural subtleties.

4. Your feelings & thoughts

-I couldn't contain my enthusiasm as I prepared to embark on my first international trip with my buddies.I remember texting my friends telling them how fun is it going to be as its our first trip together and we were to handle everything on our own.We gave each other moral support that we would be there for each other.As the days for voluntary posting grew closer, I started to feel anxious. I was concerned that I may forget to do something critical, but happily, everything worked out and I didn't skip any important tasks.We had to go through a number of processes, such as getting visas, good conduct certificates, the Dean's letter, and I-star and by god's grace everything went smooth sailing and there were no hiccups along the way.

-I knew Nepal will not be anything like Malaysia as it is still a developing country and they are improving so I set my standards rather low to not get disappointed on the experiences I were to gain and I knew the healthcare system over there is not as great as ours.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

-The hardest challenge was to change our Malaysian currency to nepalese currency as there wasn't stock in Malaysia for nepalese currency and I remember going with my friend to so many money changers looking for the currency.Finally we gave up and decided to change at the Nepal airport which certainly wasn't a wrong decision as we got good rates compared to Malaysia.We were indeed so relieved after we had some currency exchanged as we needed to get the SIM card at the airport.

-The most challenge we were reaching to experience was the dialect boundary. The essential dialects talked within the region were Nepalese and Hindi. Communicating with the local people demonstrated to be very challenging since their English capability was constrained.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

Fun and Challenging

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

-Purchase the Nepal SIM card to communicate with family and friends in Malaysia

-Exchange currency

-Attend the orientation in a hotel in Thamel Street,Kathmandu

-Travel to Pokhara for my internship which the journey is expected to be challenging and 10 hrs long.

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Hong Kong Elective: Learning, Adapting, and Exploring

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Hong Kong Elective: Learning, Adapting, and Exploring

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1.     Your name, matric number, date

Name              : Oon Men Joo
Matric number: A179804
Date                : 28/07/23 (Fri) – 06/08/23 (Sun)

2.     What have you done?

28/07/23 (Fri): My friend, Yee Xin and I arrived at the Hong Kong International Airport around 2 p.m. We bought a SIM card and an octopus card at the airport and travelled to our living places by public transportation separately. Upon arriving at the Patrick Manson Student Residence, I checked in, cleaned up my room and rested afterward.

29/07/23 – 30/07/23 (Sat – Sun): Yee Xin and I toured around The University of Hong Kong and Queen Mary Hospital to get ourselves familiarised with the transportation and environment here.

30/07/23 – 03/08/23 (Mon – Fri): On the first day of elective clinical attachment, I reported at the department of surgery, Queen Mary Hospital at 9.00 a.m. I have signed some documents to agree to be an “observer” throughout this clinical attachment, received the hospital assess card and timetable and watched a video about infection control. I was then directed to the office of the Division of Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery (HBP) and the Division of Liver Transplantation (LT).

During the first week, I watched around 10 complete OGDS and 3 ERCP. I learned how to recognise the part of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum during the OGDS procedure and understand the ERCP procedure and cholangiogram. I have also learned about the local anaesthesia and sedation medication given during the procedures.

Besides, I also followed the LT clinic for the first time. I have learned that both liver donor and recipient have to follow up in the clinic for life after the liver transplantation. Post-liver transplantation patients will be given immunosuppressants for life and the main purpose of follow-up is to trace the blood investigation and imaging results besides checking the side effects of the medications. The MELD score estimates a patient’s chances of surviving their liver disease for the next three months. The higher the score, the more urgent your case is. Deceased Donor Liver Transplantation’s priority is based on the patient’s MELD score and blood group.

I have also observed a Deceased Donor Liver Transplantation (DDLT) for 9 hours. The doctor explained some pre-operation preparation to me. I stood on the small and mobile stairs behind the surgeon so that I could observe the operation from the top view. Besides, I observed an open segment VIII hepatectomy due to Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). After the tumour being removed, I have the chance to touch and feel the tumour when the tumour was sent for pathology investigation.

Besides, I have attended the HBP clinic, observed the consultation and learned some textbook knowledge. Chronic liver cirrhosis and HCC are very common in Hong Kong.

I have also attended a research meeting on the topics of “Clinical profiles and early outcomes in medulloblastoma patients”, “TLR4-mediated hepatocellular carcinoma senescence impairs tumour surveillance of natural killer cells via HLA-E-NKG2A axis after liver transplantation” and “The effect of splenectomy on experimental intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) in mouse model.

05/08/23 – 06/08/23 (Sat – Sun). During the weekend, Yee Xin and I toured around Kennedy Town to try good local food and enjoy the sunset scenery. We also visited other tourist attraction locations like Central, The Peak and Causeway Bay to immerse ourselves in the Hong Kong culture. I was stunned by the night city view from the top of the peak.

3.     Points to remember from week 1!

·       Do not be afraid and be confident when asking questions to doctors, nurses and strangers especially when you are new to the place because it saves a lot of time.

·       Stay calm when the situation is beyond your expectations and do not afraid to ask local people for help. Learning some simple local languages could help in this situation.

·       In Hong Kong, people follow the rules closely. For instance, utilizing designated zebra crossings with green traffic signals when crossing roads, refraining from littering, adhering to queues in numerous locations, abstaining from photography in hospitals and specified zones are just a few examples of these regulations

·       The three most important things during traveling are a phone with mobile data, cash and a transportation card.

4.     Your feelings & thoughts

Going for an exchange programme is always one of my dreams that I want to achieve. Before departing to Hong Kong, I have a complicated feeling of excitement, worries, and nervousness because it is the first time for me to travel abroad without my family and I heard that Hong Kong people aren’t friendly and like to scold people for being too slow. I missed my family so much in the first day after traveling with a big luggage for a long distance. Luckily, I slowly adapted to the environment when it came to the end of first week.

I found that the HKU medical faculty emphasises a lot in training the local medical students to involve in research activities. For example, the specialty clerkship students must attend the research meeting every Tuesday morning and take turn to present their research in front of all the professor and doctors. Besides, they focus a lot on the management of the patients compared to the clinical symptoms and physical examination.

5.     Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

The first difficulty that I faced was adapting to the new environment. I was lost in this city and hospital quite often during the first few days. Nobody was guiding me in this hospital. Instead, I was only given a timetable and I had to figure everything out. I cope with this problem by asking anyone nearby such as strangers, medical students, guards, nurses and staff using my rusty Cantonese to get direction. Most of them are helpful.

Besides, I felt exhausted in the first week because I have a daily schedule from 7.30 a.m. until 5.00 p.m. and I have to stand for most of the time. I cope with this by sleeping earlier and drinking coffee so that I can stay energetic for the whole day.

The third difficulty was the language problem. I could not understand Cantonese thoroughly so I might miss some information when the doctors speak too fast to patients. I cope with this by seeking clarification from my newly met Hong Kong friend.

6.     2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

Adventurous, exhausting

7.     Your plan for next week (Week 2)

·       Continue to explore the healthcare system in Hong Kong

·       Visit Tung Wah Hospital, the first hospital in Hong Kong to observe cholecystectomy

·       Observe different types of surgeries

·       Visit Avenue of stars, Victoria Harbour, Mang Kok, You Matai to discover the beauty of Hong Kong

# data[].attributes.body
1. Your name, matric number, date

LIM YEE XIN, A179999, 28/7/2023-4/8/2023

2. What have you done?

A few days before departing for Hong Kong, I made sure to gather all the necessary items, including everyday essentials and important documents. In the early hours of the morning, we arrived at KLIA International Departure. After a four-hour journey, we safely landed at Hong Kong International Airport. Upon arrival, we purchased a SIM card and an Octopus card, which proved to be very convenient for getting around Hong Kong. Me and my friend, Menjoo, then took a bus to our respective accommodations in different areas.

Upon reaching Sai Ying Pun, where my Airbnb was located, I encountered difficulty finding the exact address even while using Google Maps. Unfortunately, I couldn't get in touch with the Airbnb host either. Thankfully, a kind local Hong Kong resident offered to assist me in locating the place. It turned out that my Airbnb was situated next to a steep and lengthy road, which explained the initial confusion.

During the weekend, we visited the main campus of The University of Hong Kong (HKU). The university attracted a considerable number of tourists, and we even had to wait in line to take photos with the university's signature wall, boasting a century of history. Moreover, the campus hosted several exhibitions, including displays of Picasso's art, Chinese calligraphy, ceramics, and ink paintings.

The following day, we explored the Faculty of Medicine campus of HKU, which is separate from the main campus, much like UKM. This visit aimed to familiarize us with the facilities before our upcoming classes. We took the opportunity to tour the library and the hospital.

Monday marked the commencement of my elective placement. To ensure punctuality, I woke up early to catch the bus to Queen Mary Hospital. I first met with Ms. Sum Leung, the administrator, who provided me with all the necessary information, including schedules, hospital locations, and infection control guidelines. Following that, I attended the Monday rounds with the house officers and medical officers from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, held in the lecture hall. Medical officers who were presenters shared their elective research. In the afternoon, I participated in the antenatal old case clinic at the hospital's S block. This clinic resembled Malaysia's primary health clinics (Klinik Kesihatan), where doctors reviewed the progress of pregnant women. I had the opportunity to use a Doptone device to assess the fetal heart rate of pregnant women.

Over the subsequent days, I engaged in gynaecology teaching rounds, during which local HKU students presented cases and medical officers discussed them with us. Topics included intermenstrual bleeding. A particularly intriguing session was the subfertility clinic, focusing on women facing conception challenges like PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). On Wednesday, I attended the gynaecology new case clinic, witnessing a cervical polyp removal through speculum examination. The removed tissue was sent to the lab for pathology analysis. Later that day, I participated in a tumor board meeting, where gynaecology specialists discussed cases requiring surgical intervention alongside pathologists. Thursday featured the gynaecology grand rounds, with medical students presenting their covered cases to consultants, specialists, and house officers. On Friday, there was an obstetric and gynaecology case discussion session, similar to UKM's seminars and workshops. A group of medical students presented on topics such as multiple pregnancies and postmenopausal bleeding.

Fortuitously, a local HKU student graciously allowed me to observe history-taking  in the labour ward. The patient ward had a stunning beautiful view of the mountains and sea! Interestingly, I also found that the clinical waste bag is red in Hong Kong but yellow in Malaysia.

3. Points to remember from week 1!

·        Be brave to approach people and seek for help!

·        Remember to introduce myself before ask for something and maintain professionalism

·        Be patience in listening and do not be shy to ask people to repeat the sentences that I do not understand

4. Your feelings & thoughts

During my placement in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at The University of Hong Kong, I experienced a blend of emotions, including both anxiety and excitement. This was due to the fact that I hadn't previously undergone an O&G rotation during my third year. Additionally, prior to arriving in Hong Kong, I had heard that the people here were somewhat stern and not very approachable, which made me apprehensive about reaching out and asking for assistance.

However, my concerns were alleviated when I approached the first nurse to inquire about the clinic room where I needed to be. Despite her initially serious expression, she turned out to be helpful and kind. I also found the doctors to be friendly and understanding, creating an environment where students were not subjected to reprimands. Every individual I encountered during my time here proved to be genuinely helpful, which completely surpassed my initial expectations. This warmth and support were truly heartwarming and made me feel grateful for the experience.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

Despite having an intermediate level of Cantonese language proficiency and being able to comprehend Cantonese in Malaysia, there are moments when I struggle to keep up with and fully understand medical conversations between doctors, as well as discussions involving me and the doctors. I've noticed that the pace at which they speak Cantonese here is faster compared to what I'm used to in Malaysia. Additionally, I've been both intrigued and challenged by their good English accents, which occasionally pose difficulties for my comprehension. When I find myself unable to grasp the meaning, I have no option but to request them to repeat their sentences for my benefit.

Moreover, the discussions related to obstetrics and gynaecology often go over my head, as I have only briefly covered these topics and haven't had prior exposure to obstetrics and gynaecology placements. This lack of familiarity became evident during a clinic session when a doctor asked me to perform a cervical examination. Due to my lack of experience and fear of causing discomfort to the patient, I had to admit that I didn't know how to proceed.

In response to these challenges, I have taken the initiative to search for study materials and content related to the subjects covered in this placement.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

Anxiety and Nervous

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

·        To understand more the knowledges of obstetric and gynaecology

·        To observe the vaginal delivery

·        To get more familiarize the hospital setting

# data[].attributes.body
1. Your name, matric number, date

Prissha Siveraj , A184223, 20/5/2023-6/8/2023

2. What have you done?

A few months prior to the elective posting period, my friends came across IVHQ (International Volunteering Headquarters), an organization offering a plethora of volunteering programs worldwide. After discussing the options, a group of ten of us decided on a Medical Elective in Nepal. Nepal’s healthcare system encounters a range of challenges, including limited resources, insufficient infrastructure, and a shortage of healthcare professionals. As medical volunteers, this creates opportunities to broaden our skill sets, acquire experience in diverse medical conditions, and elevate our clinical expertise.

After submitting our applications to IVHQ, it took them a few days to process our registration. After a few weeks, we received our verification letter. With that in hand, we began preparing all the necessary documents required by UKM to proceed with the elective posting overseas. Dr. Syamsa played a crucial role in guiding us on how to obtain the offer letter from the Dean, and with his assistance, everything went smoothly. Our program manager for this elective posting was Scotia Blair, who was incredibly helpful. In anticipation of our elective posting, IVHQ provided us with an extensive checklist to complete. It took us nearly two to three months to gather all the required documents.

Before departing for Nepal, my friends and I divided responsibilities among ourselves. Each person was in charge of transportation, accommodation, flight tickets, SIM cards, travel insurance and creating the itinerary for our stay in Nepal. This division of tasks ensured that everyone was involved and that each team member did an excellent job in their respective roles. During our free time, we also took the opportunity to learn some basic Nepalese words to facilitate communication with the locals. I was eagerly anticipating this trip as it marked my first venture abroad with friends. Our flight to Nepal was scheduled for August 6th at 8:00 p.m.

3. Points to remember from week 1!

Ensure that you have all the necessary documents and additional copies prepared before embarking on a journey to another country. Research thoroughly about the destination and familiarize yourself with its cultural nuances.  Vigilance is essential as tourists are susceptible to scams and fraud.

Planning your trip thoroughly is essential because travel can be unpredictable, especially when dealing with factors like weather. It's crucial to have a rough idea of what you want to do and create an itinerary to help guide your journey.

In the lead-up to your trip, make an effort to acquire basic vocabulary or phrases in the local language. This will prove invaluable in overcoming language barriers that you may encounter.

4. Your feelings & thoughts

I was filled with excitement about travelling overseas with my friends for the first time. We had to go through a few procedures, including obtaining visas, certificates of good conduct, the Dean's letter, and I-star. I'm grateful that all my friends were cooperative, and together, we successfully managed to complete all the necessary tasks. As the elective posting days drew nearer, I began to feel a sense of panic. I was worried that I might overlook something important, but thankfully, everything fell into place.

I did not set my expectations high when I decided to volunteer in Nepal. Nepal is a developing country and their healthcare is less advanced than our country. I aimed to immerse myself in the environment and gain insights into their distinctive healthcare setup.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

Before travelling to Nepal, we faced difficulties in exchanging Nepalese currency because it was limited in Malaysia, and the exchange rate was unfavourable. I had concerns about this, but fortunately, we found that the exchange rate at the Nepal airport was more favourable.

The main challenge we were going to encounter was the language barrier. The primary languages spoken in the area were Nepalese and Hindi. Communicating with the locals proved to be quite challenging since their English proficiency was limited.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

New experience

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

We will be arriving at  Kathmandu for our orientation. Then we will travel to Pokhara for our Medical Elective

I'll be joining the internal medicine department next week and am eagerly anticipating the opportunity to observe and learn from interesting cases.

We're making plans to explore Pokhara during the weekends

# data[].attributes.body
1. Your name , matric number, date

Parvin A/P Thirumurugananthajiva
A180823
20/5/2023 - 6/8/2023

2. What have you done?

I learned about the IVHQ medical program through my friends. After gaining a better understanding of the program and obtaining my parents' approval, I proceeded to apply for it. In a few days, I received the acceptance letter from IVHQ, and that marked the beginning of my journey. We began the process by preparing a multitude of documents since it's an international program.

The documents we prepared included the visa, passport, certificate of good conduct, travel insurance, verification letter, dean's offer letter, and more. I felt grateful because my friends and I tackled this preparation together, which lightened my load. We managed to squeeze all these preparations into our busy class schedules, although it was quite hectic. I'd also like to express my gratitude to Dr. Syamsa, who supported me from the start of the preparation until the end, answering my numerous questions about the elective program, which was new to me. I must extend my thanks to my parents as well, as they covered all my expenses throughout the program.

During my semester break, I followed my friends' advice and got a typhoid vaccination, as it's recommended for travelers. Additionally, I made copies of all the required documents, just in case they were needed. I researched the weather in Nepal and, since it indicated summer, I began packing appropriate clothing and essentials. My friends and I created a checklist of necessary items to ensure I didn't forget anything. As a safety precaution during our trip, we also made sure to have some medications on hand, such as antipyretics, anti-diarrheal medications, and mosquito repellent. Since we were traveling as a group, each of us had a specific role in researching Nepal to make our trip smoother. Some of our responsibilities included finding transportation options, securing SIM cards, booking hotels, identifying activities to do, and creating tentative itineraries. This division of tasks ensured that we were well-prepared for our journey.

3. Points to remember from week 1!

-Always be prepared for any circumstances that may arise. I had doubts about whether the water or food in Nepal might cause diarrhea, so I brought my medications just in case.

-Never set your expectations too high. I was fully prepared to adapt and mentally ready for my journey in Nepal. To get a better picture of my trip, I also watched some travel vlogs. My Nepalese guard uncle, who was my guide, provided valuable insights about Nepalese cuisine, recommended places to visit, and gave me advice on what to expect during my travels.

-Don't hesitate to ask for help. I kept in touch with my friends during my preparations to ensure I didn't miss any important documents or items. I also regularly reviewed my checklist.

-Remember, procrastination wastes time. I was relaxed during the first month of my semester break, thinking I had plenty of time. However, when my parents and friends started counting down the days, I began to panic and rushed to complete all my tasks as quickly as possible.

4. Your feelings & thoughts

Initially, I had mixed feelings about enrolling in an international program. I had heard that it would require months of preparation and involve significant expenses. However, I was fortunate to have parents who were supportive and friends who encouraged me, which made the entire process much more manageable.

I also looked forward to a new adventure with my friends, as this experience would be entirely different for me. I tend to take some time to adjust to new people and environments, but I was enthusiastic about sharing this journey with my friends.

5. Any difficulties/concerns?
How did you cope?

- I encountered difficulties while trying to exchange money due to the unfavorable exchange rate for Nepalese currency. I made numerous calls to various places in search of Nepalese currency, but none of them had it available. This situation led to a sense of panic. Eventually, my father exchanged Malaysian Ringgit to USD. However, after consulting with my Nepalese uncle, he recommended that I exchange my money once I arrived at Kathmandu airport, as they offered a more favorable rate. This advice provided some relief.

- Language barrier was also a concern. I had been informed that Nepalese people primarily spoke Nepalese and Hindi. To overcome this challenge, I took the initiative to learn some basic words in Nepalese to facilitate communication.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

Excited and Thrilled

7. Your plan for next week (week 2 )

• Exchange currency

• Purchase a Nepal SIM card

• Attend the orientation in Kathmandu

• Begin my journey to Pokhara

# data[].attributes.body
1. Your name, matric number, date
Name: Haritha Subba Rau
Matric number: A181806
Date: 13/2/2023-6/08/2023

2. What have you done?

13th February 2023 was when I applied to do my medical elective in Nepal via the International Volunteer Headquarters (IVHQ) program. February 14 was when I got my offer letter from Miss Scotia who was the person in charge for our program in Nepal. On 23rd of May was when we got our certificate of good conductance from Wisma Putra, Putrajaya as we were told to do criminal background check as part of our preparation checklist .On 29th of May was when we applied and got our tourist visa from Embassy of Nepal Kuala Lumpur. During the month of June was when we bought our flight tickets and finalized our insurance from Berjaya Sompo Insurance. On 31st July we had an online meeting with our group to discuss the progress and since we have also divided task among ourselves and my task was to look for apps that will help with navigation and also for language translation in Nepal. We also discussed about our itinerary for the two weeks and activities that we can do during the weekends. During the course of 5 to 6 months I have to complete a checklist provided by the IVHQ before I embark on my medical elective. The checklist includes things like rules and regulations volunteers must abide, travel insurance, reading about the program guide which is about what are volunteers expected to do at the hospital and also history about the place we are going to be staying which is Pokhara. There was also a section in the program guide where we have to learn some common slangs in Nepali language such as

Hello, greetings, I bless the divine in you-Namaste
How are you? -Kasto Cha?
I'm fine - Thik Cha
Thank you - Dhanybhad
What is your name? -Tapaiiko naam ke ho?
I don’t understand Nepali -Nepali bhujhina

I also did some research about Nepal like the culture they practice where they say Namaste when they see each other and the typical food they eat which is Dhal Bhat, the type of ethnicity which is most common there which is Hindus and Buddhists'. I also took this time to learn some Nepali language myself to adapt better with the local people there. I also did some research about the hospital that I will be volunteering in which is Gandaki Medical College and I read some rules and regulations that volunteers should abide in hospital. For safety reasons one month prior from my program, I got the typhoid vaccine.

3. Points to remember from week 1

·       To be organized when planning to travel abroad such as to make sure to prepare the documents earlier so that we don’t miss out important documents last minute.

·       To research abut the history, culture and traditions of a country before going there so that we can familiarize ourselves and don’t get culture shock.

·       To learn some important term from the local language of whichever country we are planning to visit just in case if we need the help of the local people such as to ask for directions.

4. Your feelings & thoughts

I feel anxious because I don’t know whether things will be as I imagined and same as whatever I have researched online about Nepalese people, customs and also by reading other volunteers experience online. At the same time, I feel excited as this is my first-time volunteering abroad and immersing myself with people from different background and culture and also can't wait to experience the beauty of nature in Nepal.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

During the preparation for this program we were not given further information about the host family we will be staying with as well the exact location of our homestay and because of that we couldn’t plan properly roughly how far will the journey be from our homestays to our destination. But we got all the information during our orientation in Nepal.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

-Excited

-Anxious

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

Travel to Nepal and start with our medical elective and attachment at Gandaki Medical College.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Your name, matric number, date
Goh Xin Qi, A184017, 3/7/2023 – 9/7/2023

2. What have you done?

[3/7/2023, Monday: First Day of My Clinical Elective in Cardiology Department at FAHZU]

I visited the international exchange office at FAHZU in Qingchun Road. Ms. Shi Beiyi was present to provide me with a hospital tour and guided me to the Internal Medicine department, specifically the cardiology specialty, located on the 12th floor of block number 2. I was assigned to join the team led by Dr. Gao Danchen, who is the chief physician for Internal Medicine Cardiology at FADZU. I would be under supervision of Dr. Ting Chen, who is the associate chief physician throughout these two weeks.

When I arrived, they were in the midst of a discussion about the ward round. The entire conversation was conducted in Mandarin since they know that I can understand it. I made my best effort to follow along, but I sometimes struggled to grasp the conversation due to my unfamiliarity with certain Mandarin medical terminology. After the ward round, I had some free time, which I used to familiarise myself with the new environment. My team consists of Dr. Gao Danchen 高丹忱 (chief physician), Dr. Ting Chen 陈婷 (associate chief physician), Dr Shen Yuqing 沈聿青 (physician), Dr. Hu Lim 胡林 (resident doctor), Wang Yuxin 汪雨欣 (Year 5 medical student) and myself. I learnt to navigate their health information system using their computer, and to my surprise, even the laboratory reports were presented in Mandarin. Translating these reports one by one proved challenging and time-consuming. Subsequently, I was assigned the task of performing electrocardiograms on four patients.

[4/7/2023, Tuesday: Met New Friends from Diverse Countries]

Today, I was pleasantly surprised to encounter several foreign students who were also participating in a clinical elective in the cardiology department. Through our conversation, I discovered that they were Year 1 medical students from FAHZU, having just embarked on their first semester and they hailed from different countries such as Thailand, Africa, and Bhutan. They had recently arrived in China and were still grappling with the challenges of understanding Chinese. My supervisor took the initiative to educate them about electrocardiograms and asked for my assistance by translating the information into English. Subsequently, I proceeded to demonstrate the correct procedure for conducting an electrocardiogram on a patient for them. It was quite amusing to hear that during the demonstration, the patient inquired if I was speaking Japanese.

[5/7/2023, Wednesday: Clerked a Patient]

Yuxin and I were assigned to clerk a patient who had a patent foramen ovale and, to complete the patient’s case summary within the computer system. As both Yuxin and I were new to the system, we sought help from an experience senior, a Year 5 medical student who has been on the rotation at the cardiology department for a few weeks.  He kindly provided us with an explanation of the system and guided us through the process of clerking a patient. I noticed that there were not significant differences in the process of taking history from patients, except for language. The most challenging aspect was that the case summary had to be typed in Mandarin.

[6/7/2023, Thursday: Teaching Round on Mitral Regurgitation]

In the afternoon, I took part in a teaching round focused on mitral regurgitation conducted by Dr. Guo Xiaogang 郭晓纲, the chief physician of Internal Medicine Cardiology at FAHZU. Dr. Guo Xiaogang provided a comprehensive overview of mitral regurgitation using a specific patient case as a reference. During the session, Dr. Guo Xiaogang imparted extensive knowledge about the pathophysiology, clinical presentations, diagnostic approaches, and management strategies related to mitral regurgitation. After the didactic presentation, Dr. Guo Xiaogang guided us to the bedside of a patient with mitral regurgitation. To enhance our learning experience, he requested one of the doctors to demonstrate a concise cardiovascular examination. I realised that there are certain differences in performing cardiology examinations between FAHZU and HUKM. Notably, at FAHZU, they incorporate percussion of the heart which involves tapping on the body surface of the patient to estimate a patient’s heart size or pericardial effusion. This practice contrasts with the usual approach at HUKM, where heart percussion is not typically performed as part of routine cardiovascular examinations. These experiences underscored how medical practices can differ between institutions and regions, allowing me to gain a broader perspective on clinical techniques and offering me valuable insight into performing a comprehensive assessment of a patient’s cardiovascular system.

3. Points to remember from week 1!

Public transportation: Public transportation in China is exceptionally convenient and can take you to virtually any destination you desire. This is particularly beneficial for me as a foreign student, as it allows me to travel freely without concerns about transportation. Additionally, a unique aspect of China is the widespread availability of bicycles for rental, offering another mode of convenient and eco-friendly transportation. The distance between my hostel and the hospital takes around 20 minutes on foot, and to make the journey even more effortless, I often opt to rent a bicycle.

Contrasting Health Information System: One of the differences in the health information systems between FAHZU and HUKM is that all the patient reports, including the case summaries, laboratory report and the treatment plans, were paperless and integrated into the computer system. In FAHZU, Year 5 medical students took on the responsibility to clerk a patient, which involved documenting their medical information and subsequently completing the patient’s case summaries within the system. However, it is important to note that medical students were not permitted to create treatment plans for patients, as this responsibility was delegated to physicians. They were also required to sign off on these summaries upon completion and the case summaries would be reviewed by seniors’ doctors during daily ward round discussions. This approach stood in contrast to our system, which might rely on more traditional paper-based methods for record-keeping, and where medical students are not eligible to take on the sole responsibility of a patient case summary for hospital records.

4. Your feelings & thoughts

I am grateful to have obtained the opportunity to participate in a clinical elective program in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine for a one-month period. It has always been my desire to challenge myself by living alone and independently in a foreign country and I did not expect this dream to come true so early. I was filled with excitement and could not wait to embark on my journey to China. I meticulously prepared my passport, visa, and all the necessary documents for check-in. Once everything was well-prepared, I was completely ready to go!

This is the first time I have stayed far away from my family, and I am staying alone in a foreign country for an entire month. Fortunately, everything went smooth throughout this week, and I successfully survived the first week both physically and mentally. This might be attributed to the surrounding environments where Mandarin is spoken, which is still familiar to me, and there are several people in charge who are always there to help and guide me whenever I need it.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?
Navigating Medical Jargon Challenges: Despite being fluent in speaking and understanding Mandarin, I still encounter difficulties in comprehending their Mandarin medical jargon. While becoming acquainted with their health information system on their computer, I was taken aback to find that the laboratory reports were presented in Mandarin. This required me to translate them individually. Throughout these two weeks, I would be under the supervision of Dr. Ting Chen, who is able to speak and understand English. However, during certain ward rounds when Dr. Ting Chen is not present, Dr. Gao Danchen would pose questions to me, and I would struggle to fully comprehend his questions. When I attempted to respond in English, he faced difficulty understanding my answers. As a result, I dedicated time to studying Mandarin beforehand to better address his questions.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

Fulfilling

Enriching

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

Making new friends and engaging in deeper conversations to foster friendship and expand my understanding of diverse cultures and perspectives.

Exploring Hangzhou’s unique culinary delights and vibrant streets to fully embrace the local culture.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Your name, matric number, date
Goh Xin Qi, A184017, 3/7/2023 – 9/7/2023

2. What have you done?

[3/7/2023, Monday: First Day of My Clinical Elective in Cardiology Department at FAHZU]

I visited the international exchange office at FAHZU in Qingchun Road. Ms. Shi Beiyi was present to provide me with a hospital tour and guided me to the Internal Medicine department, specifically the cardiology specialty, located on the 12th floor of block number 2. I was assigned to join the team led by Dr. Gao Danchen, who is the chief physician for Internal Medicine Cardiology at FADZU. I would be under supervision of Dr. Ting Chen, who is the associate chief physician throughout these two weeks.

When I arrived, they were in the midst of a discussion about the ward round. The entire conversation was conducted in Mandarin since they know that I can understand it. I made my best effort to follow along, but I sometimes struggled to grasp the conversation due to my unfamiliarity with certain Mandarin medical terminology. After the ward round, I had some free time, which I used to familiarise myself with the new environment. My team consists of Dr. Gao Danchen 高丹忱 (chief physician), Dr. Ting Chen 陈婷 (associate chief physician), Dr Shen Yuqing 沈聿青 (physician), Dr. Hu Lim 胡林 (resident doctor), Wang Yuxin 汪雨欣 (Year 5 medical student) and myself. I learnt to navigate their health information system using their computer, and to my surprise, even the laboratory reports were presented in Mandarin. Translating these reports one by one proved challenging and time-consuming. Subsequently, I was assigned the task of performing electrocardiograms on four patients.

[4/7/2023, Tuesday: Met New Friends from Diverse Countries]

Today, I was pleasantly surprised to encounter several foreign students who were also participating in a clinical elective in the cardiology department. Through our conversation, I discovered that they were Year 1 medical students from FAHZU, having just embarked on their first semester and they hailed from different countries such as Thailand, Africa, and Bhutan. They had recently arrived in China and were still grappling with the challenges of understanding Chinese. My supervisor took the initiative to educate them about electrocardiograms and asked for my assistance by translating the information into English. Subsequently, I proceeded to demonstrate the correct procedure for conducting an electrocardiogram on a patient for them. It was quite amusing to hear that during the demonstration, the patient inquired if I was speaking Japanese.

[5/7/2023, Wednesday: Clerked a Patient]

Yuxin and I were assigned to clerk a patient who had a patent foramen ovale and, to complete the patient’s case summary within the computer system. As both Yuxin and I were new to the system, we sought help from an experience senior, a Year 5 medical student who has been on the rotation at the cardiology department for a few weeks.  He kindly provided us with an explanation of the system and guided us through the process of clerking a patient. I noticed that there were not significant differences in the process of taking history from patients, except for language. The most challenging aspect was that the case summary had to be typed in Mandarin.

[6/7/2023, Thursday: Teaching Round on Mitral Regurgitation]

In the afternoon, I took part in a teaching round focused on mitral regurgitation conducted by Dr. Guo Xiaogang 郭晓纲, the chief physician of Internal Medicine Cardiology at FADZU. Dr. Guo Xiaogang provided a comprehensive overview of mitral regurgitation using a specific patient case as a reference. During the session, Dr. Guo Xiaogang imparted extensive knowledge about the pathophysiology, clinical presentations, diagnostic approaches, and management strategies related to mitral regurgitation. After the didactic presentation, Dr. Guo Xiaogang guided us to the bedside of a patient with mitral regurgitation. To enhance our learning experience, he requested one of the doctors to demonstrate a concise cardiovascular examination. I realised that there are certain differences in performing cardiology examinations between FADZU and HUKM. Notably, at FADZU, they incorporate percussion of the heart which involves tapping on the body surface of the patient to estimate a patient’s heart size or pericardial effusion. This practice contrasts with the usual approach at HUKM, where heart percussion is not typically performed as part of routine cardiovascular examinations. These experiences underscored how medical practices can differ between institutions and regions, allowing me to gain a broader perspective on clinical techniques and offering me valuable insight into performing a comprehensive assessment of a patient’s cardiovascular system.

3. Points to remember from week 1!

Public transportation: Public transportation in China is exceptionally convenient and can take you to virtually any destination you desire. This is particularly beneficial for me as a foreign student, as it allows me to travel freely without concerns about transportation. Additionally, a unique aspect of China is the widespread availability of bicycles for rental, offering another mode of convenient and eco-friendly transportation. The distance between my hostel and the hospital takes around 20 minutes on foot, and to make the journey even more effortless, I often opt to rent a bicycle.

Contrasting Health Information System: One of the differences in the health information systems between FADZU and HUKM is that all the patient reports, including the case summaries, laboratory report and the treatment plans, were paperless and integrated into the computer system. In FADZU, Year 5 medical students took on the responsibility to clerk a patient, which involved documenting their medical information and subsequently completing the patient’s case summaries within the system. However, it is important to note that medical students were not permitted to create treatment plans for patients, as this responsibility was delegated to physicians. They were also required to sign off on these summaries upon completion and the case summaries would be reviewed by seniors’ doctors during daily ward round discussions. This approach stood in contrast to our system, which might rely on more traditional paper-based methods for record-keeping, and where medical students are not eligible to take on the sole responsibility of a patient case summary for hospital records.

4. Your feelings & thoughts

I am grateful to have obtained the opportunity to participate in a clinical elective program in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine for a one-month period. It has always been my desire to challenge myself by living alone and independently in a foreign country and I did not expect this dream to come true so early. I was filled with excitement and could not wait to embark on my journey to China. I meticulously prepared my passport, visa, and all the necessary documents for check-in. Once everything was well-prepared, I was completely ready to go!

This is the first time I have stayed far away from my family, and I am staying alone in a foreign country for an entire month. Fortunately, everything went smooth throughout this week, and I successfully survived the first week both physically and mentally. This might be attributed to the surrounding environments where Mandarin is spoken, which is still familiar to me, and there are several people in charge who are always there to help and guide me whenever I need it.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?
Navigating Medical Jargon Challenges: Despite being fluent in speaking and understanding Mandarin, I still encounter difficulties in comprehending their Mandarin medical jargon. While becoming acquainted with their health information system on their computer, I was taken aback to find that the laboratory reports were presented in Mandarin. This required me to translate them individually. Throughout these two weeks, I would be under the supervision of Dr. Ting Chen, who is able to speak and understand English. However, during certain ward rounds when Dr. Ting Chen is not present, Dr. Gao Danchen would pose questions to me, and I would struggle to fully comprehend his questions. When I attempted to respond in English, he faced difficulty understanding my answers. As a result, I dedicated time to studying Mandarin beforehand to better address his questions.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

Fulfilling

Enriching

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

Making new friends and engaging in deeper conversations to foster friendship and expand my understanding of diverse cultures and perspectives.

Exploring Hangzhou’s unique culinary delights and vibrant streets to fully embrace the local culture.

# data[].attributes.body
1.     Your name, matric number, date

Salinee A/P R Arasu (A184222) >> 20/05/2023 to 06/08/2023

2.     What have you done?

Ever since I received my offer letter from Internation Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), I’ve been preparing for my trip to Nepal. There were a few things to prepare as it is a medical elective abroad. IVHQ website provided us with a to-do checklist which made our process easier. Miss Scotia, our IVHQ person-in-charge, was really helpful in completing our checklist. In that checklist, there were a few things needed such as our visa, vaccination, travel insurance,  buying our flight tickets and certificate of good conductance. Most of the steps, my friends and I did it together which made the process easier.

Before the trip, my friends and I decided to do some research about Nepal. Some of the things that needed more attention were our homestay, the transportation, accommodation after the volunteering, sim card and tourist attractions. We managed to gather all the information a few weeks before our flight. We then held a meeting a week prior to discuss all the information we gathered. We made sure to remind each other of the important documents and the necessities. We came up with an itinerary for each week to smoothen our trip.

During the holidays, all of us learned about the Nepali language and their culture. We watched a few videos on how to communicate. I learned a few Nepali phrases to facilitate communication with the locals. On the other hand, familiarising with Nepali culture, customs and etiquette is always a good option. I also studied Nepalese law and regulations especially related to medical practice and volunteering.

3.     Points to remember from week 1.

Always remember that things are different in a different country. Always be more open to accepting and embracing differences.

Always start preparing earlier to not miss out on important documents or things.

Enjoy this journey and always be grateful no matter what happens

4.     Your feelings & thoughts

I feel very anxious and excited for this adventure. The thought of volunteering in a different country with my friends really excited me. I couldn’t wait for the trip to happen soon. I hope I gain a lot of knowledge that can be applied in my medical career and life.

5.     Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

My main concern was the language barrier in this country. Nepal people spoke in either Nepali or Hindi and I knew neither. I just hoped that I would overcome this challenge by learning more phrases from my host family or colleagues in Nepal.

6.     2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

Excited

Anxious

7.     Your plan for next week (Week 2)

Week 2 is the week when we officially start volunteering as medical students at Gandaki Medical College (GMC). Our plan is to follow the doctors during ward rounds, make sure to take note of how they manage each case and explore interesting findings in a patient.

# data[].attributes.body
Name: Chee Jun Kai

Matric number: A181855

Date: 24/07/2023 - 30/07/2023

2. What have you done?

My elective posting begins on 31 July so I decided to travel to Nanjing and Shanghai with my colleagues - Yueh Chee and XIn Qi. Both of us will do our elective posting at Hospital Zhejiang University School Of Medicine. After touching down in Hangzhou, I was picked up by Yueh Chee’s cousin who we will be staying at her cousin’s house for the entire trip in China.

At Nanjing, we visited a lot of tourist spots like Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, the ancient city wall, and Confucius Temple as well as experienced the night markets and delicious food there.

After two days in Nanjing, I went to Shanghai by high-speed train. Although we separated on the train, but luckily there was no language barrier between me and the native there, because we both speak Chinese. We went to Nanjing Road Walkway to try the local foods and also the bund. The night view at Yuyuan Garden and Town God‘s Temple of Shanghai was really unforgettable. Before leaving Shanghai, I was able to visit the largest Disney theme Park in Asia. Its size is 3 times bigger than Hong Kong Disney Theme Park.

3. Points to remember from week 1!

Familiarize myself with the payment method in China

Be patient and understanding people’s culture there

Do early preparation before traveling to another country

4. Your feelings & thoughts

I was excited and happy because got accepted by Zhejiang University to do my elective posting abroad. I appreciate that my parents encouraged me to do this elective posting abroad and get experience from it. Hence, I was extremely greatly with this opportunity.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

Payment method in China. I didn't realize that they are more likely to use e-wallets for payment, especially all the public transport. My wallet balance was 0 at that time because I bring cash only to China. Fortunately, Yueh Chee’s cousin was able to transfer some money to my e-wallet and make me survive the whole journey.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

Grateful and Exciting

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

Start my elective posting at the second affiliated hospital Zhejiang University School Of Medicine.

Familiar with the hospital’s environment and my supervisor

# data[].attributes.headline
Ortho RS Siaga Raya: Week 1 (Preparation)

# data[].attributes.subject
Ortho RS Siaga Raya: Week 1 (Preparation)

# data[].attributes.body
1. Name, Matriculation Number, Date
Azizah Zafira (A179285), 10th August - 24 August 2023

2. What have you done
On this first week, all I did was preparing for my departure to Jakarta, Indonesia. It was the first time I travel alone by plane. It was nerve racking yet definitely exciting. In my upcoming 2 weeks of posting, I planned to live with my aunt and uncle at their house. I also travel to te hospital by car with them. It was also my first time booking a plane by myself. Definitely one of the highlight of my year. I arrived a day before the programme begins. Once I arrived there, my uncle and aunt waited for me at the airport and then we decided to have a lunch/dinner of one of my favourite food growing up back in Indonesia, which was "Soto Betawi". I slept early that day to ensure I was in my optimal condition for my first day

3. Points to remember from week 1
- Time management is crucial when travelling alone, be at least 2 hr early before the departure
- Be presence, as I will only experience this once
- Prepare more than expected

4. Your feelings and thoughts
My initial plan was to go to Korea with my friend, but it was not my fate as they announced the department I wanted was full. I was devastated at first, as me and my friend had planned so many things to do together in Seoul. But I then remember that His plan is always better. So I trusted my choice and I was never expected such hospitality. I was also afraid to go at first, since I would be alone to do everything there. Yet, I was wrong, they were the nicest people I have ever met. I was included as if I was their family.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope
Surprisingly, language barrier was my issue. I am Indonesian, but I have not used my language properly since I arrived in Malaysia. It was quite awkward to speak fully in Indonesian. But regardless, I still try to make myself brave to speak and ask questions when needed. I was concerned that my message could not be delivered, at the end, we just laughed it out and carry on like usual.

6. 2 words to describe EP progress so far
Exciting and Delightful

7. Your plan for next week
Read common cases in orthopaedics and trauma, spend more time in emergency department for more acute cases

# data[].attributes.headline
Nepal: Where Scenic Beauty Meets Cultural Diversity

# data[].attributes.subject
Nepal: Where Scenic Beauty Meets Cultural Diversity

# data[].attributes.body
1. Your name, matrics number, date

Name : Kaviyarasi A/P Manoharan
Matric Number : A182834
Date : 1/8/2023-6/8/2023

2. What have you done?

Since I got to know about this posting at the beginning of Year 3, I was able to start my preparation much earlier, around December last year. I decided to do a volunteering in Nepal and my application was approved by the IVHQ organisation. As the IVHQ has already prepared a checklist, my preparation went quite smoothly. I bought the flight tickets in February itself for a cheaper price. While preparing for it, some of my friends were interested and joined us as well. So total of 10 of us volunteered in Nepal for two weeks.

A few weeks before my elective posting, I started watching some YouTube videos to learn the Nepali language. Initially, it was quite hard to learn as I had never heard of those words before. As I practised every day, it became easier. I revised my Internal Medicine notes as it comprised various systems and almost all the diseases were covered in it. I even tried to find information regarding their transportation as I heard from the coordinator that the hospital would be just walking distance from the homestay. Although I could not get much information regarding their public transportation, I assured myself that somehow I would figure out the way to travel around by reaching out to the people there.

I looked for a SIM card I could buy as it is not possible to get a Wi-Fi connection everywhere. I realised that I could only buy a sim card after I reached Nepal. Thankfully as I landed there, I found the network center and was able to find the appropriate plan as they have few plans allocated for tourists, who stay for short periods. Besides, I familiarise myself with their culture and the food they eat every day.

3. Points to remember from week 1!

- Always start the preparation earlier. I was so glad as I was able to complete all that needed to be done a few weeks before the elective posting started. I had ample time to settle everything and I was fully enjoying the process.

-Be open-minded. Although I did all the preparation way earlier, there were still so many uncertainties regarding my posting. I kept reminding myself that I would somehow will be able to manage it. I was ready to adapt myself according to the situation.

4. Your feelings & thoughts

I was so excited to take part in this program. It has always been my dream to do volunteering in another country. Finally being able to do it during my early 20s itself made me so happy. I was ready to learn about their approach to medical aspects and so on. I was quite anxious too. I have always been to other countries for traveling. This is my time going to another country for a different purpose. I was not sure if I would be able to get used to their hospital setting within 2 weeks. Anyway, I stayed positive and believed I could.

5. Any difficulties/ concerns? How did you cope?

- One of the difficulties I faced was not having enough information regarding the homestay and hospital where we would be volunteering in. Once I reached the place, I got all the necessary information from the coordinator and reached out to him a few times after that to clear my doubts. Thankfully my coordinator was understanding and helped me with all the arrangements.

-According to my search, it has to be summer in Nepal but it was monsoon season there. I was quite shocked as I did not expect this but somehow I did some shopping to ensure I could survive the rainy days.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far
Stress-free

7. Your plan for next week

I want to familiarise myself with the route to the hospital first as it is just walking distance and I have to use the same path for the next two weeks. I want to get to know my supervisor and the doctors in the Emergency Medicine department. I hope they are approachable and will guide me throughout my posting there. Last but not least, I want to adapt according to my surroundings and learn as much as I can.

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1. Your name, matrics number, date
Name: Shuithadevi Ganaraj (A184032)
Date: 02/05/23-06/08/23

2. What have you done?

This was the first time I was volunteering under the IVHQ organisation and there were many things that were new to me but thankfully we had people helping and tracking our progress as we prepared for the trip.

Before we left to Nepal for our Elective Programme, there were many things that we needed to settle. Hence, one of the ways on how we strategised our preparation was dividing the tasks among the group members. Certain things that were important for the programme were getting my visa, getting the criminal record certificate (needed to enter a foreign country), insurance policy, booking flight tickets and getting the vaccines needed for myself. Luckily I didn't have much problems in settling those things. I thought that the visa process would be tidious but it was settled fast and I could collect it the next day.

In the IVHQ web page as well, I had to attend an online training before I leave for the programme. The online training consisted of learning basic Nepali language and learning their cultures as well as the traditional food. I read through and completed the online training for the programme and this online course definitely gave me a rough idea on what to expect from the people and food there.

No doubt that going into a foreign country always comes with risk and hence I should always be prepared to face anything that comes in my way. It was good that I started the preparations early and luckily I didn’t have to rush anything towards the end and everything was a smooth sail for the programme to kick off.

3. Points to remember from Phase 1

- Do not do things last minute. It is always important to start preparing early when attending programmes like these especially when you are heading to another country. We shouldn't take things for granted and can always have a check list to remind us on what needs to be done at that period.

- Always check before progressing further. Extra work can definitely be avoided when you double check for information always. For example in terms of the documents needed when applying for the visa or criminal record, we can always call those in charge to double confirm on what needs to be brought during the visit or if there's anything that needs to be done prior.

4. Your feelings and thoughts

Well, of course I was excited while preparing for my programme as this is the first time I'm going to go overseas for a medical elective programme. However, with excitement, the stress also came in. First things first all these that needed to be settled before the programme had to be done during weekdays which meant during my classes. I couldn't simply leave my class halfway so I had to rush in between and travel here and there just to settle all this things as soon as possible. To top that off, the office isn't very nearby as well. With the heavy traffic in KL , it would at least take more than 30 minutes to reach certain places. However, going in a group was definitely less stressful and with my friends we managed to get things done well and I'm really grateful that we could all do this together.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

One of it was definitely changing our money to Nepali rupees. It was so hard to find any money exchanger around my area that could provide their money. Many didn't have Nepali rupees and those that had were charging quite high but luckily my father managed to find a place where the exchange rate was reasonable but this too was done at the very few days before I left.

Secondly, since this was a volunteering programme, many information were not given to us from IVHQ. I didn't get the information on the homestay I will be staying in throughout the programme as they said its private and confidential to ensure the safety of the homestay owners over there. I only received all these information on the day we arrived and had our orientation. I understood it completely but I was feeling very anxious as I did not know what to expect at all from them. Hence, there were many uncertainties  before I arrived. However, at least I knew where our medical posting was and I could arrange our itinerary based in that.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

- Excited
- Nervous

7. Your plan for next week (Phase 2)

- Start travelling to Nepal
- Be more proactive as the programme is going to start
- Get all the important documents settled up in my travalling back
- Familiarise myself with Nepal

# data[].attributes.body
1. Your name, matric number, date

Josephine Tan Xin Ying, A184112, 17th - 23rd July 2023

2. What have you done?

After receiving the offer letter from Juntendo university, I have spent weeks on preparing my visit to Japan. Initially, I had troubles to understand the Tokyo subway map as the Tokyo public transportation is known to be one of the most complicated system around the world. I did some research on the internet and I managed to have a brief idea. After I have some idea with the Tokyo subway system, the next thing I worked on is finding an accommodation which is not too far and doesn’t require multiple transits from different stations. I managed to get an accommodation which is 5 stops away from Juntendo university with an affordable price.

Before leaving to Japan, I have revised on hepatobiliary system as I will be posted in the department of hepatobiliary pancreatic surgery. I also revised on the basic anatomy of the liver, gallbladder, spleen and GIT system. I have received an information packet from Juntendo university which contains what I should be aware of prior to my visit.

A day before my flight to Japan, I made a checklist to make sure I did not missed out anything. The checklist comprises important stuffs like passport, Japanese yen, credit card, medicine and documents that are needed for my elective program.

On 22nd July, I departed from KLIA 2 to Haneda airport, Tokyo. It was extremely exciting to be able to travel abroad ever since the pandemic. My friend and I landed in Tokyo at 11.30pm. All public transportations were not operating anymore and we couldn’t afford a taxi. So, we stayed in the airport until 5am to get on the earliest subway to town. It was definitely a unique and unforgettable experience.

On 23rd July, I made a trip to Juntendo university to familiarise the route and estimate the time we needed to travel from our hotel to the university. After that, we visited around Tokyo and payed visit to the one of the tallest tower in Tokyo- Shibuya sky. The significant view from this skyscraper definitely took our breath away.

3. Points to remember from week 1!

To travel without a parent is extremely challenging, the fear of messing things up is tough. Therefore, I have to think a few steps ahead of what “surprises” I may encounter. It may be frustrating to handle all these issues that was simply handled by my parent previously. However, all these challenges had made me grow as a person.

4. Your feelings & thoughts

I was very excited to travel abroad because I had not been able to travel abroad ever since the pandemic. Japan is also my favourite country so it was a dream-come-true to be able to participate in an elective program in Japan. I’m also very grateful for my parents to support my decision mentally and financially.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

The fear of messing things up before departing was very difficult for me, I was obsessing over tiny problems and afraid of making mistakes in this trip. I overcame it by talking to my parents, they told me mistakes are part of the journey and it will be a teachable moment for me.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

Fun & grateful

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

Next week will be the start of my elective posting in hepatobiliary pancreatic surgery department in Juntendo university. I planned to fully immerse myself into the environment by joining OT sessions and ward rounds.

# data[].attributes.headline
NEPAL: Prepping to the Home of the Himalayan Mountains 

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NEPAL: Prepping to the Home of the Himalayan Mountains 

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1. Your name, matric number, date

Name: Keshrina Subramaniam

Matrics number: A182868

Date: 20.5.2023- 5.8.2023

2. What have you done?

Getting official documents ready!

Since it is a medical elective abroad, there were quite a number of documents and official passes that I had to prepare. I made sure to start early beginning by renewing my passport since it has been quite a few years since my last travel. Other than that, I also had to get a letter of Dean’s recommendation, submit an I-star, get a Certificate of Good Conduct, a Nepali Visa and complete registration on the international volunteering website (International Volunteer Headquarters (IVHQ)). I was glad that we had Dr. Syamsa constantly remind us of the deadlines for uploading UKM-related documents.

Language and culture

When travelling to a new country, it is always best to know a bit about the place so that we can get the opportunity to immerse in their culture. I always like to start by learning their language. Communication is key to bonding no matter where we go and it always excites me to be able to speak with locals. Thus, I spent the first part of my semester break binge-watching Nepali TikToks and taking up free online Nepali language for beginners.

Finding tourist attraction

Since we were going in a big group, things have to be a bit more planned and systematic especially if we are travelling together, which we will be. Thus, my friends and I involved ourselves in an itinerary planning for about 2 weeks. We understand that although the itinerary might seem perfect, we are pretty sure that there will be changes when we are there. So, we managed to come out with a very flexible and versatile itinerary.

Vaccines

Nearing our date of departure, I also received the Typhoid and Influenza vaccines. These are the vaccines recommended for travellers to Nepal. I was advised to take the vaccines at least 2 weeks before departure to ensure the immunity has reached its threshold.

3. Points to remember from phase 1!

Never procrastinate. It is always important to make a list of the things that I need to prep to avoid last-minute struggles just in case any documents fail to be approved.

Reconfirm with people around as we may receive different instructions regarding protocols of governmental documents. Calling the authorities to reconfirm prior can help to avoid incomplete documents or miscommunication

4. Your feelings & thoughts

During this phase, I could sense my excitement building up as I was getting my documents ready. Over time, the fact that I would be travelling abroad again finally kicked in. However, despite being busy with class as I was approaching the end of my academic year, I made sure that I was fully alert with the things that I needed to do.  I constantly set reminders to remind myself that I had to get things done quickly before going back for the semester break because most of the government offices are located in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. It would be hard for me to travel all the way from my hometown to the office if I were to delay. In this phase, I am very lucky and grateful to have friends with me to settle our documents together.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

Unsure of what to expect

Details of the location of the accommodation were kept private and confidential until the day of arrival. Thus, there were a lot of uncertainties and potholes in our planning since it was hard to estimate the travelling distance and mode of transport. However, we were still able to proceed with our plans by considering Gandaki Medical College (hospital of elective posting) as our centre, assuming that our homestay was near the hospital.

Money changing

Due to the fluctuation in the economy, surprisingly, it was quite hard to buy Nepali Rupees (NRp) I searched all over Perak for a money changer that had enough NRp but they either did not have enough or ran out of cash. In view of this, one of the money changer managers advised me to change to the United States Dollar (USD) since it has much more value than NRp. So, a few of my friends and I went about with this idea.

Getting documents ready before going back for semester break

EOP was getting near and there were documents that needed to be settled at the office. Thus, it was slightly a hassle since it was our first time travelling to Nepal. So, I made sure that I constantly updated myself with the things that I needed to do and reconfirmed with my friends and designated authorities so that I did not miss out on anything.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

Thrilled

Excited

7. Your plan for next week (Phase 2)

Travel to Nepal

Get familiar with the currency (by knowing the conversion rates to avoid getting scammed)

Be outgoing and responsive!

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Summer Exchange in Szeged, City of Sunshine ☀️

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Summer Exchange in Szeged, City of Sunshine ☀️

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Name: Siw Ming Huey
Matric Number: A181220
Date: 13th June 2023 - 2nd July 2023 (Phase 1)

What have you done?

To kick start my IFMSA exchange in University of Szeged, Hungary, I began my preparation early on in May. I completed the necessary documents and did my medical check-up as part of the requirement for the exchange. I also bought my flight ticket early to get the cheapest offer. After my exams in June, I got in contact with the Contact Person (CP) assigned to me, Edina Toth, via email to ask any question regarding the exchange and the life in Hungary. I also did my research on places to visit, transportation means, must-have apps, activities to be done and data plan since I will be there for a whole month. My CP, Edina, was also very helpful in providing answers to all my enquiries. During my free time, I also tried to pick up the Hungarian language bits by bits.

On July 1st, 2023, I bid farewell to my family and embarked on my “Solo Trip to Hungary!” To give you a quick run-down of the flight itinerary, I will be travelling from Malaysia to Hungary with a 12-hour layover in Dubai. After 7 hours of being cramped up in the plane, I finally reached Dubai. It was a shame that I could not explore the city of Dubai since the arrival time was 22:20 at night. Therefore, I took my time to walk around the airport and enjoyed a cup of americano in Costa Coffee. During the layover, I also charged my phone, did some reading, worked on my presentation about Malaysia and took a quick nap. It was so hard to pass a 12-hour layover and I could not imagine myself doing it ever again. When it was about time, I went to my boarding gate and was so excited to finally head to Budapest, Hungary.

I arrived at Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport at 14:25 in the afternoon. After going through border control and getting my passport stamped, I collected my luggage and headed to the bus station. I took Bus 200E to the Ferihegy train station, and from there I took the train headed to Szeged. It felt so surreal to me that I was now 2 hours away from my destination of exchange.

Arriving at the Szeged train station, I was picked up by Edina. Well, more like we met up at the train station and walked back to the student dormitories (id. Jancso Miklos Kollegium) together. It was only a 10-minute walk and Edina said to me, “you will soon realise that you can reach most places in Szeged by just walking.” I then checked into my room and Edina showed me where things were around the dormitory such as laundry, kitchen, shower, gym and the yard.

After unpacking my luggage and settling down, I met up with the rest of the exchange students at a bar. I felt warmly welcomed and after introducing myself, everyone followed suit. There was a total of 21 incomings including myself. We talked about the departments that we were placed in and our expectations for this exchange. When it was getting late, we walked back to the dorm together and settled in for the night since we will start our clinical clerkship at the hospital the following day.

Points to remember from week 1!

Don’t be shy to ask around when we are unsure of something, even if it means we’d have to step out of our comfort zone and talk to strangers.

It is always good to prepare beforehand, but also understand that the real situation might be different from our expectations, so we must stay calm, don’t panic, and think of the best solution.

Speak up and be yourself comfortably in social settings, it helps a lot in the early stages of getting-to-know-each-other.

Your feelings & thoughts

It is a dream come true for me to participate in this exchange abroad. I have always imagined what would it be like to study abroad and now I get to experience it for myself. To be honest, I was confident that I would be fine travelling alone to such a faraway country. However, I still had my concerns about unexpected situations arising, especially with the fact that my journey involved a lot of transit with flight, bus, and train. Arriving in Szeged, I was quite proud of myself for handling everything independently without panicking. Now that I’m here in Szeged, it is finally settling in that, yes, I am indeed about 9000km away from home. I feel so excited, and I am looking forward to what the upcoming four weeks of exchange will offer.

Any difficulties/concern? How did you cope?

The currency used in Hungary is Hungarian Forint. However, when I was in Malaysia, I was unable to find any money changer that provides Forint. I was quite worried that this would be a problem when I reach Hungary, especially if I am in urgent need to using money. My solution was to exchange my money into Euros instead since it is one of the most widely used currency in the world. With Euros in hand, I can exchange them to Forint in the local money change when I reach Hungary.

When I arrived at the airport, I was unsure of how to buy the bus ticket since the ticket machine was is Hungarian. Thus, I approached a local for help. He was kind enough to help me operate the machine and I finally bought the ticket in the end.

After doing some research, I found that buying the local sim card, Yettel, for data plan would be cheaper than buying data roaming for a month. However, I could not find any Yettel store in the airport. Therefore, I asked for Edina’s help to buy the sim card first in Szeged and I’ll pay her when I meet her.  Luckily, I studied the route beforehand and most of the travelling did not require internet usage. The train also arrived on time in Szeged. So, I did not have the need to use the internet to inform Edina about any changes. When I arrived in Szeged, she passed me my new sim card and I was able to inform my family about my arrival immediately.

2 words to describe elective posting progress so far.

Exciting

Fulfilling

Your plan for next week (Week 2)

Familiarise myself with the surgery department.

Meeting with my supervisor for the first time.

Going around the city with friends.

Joining social programs planned by the CPs.

# data[].attributes.headline
Starting A New Feat - Preparation and Journey to CMC, India :) 

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Starting A New Feat - Preparation and Journey to CMC, India :) 

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1. Your name, matric number, date

Noor Halinah Binti Mohamed Ali Jinnah, A181430, 12 August 2023

2. What have you done?

After a long discussion with my family and debates with myself, I finally decided to do my elective posting in India (Christian Medical College Vellore, CMC) to explore their healthcare system and to gain a new perspective on how things work there. “As an introvert who is afraid of changes, this might be an eye opener” I told myself.

As for preparation, I applied for the elective program and was glad that I got accepted although the processing duration was quite long. As soon as I got the offer letter, I started preparing the paperwork needed for Istar submission along with other documents for travelling abroad. I booked the flight ticket, contacted the person in charge and confirmed the accommodation and transportation from the airport. Unfortunately, in the midst of preparing I overlooked the deadline of ISTAR submission which should be more than 30 days. It was concerning when I got a call from the HEP department regarding the issue. Thankfully, I just needed to submit an official show cause letter to the department and with the help of the staff in charge, the matter was solved.

My flight to India was on 9.25am, 12th August 2023. I left home at 2am, took a bus and started a 4 hour journey to KLIA. This was the first time I took a bus after years as I prefer commuting via train and the last thing I wanted to experience was ending up with a swollen feet :'( . My feet were very swollen and I couldn't fit into my shoe. I had to open up my luggage and change into a sports shoe. The remainder of the 4 hour flight was uneventful until I touched down in India. The atmosphere here definitely felt different and lively in a way. Then, it was a 4 hour ride from Chennai airport to CMC, Vellore by car. Along the way, from the hills, paddy fields and busy towns, I encountered different types of environs. The serene one filled with greenery and paddy fields was pleasant. On the other hand, there was continuous honking which was deafening throughout my journey in the main town and that was very new to me as here in Malaysia horns are used in particular situations only.

It was 6 pm and the sun was already setting when I checked in the Modale Hostel for International Students located in the Bagayam campus of CMC. The hostel was nice and the staff were hospitable. There was one more day before my posting, so the next day I decided to explore the town with my father and sister as they accompanied me there. We went to CMC hospital which was 6.9 km away from Bagayam campus and I familiarized myself with the location of the departments I posted in. Then, we had local delights in a famous eatery. Finding halal food was not a problem here as Muslim community made up 14% of the nation’s population which was around 20 crore people! The day ended with me preparing myself for my posting. I rechecked all the documents needed, read up a bit on surgery and went to bed with a hope and excitement of tomorrow.

3. Points to remember from week 1!

- Always do everything earlier to avoid any delay in the process. And be up to date about the information. For instance, I should have been aware that the Istar paperwork must be submitted more than 30 days when I started preparing for the elective. This would have saved me all the hassle and extra work.

- Make sure you move your leg enough and walk in between the stops to avoid having edema after a long journey. This would be the most memorable lesson I learnt as I experienced how uncomfortable it is to walk with swollen feet.

- Always try to be open and accept the differences that you might face when you are travelling to another country. All places wouldn't be the same and the diversity is what makes it interesting.

4. Your feelings & thoughts

I am a bit hesitant to do my elective program abroad as it requires more preparation and I need to challenge myself out of my comfort zone. Regardless, after weighing the pros and cons along with my parents' reassurance, I finally decided to go. I am glad that I did as it was so far very exhilarating. Although I almost had a breakdown after the leg swelling incident, I managed to keep my spirits up. Apart from that, I am very eager to start my posting. I hope what lies ahead is greater than what I expected.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

The main difficulty I faced was travelling for long hours. The most distance I had travelled before was from Perak to Johor. I was so exhausted after the journey that I had to sleep it off the next day.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

Compelling and Adaptable

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

- Registration and Orientation of CMC at the Principal's Office of Bagayam Campus on Monday

- Start my posting in the Surgery Department of CMC Hospital and gain as much experience I could

- Make effort to approach people first and make new friends

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1. Name, Matriculation Number, Date

Farah Dina Khansa

A177347

28/7 - 30/7

2. What have you done

A few days before going to Yogyakarta I needed to do some preparations which included reserved a room at the dorm for my 2 weeks stay and booked train tickets to Yogyakarta. My parents and I decided to go a few days earlier before my EP programme  officially started. Took about an 8 hours train ride from Jakarta to Yogyakarta and upon arrival we headed directly to the dorm. The dorm was huge and they also offered many facilities including ac, water heater, individual bathroom, laundry, study room, canteen, and mini market. The dorm was very nice and most importantly the location was really just a walking distance from the hospital which was really convenient for me to travel back and forth. My next destination after my dorm was the hotel my parents already booked a few weeks ago and  I had one full day to explore the city before I started my EP programme.

3. Point to remember from week 1

- Make sure to always be prepared and careful at unfamiliar place especially since i would be alone for 2 weeks

- Never be afraid to ask for something that you are uncertain of,  don't be shy and just be brave in approaching people cause they were more than willing to help as long as we asked politely and nicely

4. Your feelings and thoughts

I initially was really reluctant to apply by myself but i adapted with the whole situation and area pretty fast thanks to the friendly staff at the dorm that always helped me with a lot of things. I really looked forward to my 2 weeks attachment in the pediatric department at Dr Sardjito General Hospital. The fact that this was my first time joining the pediatric department kinda made me nervous and scared but excited at the same time. Hopefully i could gained a lot of new knowledges as well as experiences from my 2 weeks clinical attachment programme at Faculty of medicine of University of Gadjah Mada.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope

The language barrier had me struggling a bit, since the local here mostly used bahasa jawa for their daily activities even though they all can speak bahasa indonesia fluently it was already their habit to automatically speak in bahasa jawa or mixed them up with bahasa indonesia. At first I was actually kinda hesitant to tell the person whom I talked to that I didn't understand bahasa jawa at all, but I guessed they could already guess from the confused look on my face and they just automatically switched to bahasa indonesia.

6. 2 words to describe EP progress so far

- Thrilling and Hopeful

7. Your plan for week 2

I plan on adapting to the new hospital environment next week when  I officially start my clinical attachment and also to explore nearby areas. I also planned an activity that i could enjoyed on the weekend.

# data[].attributes.headline
Unveiling China's Provinces: My Elective Travel Diary

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Unveiling China's Provinces: My Elective Travel Diary

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1. Ng Yueh Chee A182958

2. How is your progress?

21st July 2023 marks the beginning of my elective posting journey in China! After touching down in HangZhou, I was greeted warmly by my cousin where I will be staying at her house for my entirely trip in China. Before starting my posting in hospital, I planned to travel around other nearby provinces - Nanjing and ShangHai.

Exploring Nanjing's historical sites, like the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and the ancient city wall, has been awe-inspiring. I also visited the Confucius Temple area and experienced the lively markets and delicious street food. The extremely hot summer weather was a challenge to me to walk and travel around.

After two days in Nanjing, I took a high-speed train to ShangHai. Adjusting to life in Shanghai has been thrilling. The city's blend of traditional culture and modernity is apparent everywhere, from the ancient Yuyuan Garden to the stunning views of the city's modern skyline, historic European-style architecture, and vibrant atmosphere of WaiTan.

The day before we leave Shanghai, we visited the largest Disney theme park in Asia. It covers a significant area and offers a wide range of attractions and entertainment, making it a prominent destination for Disney enthusiasts and tourists in the region.

3. Points to remember from week 1

Technology and Payment: Mobile payment apps like WeChat Pay and Alipay are widely used in China. I need to familiarise myself with these apps so that it can make transactions smoother.

Patience and Flexibility: Traveling in China may involve waiting in lines, navigating crowded places, and encountering delays. Being patient and adaptable will help to navigate these situations smoothly.

4. Your feelings & thoughts

After the first and second day of travel in Nanjing, I actually felt very frustrated and overwhelming because of the crowds in China, especially in popular tourist attractions. The scenery is very attractive but i even could not enjoy it slowly. The hustle and bustle of crowded areas triggered my feelings of anxiety or discomfort, especially for individuals like me who prefer quieter environments.

So, I took a break and changed my plan to a more relaxing and not so hectic schedule. I also chose not to visit that place if it is too crowded.

5. ONE good thing from what you did that you can practice now!

Inspiration for Learning: I am that type of person that do not like to visit to museum as I think that is too boring. But in this trip, I explored historical sites, museums, and interacting with locals might inspire a desire to learn more about China's history, language, and traditions. I think is important to appreciate and embrace history and ancient buildings.

6. Any difficulties/concerns?

Experiencing the crowd in China is a very challenging part for me.

How did you cope?

Take Breaks: Find quiet spaces or take breaks in less crowded areas to recharge and regain composure.

Plan Off-Peak Visits: Try to visit popular attractions during off-peak hours to avoid the largest crowds.

Travel Partners: communicate my feelings and work together with friends to find solutions that make the experience more manageable.

7. Your plan for phase 2

Preparation for my attachment in Second Affiliated Hospital Of Zhejiang University. Recap my knowledge from Internal Medicine Posting.

Explore how to go to hospital from my cousin’s house.

Make new friends during first week in Endocrinology Department.

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Ze Amazing Mediterranean Island - Malta!!

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Ze Amazing Mediterranean Island - Malta!!

# data[].attributes.body
1. Your name, matric number, date
Chia Xin Yi, A181188, 14/6/2023-18/6/2023

2. What have you done?

Preparation- months ago

Apart from preparing documentations, applying for Medical Malpractice Insurance, arranging accommodation, as well as medical check-up, I did a few research about Malta' safety index, food, places to visit, public transport and most importantly, their healthcare settings. Despite the limitation of information provided, I managed to at least have a brief idea on this island nation. I also found out that most of them can speak English fluently even though their official language is Maltese.

Wednesday, 14/6
What's more exciting than taking flight alone without family's company! I met up with Casey at KLIA and started our 'adventure' to Malta. Thankfully everything went smoothly, and we boarded on the plane on time at 11.00pm. I was surprised that I was able to sleep for the entire 11 hours flight apart from waking up to eat ._.

Thursday, 15/6
We arrived safely at one of the world's largest and busiest airport - Istanbul International Airport. We waited for about 21/2 hours before we transfer our flight to our destination. We reached Malta at 10.35am and we were off to the CampusHub - our home for the next 2 weeks. I was very satisfied with the room that comes with 'hotel facilities' such as clean dishes and towels, a window with picturesque views, plenty of multiple charger plugs, own bathrooms as well as weekly room cleaning service.

Friday-Sunday, 16/6-18/6
We have few days to explore the island before we actually start our elective posting! First thing's first, we purchased Tallinja card, the card accessing to all public buses. And with this card, we travelled to a few tourist spots such as the Valetta city, Blue Grotto, Dingli cliffs, and St John Co-Cathedral.

3. Points to remember from week 1!

Always be prepared to face any challenges encountered during the trip

Study the route of public transports earlier prior departure and always be aware of the last stop getting off the bus

Do enough 'homework' before actually starting anything, to save twist and turns

Always be patient and more understanding with people and surroundings

Don't be afraid of speaking up and always approach people when you need help

4. Your feelings & thoughts

I was very excited as it has always been my dream to study abroad and I was lucky enough to be accepted by the University of Malta. It was not easy to convince my parents  as they felt insecure for me to travel alone especially they have not heard about this country before. Hence I was extremely grateful with the opportunity granted knowing that I would have lots of fun doing my electives here.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

It was very clueless especially during the first day as we were left at the roadside, and we had to figure out ourselves where to check-in. And also after knowing that the check-in time was 2 hours later, I suggested to leave our baggage at the dedicated baggage room and decided to walk around the Campus.

Due to the unfamiliarity with the public transport, we were so vulnerable, and it was so easy for us to take the wrong bus or missed the bus. After a few times missing the right bus, I tried my best to keep my eyes on the GoogleMap and eventually we made it to our destination. The most important thing is always stay calm.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

grateful and thrilled

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

Learn about the healthcare settings in Malta

Attend ward rounds daily and operation theatres every Tuesday

Observe and assist as much procedures

Plan a few trips and travel after working hours

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Pre-Polska Journey (IFMSA SCOPE Exchange) 🇵🇱

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Pre-Polska Journey (IFMSA SCOPE Exchange) 🇵🇱

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1. Your name, matric number, date

Anis Nazira binti Razali, A180856, 25/7/2023-31/7/2023

2. What have you done?

A few months before flying to Poland, I did my thorough preparations which includes documentation preparation, stool test, MRSA test as part of requirement after being accepted in the General Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery & Endocrinology department of the Hospital University, Wrocław Medical University. It was all a new experience for me as I have never done such test before.

Besides that, i prepared for Polish language studies, listed out all items needed to bring, revised about surgery and even some reading on other countries’ social & economic status, a few months before going as I will be meeting peers completely from different country & backgrounds. In my opinion, these all are crucial in staying at a foreign country for a month duration of time. In order to survive and gain optimum knowledge from the students’ exchange programme, I need to ensure efficient communication is able to achieve between the other incomings from other countries, the committee members of IFMSA Poland that are in charge of the exchange students, the hospital members and patients. I downloaded ‘Duolingo’ which is an intensive language course application that helped me with basic Polish & learnt through youtube videos particularly the channel ‘Learn Polish with Monika’ and watched almost all videos. It was so much fun to pick up a new language and I was actually able to impress the Polish students here with my basic Polish skills.

There are some things that are not achievable by only reading from the Internet as things written black & white on websites are not 100% applicable into the locals’ daily life there. Hence, I watched some youtube videos of a Malaysian video-logging (vlogging) in Poland explaining about their daily routine. I managed to get in contact with that particular person and get adequate information from them regarding the transportation, logistics, halal food places, local friendship connections that could help me out, useful applications to download and travelling tips considering they have a relatively similar religious and cultural background with me. Thus, this definitely gave me an insight as a whole of my stay and prepared me more, resting assured that I was able to survive my stay here.

Upon first week of arrival too, I was brought by my contact person from IFMSA Wrocław named Mela to check-in to my dormitory that I will be living for an entire month. She is a very sweet and a kind 4th year medical student from Wrocław Medical University which assisted me throughout my stay here. She picked me up from the hotel that I was initially staying with my parents after they left back to Malaysia leaving me partially crying throughout the day. But thankfully, I was assigned to Mela that guided me and helped carry my 2 bulky luggage onto public transports to the dormitory and all along the way till today.

First week in Poland was basically me trying to initiate friendships with incomings from other countries and fortunately I was blessed with generous & understanding roommate, Pilar who is from Spain. Despite our religious and cultural differences, we got along pretty well together, discovered the city together and did many things together. I feel very comfortable being around with her as she had a bubbly personality. I also got to know students from other countries that had internship in the same place as me which are from Iraq, Italy, Romania, Morocco & Taiwan.

Last but not least, I also had an orientation at the hospital by the administration regarding our attachment there. We were shown to the departments assigned, the changing room & introduced to our assigned supervisor. My supervisor who was a specialist is general surgery is Doctor Sebastian. He was nice and greeted us warmly making jokes trying to break the ice between us. We took a tour around the hospital and familiarized the route to the hospital by commuting with public transport as the dormitory to the hospital I was assigned to is 52 mins away by tram & bus.

3. Points to remember from week 1!

Make sure to always be inquisitive and interested in learning about new cultures and social background of different people from all over the country. It is a good conversation starter topic when you have a solid general knowledge regarding their countries which gives a good first impression of Malaysians. It’s definitely acceptable to not know some things because that is the fun part in meeting new people from different background where you get to learn and venture more about them.

Do enough research before doing something so that you won’t become a victim of fraud and feel safer such as local currency and basic phrases in their local language.

It’s okay to be worried in the beginning as there’s always a first time to everything. Eventually, things get better and even more fun!

Never be shy in mingling around, just be yourself! Never hinder your self limits as it will only backlash to your daily activities.

Always ask,ask & ask if uncertain because everyone is new and trying to survive there, there’s nothing to be afraid of

4. Your feelings & thoughts

I initially was super overwhelmed being the only one from Malaysia in Wrocław, considering religion and most of the other exchange students (incomings) were Europeans, I was scared that I was not able to blend in with them however I was definitely wrong. We immediately clicked as soon as we met with each other as the other incomings were very open-minded and wanted to network with other incomings too!

I was excited to start a new journey with friends as soon as I met my roommate from Espanyol without knowing we were staying in the same hostel the night before checking-in to our dormitories. Then, since I started meeting the rest, I became so much relieved knowing the circle of incomings that I will be spending my entire month with are well-mannered, respectful, caring and friendly.

I definitely learned a lot from students from different countries be it about their medical system, country’s history, culture and their epidemiology.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

Language barrier with both locals and other incomings. I tried learning their language as mentioned above and with the other incomings, we mostly talked in English and it wasnt quite a big problem as most of their English were fluent and understandable.

Obtaining halal food and performing religious duty (prayer) is one of the biggest concern for me knowing that I will be staying in a European country which muslims are minority to them. How I overcome them is that in restaurants, I would opt for vegetarian options of food & if I were too buy anything from the convenient store, I had google application on my phone that enables me to scan the ingredients of the food that I want to buy with translation in English so that I could identify whether it contains ingredients that I am not allowed to consume or not. I am grateful that my roommate too previously has had muslim friends so performing prayers in the room was not a big problem.

Operating their washing machine & commuting public transportation. Again, i mostly used google translate to scan and get the meaning in English to operate the washing machine and was recommended by some locals on the useful applications that would help me on riding the transportations in Poland which was “Jakdojade”, an application that shows which trams or buses that would be scheduled tailored to our desired destination. As someone who has not been independently using public transport in Malaysia, i was quite anxious, worried if I might get lost easily or miss a tram, but after being briefed about the application and rode it a few times with the guidance of locals from there, it was pretty manageable and convenient where I developed a feeling of enjoyment using it.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

Exciting, adventurous

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

Observe and assist as much operations, discover hidden gems in Wrocław, enlargen my social circle with both local and international friends in Wrocław.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
1 <Poland cards> 2 <Medical University of Warsaw Campus map 3 <the student changing room> 4 <auscultating a murmur> 5 <patient information system> 6 <pierogi>

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Dzien Dobry Warsaw, and the Nephrology Ward !

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Dzien Dobry Warsaw, and the Nephrology Ward !

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1. Your name, matric number, date
Yasmein binti Yuhaimi, A181933, 29/7/2023 - 4/8/2023

2. What have you done?
[Saturday, 29/7] I had visited my friend's family home in Copenhagen, Denmark prior to my journey to Warsaw. I left for my flight from beautiful Copenhagen at 1100 and had a layover in Amsterdam, Netherlands for 7 hours. I did not waste the opportunity and ventured out into the city of Amsterdam to occupy the time I had before my flight to Warsaw at 2030. At 2230 I had arrived in Warsaw, Poland and was greeted by Ms. Karolina Kazimierska, a recently graduated Polish medical student responsible for picking me up at the airport. We took an uber to the student dorm at Karolkowa 84 street. We had a chat as she helped me settle in for the night, kind enough to stay till I was fully settled in. I went straight to bed after as I was tired and to save up my energy for the next day!

[Sunday, 30/7] It was a new day in Warsaw and plans to configure myself into the new environment. The other exchange students still hadn't arrive, so I was the only one in the dorms only accompanied by the friendly Polish hostel staff who spoke little English. Thankfully, I had taken some Polish language lessons for 2 1/2 months, so I was able to use the appropriate greetings such as "Dzien dobry!" - Hello/Good morning, "Pzepraszam" - Excuse me and "Dzienkuje" - Sorry. Soon after freshening up and unpacking my luggage, I headed out to give the Warsaw Public Transport a try as I will be commuting every day to the hospital from my dorm. I got went the opposite way on the first tram ride, only having the Apple Maps and the local app Jakdojade as my guide. But it was a learning curve, and I did not give up to try and get back on track! Most shops were closed on Sundays, so I could not get much done. But at the end of the day, I had met up with a Malaysian family who lived in Warsaw for dinner where I used the opportunity to ask my questions and secure a local contact during my stay in Warsaw.

[Monday, 31/7] My exchange will be starting tomorrow! So I had to settle some errands before starting busy days in the hospital. First things first, I headed to the Almatur Office in Kopernika 23 street to pick up my International Student Identification Card (ISIC), then I went to the Warszawa Centralna (Warsaw Central Station) to create my Public Transportation Card and finally to the groceries to buy some food and water for the week. It was my second day giving the public transport a try and getting used to the navigation apps - and I did so much better! At the end of the day, some of the Polish students proposed to meet up to have a traditional Polish cuisine - Pierogi (vegetarian one of course!) After the meal, they also showed me around the old town and some historic sites along the way!

[Tuesday-Friday, 1/8-4/8] My first day in the hospital has begun! I was posted to the Nephrology ward where it also functioned as a dialysis centre. My supervisor, Dr Marlena Kwiatkowska is the best! We agreed that English was not her best language but she is amazing at teaching us the different cases we encountered every day in English, she also translated the patient's speech to English while taking history, as well as prepared productive activities for us to learn. I was greatly satisfied when we were able to examine the patient, interpret lab reports and discuss management plans for every patient. We were also exposed to the peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis machines as well as meeting many kidney transplant patients. I would leave for the hospital at 0900 and we were allowed to go home at 1300. After the hospital, I would cook my lunch in dorms and revise what I had learnt from the ward. If I had enough time, I would use the opportunity to explore the city. The other exchange students slowly started checking into the dorms and we would usually meet up for dinner outside.

3. Points to remember from week 1!

Study the public transport correctly and always focus when riding the trams, buses and metros in case of going the wrong direction!

Communicating with a language barrier can be hard thus utilizing Google translate when speaking, translating emails and labels

Getting out of the bubble and being more outgoing when speaking to and approaching international students during shared events

Importance of knowing the appropriate fluid management for patients according to their blood result

Different types of renal replacement therapies and their significances according to the patient's condition, state of health and welfare

Engagement during the discussions with the supervisor to increase knowledge and get clarification towards case problems I do not understand

4. Your feelings & thoughts
I feel so happy and excited to be in studying medicine in a country in Europe has it has been a dream of mine but yet to have the opportunity. Moreover, I am being exposed to experiencing the disparities of healthcare, as well as from a socioeconomical view between other countries and Malaysia. Though, I do sometimes feel intimidated while being surrounded by other medical students of higher years but consequently, learning from them as well!

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?
Most of the younger people in the main city could speak English but less near my dorms. So buying groceries at the nearby convenience store was tricky. Though I knew some phrases in Polish that helped me communicate in order to get the items I needed. I still do need to practice more common phrases, though not perfect but at least I would be more comfortable when trying to understand the locals. I was also concerned about getting a halal meal. But it was very easy to find many vegetarian/vegan restaurants which I was able to opt for an alternative meal!

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far
Grateful and Enchanting

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

Plan a trip to Lublin, Krakow, Gdansk

Have a kayak trip

Visit museums on designated free days

Observe some procedures in the nephrology ward

# data[].attributes.body
1. Your name, matric number, date
Casey Lau, A181338, 14/6/2023 - 1/7/2023

2.  What have you done?
Wednesday: D-day to Malta. The flight is at 11:00pm.

Thursday: Layover at Istanbul Airport from around 5am to 9am and we were off to Malta. We checked in at Campus Hub which is the place we will be staying for the next two weeks at 2pm.

Friday to Sunday:
Visited some tourist spot in Malta such as Valetta, Dingli cliffs and  St John Co Cathedral.

3. Points to remember from week 1:

It is inevitable that adapting into a new environment can be difficult sometimes due to the cultural difference but we can overcome as we can take this as a chance to learn something new

Almost every day in Malta we can hear fireworks! I was shocked initially by the amount of fireworks I heard in a day as there were fireworks during day time. Then I realized it's a tradition in every village in Malta as they are celebrating the Saint that protect the villages.

There are a lot of difficulties and rejection I faced when I was applying to different universities and also during preparation period, but no worries because persistence is always the way. I am glad I did not give up despite all these and I am really grateful to my parents and friends who supported my decision.

4. Your feelings & thoughts
I will say it's a mixture of nervous and excited as this is the first time I travel to another country that is considered very far from Malaysia without my family members. I cannot wait to explore more about Malta and get to know more of their culture.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?
I did not faced any difficulties in week 1 as I had not start my elective posting yet that will be starting next week. The only concern I had is about language barrier. Although 80% of citizens in Malta can speak English, but Maltese is also the mother tongue in Malta. I am worried that I might not fully understand what the locals wanted to express during ward rounds next week. Therefore, I started to watch some tutorial videos on Youtube which teaches basic greetings in Maltese.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far.
Grateful and remarkable

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)
- I will join the ward rounds every day and to observe some procedures if there is a chance
-Travel to more places such as Mosta Rotunda Church, explore more about Valetta and to find out any cultural difference between Malta and Malaysia

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1. Your name, matric number, date

·Muhammad Azim Bin Jawhardeen
A182374
18-24/7/2023

"What have you done?"

I have joined my volunteering program at the Japan Dawah Center, located in Osaka. During the first week (18-24/7/23), some of the things I did were:

• Ice-breaking sessions with JDC staff and getting to know other interns.

• Helping to organize the mosque for the weekly Friday prayer.

• Joining Arabic class on Saturday.

• Witnessing my first Japanese Muslim converting event (Shahadah) at JDC.

• Participating in meetings with Japanese individuals interested in learning about Islam.

Points to remember from week 1:

• Despite being a minority in Japan, Islam is experiencing rapid growth, and the Japanese community is showing a growing interest in the religion.

• A common misconception among the Japanese about Islam is that it promotes terrorism, often due to a lack of knowledge and understanding of the religion.

• Spending a week here has provided me with a deeper understanding of the Japanese people, who impress me with their admirable qualities of diligence, punctuality, and their commitment to keeping their cities remarkably clean. Moreover, the efficient and extensive public transportation system significantly influences the daily lives of the majority residing in Japan.

Your feelings & thoughts:

1. Happy that I get to volunteer in Japan.

2. Nervous as I came here on my own, but as I made friends with other interns, it became fun and exciting.

Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

• Communicating with Japanese is very hard as they can't speak English, so I had to use Google Translate for most of my conversations with Japanese people.

Two words to describe the elective posting progress so far:

1. Exciting

2. Challenging

Your plan for next week (Week 2):

• Visit the Tenjin Matsuri event in Okawa River.

• Explore Dotonbori in Osaka.

• Prepare for an event on the 30th of July.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Your name, matrix number, date
Adliana binti Abdul Samad, A181052, 16th July to 22nd July

2. What have you done?
In preparation for my trip to Shiga University of Medical Science in Japan, I have been studying basic Japanese language using the duolingo app. This includes self-introduction such as ‘私はアドリアナです’ I am Adliana, some polite term like ‘ありがとうございます’ Thank you. Beside that, I have also revised on Central Nervous system module and familiarised myself with the research interests of Professor Katsuyama (whom I will be attached to), regarding the relationship between cerebral cortex and degenerative disease such as dementia via the functionality of neuron cells. By revising, I can understand easily on the experiment and contribute to discussion. Additionally, I called the Japan embassy hotline to clarify the visa requirements and found out that Malaysians do not need a visa for stays under 90 days, unless if it is for working. To ensure I have everything I need for my time in Japan, I made a checklist of essentials to bring such as sunscreen to protect from the UV ray of the sun and moisterizer to keep the skin hydrated. Other activities that I have done include exchanging Malaysian ringgit to Japanese Yen and getting the chest X-ray done. Chest x-ray is one of the requirement of SUMS to check if student has tuberculosis to prevent the transmission of disease.

3. Point to remember from week 1 is to:-
- Be patient as learning a new language can be tough and challenging.
- Practice makes perfect. In order to remember it quickly, I have used the app for at least an hour long just to have the same repetitive words.
- Be well-equipped. This emphasizes the importance of having the necessary resources, knowledge, or tools to handle any situation effectively such as the knowledge of neuroanatomy and making a checklist of to-bring-items so that every items serve its own purpose.
- Asking questions is a natural part of seeking clarification. Eventhough the Japan VISA’s application website has stated about staying for 90 days VISA-free for all Malaysians, it does not have a clear cut if a student requires a VISA or not.

4. Your feelings and thoughts
I am both excited and anxious about this research learning trip as it offers medical students a new and invaluable opportunity to prepare for the future at a higher level such as pursuing PHD. However, I am worried the fact that this program involved around laboratory research, an area which medical students have limited exposure.

5. Any difficulty/ concerns?
Since the majority of Japanese people only speak their mother tongue, the language barrier was my initial worry. I have overcome the fear by learning the language itself. Another concern that I have is the vast knowledge gaps between a researcher and a student. This can be overcome by reading about the biography of the professor’s expertise and starting to learn from there. Another concern that I have is underpacking. A checklist and travel hacks/ tips videos on tiktok and youtube can help to solve this problem.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far.
Nerve-wracking

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)
Familiarise and slowly adapt to the Japanese’s culture. For instance, respect their culture of bowing and politeness. Getting used to the food selection. Last but not least is to understand on the research topic that will be given to the students.

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Victory is the child of preparation and determination

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Victory is the child of preparation and determination

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1. Your name, matriculation number, date

Farah Alysha binti Mohd Farid Ridzwan Lee, A181270, 20/5/2023-21/7/2023

2. What have you done?
On the 26th of April earlier this year, I received an email from Shiga University of Medical Science (SUMS), inviting me to join a three week research program at their laboratory. Before heading over to Japan, I had a few things to check off my to-do list. First and foremost, my friend and I had some paperwork to handle. There were so many requirements and protocols to follow, making the paperwork preparation very difficult. After a couple of phone calls and a few thorough discussions, we finally got it all sorted out. The next step was to apply for funds. There were a few funds that we could apply for, but this also meant, mountains of paperwork to prepare and present. I managed to receive funding from UKM’s medical faculty, which I’m so grateful for. I also sent an email to my supervisor, Professor Katsuyama, to ask for an exact date for our last class in Japan, so I can purchase my flight tickets and plan my trip accordingly. Furthermore, I did some research and studying on the different means of transportation in Japan and also tourist attractions that I can visit when I’m there. I also refreshed my knowledge on neuroanatomy since I’ll be carrying out research in that field and I wouldn’t want to be completely clueless. A week before departing to Japan, I went to the ambulatory care centre near my house to get a chest X-ray done as it is one of the pre requisite before enrolling into Shiga University. As a part of my preparation, I also went around the Klang Valley, comparing the money exchange rate to get the cheapest deal. Two days before my flight, I finally found the money changer with the lowest conversion rate. Lastly, I made sure I had all the essentials packed in my luggage. As the weather will be extremely hot in Japan, I brought along a mini fan, a hat and sunscreen to take on the heat. I also packed a bunch of medications in my first aid kit pouch as I fall sick very easily and I wouldn’t want that to get in the way of me experiencing new things.

3. Points to remember!

A winning effort begins with preparation. I learned the importance of being well-prepared before new beginnings.

Begin with the end in mind. I learned that envisioning my goal is the first step to success. I believe that this approach shall enable me to work strategically towards my goals and eventually turning it into a reality.

It always seems impossible until it’s done. I now know that its extremely important to persevere through challenges in order to reach my goals.

4. Your feelings and thoughts
Upon receiving the news of acceptance from SUMS, I was excited to embark on this new journey. I’ve dreamt of studying abroad, but I’ve always been concerned of getting homesick. Hence, this three weeks period is the perfect exposure that I need. Although I can’t contain my excitement, I was still as nervous as a cat because I didn’t know what to expect. However, my heart was at ease knowing that I’ve given my all to prepare for this journey.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

I was concerned that I won’t be able to communicate effectively due to our language barrier. Hence, I learned a few common Japanese phrases so that I could avoid any conflict.

I was also concerned that I might get lost because the transportation network in Japan is extremely complicated and confusing. I spent a lot of time understanding all the transportation system, so I can plan an efficient and cost saving trip.

I was struggling to finish the fund application essay because I was preparing for exam season. However, my friend and I motivated each other to finish the essay and we managed to submit our essay before the deadline.

I had a hard time getting my iStar paperwork approved. After multiple discussions with a friend whom I’m going to Japan with, and a few phone calls with the person in charge, we eventually got it sorted out.

6. Two words to describe elective posting progress so far
Eye opening

7. Your plan for next week
I plan on adapting to the entirely new environment I’ll be in for the next three weeks. I also plan on embracing the cultural diversity in Japan, not just among the Japanese, but among the other international students as well. I’m also hoping to gain new knowledge in the field of neuroanatomy from all the distinct professors and brilliant seniors.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Your name, matric number, date
Nur Emilia Ellina binti Mohd Imran, A183604, 24/7-28/7

2. What have you done?

Monday: Tour around Shiga campus and hospital with a Malaysian PhD student. Afterwards, we observed the autopsy of a man involved in the MVA case.

Tuesday till Friday: observed and involved hands-on in a variety of autopsy cases guided by our supervisor, Hitosugi sensei. I attended mini-lectures prepared by different forensic specialists during the evening. We also assisted in the gramme staining procedure and observed the automated production of slices involving the autopsy case.

Wednesday: We attended a welcoming party arranged for us at a local cafe and ate at a halal Nepal Restaurant afterwards.

3. Points to remember from week 1!

The police department, forensic specialists, and dental surgeons are involved in the autopsy procedure.

Autopsies in Japan are only performed when the death of the person is unknown or related to a police division crime.

Signs of death in a certain organ that indicate the natural cause and mechanism of death.

Gramme staining is an important step to take if the autopsy case is suspected to be due to an infectious disease.

Drug tests were also done during the autopsy to eliminate the drug’s toxicity.

4. Your feelings and thoughts

There are a lot of new things that I have learned in this past week, including the system of determining the cause of death in Japan and the procedures that have been followed during and after the autopsy.

All of the people here are very welcoming, and they help us a lot throughout the week.

Our sensei even gave us some pocket money to buy some groceries and food during our stay.

Although there is a language barrier, they help us as much as they can to make us understand the autopsy cases and all of the procedures.

The welcoming party was so much fun, and it was my first experience with a welcoming party event. And everyone is so friendly and kind.

It felt like my first time being treated in a good way in a hospital setting.

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

Since most people in Japan learned medical terms in Japanese, there were times when there was a language barrier in terms of describing organs and diseases.

We use Google Translate a lot to cope with it, and we also learned many simple Japanese daily conversations to converse with the staff and other people.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far
Phenomenal experience

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)
We will be given histology slides to present on our last week, and we will go on a trip to Kyoto and Osaka with Beppu sensei and his family.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Your name, matriculation number, and date
Nurul Nabihah bt. Zahanordin, A173349, 24/7/23–28/7/23

2. What have you done?

Monday:

Tour around SUMS with a Malaysian PhD student.

Briefing with staff from the International Centre

Observe the autopsy of a man involved in an MVA case with a forensic specialist from the Legal Medicine Department.

Tuesday–Friday:

We observed and were involved hands-on in a variety of autopsy cases guided by our supervisor, Hitosugi sensei, in the morning.

Assisted in Gramme stain procedures involving the autopsy cases

observed an automated method of producing organ slices involving autopsy cases.

I attended mini-lectures from different lecturers in the evening.

Wednesday (PM)

Attended a welcoming party arranged by the Legal Medicine Department.

3. Points to remember from week 1!

Forensic specialists, dental surgeons, and the forensic police department are involved in autopsy procedures.

Autopsies in Japan are only performed when the death of the person is due to unknown diseases, is suspicious, or is related to a police division crime.

Signs of death in certain organs can indicate the natural cause and mechanism of death.

Gramme staining is an important step to be taken if the autopsy case is suspected to be due to an infection or disease.

4. Your feelings and thoughts

I really enjoyed every single day in SUMS, as they are very eager to teach us forensic medicine and welcome us like family.

I am amazed by the culture in Japan. They are very respectful of other people.

I enjoyed doing autopsies every day and learned the signs of death to indicate the natural cause and mechanism of death.

5. Any difficulties or concerns? How did you cope?

Language barrier during autopsy procedures because most of them are not fluent in English. I cope with this concern by using a language app to interact with them.

Handling grotesque bodies during autopsies every day. I cope with this concern by having courage and eagerness to learn during the session, as this is a very rare chance to be hands-on in a variety of autopsy cases.

6. Two words to describe elective posting progress so far
new exposure

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2).

involve hands-on involvement in more interesting cases of autopsy.

Observe histology slides involving autopsy cases.

Go for a trip to Kyoto and Osaka with Beppu sensei and his family that lives in Penang.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
1 (autopsy fit check!), 2 (400¥ lunch), 3 (autopsy report), 4 (welcoming party), 5 (shiga selfie), 6 (language struggle, google translate to the rescue)

# data[].attributes.body
1. Your name, matric number, date
Maisarah binti Junaidi, A173345, 24/7 -28/7/2023

2. What have you done?

Monday: Tour around Shiga University campus with a Malaysian PhD student and received a briefing from the International Student Center. After that, we observed an autopsy of a man involved in a MVA case.

Tuesday - Friday: Observed and involved hands on in a variety of autopsy cases guided by our supervisor, Hitosugi Sensei. Attended mini lectures related to Forensic Medicine from different sensei(s) in the evening. We also assisted in gram-staining procedure and observed automated method of producing organ slices involving the autopsy cases.

Wednesday (PM): Attended a welcoming party arranged for us at a local cafe and ate at a halal Nepal restaurant afterwards (the butter chicken was oishi!)

3. Points to remember from week 1!

The police department, forensic specialists and dental surgeons are involved in the autopsy procedure.

Autopsies in Japan are only performed when the death of the deceased is suspicious, unknown, or related to a police division crime.

Signs of death in a certain organ can indicate the natural cause and mechanism of death.

Gram-staining is an important step to be done if the autopsy case is suspected to be due to an infection.

4. Your feelings & thoughts

The people here are very nice to us/each other and have very high respect towards people. I am still overwhelmed at the warm welcome that they have given us on the first few days.

Japanese food is the best.

Convenient stores are very convenient to buy snacks/food/coffee.

A new experience having to perform the autopsy by removing organs and exploring a real human body. At first it gave me goosebumps but I got used to it (also learned the japanese words for some organs! Eg: pancreas is suizo)

5. Any difficulties/concerns? How did you cope?

The language barrier had me struggling a little, however I made an effort to learn Japanese basics and used Google translate to help communication with the people here.

6. 2 words to describe elective posting progress so far

Exhilarating and blessed.

7. Your plan for next week (Week 2)

Performing more autopsies and attending mini lectures and exploring Kyoto and Osaka with Beppu sensei with his wife that lives in Penang.