Student Voice - Kim Young Ju

I’m Young Ju Kim, originally from Korea, a medical doctor in neurosurgery from Japan, and an MPH (PHP-CPHC) student at the University of Hong Kong.

It was a great privilege to participate in the Tsinghua Vanke School of Public Health Global Summer School 2026. One of the most inspiring aspects of the program was discussing the future of global health with participants from around the world with diverse professional backgrounds, cultures, and faiths. These conversations gave me a deeper appreciation of both my own strengths and Hong Kong’s strengths in public health, including its dense urban environment, advanced infrastructure, and strong research ecosystem. Listening to different perspectives also challenged my assumptions and broadened the way I think about global health. I also enjoyed learning about the wide range of research conducted by the faculty at Tsinghua.

Participating in the programme as I was approaching the completion of my MPH made the experience especially meaningful. It reminded me how much I have learned through the HKU MPH programme, and seeing these concepts discussed in an international setting strengthened my confidence. As I reflect on my future career, I was inspired by the passion and dedication of the researchers I met, and I appreciated the opportunity to explore different research fields and learn about emerging trends in public health.

Beyond the academic programme, I enjoyed exploring Beijing’s historic landmarks and experiencing traditional Chinese medicine, which gave me a deeper appreciation of China's rich cultural and medical heritage.

I’m truly grateful for this unforgettable opportunity and the wonderful people I met along the way. I am especially grateful to the HKU MPH programme for making this experience possible. I look forward to applying what I have learned to bridge clinical medicine and public health through research, and I hope to contribute to improving global health through my work in the years ahead.