Kyoto University Faculty of Medicine — Local services in Kyoto

Before I start, I'll make sure that I am only speaking of the Graduate School of Medicine, aka Igaku-kenkyuu-ka(医学研究科) the postgraduate course. I think the undergraduate course of medicine(which allows you to sit in for the Japanese Medical License) is one of the best in Japan. However, to a graduate student in Japan, this place is... a sort of a nightmare.

First, the college office isn't very helpful. As most medical schools are, I think the college office is rather rigid and bureaucratic compared to the main campus. I felt that many times; e.g. when there were classes to help with your research and they refused to notify foreign students because they conveniently 'thought for us' that we didn't need them.

Second, one of Kyoto University's strengths is that they value freedom, independence and self-management. This is a rare virtue in Japanese culture, and from meeting a few Japanese students from the main campus I think I can agree that Kyoto University is indeed very free and encourages young people to be independent. However, the School of Medicine is... well... just not like that. Rather than allowing thinking for yourself or any kind of development of your ideas, many of the teachers here will try to 'spoon-feed' you their knowledge and/or wisdom, and often be rather demanding while doing so. This can be both beneficial or detrimental to a student depending on his/her personality, but it sure wasn't what I expected from what I had been hearing about Kyoto University.

Third, while they have a course in the Graduate School of Medicine for foreigners, most of their classes, seminars and even some of their faculty completely refuse to speak any English. And no matter what level of Japanese you speak, you will often be criticized for being poor at it or 'miscommunication'. This was the most frustrating and unbearable part for me.

I suppose that is something most medical schools and their research facilities have in common. Medical doctors- heck, I am one, too, although I do my best not to look or sound coercive to people younger than myself - tend to be conservative and quite authoritarian anywhere in the world.

But in conclusion, I don't think this place is for foreigners, and if you are looking for a graduate degree in Japan, I think you would be better off looking for one at the main campus. After all, even if you want to continue your career as a researcher, it doesn't really matter too much whether you have a Ph.D. of medicine or Ph.D. of Life Science as long as you write...

If you are unfortunately in need of care while traveling, this hospital is a good option. Registration for new patient takes a while, especially if you cannot adequate communicate in Japanese. After that, the process is pretty smooth. The doctor is prompt, and the payment is automatic via a electronic device. Charges are reasonable when compared...

A very nice medical school campus, greetings from a resident physician...