Great Malaysian opportunity for Aussie medical students

The Australian medical students at the new Monash University campus in Bandar Sunway.

The opportunity to see first hand how medicine is practiced in Malaysia and explore a little bit of the country was irresistible for four final year Australian medical students from Monash University’s Clayton campus.

Joining the four - Sally Singleton, Simone Langford, Timothy Chittleborough and Annaliese van Diemen – were two Malaysian final year students in Australia, Nurzarina Ahmed and Syed Nazrul Syed Noh.

The six students recently spent six weeks at Monash University Malaysia’s new Clinical School in Johor Bahru and gained hands-on experience at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital there.

“We wanted to know how the system works in Malaysia, how it is different from Australia,” said Langford.

Langford, who plans to work in Asia in the future, said the experience gained in Johor Bahru will also be useful if she worked in a country like Malaysia.

“It was an opportunity to go for a placement in a supportive environment.

“We have the opportunity to compare the systems here and in Australia,” said Singleton

“I know some of the Malaysian medical students who’ve returned to Malaysia to continue their studies and this was a good opportunity to understand the adaptation they went through in Australia,” she added.

“There are also other differences here, such as the size and range of clinics is far greater than in Australia,” said Chittleborough.

“There are also less students per patient and high potential for learning,” he added.

For the Malaysian students, the six weeks in Johor Bahru offered a good opportunity to understand how medicine is practiced in Malaysia, before they continue with their postdoctoral studies.

Syed Nazrul said the stint in Johor Bahru gave him a perspective of how medicine is practiced in Malaysia.

Apart from this, it was also an opportunity for the Johor Bahru native to spend some time at home.

Langford said the staff at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital were very encouraging.

“The staff are very excited about the arrival of students and they’re keen to teach and share their experience.

“The location is great. Everything is within the walking distance,” she added.

The students also used the breaks between their studies to see a little of Malaysia, including the Thaipusam festival.