(By Zhu Xugang, Correspondent)
On December 12, the Annual Summary Meeting with HUST Clinical Internship Program students and the Tongji Hospital – Chinese-German / German-Chinese Medical Association (CDGM/DCGM) Student Exchange Program was held in Meeting Room No.1 of the Administration Building at Tongji Medical College. Representatives from the German-Chinese Medical Association (DCGM), Tongji Hospital affiliated to Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), and the School of International Education of HUST participated. They were joined by 13 international clinical internship students from partner universities such as Heidelberg University and the University of Bonn, as well as 3 Chinese students from the Sino-German Class of the Second Clinical School who had undertaken exchanges in Germany. The meeting was conducted in a hybrid online and offline format.
Dr. Huang Chao, Vice Dean of the School of International Education, addressed on the meeting. He noted that in 2025, participation in the Clinical Internship Program grew to 54 international students. Among them, 35 students from countries including Germany, Japan, France, Italy, Romania, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, and Turkey completed their clinical internships at Tongji Hospital, representing a doubling in scale compared to 2024. He commended the students’ significant progress in clinical skills and their deepened understanding of China during their stay, encouraging them to continue serving as bridges for cultural mutual learning and envoys of exchange in the future.
Ms. Silja ZHANG, a German instructor from the International Exchange Office of Tongji Hospital, expressed gratitude for the sustained support from the university and the DCGM. She stated that Tongji Hospital assigns experienced clinical supervisors to the interns, all of whom possess excellent German or English language skills and international study backgrounds, ensuring access to high-quality teaching resources. She conveyed hope to welcome more international students to the program next year.
Dr. Wolfgang Reuter, Operations Director of the DCGM, delivered a speech via zoom, congratulating on the program’s success and thanking HUST and Tongji Hospital for their support. He mentioned that many program alumni remain actively engaged in Sino-German medical exchanges upon returning to Germany. He encouraged current students to cherish their valuable experience at HUST, deepen their professional knowledge at Tongji Hospital, and further the understanding of Chinese culture.
During the sharing session, several student representatives discussed their internship experiences in Germany and China. Julian Jung Xing Kuehne from Heidelberg University shared that his longstanding interest in China motivated him to learn Mandarin and pass the HSK Level 5 exam. He noted that the comprehensive support - from airport pickup and accommodation to campus orientation, the personalized clinical guidance at Tongji Hospital, and the vibrant campus activities like the International Cultural Festival - left a deep impression on him, fostering a more holistic and nuanced understanding of contemporary Chinese society and its education and healthcare systems.
Participants also viewed the program’s annual summary video. Discussions were held regarding program improvements and future development, with faculty in charge conducting an online Q&A session on topics related to clinical internships for 2026 batch.
The HUST Clinical Internship Program leverages the international exchange strengths of Tongji’s Medicine, particularly its robust foundation in cooperation with Germany. It hosts students from 22 renowned medical schools worldwide for clinical rotations in multiple departments at Union Hospital and Tongji Hospital. The program transforms the international reputation of Tongji’s Medicine into a platform for cultivating top-tier global medical talent, fostering future healthcare professionals who bear the distinct hallmark of HUST and the exemplary style of Tongji, thereby contributing to the global dissemination of Chinese health initiatives.
