African Student Pursuing Medical Doctorate in China Hopes to Help More People After Graduation
Pursuing a master’s and doctoral degree in medicine, working at clinics, researching in libraries, conducting experiments in laboratories, and learning Chinese in spare time… Over the past four years, Lee Lisa Cynthia’s academic journey in China has been busy and fulfilling.
Lee Lisa comes from Rwanda and is currently a doctoral student at Chongqing Medical University, specializing in psychiatry. Previously, she earned a master’s degree in medicine from the same university after three years of study and practice.
“Studying medicine was my parents’ wish, and I am also interested in psychiatry myself,” Lee Lisa said. When she was 12 years old, she watched a movie about psychiatrists. Although she didn’t fully understand the profession at the time, she wanted to become a psychiatrist. Later, she read many books and became increasingly interested in understanding people’s behaviors and ways of thinking, growing more passionate about the profession.
Lee Lisa believes that Rwanda’s medical and educational standards in psychiatry still need further improvement. Therefore, she decided to study abroad and took action.
Over the years, multiple Chinese medical teams have been sent to Rwanda to treat local patients and provide additional assistance.
In 2021, Lee Lisa came to Chongqing Medical University to begin her master’s degree in medicine. “When I first arrived, teachers and classmates helped me find my dorm, move my belongings, and complete the registration process,” she said, adding that both local and international students at the university were very friendly.
Language has been one of the challenges for international students. “Most courses are taught in Chinese, though there are some basic courses in English,” Lee Lisa explained. Over the years, she has been continuously learning Chinese and feels her listening skills are “acceptable.” When she encounters difficult content, translated textbooks and translation software are helpful.
In addition to theoretical courses, practical experience is also essential—conducting research in laboratories or working at clinics. Currently, Lee Lisa works at a clinic at least twice a week, and sometimes even three or four days a week when patients need her.
“The patients are very friendly. When they see me, they often ask curiously where I’m from,” Lee Lisa said. She enjoys communicating with patients and hopes to gain more clinical experience to benefit her future career.
Before coming to Chongqing, Lee Lisa didn’t do much research about the city. Initially, she found everything somewhat confusing, as the environment was very different from what she was used to. For example, even with navigation apps, she still got lost due to the complex terrain, which has earned Chongqing the nickname “8D Magic City” among netizens.
Now, Lee Lisa has adapted to the city’s terrain and environment. She describes her life in Chongqing as “comfortable” and “convenient,” with easy access to food, accommodation, and transportation. The local cuisine has been a particular delight. Interacting with locals has made her feel that the city is full of warmth and humanity.
Due to her busy academic schedule, Lee Lisa has not visited any other cities in China besides Chongqing, except for Guangzhou and Beijing during layovers. She hopes to explore other parts of China someday.
As a medical doctoral student, Lee Lisa is grateful for and enjoys her academic journey. In the future, no matter where she goes, she will not forget her “dream-chasing” experience here and hopes to help more people after completing her studies.
