ISW Program Held on September 29 to October 3
From September 29 to October 3 the Graduate School of Dentistry hosted the international exchange program International Student Week (ISW), welcoming a total of six students from Seoul National University in Korea and Srinakharinwirot University in Thailand.
The first day began with an orientation session conducted by Professor HATA from the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry. Subsequently, a welcome lunch hosted by Dean NAKANO took place. During the lunch, the students enthusiastically shared their thoughts on topics such as seasonal differences, food cultures and the unique features of their respective universities in Korea and Thailand. They also expressed interest in trying Japanese cuisine and were looking forward to interacting with students from the School of Dentistry at the University of Osaka.
In the afternoon, Professor MURAKAMI, Director of the Center for Global Oral Health at the University of Osaka Dental Hospital, led a tour of the hospital facilities. Current graduate students from Korea and Thailand, who belong to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, gave tours in their native languages. The visiting students displayed a strong interest in observing the Japanese healthcare environment during the facility tour.
From the second day onward, the program shifted into full gear. The agenda included a variety of activities such as lectures and clinical department visits, which captivated the participants and brought excitement to their learning experience. They were notably impressed by exposure to cutting-edge research and technology which left a lasting impact on their perspective. Additionally, undergraduate students from the School of Dentistry at the University of Osaka joined English-language lectures, contributing to an atmosphere of shared international learning.
A welcome party was also held during the week, where highly motivated undergraduate students actively participated. Some expressed aspirations to participate in overseas programs as sixth-year students while others were eager to improve their English communication skills. The program also featured presentations by the visiting students in English, showcasing the culture and strengths of their countries and universities. These exchanges fostered a dynamic international environment, providing valuable opportunities for mutual learning and inspiration.
Among the comments from the visiting students, one stood out: “Meeting graduate students from foreign country during our hospital tour was an incredible experience. It made me want to pursue my studies here in the future.” ISW proved to be a meaningful program that offered the students a firsthand glimpse of Japanese dental medicine, inspiring them to think about their future career paths.
Graduate School of Dentistry at the University of Osaka remains committed to actively promoting international exchange programs such as ISW and to nurturing dentists and researchers who can thrive on a global stage.
The next ISW is scheduled for January 26 to 30, welcoming students from Gadjah Mada University (Indonesia) and Wonkwang University (Korea). We look forward to another week filled with new connections and discoveries.