The Faculty welcomes Japanese exchange students for month-long observership

By Rachel Boutet

Three students from Okayama University Dental School in Japan have begun a five-week exchange program at the Faculty of Dentistry.

Third-year students Honami Miyake, Yuiko Shirota and Kanoko Higuchi will be participating in various lectures, seminars, pre-clinical sessions and shadowing activities across both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

“We are thrilled to be a part of this program,” says professor Anuradha Prakki, who is also associate dean, undergraduate education and overseeing the three exchange students. “Dentistry is taught and practiced differently around the word with cultural and technological differences. I think this will provide a two-way learning opportunity. The Okayama students can learn from their time at our Faculty and we can gain important insight from them into how oral health care is approached in Japan.”

Yuiko Shirota pursued this exchange program with excitement for both the university and the city.

“U of T is a top-ranked university, so I thought this would be a great opportunity for me to learn,” she says. “I am most looking forward to studying with excellent teachers and getting to know the students. I have also never been to North America so was curious what it would be like to stay in Toronto – especially during the winter.”

Shirota adds that she’s particularly interested in oral surgery, as is fellow exchange student Kanoko Higuchi. Honami Miyake is most looking forward to the pharmacology class, as well as exploring the city.

“I stayed in Vancouver for two weeks when I was in high school and also knew I wanted to live abroad for longer,” says Miyake. “I’m excited to learn as much as possible in these five weeks and also get to discover Toronto and try some new and delicious food.”

With a very full academic schedule, the students have also been allotted free time to do some sight-seeing.

“We want them to leave with new knowledge while also having experienced all that our wonderful city has to offer,” says Prakki.

Top photo: Anuradha Prakki, Interim Dean Laura Tam, Honami Miyake, Yuiko Shirota, Kanoko Higuchi, Anil Kishen