On September 26, six students from Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (SJTUSM) began clinical rotations at UNMC. This is the 12th group of medical students to come to UNMC from SJTUSM. UNMC has hosted 66 clinical students from there since this exchange program began in 2005. During their time here, the students will do six two-week rotations. They will return to China in the middle of December.
I talked with Yixi "Alice" HE and Wanqin "Wendy" ZENG after their first day of rotations.
What was the best thing about your first day?
Yixi: "I met a really nice young woman in the pulmonary division. Her patience and kindness helped my overcome the anxiety and focus on learning."
Wanqin: "The best thing about my first day was the friendly teachers and patients. They all smiled to me and shook hands with me. Since it is my first time in America, I had been nervous, but after that, I felt that communication wouldn’t be as difficult as I thought."
What is the most difficult thing you experienced on your first day?
Yixi: "Language is a big issue, especially medical words and abbreviations."
Wanqin: "I enjoyed soaking in English for a whole day, which I’ve never experienced before, but listening and speaking is difficult. I really had a problem keeping up with the conversation around me, as if my ears didn’t belong to myself! But most of the time I could get the general idea and then ask the resident for help with the rest."
What has been the most useful thing during your visit so far?
Yixi: "Google maps helps us navigate Omaha and find buses."
Wanqin: "The e-dictionary on my cell phone is useful. In the beginning, I wasn’t able to make sense of the words on the menu, so I didn’t know what to eat. Without this dictionary, I would be hungry and less energetic! It helps me a lot with language learning."
What do you hope to learn or do during your visit?
Yixi: "I hope to learn the manifestation, diagnosis, and doctors’ suggestions about some common diseases during my rotation. I also hope to learn how the medical system works in the U.S.A."
Wanqin: "I also want to see the differences between the Chinese and American medical systems. I hope to improve my English, especially listening and speaking. It will be helpful when listening to patients’ histories, observing physical examinations, and so on. In my free time, I’d like to do some exercise, such as running with friends. The air is rather fresh here!"