A group of 12 students from Purdue University in the United States embarked on an immersive journey at Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine on March 17, participating in a cultural exchange program centered around traditional Chinese medicine.

During their stay, the students attended specialized lectures that introduced the foundational theories of TCM, exploring the principles of acupuncture and gaining insight into the use of Chinese herbal medicine. This academic exploration was further enriched by their visit to Shanghai Kangqiao Chinese Medicine Tablet Co Ltd, where they had the opportunity to observe the entire process of herbal medicine preparation firsthand.

Additionally, they toured the Shanghai TCM Museum and a state-of-the-art herbal medicine laboratory, where they gained a deeper understanding of the origins, innovations, and development of TCM.

A highlight of the program was the clinical observation at Longhua Hospital. Here, the students learned about the workflow of a TCM pharmacy and engaged in the traditional diagnostic techniques of "observation, listening, questioning, and pulse-taking".

Reflecting on their experiences, the students shared that observing the immediate alleviation of patients' symptoms following treatment gave them a deeper understanding of the "syndrome differentiation and treatment" concept discussed in their lectures. The hands-on experiences allowed them to connect theory with practice in a meaningful way.

Inspired by the study tour, one student decided to join the university's Shanghai Summer School program in June to further explore TCM.

Source: Official WeChat account of SHUTCM International Education College at "SHUTCMIEC"