[Symposium 96] Studying in a Japanese medical school as an international student: aims and challenges

[SY-96-01] Studying in Japan: Aims and Challenges
Personal and professional challenges of an international psychiatry student in Japan

*Uyanga Tsovoosed^1,2, Chizuko Tezuka³, Hiroshi Kadotani¹, Yuji Ozeki¹ (1.Shiga University of Medical Science(Japan), 2.Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences (Mongolia), 3.Keio University(Japan))

Keywords:

International student experience,Cross cultural adaptation,Academic adjustment,Resilience

I have been working as a psychiatrist at the National Mental Health Center in Mongolia since graduating from the Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences in 2013. Since October 2022, I have been pursuing my PhD at the Department of Psychiatry, Shiga University of Medical Sciences, Japan. In this presentation, I will share the personal and professional journey I have experienced as an international student adjusting to Japan’s academic and social environment. My initial expectations included gaining insights into Japan's healthcare and academic systems, enhancing my academic and clinical skills, fostering personal growth and building connections with Japanese and international colleagues. While the journey has been rewarding, I have also encountered meaningful challenges. The language barrier has limited my participation in clinical activities, as most discussions and departmental communication are conducted in Japanese. Cultural differences, particularly the indirect communication style, initially made it difficult to interpret feedback and social cues during the early stages of my adjustment. Securing housing as a foreign resident also posed difficulties due to limited support and unfamiliar rental conditions. However, these challenges have also provided opportunities for personal and professional development. They have deepened my appreciation for cross-cultural communication, strengthened my resilience, and increased my motivation to contribute to more inclusive academic environments. By sharing my story, I hope to shed light on the international student experience in Japan not only its difficulties, but also its potential for development. With perseverance, openness, and mutual understanding, I believe we can build more supportive and globally minded academic communities.