Dr. Khanh Tran from Sydney, Australia

▲Dr. Khanh Tran (right) and Professor Yong Ju Jang of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology

Why did you decide to train at AMC?

I have taken a training program on surgical operation in Sydney for five years and recently completed a one-year fellowship program of Anterior Skull Base & Rhinology and Facial Plastics surgery in London. My training at AMC began on September 18, 2018, and it is a six-month training that will end on March 30. I chose South Korea, for it is an Asian leader in plastic surgery. And I wanted to learn, especially from Professor Yong Ju Jang who is a leading otolaryngologist and the best authority on rhinoplasty in Asia. He is the most invited Korean doctor to international conferences on surgery as a speaker over the past decade.

What did you learn and what do you think about the training at AMC?

I realized that AMC is equipped with the world’s best facilities and advanced medical skills. I was also greatly impressed by how hard and efficiently the medical staff work at AMC. Everyone in the hospital tries hard to provide patients and their families with the best treatment and care. I was envious of such a spirit of dedication and work efficiency, and I want to share them with the hospital I will work for and workers I will work with. I would like to send my gratitude to Professor Yong Ju Jang. He is a very kind and modest person, and I am learning a lot from him. Every day and everything at AMC is special to me. For the remaining training period, I will try to learn as much as possible.

What is your impression of Korea?

Winter in Korea is really cold. I will never forget when I experienced the cold spell of minus 14 degrees Celsius. One day, I forgot to take a hat with me on my way to work. It was so cold that my ears were nearly frozen (laugh). I anticipated a white Christmas, but I am sorry that I haven’t seen snow here yet. I also experienced some episodes of cultural difference. I was walking down the street munching an apple, and a passerby looked at me. I was also amazed that everything ordered online is delivered quickly and arrives even at late night. Koreans hand over things with both hands. It felt kind of awkward to me at first, but now I am used to it, so I am doing the same even to other foreigners. But the drinking culture of Korea is still unfamiliar to me. I feel strange that a younger person has to fill up the glass for an older person because, in my culture, I decide what and how much I drink.  

What do you remember most about Korea?

What I wanted to do in Korea was take a tour to the Korean countryside. So, last November, I just went off on a journey to a country village. I took a bus, and one man began talking to me, asking about my destination. I showed him a map on my cellphone, and he let everyone know of it in the bus before he got off. Thereafter, men and women in the bus indicated to me how many stops were left, using their hands every time the bus stopped. They didn’t speak English, but I could feel their warmhearted kindness. Even after I got off the bus, the driver pointed his finger in the direction I had to go. I was touched by the kindness of Koreans.

※ Many international physicians from diverse countries come to AMC to learn advanced medical skills. AMC trainees share their stories about AMC and Korea on 'Welcome to AMC.'