AMSAHK Newsletter Volume 1; Issue No. 3; 2 March 2005
The Journey of Amsanians
- the 18th East Asian Medical Students’ Conference in Osaka,
Japan
The
East Asian Medical Students’ Conference (EAMSC) and the
Asian Medical Students’ Conference (AMSC) are the highlights
of AMSAHK activities every year. As with last year, this year
began with our participation in the EAMSC, held in Osaka from
26th to 30th December 2004. The theme of the conference was “The
Nature of Health – the Medical Profession and Social Expectations”,
a topic which centered upon social and community aspects of health.
Representing Hong Kong was a delegation of 18 medical students
from Years 1 to 4 from both CUHK and HKU – making us the
second largest delegation after the host country, Japan. Other
participating countries included Indonesia, Iraq, Korea, Malaysia,
The Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand.
Day
1 (26th December)
Despite being only a 4-day conference, the EAMSC was packed to
the brim with various activities. Our first day in Japan started
off with ice-breaking games at the hostel – an exciting
and fun way for delegates to get to know one another in their
small groups. The highlights of the evening were a warm welcoming
party and an entertaining cultural show. Our delegation thoroughly
enjoyed ourselves staging a play illustrating the “Post-SARS
Hypersensitivity Syndrome (PSHS)” displayed by the general
public.
Day 2 (27th December)
The Opening Ceremony was held on Day 2, officially marking the
launch of the Conference. After an academic lecture given by Dr.
Osamu Yoshida on ‘Holistic Medicine’, we proceeded
to our long-anticipated small group activities. Each group had
its own activities according to its theme. Group 2 visited Kamagasaki
district (),
the “home for the homeless” in Osaka, while Group
3 experienced three kinds of popular Japanese alternative medicine
in Kobe – aromatherapy, sports massage and neuromuscular
spindles therapy. They even learnt how to do an aroma-therapeutic
massage by themselves!
Day 3 (27th December)
A series of intellectually stimulating and innovative presentations
was given by delegates from each participating country on Day
3. This is the core programme of EAMSC and AMSC, when country
representatives would deliver an academic presentation on a given
theme. In this Conference, The Hong Kong delegation had chosen
to explore the ever-evolving nature of health through a case study
of SARS.
After
the formal presentations, came the Small Group Presentations where
each group shared its findings and reflections over their group
activities and discussion.Group 1, whose theme was AIDS, invited
volunteers to participate in a game in which they used the mixing
of dye and water with one another to symbolize the silent and
prevailing spread of AIDS through promiscuous sexual activities
in the community. Day 3 came to a conclusion with the Closing
Ceremony and the presentation of bids by Korea and Indonesia to
host the next EAMSC.
Day 4 (29th December)
The morning and afternoon of Day 4 were scheduled for sightseeing
in Osaka and Kyoto. We visited two traditional Japanese temples
- Chion-in and Kiyomizudera. We then went on a tour around Namba,
a famous shopping district in Osaka. The Farewell Party, during
which Hong Kong was announced the champion of the Country Presentations,
culminated to a pleasant conclusion to this memorable Conference.
Yet it was only the beginning of new friendships that would continue
to grow for a long time to come.
Quotes from Hong Kong Delegates
“In the Conference, I saw the beauty of friendships blossoming
across the different cultures and races.” ~ Jackie Cheung (President, Chief Delegate)
“The trip was short but truly memorable
and worthwhile.” ~ Adeline Man (Financial Secretary)
“I can think of no other word than ‘excellent’
to describe the EAMSC Japan.” ~ Karson Ng (Information Technology Secretary)
“We had great fun rushing off for last
minute shopping!” ~ Athena Wong (Public Relations Secretary)
“The key to a good conference isn’t
the hardware but the PEOPLE!” ~ Carol Ng (Director of Exchange, Publications & Promotions
Councillor)
The
East Asian Medical Students’ Conference (EAMSC) and the
Asian Medical Students’ Conference (AMSC) are the highlights
of AMSAHK activities every year. As with last year, this year
began with our participation in the EAMSC, held in Osaka from
26th to 30th December 2004. The theme of the conference was “The
Nature of Health – the Medical Profession and Social Expectations”,
a topic which centered upon social and community aspects of health.
Representing Hong Kong was a delegation of 18 medical students
from Years 1 to 4 from both CUHK and HKU – making us the
second largest delegation after the host country, Japan. Other
participating countries included Indonesia, Iraq, Korea, Malaysia,
The Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand. 
Day
1 (26th December)
The Opening Ceremony was held on Day 2, officially marking the
launch of the Conference. After an academic lecture given by Dr.
Osamu Yoshida on ‘Holistic Medicine’, we proceeded
to our long-anticipated small group activities. Each group had
its own activities according to its theme. Group 2 visited Kamagasaki
district (
),
the “home for the homeless” in Osaka, while Group
3 experienced three kinds of popular Japanese alternative medicine
in Kobe – aromatherapy, sports massage and neuromuscular
spindles therapy. They even learnt how to do an aroma-therapeutic
massage by themselves! 
Day 3 (27th December)
After
the formal presentations, came the Small Group Presentations where
each group shared its findings and reflections over their group
activities and discussion.Group 1, whose theme was AIDS, invited
volunteers to participate in a game in which they used the mixing
of dye and water with one another to symbolize the silent and
prevailing spread of AIDS through promiscuous sexual activities
in the community. Day 3 came to a conclusion with the Closing
Ceremony and the presentation of bids by Korea and Indonesia to
host the next EAMSC.
Day 4 (29th December)
Quotes from Hong Kong Delegates
