The individual internship of the University of São Paulo in Brazil and China Medical University has established a strong foundation for fostering long-term academic and cultural exchanges.
In December 2024, Leonardo Guimarães Stocco, a fifth-year medical student from the University of São Paulo, Brazil, participated in a three-week clinical observation internship at the China Medical University Hospital. During this valuable internship, Leonardo not only gained in-depth knowledge of the clinical applications of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), but also took part in the diagnostic and treatment processes with various medical specialists, particularly gaining hands-on experience in acupuncture and other TCM therapies. He also participated in two English Café events organized by the Office of Bilingual Education Program at College of Chinese Medicine, CMU. To learn about pharmacists and alternative therapy for acute appendicitis with appendicolith using traditional Chinese medicine. Additionally, Leonardo had the opportunity to learn about the operation of Taiwan’s healthcare system and engage in meaningful exchanges with the hospital’s professional physicians, exploring the potential for integrating Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine. This internship and exchange program not only enriched Leonardo’s professional perspective but also deepened his understanding of TCM, fostering cultural exchange and collaboration between the medical fields of Brazil and Taiwan, laying a solid foundation for future medical development between the two countries.
In this internship exchange program, we also specially invited Taiwanese students to serve as partners for their Brazilian peers. This not only facilitated cultural exchange between students from both countries, allowing them to share the differences in culture, customs, and healthcare systems, but also deepened their understanding and knowledge of the medical field. Through such interactions, Taiwanese students were able to broaden their international perspectives, gain a deeper understanding of the practical applications of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and learn from the medical experiences and viewpoints of their Brazilian counterparts. This exchange program not only promoted cross-cultural interactions but also provided valuable learning opportunities for the students, enhancing their knowledge and insights in their professional fields.
【巴西學生 Leonardo Guimarães Stocco 的見習心得】
【Reflection from Leonardo Guimarães Stocco】
I’m genuinely thankful for spending the last three weeks at CMU hospital taking a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) observership. Even being a western medicine student in Brazil, half the world away, I’ve always felt keen on complementary and alternative medical systems, for reasons I don’t comprehend very much yet. At some moment, I was briefly introduced to acupuncture and herbal medicine in my college, and I got so attracted to it that I decided I should dive deeper into it. With that in mind, I’ve spent the last years planning on coming to Taiwan to study TCM in a deeper way, and I’m surprised that right now I can say I’ve made it! These weeks were very fulfilling to me, to see a hospital that institutionally offers acupuncture and TCM treatments in public healthcare was surprising and really unexpected regarding Brazilian standards.
I should also mention that I’ve been really good welcomed in CMU, all the fellow students helped me out a lot with different things – just by translating and helping me out to understand what the patients had, or by telling me how is it like to be a taiwanese person and how this would contrast with my Brazilian point of view. Some of them took me to traditional restaurants, night markets and also herbal medicine and acupuncture stores an I should point out that going to these TCM stores was very meaningful to me as well. And they even gave me a birthday celebration, which was also very thoughtful. In the future, I’d like to be a psychiatrist, and what attracts me the most in studying the human being is the skill of changing your point of view from the same phenomenon through different prisms or theories and how you can compare them and, this way, you might find a better or more suitable explanation for your patient. I think that learning a bit more of TCM has improved this skill in me, and I’m really grateful for it.
Some might say that truly dreams never die and I agree with that. Coming here showed me this. I thank you a lot for all the support and opportunities you have given me, and I hope that other students from São Paulo University seek for this opportunity in the future!
Muito obrigado！/感謝！
【學伴們的心得】
Student Zhang:
It’s my pleasure to interact with Leonardo, our international companion from Brazil, as a representative of our college! The College of Chinese Medicine has made many efforts to hold interchanges with universities across the world and promote Traditional Chinese medicine worldwide. During the internship, I learned much from Leonardo and the outstanding doctors in the hospital. It is also worth mentioning that on Leonardo’s birthday in the last week of his internship, we held a party for him and sang the Happy birthday song in Chinese, Taiwanese, and Brazilian, which was such a touching and unforgettable moment.
Student Huang:
It’s our honor to have a medical student from Universidade de São Paulo for a 3-week clinical observation at CMU hospital. Together, we explored the fascinating integration of traditional Chinese medicine and modern Western medicine. One memorable experience was observing acupotomology for treating lower limb problems. We also learned about the role of TCM doctors in reducing the side effects of chemotherapy for breast cancer patients. Thankful to this precious opportunity to bridge the medical knowledge of Brazil and Taiwan, offering unique insights into different cultures and medical services.
Student Ou:
Having the opportunity to introduce Chinese Medicine to the student from Brazil is an honor, as the communication between two countries brings a fresh perspective to both sides. The entire experience has been enriching, broadening my horizons and giving me a glimpse of the promising future of Chinese Medicine worldwide.
Student Wu:
Hosting Brazilian Medical Student Leon: Bridging Cultures Through Medicine
This month, our department had the pleasure of hosting Leon, a visiting medical student from Brazil. Despite the limited time together, the exchange was rich and meaningful, as we explored the similarities and differences in healthcare systems and cultural practices between our two countries.
Leon joined us in clinical shadowing sessions, primarily focused on acupuncture. These sessions offered a unique opportunity to closely observe acupuncture techniques and delve into the diagnostic and treatment approaches of various physicians. This hands-on experience significantly deepened our understanding of Traditional Chinese Medicine in practice, fostering both professional growth and cultural appreciation.
Beyond the clinical setting, we introduced Leon to some of Taiwan’s vibrant cultural experiences. From savoring hot pot to exploring bustling night markets, we ensured he could fully immerse himself in local traditions. A highlight of his visit was a surprise birthday celebration, where we gathered to create a memorable occasion that left Leon touched by the warmth of Taiwanese hospitality.
This cultural and professional exchange underscored the power of medicine as a universal language and a bridge between nations. Hosting Leon not only broadened our global perspective but also enhanced our ability to communicate and collaborate across cultures. We are excited about future opportunities to welcome international peers and continue building connections that inspire mutual learning and growth.
Student Su:
Hosting the Brazilian exchange student Leon was an enriching and fascinating cultural exchange experience. I’d like to share two main aspects of this journey:
During our hospital rotations, we observed pediatrics, acupuncture, and trauma in TCM. In pediatrics, Dr. Yi-Chun Lin treated children with growth and precocious puberty issues using herbal medicine combined with Western orthopedic imaging. Leon, from a Western medicine background, was amazed by TCM’s syndrome-based approach and asked insightful questions about pediatric diagnoses. This experience deepened my understanding of TCM’s acceptance by international students. In acupuncture, Dr. Yu-Chen Li warmly explained patients’ conditions, treatment plans, and acupoints. Leon, with prior knowledge of acupuncture from São Paulo University, was thrilled to witness its clinical applications, especially its effects on pain and circulation. In traumatology, Dr. Po-En Chen demonstrated bilingual teaching and ultrasound-assisted therapies, sparking discussions on combining TCM and Western medicine. This three-week experience enriched both our perspectives on TCM’s diverse approaches.
2. Leisure Activities
The leisure activities after classes were truly memorable. My friends and I took Leon to explore Taiwan’s night markets, where he was amazed by the vibrant atmosphere. He eagerly tried new foods like scallion pancakes, fried rice cakes, and fruits. Although stinky tofu and pork liver weren’t to his taste, his adventurous spirit was admirable. We also enjoyed hot pot together, and he was fascinated by the variety and the sharing culture. Coincidentally, we celebrated his birthday with a small party, singing birthday songs in multiple languages. I hope his time in Taiwan brought both learning and unforgettable memories.
All in all, this exchange experience gave me insights into the cultural differences between Taiwan and Brazil. I’m grateful for this opportunity and aim to improve my English and TCM expertise to share its unique value with the world.
Student Wang:
It’s quite a pleasure to receipting student from Brazil. Especially a medical student who is interested in Chinese medicine. Having a impressive dinner in 永和豆漿 which is a common restaurant with several cuisines, Leonardo showed his passion of acupuncture and herbal medicine. Speaking of some herbal medicine, he had studied Chinese for a year in order to get more acquainted with those difficult Chinese name of herb. When I accompanied him during clinical observation of Internal Medicine, he could also realize that most of the elders speak Taiwanese, which I could help him understand. The thing that out of my expectation is that there is a chance I could translate Taiwanese into English! I would say it’s a nice chance to have this experience of practicing speaking English of Chinese medicine and herbs.
Student Ji:
It has been a truly enjoyable and rewarding experience to participate in the personal internship and meet Leonardo(Leo), the Brazilian student. I especially appreciated the joint clinic shadowing sessions, which gave me the opportunity to discuss and exchange ideas with Leo, while also learning from his background in Western medicine.
Leo set a high standard for me, both in terms of his enthusiasm for learning and his communication skills. Although the program he joined mainly focused on acupuncture, he took the initiative to explore other areas of Chinese medicine on his own. His passion for acquiring new knowledge is something I really admire and strive to emulate.
I was also very impressed by his fluency in English and his ability to share stories about his culture and experiences in Brazil. Through this experience, I’ve come to further appreciate the importance of English proficiency, as well as the fact that Chinese medicine is a unique and precious treasure in our culture.
The individual internship program of medical students from the University of São Paulo and China Medical University has laid a solid foundation for academic exchange and collaboration between the two institutions. We hope that in the future, China Medical University and the University of São Paulo will have more valuable internship exchange opportunities like this one, as we believe it will undoubtedly promote the professional development and cultural interaction between the two universities on an international scale.