Yuka Tokito (Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy, 2nd Year *at the time)

Through this six-day training program, I learned a great deal about Thailand's healthcare system, culture, and the warmth of its people. What left a particularly strong impression on me was Thailand's approach to addiction treatment and its commitment to preserving traditional medicine.

First, I had the opportunity to learn about traditional Thai medicine through university lectures and activities. On the first day of training, I experienced making "Ya Pra Kob," a herbal ball used in Thai massage. I learned the traditional method of wrapping crude drugs in cloth and heating them for use. Later in the training, we also experienced making a gel by extracting components from those crude drugs. From these experiences, I realized that traditional medicine in Thailand is not just preserved as culture, but is evolving to fit modern life. Even in today's world where new medical treatments and technologies are constantly emerging, I strongly felt a national character that continues to value tradition.

Additionally, among the various medical institutions and facilities we visited, the visit to Thanyarak Khonkaen Hospital, which specializes in addiction treatment, was very memorable. The hospital is located in a nature-rich area slightly away from the city center, providing an environment where patients can focus on their treatment in peace. I was given the valuable opportunity to actually tour the inpatient wards—an experience that is difficult to have in Japan—and learned about Thailand's sincere commitment to addiction treatment.

What remained most in my heart throughout the entire program was the warmth and sincerity of the Thai people. The professors at KKU guided us to many facilities, and the doctors and pharmacists at the sites we visited prepared easy-to-understand materials. Specifically, at Thanyarak Khonkaen Hospital, they included Japanese translations in the materials, and at KKU Hospital, students studying Japanese provided explanations in both English and Japanese. Furthermore, snacks and hands-on activities were prepared at almost every facility, making me feel truly welcomed. The KKU students also gave us a warm welcome from the first day, taking us to night markets and restaurants, and even serving as interpreters from Thai to English during pharmacy visits. Despite being busy before their exams, they performed traditional music at the farewell party, allowing us to deepen our friendship further through music. I was greatly inspired by their attitude of taking initiative in everything and truly enjoying the exchange.

Finally, some of the lectures covered topics that were difficult to understand without prior knowledge, and there were moments when I struggled to participate while asking questions. However, by putting my desire to "learn" and "challenge new things" into action, I was able to feel my own growth. I feel that this training was a meaningful experience that led not only to learning about healthcare systems and specialized knowledge but also to cross-cultural understanding and personal growth. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the professors who accompanied us and to everyone in Thailand who welcomed us so warmly.