On 16 June 2026, the SJTUSM International Student Union (ISU) successfully hosted the "We've Been There" Senior Students' Sharing Session in Room 318, Building East 8, on the Pudong Campus. More than just a sharing session, this event showcased the power of peer mentorship, encouraging students to learn from those who have navigated the various stages of medical education, while also motivating everyone to boldly explore and carve out their own unique paths of growth.
The session featured Aksara Regmi, a Master's student in Orthopedics from Nepal, whose outstanding academic and professional achievements served as a great source of inspiration forinternational students navigating their own medical journeys. As an Outstanding Undergraduate of SJTU and a recipient of prestigious scholarships, she possesses extensive research experience. Drawing from her own growth journey,she shared sincereand practical advice with the attendees. Hersolid academic foundation and clinical practice experiencealsooffered profound inspirationto the students in attendance.
A recurring theme throughout the talk was the importance of stepping outside one's comfort zone. She encouraged students to actively participate in academic conferences, proactively pursue diverse development opportunities such as research projects, scholarship applications, and campus activities, and she also outlined multiple channels for getting involved in both on-campus and off-campus events. These experiences, she noted, not only help students build confidence and strengthen their professional competence, but also lay a solid foundation for their future development. She pointed out that it is through repeated attempts and challenges that one's abilities are continuously enhanced, ultimately leading to a powerful breakthrough in the future.
Drawing on her own application experience, she systematically introduced various on-campus and off-campus practical programs, offering actionable guidance to the students. She emphasized that only by daring to step out of one's comfort zone can one truly find their own direction through practice. This long journey of growth is one that she has traversed step by step through personal commitment and hands-on effort.
She also placed special emphasis on the importance of building meaningful friendships between international and Chinese students, noting that cross-cultural collaboration enriches both academic and personal development. In addition, she introduced the many ways students can become more actively involved in the university community, encouraging them to integrate into campus life, engage meaningfully with peers from diverse cultural backgrounds, and progress together through mutual learning and shared inspiration.
"Success in the medical field extends far beyond academic excellence." Aksara encouraged students to discover their own unique strengths and shape a personal identity that reflects their passions, values, and aspirations. Her inspiring sharing reminded attendees that while knowledge and hard work are fundamental to becoming a good doctor, authenticity, confidence, and a willingness to seize opportunities are what set exceptional medical professionals apart. It is believed that, inspired by the experiences of their senior peer, students will steadily advance on their future medical journeys and write their own brilliant chapters.
The International Student Union has launched the "We've Been There" sharing session series as part of its commitment to fostering a collaborative community where students can learn from one another and grow together. Through meaningful discussions and practical advice, the session guided participants to clarify their development goals, explore diverse growth pathways, and jointly foster a supportive and collaborative student community.
Looking ahead, the ISU will continue to empower international students, helping them smoothly integrate into university life, keenly identify opportunities, and effectively seize them.
Writers: Hermione Reia Subban, Julien Chan, Park Eunmi
