MMU Medical Students Undertake Multidisciplinary Clinical Internship in Mongolia, Deepening Taiwan–Mongolia Collaboration in Medical Education
To expand international medical education and strengthen collaboration between Taiwan and Mongolia in healthcare and medical talent development, MacKay Medical University (MMU) continues to promote overseas clinical internships and international exchange programs for its students. Since 2024, Taiwan’s MacKay Medical College—now MacKay Medical University—has worked in collaboration with the First Central Hospital of Mongolia and MacKay Memorial Hospital in the areas of student exchange and professional training. Through clinical observation, professional exchange, and cultural experiences, the partnership has created a valuable platform for medical students from both countries to learn from one another and gain international perspectives.
In the summer of 2026, four medical students from the Department of Medicine at MacKay Medical University traveled to the First Central Hospital of Mongolia for an approximately one-month multidisciplinary clinical internship. From July 20 to August 14, the students gained first-hand experience of the hospital’s structure and organization, clinical workflows, and the daily responsibilities of physicians and specialists. They also participated in clinical learning across various specialties, gaining a deeper understanding of the operation of Mongolia’s healthcare system. Throughout the internship, the students learned alongside local physicians, residents, and medical students, broadening their international medical perspectives.
The internship covered a wide range of clinical specialties, including cardiology, pulmonology, gastroenterology, and the operating room. At the Heart Center, students shadowed cardiologists in clinical practice and gained exposure to electrocardiography, echocardiography, consultations, and a variety of cardiovascular cases. They also observed outpatient consultations and bronchoscopy procedures in the Department of Pulmonology, explored the diagnosis and management of liver diseases and liver cancer in the Department of Gastroenterology, and observed a variety of surgical procedures. These experiences enabled the students to gain first-hand insight into Mongolia’s clinical environment and disease patterns.
Beyond clinical learning, the students gained valuable insights through comparisons between the healthcare systems of Taiwan and Mongolia. During their internship, they observed that some areas of Mongolia’s healthcare system continue to face challenges related to medical manpower, professional training, and resource allocation. Despite these challenges, local physicians remain committed to their profession and work diligently to provide patient care under limited resources. Through interactions with Mongolian physicians and students, MMU students gained a deeper understanding of different healthcare systems and cultural contexts while reflecting on the professional responsibilities and social mission of physicians.
The exchange also provided significant opportunities for students to strengthen their professional skills. The students came to recognize that “medical knowledge is a common language that transcends national borders.” The foundational medical knowledge and clinical skills they had developed before departure served as an important basis for their overseas learning. During the internship, their positive interactions with physicians from different specialties also created opportunities to participate in hands-on learning, including echocardiography, endotracheal intubation, and other clinical procedures. These experiences not only enhanced their clinical observation and practical skills but also strengthened their abilities in independent learning, communication, teamwork, and adaptation to different healthcare environments.
Importantly, the exchange extended beyond medical training to become a meaningful cross-cultural learning experience. During their free time, the students explored Mongolian history, society, and culture. Through local visits, outdoor activities, and interactions with Mongolian physicians, residents, and students, they gained a multifaceted understanding of the country and broadened their global perspectives through cross-cultural engagement.
MacKay Medical University emphasizes that Taiwan and Mongolia have considerable potential to further deepen cooperation in healthcare and medical education. Through collaboration among MacKay Medical University, MacKay Memorial Hospital, and the First Central Hospital of Mongolia, the partnership not only provides students with opportunities for international clinical learning and professional exchange, but also promotes mutual understanding and experience sharing among medical education and healthcare institutions in the two countries, laying the foundation for a long-term and substantive partnership.
The distinctive value of this exchange lies in giving students the opportunity to step outside their familiar healthcare environment and directly observe clinical practice and healthcare systems in another country. Through comparison and reflection, students gained a renewed understanding of the relationship among medical education, healthcare resources, and public health. They also came to appreciate that healthcare is not merely about technical expertise, but is closely interconnected with systems, culture, education, economics, and public health. Despite differences in healthcare conditions, compassion for patients and a strong sense of professional responsibility remain shared values that transcend national borders.
Looking ahead, MacKay Medical University will continue to advance internationalized medical education by promoting diverse overseas clinical internships, student exchange programs, and cross-border collaboration in medical education. Through practical clinical learning and cultural exchange, MMU is committed to nurturing healthcare professionals equipped with global perspectives, professional competence, and humanistic care, while continuing to expand Taiwan–Mongolia cooperation in healthcare and medical education and contributing to the development of medical talent and the health and well-being of people in both countries.
