国際交流・留学

Name: Zafira Kumala Dewi
Home Institution/ Country: Udayana University,Indonesia
Year of university: 3rd Year
Designated department at Shinshu University: Neurosurgery
Training Period: from July.8, 2024 to August.2, 2024
Training: Clinical training

1. What made you come train at Shinshu University School of Medicine and how did you find the School through your stay?
I was looking for an elective study program abroad to maximize my pre-clinical study period. Then I found Shinshu University Hospital that is well known for its advanced technology and high quality care to their patients. I also got a good testimonial from my senior who had been participating in the elective program in Shinshu University Hospital. In addition, I found information that some neurosurgical inventions were invented from Shinshu University Hospital, so I am really interested in studying here.

Once I arrived and started my clinical training, I found that everyone here was so kind and welcomed me warmly. There were so many things I never heard of since I'm still a 3rd year student, but the doctors and professor here taught me from the basics patiently and made sure I understood in every operation. Even though English is not their first language, doctors and medical students in my department always help me with English translation for the explanation so that I could understand. Besides that, I also got a warm welcome from the medical students here. They held a welcoming party and took me to a very delicious sushi restaurant that I could never forget.

2. Please describe your training at host department/lab.
Training at neurosurgery starts at 8 in the morning and begins with a conference to discuss the procedures to be performed on the patient and also the patient's postoperative condition then I get to observe the procedure after it. The doctors there always help me with the explanation of the procedure and the monitoring. And I was amazed how kind they were when explaining to me, sometimes they bring a brain model to make me understand easier.

Not only observing operations, I also got a chance to make a case presentation about Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumor (PitNET) for my final presentation here. It was my first time ever making a case presentation, but the doctor guide me well so I could finish it smoothly.

3. Please list what you have gained from your experiences through the training at Shinshu University and the stay in Matsumoto, Japan.
I really had so many experiences here. I can't ask for more. First, I got to observe so many unique, rare, and complicated neurosurgery cases that I don't think I could experience in my country as a student. I also got to observe new procedures and devices that have not been established in my university. In my first week, I fortunately got to see the use of a new device that was first used in Shinshu University Hospital, called WEB (Woven EndoBridge) for aneurysm. Other than that, I also got to see and got the explanation for meningioma surgery that needs two approaches, which is not a common case. I also got experienced a very healthy work and team environment where everyone is polite and humble.

In my stay in Matsumoto, I experienced just like another side of Japan, where the city is very calm and peaceful with beautiful scenery every time I walk to the hospital or back to the apartment. I came here in summer, so I experienced a lot of summer festivals here, like Taiko Matsuri or Hanabi.

4. How do you think you can apply those experiences to your future career?
This experience allows me to know and observe a lot of rare and unique neurosurgery cases that maybe I couldn't get in my university. I also have an interest in neurosurgery so I hope the knowledge i got from here will be useful for me to deepen my knowledge about neurosurgery in Indonesia.

5. Advice to those who are interested in studying at Shinshu University.
Although everyone in neurosurgery can speak English, it's better for you to study basic Japanese because it will help your everyday living.