A month in Lithuania: Japanese medical students’ experience at LSMU
The Japan International University of Health and Welfare (IUHW) students’ tenure at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) is now over. The young people spent a month in Kaunas, where they learnt about good clinical practices, observed the functioning of the Lithuanian healthcare system, and became acquainted with our culture.
On Friday, the farewell ceremony at the LSMU Emmanuel Levinas Centre took place. Future Japanese doctors received clinical practice certifications from Prof. Dr. Andrius Macas, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine (MF), and Prof. Dr. Ingrida Janulevičienė, Dean of the LSMU International Relations and Study Centre (TRSC).
Culturally interconnected values
During the parting ceremony, Prof. Dr. Ingrida Janulevičienė, congratulated the Japanese students and commended their bravery, curiosity, and excitement that accompanied them during their stay. She emphasised that aspiring physicians even now exhibited the most crucial traits of this field: the capacity to step outside of their comfort zone, the desire to learn about a different culture, and an ability to gain understanding of how a different healthcare system functions both theoretically and practically.
“You made a decision to travel to Lithuania – the other side of the Eurasian continent – and that alone, shows that you are brave. You have the courage to travel to a distant place and leave your home. You are clever – you know that you want to become doctors. You seek answers to questions that you ask: How do things work in Lithuania? What are the potential career benefits of this internship? Naturally, I can also see the spark in your eyes“, – spoke the Dean of the International Relations and Study Centre.
Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Andrius Macas emphasised the importance of intelligence and cultural awareness for future doctors. He stated that the opportunity to visit Lithuania and to engage with representatives of various cultures is a priceless experience, which will enrich not only the students, but also their future patients and the entire healthcare system of their country.
“Doctors have to be people of great intelligence. Therefore, I believe that your visit to Lithuania, the opportunity to engage with representatives of different cultures is a highly beneficial experience. It will not only bear fruits for you, your future patients, but also for your country”, – said the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, who oversaw the theoretical and practical instruction of the Japanese students.
He also alluded to the symbolic relationship between Lithuania and Japan by bringing up the well-known Japanese ambassador Chiune Sugihara, who worked in Kaunas and saved lives despite not being a medical professional. Sugihara granted about 2000 transit visas through Japan without explicit official approval. In this manner, he rescued numerous individuals who were fleeing Soviet tyranny and approaching Nazi atrocities.
A month that went above and beyond
Miu Yoshida, a Japanese student who visited Lithuania for a month, shared her thoughts at the certificate presentation ceremony. According to her, this time was filled with challenges, new experiences and valuable lessons which she hoped for, but did not expect she would be able to gain in such a brief time.
“In just one month we have learned so much. I was impressed, that differently than in Japan, the students actively express their opinion and ask questions during activities.”
Miu also noticed the differences between Lithuanian and Japanese medical practice.
“We were impressed by the fact that in Lithuania, more time is given to each patient during examinations than in Japan. Even though the number of patients is far greater in Japan than in Lithuania, we have understood, that we could be more patient with them” – shared the young woman.
The student was delighted that the experience she obtained, much surpassed her expectations and that she learnt far more in this short period of time than she would have in Japan, despite the fact that the practice days started early and that the workload at times was particularly heavy.
Miu did not forget the cultural experience either – she said that she tried kibinai (En. Karaite ethnic minority pastry), visited the Devils’ Museum. She smiled as she recalled an unexpected event in which she tumbled down the steps in a restaurant on her day off and was greatly assisted by the staff members.
At the conclusion of her address, the LSMU guest expressed gratitude for the warm reception and joy at having been granted such a wonderful experience.
As doctors, be curious, clever, seek knowledge and expand it as well as continuously ask Why? And seek those answers. Doctors also have to be brave when making decisions, some of them will be very difficult and sometimes they will have to be made extremely quickly. And one more thing – the heart and passion – in whatever you are doing, whatever decisions you are making – everything that you do has to be done not only with a cool head, but also with the heart. Everything you will do must be done with passion. Why do I tell you all of this? Because I think that you already have these qualities. You made a decision to travel to Lithuania – the other side of the Eurasian continent – and that alone, shows that you are brave. You have the courage to travel to a distant place and leave your home. You are clever – you know that you want to become doctors. You seek answers to questions that you ask: How do things work in Lithuania? What are the potential career benefits of this internship? Naturally, I can also see the spark in your eyes. We are very happy to have been able to welcome you, thus you receive your completion of clinical practice in Lithuania certificates. We will be very interested to hear about your experiences and insights from you. For nice things are often taken for granted. In order for us to take even better care of students who will do clinical practice in Lithuania and provide them with even better opportunities to do their practice it is crucial that we hear what needs to be improved.