Josiah shines with healthcare skills in China internship
Meet Josiah 👀
A student from RP’s Diploma in Health Management & Promotion (now known as Diploma in Sports & Health).
Went to Chongqing, China 🇨🇳 for a 4.5-month internship at an eye hospital… and learned WAY more than expected.
Biggest challenge?
💬 Speaking clinical Mandarin (not just everyday convo)
But here’s the cool part 👇
During school eye screenings, kids were nervous… so he changed how he explained things:
➡️ Simpler words
➡️ More reassurance
And just like that… fear turned into trust 🫶
Lesson learned:
Healthcare = skills + empathy ❤️
Participating in an overseas healthcare internship can be both challenging and rewarding, as Josiah’s experience in Chongqing demonstrates. Immersing oneself in a clinical setting abroad, especially in a non-native language environment, pushes students to adapt quickly and develop both technical and soft skills. From my own experience volunteering in a multicultural clinic, I found that language barriers often caused unnecessary anxiety among patients, especially children. What stands out from Josiah’s story is his approach to overcoming this by simplifying medical jargon and offering more reassurance. This method doesn’t just ease patient fears—it builds trust, which is essential in healthcare delivery. Another critical takeaway is the value of empathy intertwined with professional skills. Josiah’s ability to connect with the kids emotionally made the clinical process smoother and more meaningful. It reminds us that healthcare professionals must be more than skilled practitioners; they should be effective communicators and empathetic listeners. Students aspiring to internship abroad can learn from Josiah’s example: mastering relevant language skills before the internship is crucial, but so is cultural sensitivity and the willingness to go beyond textbook knowledge to relate to patients on a personal level. Lastly, internships like these provide invaluable real-world exposure that supplements academic learning. They prepare future healthcare workers to face diverse challenges and broaden their perspectives, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and personal growth.