Medical School Cultural Exchange -Taiwan

To begin with, traveling to a new country is always associated with a roller coaster of emotions. It is exciting, scary, thrilling, joyous and more. I have felt the same. My journey from India to Taiwan was one with speculations of how the coming week would be. Would I be able to get vegetarian food? Would I be liking this new place ? Would I make new friends ? Would I be learning? And most of all, would I have fun?

THE SELECTION PROCESS

I stumbled upon this opportunity through AMSA, a student led organization for the Asian Medical Students. And over the years, being a part of it I’ve come to know about its exchange programs. Unfortunately, the first time I wanted to do it, we were amidst the pandemic and hence participated in the virtual exchange, which by the way, was a unique experience in itself but physical exchange programs were something I looked forward to and got to be in, this year. There was a point based system to select the initial few candidates, among them only ten were selected to the exchange program through an interview that lasted for about 15 minutes or so.

The point based system rewards points depending on how much you have contributed in AMSA India and also if any leadership roles were taken up. Although, it might sound scary, it is a simple process and AMSA always encourages new members too.

The interview is a 15 minute talk with their Chairperson or Director. They usually ask general questions like why are we interested in the exchange, they ask questions that tend to give them answers regarding our team work and social skills. Once selected, we’d have to pay the delegate fee that sums to around 22,000. This fee covers our accommodation and local transport during the trip. And then the visa process, buying tickets, looking for stay (in case you are planning to extend your trip) began.

The entrance to Buddhist Tzu Chi University

A look into the campus

Personally, it was a well rounded experience for me. I got to learn about Chinese medicine and try their laparoscopic training box. It was interesting to see that traditional Chinese medicine is very much similar to our Ayurveda.

Day 1 - Workshop on Acupuncture

We also had the wonderful opportunity to learn about acupuncture and got done acupuncture on ourselves too as part of the Chinese medicine experience.

Their very own herb garden with entry to professors and authorized personnel

Obviously, it is different to Allopathy, but their communication skills, hospital maintenance and everything related to their Allopathy medicine also takes in practices of Buddhism as well.

This was the session where we made an ointment using Chinese herbs for joint pain/muscle aches

Hence, it was a unique experience to be in their hospital and get an insight into how things function there. I got to experience their culture and hospitality. I got to roam around the streets of Taiwan and explore. And it was nothing like I expected it to be.

An Insight into the Laparoscopic Training Box session

In my opinion, no experience is perfect but sailing through its troughs and crests is what makes a memory. And my time in Hualien city, Taiwan will be cherished for eternity.