Today more than 400 medical students from over 20 countries arrived in Tokyo, Japan to participate in the 29th AMSC hosted by the Asian Medical Students’ Association of Japan. With the help of Kai Yuen Wong who recently did an intern at The Lancet Student and currently part of the UK delegation in Japan, we will be hearing more from the numerous participating countries and delegates as the conference progresses. The theme this year is “Non Communicable Diseases and Health Promotion” and the conference will be held from 25 July – 1 August 2008.

With an extensive program of academic, social and cultural events, ranging from group discussions and paper presentations to field trips and cultural workshops, the conference will certainly be full of many exciting learning opportunities.

Welcoming Party at the National Olympics Memorial Youth Center. Photo courtesy of Kai Yuen Wong.

“It is 1.34am on the first night of AMSC 2008 in Tokyo and I am sat in a lobby area with my fellow paper presenters ardently working on our presentation. It has been an interesting day so far. Finding the venue was a task in itself but amongst the heat, humidity and growing odour of sweat, it was all made worthwhile upon seeing familiar faces of fellow UK delegates as well as previous AMSC faces. This was followed by the icebreaking session, an attempt at breaking barriers between groups of people with only their university course in common. The ice was thawed if not entirely broken, and I believe that as time goes by, the ice will have well and truly melted in the overpowering heat of Tokyo and the passion of the medical students at this conference.” - Joon Soo Ha (UK delegate)

Tomorrow will be the opening ceremony and we will be hearing more soon.

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