Ethan had always known he wanted to help others, a calling deeply rooted in his faith and desire to serve his community. Various fields had caught his interest throughout high school, but he was searching for something more – a sign that would not only help him decide on his career path, but also find his calling. The year before applying for universities, his brother was rushed to the ICU after an unexpected accident.

"I vividly remember how powerless I felt standing there with the machines and tubes hooked up to my brother," Ethan reflects. "It was then that I decided to pursue medicine, equipping myself with the knowledge and skills required to directly help others in the same situation as my brother, just as the ICU specialists had done."

Now, a year and a half into his Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine at Monash, that intrinsic motivation continues to drive Ethan forward, compounded by his underlying desire to give back to the community.

As an international student, the campus community was essential to Ethan's experience. "If I had to summarise the campus culture and community at Clayton campus in one word, it would be: warm," he says. "I always feel safe, included and calm whenever I am on campus. Everyone is kind, understanding and inclusive, and I've never felt left out of anything, no matter how small."

Why Monash's medical program?

What sets Monash's medical program apart isn't just the knowledge – it's how that knowledge transforms into practical, life-changing skills. "The aspect of my course I enjoy most is the practical skills we learn alongside theory, where we're given the chance to apply what we've learned in lectures in a practical clinical setting," Ethan explains.

Weekly Integrated Case Learning (ICL) sessions exemplify this approach. "We train our critical thinking by relating the cases’ signs and symptoms to the prior theory we learnt in lectures and forming a list of possible conditions (differentials) based on clinical reasoning. By presenting our research to the class, we solidify our understanding of our topics." During clinical tests, doctors verify that students' history-taking, physical examination, and communication abilities meet professional standards.

"Treat the patient, not the disease" – This philosophy, delivered by Deputy Dean Professor Michelle Leech on Ethan's first day, captures the essence of Monash's patient-centric approach. At times, clinicians can focus too much on treating illnesses and forget to consider the patients' circumstances. "At Monash, we learn from day one to always respect patients' wishes and discuss alternatives they're comfortable with, even when it might not be textbook-perfect treatment." The emphasis on critical thinking and communication prepares students not just to diagnose and treat conditions, but to serve the people behind them.

On the non-academic side, Ethan was impressed by Monash's support services available to international students. Choosing to study abroad is a difficult decision to make, and knowing that the school has multiple support systems in place for international students, such as financial planning support, solidified his decision to study at Monash. "After living in Australia for a year and a half, I can confidently say that the Clayton campus is my second home in which my faculty and the wider Monash community greatly support me."

Exchange lessons with Japanese medical students

One of Ethan's most memorable experiences came through an unexpected partnership – online exchange lessons with Japanese medical students from Nagoya University in his first year. "It was a pleasant surprise that our clinical skills faculty kindly organised for us, and to add to my excitement, the students were from the same culture I admired and loved."

These sessions weren't just cultural exchanges; they were practical training in cross-cultural communication, essential skills for serving diverse communities in clinical practice. "We shared similarities and differences between their school systems and cultures while practising clinical skills like history-taking. I was able to hone my cross-cultural communication skills such that I am better prepared to serve people from all cultures in my future clinical practice."

Finding a community through his interests

The Singapore Association of Monash (SAM) and its medical counterpart (SMSV) became Ethan's anchor, connecting with fellow students from his home country. "I enjoy celebrating national holidays such as Singapore’s National Day with my friends as we share personal anecdotes and meals that remind us of the taste of home. If anyone was feeling homesick, we would collectively cheer them up and support them in their time of need. I feel that the camaraderie that these cultural societies bring really enhances the university experience, especially for international students.”

His passion for Japanese culture found an outlet through the Society of Anime and Manga Appreciation (SAMA) and Monash Japanese Club (MJC). "I was glad to find like-minded people and learn about Japan in weekly 'kaiwa' meetings, where we talk about different facets of Japanese culture, from childhood games to school systems to TV shows", says Ethan. He also got to practice his Japanese.

Living in Melbourne as an international student

After eighteen months in Melbourne, Ethan understands why it consistently ranks among the world's most liveable cities. The contrast between the Clayton campus and the CBD creates a perfect balance – a conducive suburban environment for focused study, with the vibrant city centre providing the perfect escape. "This helps form a clear distinction between studies and breaks for me, enabling me to fully concentrate on studies on campus and have fun when I go for outings with friends to the CBD," he explains.

In his free time, Ethan enjoys cycling adventures and hiking, appreciating Melbourne's scenery. "As a nature lover, one of my highlights this year so far has been my hike up Mt Oberon in Wilson’s Promontory, the view at the summit was spectacular! I’m planning more trips to other landmarks in Victoria like the Grampians and I’m excited to see more of Melbourne and Australia as a whole."

Advice for future students

“University is much more than its classes and academics. It’s an amazing opportunity to explore your interests while living independently with the benefit of numerous support services to help you every step of the way. I have never felt alone here, and neither will you. There is a place for everyone on campus.”