Early Exposure to Clinic: A First-Year Experience Like No Other

When I started med school, I expected the usual first-year routine — lectures, labs, and an overwhelming amount of textbook reading. What I didn’t expect was how quickly I would swap the classroom for the clinic.

One of the most exciting aspects of studying at ZJU is the early clinical exposure. Unlike many other medical programs, we didn’t have to wait years before stepping into a hospital. From the very beginning, we were given the rare opportunity to observe surgeries, interact with patients, and shadow doctors across various specialties.

I still remember the first time I watched a surgery — the sterile atmosphere of the operating room, the rhythmic beeping of monitors, and the quiet yet sharp focus of the surgical team. It was a surreal experience, standing there in my scrubs, witnessing what I had only read about in books come to life right before my eyes.

Beyond the operating room, I had the chance to explore a variety of specialties — from anesthesiology and general surgery to pathology and emergency medicine. Each rotation opened a new door, offering a glimpse into the vast and complex world of healthcare. It even made me start reflecting on where my true passions lie. Studying anatomy from a textbook is one thing, but it’s an entirely different experience when you’re standing beside a doctor, hearing them explain a patient’s case in real time.

Of course, there has been a unique challenge — the language barrier. As an international student, communicating with patients and keeping up with fast-paced medical discussions in Chinese hasn’t always been easy. Talking to patients, especially those speaking strong local dialects, sometimes felt like navigating a maze. What struck me, however, was how the language of medicine itself seems universal. Terms like “myocardial infarction” and “appendectomy” crossed linguistic boundaries — familiar words that anchored me when everything else felt foreign. It’s a strange but comforting feeling to realize that while the words may differ, the science and purpose behind them remain the same. And in moments when words failed, empathy stepped in.

The moments that stay with me aren’t the ones where I perfectly understood the medical jargon — they’re the ones where I didn’t need to. Like when I saw a doctor gently squeeze a patient’s hand before surgery, offering comfort without a single word. Or when a resident knelt beside an elderly patient struggling with heart failure, speaking slowly and clearly to ensure they understood every step of their care. With every patient interaction, I’m learning that medicine isn’t just about knowing what to say — it’s about listening, understanding, and being fully present in the moment.

ZJU’s approach to clinical exposure goes beyond simply training us to be doctors — it shapes us into compassionate caregivers. We don’t just sit in lecture halls memorizing terms; instead, we stand at patients’ bedsides, learning the quiet, unspoken language of care.

It’s only my first year, but I’ve already witnessed the quiet resilience of patients managing their illnesses, the worry in families’ eyes as they wait for test results that could change everything, and the silent trust exchanged between doctors and their patients. Medicine isn’t something I’m waiting to experience someday — it’s unfolding right in front of me, here and now.