2024 Summer Study Abroad Program: Expanding Horizons through Overseas Internships for Chinese Medicine Students

2024-09-15
College News

China Medical University’s College of Chinese Medicine remains committed to broadening its students’ international perspectives by continually creating overseas internship and exchange opportunities. This year (2024), the college secured substantial support from the Ministry of Education’s "Study Abroad Series" and internal university funding to assist more than 50 students in completing one- to two-month internships across seven countries. Students returned from their overseas experiences enriched with newfound knowledge and cultural insights.

This summer, 15 students from the undergraduate and post-baccalaureate Chinese medicine programs interned at Kyung Hee University in South Korea. Recognized as South Korea’s leading institution in Korean traditional medicine, Kyung Hee University is a prestigious school with a solid foundation in education and research. During their internship, students participated in basic and clinical coursework, deepening their understanding of Korean medicine theory and practice, and gaining exposure to Korean medical research facilities. Through interactions with local physicians and patients, students not only explored the similarities and differences between Taiwan’s and Korea’s traditional medical systems but also gained valuable skills, fostering a deeper appreciation for traditional medicine.

Figure 1. In 2024, 15 students from the undergraduate and post-baccalaureate Chinese medicine programs participated in an internship at Kyung Hee University in South Korea.

For the third consecutive year, 15 students participated in a one-month traditional medicine internship at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Students had the opportunity to learn various techniques, including Vietnamese massage, cupping therapy, and health-preserving yoga. They also observed Vietnam’s integration of traditional and Western medicine, which, while different from Taiwan’s approach, offered students a broader professional perspective, enhancing their understanding of Chinese medicine’s global potential.

Figure 2. A group photo of 15 students from the undergraduate and post-baccalaureate Chinese medicine programs at Ho Chi Minh University of Medicine and Pharmacy's Traditional Medicine Institute, taken during their internship in 2024.

Additionally, six students traveled to Thailand to complete a four-week exchange at the Applied Thai Traditional Medicine Center of Mahidol University and the Medical Center at Mae Fah Luang University’s School of Integrative Medicine. The internship covered Thai medicine theory, traditional massage techniques, herbal medicine, and more. Students also participated in local community health services, experiencing firsthand how social responsibility can aid local communities. By comparing Chinese and Thai medical practices, students engaged in meaningful discussions with Thai physicians, expanding their clinical skills and interdisciplinary knowledge.

Figure 3. In 2024, students from the School of Chinese Medicine and the post-baccalaureate Chinese Medicine program at our university’s College of Chinese Medicine received training in Thai massage and Thai herbal steam therapy clinical skills at the Center for Applied Thai Traditional Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mahidol University, Thailand.

Furthermore, six students, accompanied by faculty members, engaged in a month-long exchange at the Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCUHS), which is renowned for its achievements in chiropractic, acupuncture, and Eastern medicine. This marked the first time CMU sent students to the United States for overseas study. Students attended California’s first accredited doctoral program in acupuncture and Chinese medicine, where they studied acupuncture, massage, herbal medicine, and clinical practice. SCUHS’s environment, which promotes interdisciplinary medical collaboration, enabled students to gain a deeper understanding of the American Chinese medicine education system.

Figure 4. In 2024, Professor Lei Wan took a group photo with students from the Chinese Medicine program and the post-baccalaureate Chinese Medicine program in front of the Southern California University of Health Sciences.

Since 2018, CMU’s Department of Pharmaceutical and Chinese Medicine Resources has annually sent students to Singapore’s century-old Huang Yao Nan Chinese Medicine Pharmacy for hands-on internship experiences. These internships aim to provide students with practical skills and broaden their global perspectives. Students not only learned about the development and prospects of Chinese medicine in Singapore but also exchanged insights with professionals from diverse cultural backgrounds. Outstanding interns have even received job offers from the host institution, establishing a foundation for their future careers. Alumni who have returned from these internships actively share their experiences, encouraging younger students to explore opportunities abroad and understand the global potential of the Chinese medicine industry.

Figure 5. In 2024, Chairman Wen-De Chang of the Department of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chinese Medicine Resources took a group photo with students in front of the Huang Yao Nan Pharmacy.

Dean Hung-Rong Yen expressed that every year, CMU’s College of Chinese Medicine sends over 50 students abroad, and the 2024 summer internships not only enhanced students' knowledge and skills but also provided a wealth of cultural and experiential learning. These internships have left a lasting impact on students’ career development. The College of Chinese Medicine remains dedicated to promoting international exchanges, creating more global internship opportunities for students, cultivating Chinese medicine and pharmacy professionals with a global outlook, and advancing the global presence of traditional Chinese medicine.