AMSEP TAIWAN NDMC 2018

Unknown October 18, 2018 No comments


The Asian Medical Student’s Exchange Program (AMSEP) is an exchange program unique to AMSA that allows members of AMSA to participate in a 5-10 day pre-clinical or clinical exchange to a chapter of their liking. AMSEP utilizes a twinning system, where 2 chapters form a binding contract and each chapter will take turns hosting and delegating. During the AMSEP, incoming delegates will be accompanied by a group of hosting committee members throughout their stay. The tight-knit relationship and sense of belonging is what makes AMSEP distinctive as an exchange program.
           On August 13th to 19th, 2018, five delegates from AMSA-Brawijaya (Andra Danika, Adolf Gideon, Beatrice Patricia Sindhu, Sharon Thesalonica, and Theresa Puspanadi), along with delegates from AMSA-UI, AMSA-Unsyah, AMSA-UNS, AMSA-Ukrida, and AMSA-Unhas had the opportunity to participate in AMSEP Taiwan for Indonesia in National Defense Medical Center (NDMC) in Taipei, Taiwan.
The delegates arrived at Taoyuan International Airport, Taiwan at 15.10 local time. We were welcomed by the project officers form NDMC who bought us pearl milk tea as our welcome drink. At night, the host prepared a welcoming party in a buffet restaurant down town. There, we had the chance to get to know everybody while enjoying the delicious food and cool performances from the host. We could feel the warmth of the hosting committee right away.
On the second day, the delegates went to Taipei Zoo. We saw various kinds of animals from different regions around the world. The most memorable were the authentic Formosan Animals like the Formosan Black Bears and also a couple of cute Pandas given from China as a form of friendship between the two countries. Understanding that the delegates were hot, the host took the delegates to enjoy Taiwanese favorite shaved ice down town. Afterwards, we went to Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, just in time to watch the flag lowering ceremony and took a lot of pictures with the memorial hall and Taipei 101 landscape. Finally, we closed the day with a nice dinner in Pin Chuan Lan, the best beef noodle restaurant in Taiwan.
The next day, the host arranged a hospital visit in Tri Service General Hospital (TSGH) for us. In the morning, dr. Chen Chang-ming took the delegates to see the Tomotheraphy machine, Da Vinci machine and many other advanced medical devices used in the hospital. Afterwards, Mr. Lin Chia-en gave some presentation and tour around his 3D Printing Fablab. In this lab, they can print out an anatomically correct organ, such as a heart, using plastic or resin within 1-2 hours. They are currently doing a research on how to print out a real organ using real tissue with the 3D printer. Later, Ns. Kan Chiu-ping showed us the Grand Ward of TSGH. At night, we went to Raohe Night Market to enjoy authentic Taiwan street foods.


 On the following day, we had our Chinese traditional medicine class. Mr. Guo Chih-chin, a master of Chinese Medicine taught us about breathing exercise, simple massage technique and invited us to try Chinese herbal tea made from Cassia tora. NDMC, the hosting university is a military university. At the time when we were visiting the university, they were holding 2018 Taipei International Military Medicine Forum and we had the privilege to attend the international military seminar, sitting in the same room as many respected medical military personnel. The key note lecturer was Fernando Leyva, MD, FAAFP, CDR, MC, USN from Naval Medical Center, San Diego, USA who shared about US Navy Undersea Medicine Program. Beside the lecture, there was an exhibition showcasing latest medical devices used in military field. We were really mind-blown by how sophisticated the devices were. After a long day at the campus, the host took us to Taipei Arena for ice skating. It was a really fun day.
The next morning, we had another Chinese Medicine class. There, we learnt twelve basic movements of Shaolin exercise. Afterwards, we had the pleasure to meet the president of NDMC who were very humble. In the afternoon, we visited Taipei 101 Observatory which is the highest point of the city where we could see the whole landscape of Taipei. With the help of the NDMC president, we were able to dine in Din Tai Fung, the best dumpling restaurant in Taiwan. Later that night, we tracked along Xiang Shan (Mount Elephant). The exhausting journey became meaningless as soon as we got to the peak and saw the beautiful Taipei city lights.
The sixth day happened to be Indonesia’s Independence Day. We went to Puppetry Art Centre of Taiwan to learn about Taiwan traditional puppet show. Surprisingly, there was a display of Indonesian Wayang Kulit in the museum. So, we took a picture there to celebrate our independence day from Taiwan. Afterwards, we went to National Palace Museum and learnt a lot about Taiwan and Chinese history through their remarkably abundant collection. Later that night, we went to Gong Guan Night Market to try more Taiwan authentic street foods.
On the last day of AMSEP Taiwan for Indonesia, the delegates played laser gun with the host and went to the Xi Men Ding Market to buy some souvenirs. At night, the delegates attended the farewell party. We performed a medley of Indonesian traditional dances and together with the hosting committees, we danced to Poco Poco. We also had a souvenir exchange session and photo session. The next morning, the host accompanied us to the airport where we had to bid farewell to the host and take a flight back to Indonesia.
It was a really exciting week to spend in Taiwan. We had tons of new experiences, learnt lots of new things, and most importantly made dozens of good friends in Taiwan. It was really hard to say goodbye to them. Hopefully, this friendship can last for a life-time and someday we can meet them again.

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