Wanting to Lead a Fulfilling Student Life, Even When Busy —Aiming to Become a Doctor with an Eye on the Future of Medicine—

Rena Ooka, 5th-year student, School of Medicine

Growing up watching my mother work hard, I had wanted a rewarding career like hers since I was a child. I became interested in the medical profession in my third year of junior high school, and after a hospital tour in high school, I clearly decided to become a doctor and chose the School of Medicine. Also, since I entered Keio in junior high school, I had my mind set on the Keio University School of Medicine if I were to study medicine.

I also entered Keio Chutobu Junior High School through an external entrance exam, so I've experienced both sides, but the school's culture is very open and free. Especially at the School of Medicine, where the proportion of externally admitted students is high, I didn't feel any disconnect.

I also love the spirit of Yukichi Fukuzawa's teaching, "Be a leader of all society," and I feel that everyone, regardless of whether they came from inside or outside the Keio system, has inherited this spirit in a positive way.

As a 5th-year student, my clinical clerkship has started, and the reality of becoming a doctor is setting in more each day. I'm also planning to study abroad, so we get together for study sessions in our free time. In terms of club activities, I served as the captain of the women's Golf Team and as the public relations officer for the entire School of Medicine Athletic Association.

That's true; every club is very dedicated. Balancing studies and club activities is challenging, but I believe the experience gained from clubs during our student years is extremely important. From the 1st to the 4th year, our days are centered around classes, but being in a club creates connections with people and helps build a strong network, both vertically and horizontally. Being a doctor is a profession that deals with people, so I think the experience of building relationships and creating a strong team in a club will definitely be beneficial in the future. For that reason, most students belong to one club or another. Also, when I think about how my current club activities will be replaced by family life in the future, it feels like good practice for that as well.

I feel that many of the professors at the School of Medicine are friendly and approachable. The psychological distance between professors and students is very small. For example, when I had a question for former Dean Suematsu and went to his office, he immediately let me in and explained things to me. I often sense their desire to help the students. We even go out for drinks with the professors.

In my first year, a senior student invited me to join the iPad introduction project, where we researched what other universities abroad were doing to make classes more interesting. After the iPads were actually introduced, I think we've been able to study with more realism, using clearer images than ever before, especially in classes that use a lot of visuals.

This experience sparked a strong interest in internet-related fields, and I've also been helping out at venture companies that develop devices and applications. You have to constantly keep your antennae up to keep track of what's happening in medicine and related fields, or you'll fall behind.

I believe that in the near future, doctors will also need programming skills. We don't know how much medical equipment will evolve in 20 years, so I think a foundation in IT is essential.

I'm interested in keeping people healthy. I entered the School of Medicine with a vague desire to become a doctor, but since my clerkship started, what I had only thought of in broad terms like internal medicine or surgery has become clearer in terms of where my interests truly lie. Now that it's time to decide on a career path, wherever I ask, including people from other universities, they recommend Keio University Hospital. It's advanced and has top-class doctors from all over the country. It's only now that I'm realizing what distinguished professors I've been learning from. (laughs)

I'm truly glad I entered Keio University School of Medicine.

I'm quite serious about golf.

The Golf Team is like family.

Taking a step forward after the White Coat Ceremony.

A get-together at a friend's house is also a chance for everyone to catch up.