Introduction｜Program Overview
The 2026 Winter Integrative and Korean Medicine Internship Program was successfully held from January 5 to January 16, 2026 at Jaseng Medical Academy, affiliated with Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine.
This two-week, in-person program welcomed five pre-medical and medical students from the United States, Canada, and Thailand, offering them a comprehensive introduction to Korean medicine and integrative healthcare in Korea. Designed for students preparing for future careers in healthcare, the internship provided a firsthand look at how Korean medicine is practiced alongside modern medical systems in real clinical settings.
Throughout the program, participants engaged in a carefully structured schedule that combined clinical observation, hands-on practice, lectures, research and institutional visits, and collaborative projects. By interacting directly with Jaseng's medical professionals and faculty, students were able to deepen their understanding of non-surgical treatment approaches, Integrative Medicine, and the broader healthcare environment in Korea.
This winter internship aimed not only to introduce Korean medicine as a medical discipline, but also to help future healthcare professionals gain early exposure to clinical practice, medical education, and diverse healthcare perspectives across different countries through international peer collaboration.
This two-week, in-person program welcomed five pre-medical and medical students from the United States, Canada, and Thailand, offering them a comprehensive introduction to Korean medicine and integrative healthcare in Korea. Designed for students preparing for future careers in healthcare, the internship provided a firsthand look at how Korean medicine is practiced alongside modern medical systems in real clinical settings.
Throughout the program, participants engaged in a carefully structured schedule that combined clinical observation, hands-on practice, lectures, research and institutional visits, and collaborative projects. By interacting directly with Jaseng's medical professionals and faculty, students were able to deepen their understanding of non-surgical treatment approaches, Integrative Medicine, and the broader healthcare environment in Korea.
This winter internship aimed not only to introduce Korean medicine as a medical discipline, but also to help future healthcare professionals gain early exposure to clinical practice, medical education, and diverse healthcare perspectives across different countries through international peer collaboration.
Orientation & Hospital Tour
The internship officially began with an orientation session (OT) led by Ms. Shin, Team Lead at Jaseng Medical Academy, who welcomed the participants and introduced the overall structure and objectives of the program. During the session, students were guided through the internship schedule, key academic and clinical components, and basic guidelines for the two weeks.
Following the orientation, participants took part in a guided tour of Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine. The tour offered an in-depth look at the hospital's clinical environment, patient flow, and treatment spaces, helping students better understand how Korean medicine is practiced within a modern hospital setting.
As part of the welcome program, students were also provided with observation gowns and welcome goods, preparing them for upcoming clinical shadowing sessions. This initial introduction set a strong foundation for the internship, allowing participants to familiarize themselves with Jaseng's clinical philosophy, facilities, and day-to-day operations before moving into hands-on and observations learning experiences.
Following the orientation, participants took part in a guided tour of Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine. The tour offered an in-depth look at the hospital's clinical environment, patient flow, and treatment spaces, helping students better understand how Korean medicine is practiced within a modern hospital setting.
As part of the welcome program, students were also provided with observation gowns and welcome goods, preparing them for upcoming clinical shadowing sessions. This initial introduction set a strong foundation for the internship, allowing participants to familiarize themselves with Jaseng's clinical philosophy, facilities, and day-to-day operations before moving into hands-on and observations learning experiences.
Clinical Shadowing at Gangnam & Jamsil Hospitals
One of the core components of the internship was clinical shadowing, which took place on two separate occasions at Gangnam Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine and Jamsil Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine. These sessions were designed to give participants direct exposure to real clinical practice in Korean medicine.
During the shadowing sessions, students observed Jaseng physicians in outpatient settings, gaining firsthand insight into patient consultations, treatment planning, and clinical decision-making. Key treatment modalities such as Pharmacopuncture (Acupuncture Injection Therapy), Chuna manual therapy, and other non-surgical Korean medicine approaches were introduced in the context of actual patient care.
Beyond observation, the sessions provided valuable opportunities for interaction. Students actively engaged in Q&A discussions with the physicians, asking about clinical workflows, treatment philosophies, and the professional life of Korean medicine doctors. Topics also extended to medical career pathways and clinical training, allowing participants―especially those in pre-medical stages―to better understand future career options within healthcare.
By experiencing clinical environments at both the Gangnam and Jamsil branches, participants were able to observe similarities and differences in patient demographics, clinical settings, and operational styles, further enriching their understanding of Korean medicine in practice.
During the shadowing sessions, students observed Jaseng physicians in outpatient settings, gaining firsthand insight into patient consultations, treatment planning, and clinical decision-making. Key treatment modalities such as Pharmacopuncture (Acupuncture Injection Therapy), Chuna manual therapy, and other non-surgical Korean medicine approaches were introduced in the context of actual patient care.
Beyond observation, the sessions provided valuable opportunities for interaction. Students actively engaged in Q&A discussions with the physicians, asking about clinical workflows, treatment philosophies, and the professional life of Korean medicine doctors. Topics also extended to medical career pathways and clinical training, allowing participants―especially those in pre-medical stages―to better understand future career options within healthcare.
By experiencing clinical environments at both the Gangnam and Jamsil branches, participants were able to observe similarities and differences in patient demographics, clinical settings, and operational styles, further enriching their understanding of Korean medicine in practice.
Lectures & Hands-on Training Sessions｜Talk to Jaseng
In addition to clinical observation, the internship featured a series of lectures and hands-on training sessions designed to introduce students to the theoretical foundations and practical applications of Korean and Integrative medicine.
Through structured lectures, participants learned about core principles of Korean medicine, clinical approaches to common diseases, and the role of Integrative Medicine within modern healthcare systems. These sessions provided essential background knowledge, helping students contextualize what they observe in clinical settings.
The learning experience was further enhanced through hands-on practice sessions, where students were introduced to key treatment techniques used at Jaseng which includes Pharmacopuncture (Acupuncture Injection Therapy), Chuna manual therapy, Motion Style Acupuncture Treatment (MSAT). Under guidance, participants had the opportunity to experience and practice selected techniques, allowing them to better understand how theoretical concepts are translated into clinical care.
By combining lectures with hands-on learning, the program ensure that students not only gained academic knowledge but also developed a practical appreciation of Korean medicine and integrative treatment approaches. This balanced educational structure supported deeper learning encouraged active discussion, and students often and encouraged active participation throughout the internship.
Through structured lectures, participants learned about core principles of Korean medicine, clinical approaches to common diseases, and the role of Integrative Medicine within modern healthcare systems. These sessions provided essential background knowledge, helping students contextualize what they observe in clinical settings.
The learning experience was further enhanced through hands-on practice sessions, where students were introduced to key treatment techniques used at Jaseng which includes Pharmacopuncture (Acupuncture Injection Therapy), Chuna manual therapy, Motion Style Acupuncture Treatment (MSAT). Under guidance, participants had the opportunity to experience and practice selected techniques, allowing them to better understand how theoretical concepts are translated into clinical care.
By combining lectures with hands-on learning, the program ensure that students not only gained academic knowledge but also developed a practical appreciation of Korean medicine and integrative treatment approaches. This balanced educational structure supported deeper learning encouraged active discussion, and students often and encouraged active participation throughout the internship.
The program also included a "Talk to Jaseng" session, designed as an open and interactive discussion between interns at Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine and the student participants.
During the session, students engaged with a candid Q&A with hospital interns, asking questions about clinical training, medical education pathways in Korea, and everyday life as a trainee in a Korean medical settings. The discussion also touched on practical topics such as adapting to life in Korea and navigating different healthcare and training environments.
This informal exchange offered participants a relatable and realistic perspective, helping them better understand both the academic and personal aspects of medical training through direct conversation with current interns.
During the session, students engaged with a candid Q&A with hospital interns, asking questions about clinical training, medical education pathways in Korea, and everyday life as a trainee in a Korean medical settings. The discussion also touched on practical topics such as adapting to life in Korea and navigating different healthcare and training environments.
This informal exchange offered participants a relatable and realistic perspective, helping them better understand both the academic and personal aspects of medical training through direct conversation with current interns.
Visits to Affiliated Facilities & External Institutions
To help students understand Korean medicine beyond the clinical environment, the program also included visits to Jaseng's affiliated research and herbal medicine production facilities, as well as an external institution showcasing the history of traditional Korean medicine.
Participants visited the Jaseng Spine and Research Institute, where they learned about ongoing research activities supporting evidence-based Korean medicine and observed how research findings connect to clinical practice.
The group also toured the Jaseng Medi bio Center and JS Museum, gaining insight into the production and quality control processes behind Pharmacopuncture and herbal medicine, while also exploring the historical background and development of Jaseng's medical approach.
In addition, students visited the K-Medi Center (Seoul Yangnyeongsi Museum of Korean Medicine) to explore how traditional Korean medicine has evolved over time. During the visit, participants also enjoyed cultural experiences such as a herbal foot bath, massage experience, and trying on traditional Korean medicine doctor attire, adding an experiential dimension to their learning.
Together, these visits connected clinical care, research production, and history, giving students a broader understanding of how Korean medicine continues to develop within modern healthcare.
Participants visited the Jaseng Spine and Research Institute, where they learned about ongoing research activities supporting evidence-based Korean medicine and observed how research findings connect to clinical practice.
The group also toured the Jaseng Medi bio Center and JS Museum, gaining insight into the production and quality control processes behind Pharmacopuncture and herbal medicine, while also exploring the historical background and development of Jaseng's medical approach.
In addition, students visited the K-Medi Center (Seoul Yangnyeongsi Museum of Korean Medicine) to explore how traditional Korean medicine has evolved over time. During the visit, participants also enjoyed cultural experiences such as a herbal foot bath, massage experience, and trying on traditional Korean medicine doctor attire, adding an experiential dimension to their learning.
Together, these visits connected clinical care, research production, and history, giving students a broader understanding of how Korean medicine continues to develop within modern healthcare.
Group Project & CME Development
As part of the internship, participants took part in a group project focused on understanding and developing Continuing Medical Education (CME) content, offering student a firsthand look at how medical education extends beyond the formal schooling.
Through an introductory session, students learned what CME is, why it is important for physicians, and how educational content for healthcare professionals is structured. Working collaboratively, the five participants formed a team and were actively involved in each stage of the project―from topic selection and role distribution and content planning and production.
The group developed an education course titled "Medical Doctors by Country: Pathways, Types of Degrees, and Scope of Practice", comparing medical education systems and professional scopes across different countries. This project allowed students from both pre-medical and medical backgrounds to engage with global perspectives on medical training while gaining practical experience in educational content development.
The completed CME course is now available on our website, reflecting the students' collaborative effort and learning outcomes from the internship.
Through an introductory session, students learned what CME is, why it is important for physicians, and how educational content for healthcare professionals is structured. Working collaboratively, the five participants formed a team and were actively involved in each stage of the project―from topic selection and role distribution and content planning and production.
The group developed an education course titled "Medical Doctors by Country: Pathways, Types of Degrees, and Scope of Practice", comparing medical education systems and professional scopes across different countries. This project allowed students from both pre-medical and medical backgrounds to engage with global perspectives on medical training while gaining practical experience in educational content development.
The completed CME course is now available on our website, reflecting the students' collaborative effort and learning outcomes from the internship.
Graduation & Closing Ceremony
Applications are now open for the 2026 Summer Integrative and Korean Medicine Internship Program!
Seats are limited. Apply now !
Write your awesome label here.
