The French Connection - NUS Medicine

Issue 50
May 2024

PEOPLE OF NUS MEDICINE

Jade (left) and Natasha (right)

NUS Medicine hosts students from Université Paris Cité.

Cementing the importance of cross-cultural medical learning, the exchange programme organised by Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine) welcomed its inaugural batch of students from the Université Paris Cité (UPC) in August 2023.

Third-year medical students, Giannoli Jade Yu Mei (Jade), and Zan Natasha Nicole (Natasha) as well as their clinical group mates from NUS Medicine, share their experiences and thoughts about the eight-month long programme.

Natasha and Jade during their Himalayan trek.

Why did you choose NUS Medicine?

Jade: Growing up in Asia, I have always been drawn to Singapore, for both its proficiency as a country and its academic excellence. Hence, when applications for this exchange programme opened, I applied immediately, and the excitement of an adventure at NUS Medicine ensued.

I wanted to discover more about the workings of a different healthcare system, to glean a better understanding of Singapore. I also hoped that this experience would help me get a better idea of how, where, and why I want to practise medicine.

As the first batch of students in this exchange programme, both Natasha and I were thrilled and a little fearful, but I have no regrets choosing Singapore and NUS Medicine.

Natasha: Being half Italian, I initially intended to pursue an exchange programme in Rome, to do an Erasmus, the European Union student exchange programme. But when Singapore was presented as an option—I chose it without qualms.

I was most attracted to the opportunity of an additional clinical year that we don’t have in France. Across all the postings, during our time here, we were in the hospitals for most of the day, seeing patients and interacting with doctors. This form of invaluable clinical exposure only takes place later in France, during our fourth year of medical school. It was the main opportunity I hoped to seize, and was grateful to have.

Describe a typical day for you here.

Jade: I spend my days in various hospitals, depending on the posting, alongside my great clinical group mates. The day usually starts with rounds or staff meetings, then tutorials and clinics in the afternoon. If time allows, I will try to see some patients or observe some surgeries. But I mostly spend my time with my group mates, and I enjoy our time together very much. In the evenings, I usually explore the city, and try new foods, soaking in the vibrant culture of Singapore.

Natasha: For my first posting at Family Medicine, the days usually started quite early, as I had to travel to Polyclinics or General Practitioner (GP) offices in different parts of Singapore. The days are filled with tutorials and interactions with patients, usually ending in the mid-afternoon. This is similar to my postings in Orthopaedic Surgery and General Surgery.

Natasha (second from right) bonding with teammates over classic French cuisine at SO France café located in Alliance Française.

How is the learning experience here different from the one in France/elsewhere in the world? Is Medicine here taught differently?

Jade: The experience is quite different. For starters, medical school lasts six years in France instead of five here, so the curriculum differs. In France, clinical postings start in the first year whereas in Singapore, postings only start in our third year, but are faster paced.

In France, medical teaching is more didactic—at least in the first few years—but in Singapore, tutorials focus more on interactive learning.

I’ve noticed that in the hospitals, students play a great role in helping the medical teams, emulating the role and taking on the responsibilities of a House Officer, which comes a bit later in French medical education.

Natasha’s (right) last day at the Marine Parade FM clinic posting.

Jade dressed up as Ms Dupont (centre) for her FM project video presentation along with her teammates as Mr John Wort (left) and Mr GlamSwagQueen (right).

Natasha: I grew up in South Africa, with a mother who is a paediatrician. From a young age, I have been able to gain exposure to medical clinical settings in both public and private hospitals, and observe the example of hands-on teaching. In South Africa, hands-on learning is heavily emphasised, and young medical students do not hesitate to jump in and act. On the other hand, the teaching in France is more theoretical, up till the fourth year of medical school. I find that the teaching here in Singapore is a perfect combination of both theory and practice for third year medical students.

Are you living on/off campus, is this different from your life back in Paris and has this helped in your adjustment period here (eg. Meet more locals, learn about Singapore life/food/culture)?

Jade: Life on campus in Singapore differs a lot from Paris, as there isn’t proper student accommodation on campus there. Experiencing my first student housing at Lighthouse Residences is an unforgettable experience, living amongst both local and foreign students. This gave me the opportunity to meet people in diverse fields, taste the local foods of Singapore, and participate in fun activities.

Natasha: Like Jade, I felt that being able to meet fellow students and having this university campus living experience was very special. It also helped from a financial perspective, being considerably cheaper than alternative living arrangements. Jade and I were also able to stay quite near to each other, which created a support system between the 2 of us. I have grown to love the food court in Prince George Residences, which is going to be very hard to leave behind!

What is something you needed to get used to as a student here?

Jade: The main thing was the heat and the humidity! The other, which was kind of challenging in the beginning, but I really like now—was Singlish. I wasn’t used to the Singaporean accent and the typical phrases, but people were always nice and patient, taking the time to show me the ropes and explaining everything!

Another difficult part of my journey here was studying medicine in English. English medical terms are full of abbreviations and acronyms, so it was a bit trying in the beginning, but it got easier as I continued learning.

Natasha: I think the main element I needed to get used to was the mandatory attendance at the lectures/tutorials, which isn’t enforced as vigorously back home. Online lessons over Zoom also aren’t as frequent.

Jade (second from left) with her FM group mates.

Jade’s Spice Tolerance Journey.

Describe a most memorable moment during your time here.

Jade: Over the Chinese New Year break, Natasha and I went trekking in the Himalayas, which was amazing and unforgettable! It was a once in a lifetime moment, as we enjoyed the stunning views, experienced the local atmosphere, and reflected on this past year.

I’ve had many highlights in Singapore as well: making mooncakes with Adjunct Associate Professor Ang who oversees the Family Medicine Programme for Phase III NUS Medicine students at her house, celebrating my birthday on top of the Marina Bay Sands, visiting the orchid garden, and even eating kaya toast for the first time!

Natasha: One of the memories I hold close to heart is cycling with my whole clinical group, on Coney Island. We’ve all become close friends and I’ll truly miss this bond we share.

Lastly, what can Singapore or Singapore healthcare system learn from France?

Jade: From what I’ve seen, the Singaporean healthcare system is very efficient and self-sufficient. I’m very impressed with it and by the facilities.

Natasha: I think the Singapore healthcare system is becoming more community-based and freely accessible to all, which is something the French healthcare system prides itself on being.

Both systems are quite similar in the way they are progressing, putting in place more centralised systems pertaining to the storage of patient information and access to healthcare. Healthier SG is one example of this.

Continue reading Appreciating the Diversity of Medical Learning.