講演情報
[SY-84]At a cultural crossroads in our time
Kanako Shimizu1,5, Karen Yanit2, Shinichiro Otsuka3, Kazuaki Sugawara4, Yuichiro Abe6 (1. Rokubancho Mental Clinic, Japan depression center (Japan), 2. Universidad de Monterrey (UDEM) (Mexico), 3. Otsuka Praxis (Japan), 4. Mental hospital Kamakurayama (Japan), 5. Jichi Medical University, department of psychiatry (Japan), 6. Ishiki Hospital (Japan))
キーワード：
strangers、study overseas、cultural crossroad
Cross-cultural experiences inherently involve a dual nature. On one hand, they are enriching, offering individuals new perspectives and skills. On the other, they may lead to difficulties in adaptation and even psychological distress. The experience of being a "stranger" in a foreign culture can expose individuals to discrimination, yet it can also foster the generation of novel insights. Studying abroad is a prototypical example of this "stranger" experience. For earlier generations, overseas study posed significant logistical and cultural challenges, often intensifying the psychological impact of cultural displacement. In contrast, the contemporary global environment—particularly in urban settings—has become increasingly diverse, reducing the sense of being a complete outsider. Given these changes, what can still be gained from studying abroad today? This symposium explores how cross-cultural experiences acquired through study abroad are being integrated into clinical practice. Presenters will discuss how such experiences have shaped their approaches to medical care and psychotherapy, particularly in the context of treating international students and foreign patients. Through clinical case examples and reflective discussion, the symposium aims to examine the enduring psychological relevance of the "stranger" experience in our time.