Misawa Air Base does a med student exchange program every year where med students from other areas of Japan can come to the base, stay with the American doctors, and learn how American medicine is practiced for a week.

We signed up to have a med student stay with us! He was from Hirosaki and was a 5th year med student. Med school for Japanese starts right after high school and is six years.

He introduced himself to us as Takeaki. Later, I wanted to make sure I got it right so I said. Remind me, your name is Taiyaki right?

Takeaki: uh, no. That is food.

Me: Oh sumimasen (sorry), it’s Takoyaki right? 😅

Takeaki: um.. no. That is also food.

Me: 😨

He was actually thought it was funny. He shadowed different doctors in the hospital and shed light on differences between Japanese and American medicine. He even shadowed Leanne!