2026 Student from TU Dresden: Clinical training at Dept of Medicine (Cardiovascular / Respirology, Infectious Disease）
Name: Arthur Müller-Zantop
Home Institution/ Country: Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
Year of university: 5th
Designated department at Shinshu University: Dept of Medicine (Cardiovascular）, Dept of Medicine (Respirology, Infectious Disease)
Training Period: from 18 May to 9 August 2026
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 have always wanted to visit Japan, and then my university presented the cooperation with Shinshu, so I got very excited as it combined what I was hoping for. I could visit Japan, not as a tourist, but as a student, which gave me the possibility to get to know the country from a different perspective. I enjoyed the school a lot, as I felt very welcome and got to meet many lovely people and participate in the everyday life of a Japanese student.
2. Please describe your training at host department/lab.
I was lucky enough to join multiple departments throughout my stay. First, anesthesiology, then cardiology and pulmonology. All three departments were very accommodating to me as a foreign student and put in a lot of extra effort to explain and show me the different practices of the departments, for which I am very grateful. I got to witness surgeries, narcosis inductions, stations, patient rounds, conferences, and a lot more.
3. What have you gained from your training and stay in Matsumoto, Japan?
I have gained a lot from my stay. I got to experience the medical world from a completely new perspective and see how medicine is practiced in a different country and culture. I got to experience everyday life in Japan and had the possibility to dive into Japanese culture completely. I think I gained a lot on a personal level as well, as I learned how to deal with unknown situations.
4. How do you think you can apply those experiences to your future career?
I believe that, in the future, if I am ever in situations where I feel unsure or do not know where to go or what to do, I will be able to think back to my time in Japan and will be able to cope with these situations and stay calm a lot better. It gave me confidence to try out new and unknown things and to explore different sides of medicine as well.
5. Advice to those who are interested in studying at Shinshu University
My only advice is to definitely do it. It will be an experience of a lifetime. Really try to incorporate into university life and meet new people. Try new food and activities, and don't get scared if you don't know exactly what is happening.
