金学汎：“我在中国学中医，还要在中国当中医”
Introduction to the Character
Jin Xuefan, male, 32 years old, from Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. He is a master's student majoring in TCM Pediatrics at Hunan University of Chinese Medicine.
What He Said
Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) is extensive and profound. I want to learn it with an exploratory attitude to contribute to children's health.
"Xiao Jin, come and try pulse diagnosis." At around 3 p.m. on July 16, in the consulting room of Professor Xie Jing, a TCM pediatric expert at the First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, there were many students observing and learning, and Jin Xuefan was among them. As a Korean, his Eastern appearance made him blend in well with the other students. Most of the time, he quietly observed the teacher's techniques, and only "stepped in" when instructed.
Seeking Medical Treatment: "The Wonderful Power of TCM Completely Conquered Me"
"I came to Beijing, China from Gyeonggi-do, South Korea when I was 14 years old to study, and now I'm a master's student majoring in TCM Pediatrics at Hunan University of Chinese Medicine." The 32-year-old Jin Xuefan wears a pair of glasses. Perhaps due to his shy personality, or maybe because he studies TCM pediatrics, he speaks in a soft voice.
"I came from Gyeonggi-do, South Korea to study in Beijing, China at the age of 14, and now I am a postgraduate student majoring in TCM Pediatrics at Hunan University of Chinese Medicine." The 32-year-old Jin Xuefan wears a pair of glasses. Perhaps due to his shy personality, or maybe because he studies TCM pediatrics, he speaks in a soft voice.
"When I was a child, I was in poor health. The experience of going from one hospital to another with my parents planted a seed of exploring life sciences in my heart." Talking about the reason for studying TCM, Jin Xuefan said that during pulse diagnosis, the TCM doctor's fingers would gently rest on his wrist, as if they could perceive every subtle change in his body through the skin. During tuina (TCM massage), the doctor's techniques were warm and firm, making him feel that every cell in his body was gently awakened. The warm sensation of moxibustion made him feel as if he was in a warm embrace. Cupping therapy brought another magical feeling—at the moment when the skin was gently suctioned, it seemed that all the pressure was sucked away. This experience of seeking medical treatment sparked his strong interest in TCM.
The key moment that made him determined to study TCM came in high school—under the treatment of a TCM doctor, many symptoms of his congenital strabismus improved significantly. "That magical energy flowing through the meridians completely conquered me, and it also made me resolutely apply for Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine after the college entrance examination," Jin Xuefan said.
After starting to study TCM, Jin Xuefan realized that it was much more difficult than he had imagined. First was the language barrier. To keep up with his studies, he studied late every day after returning to his dormitory. At first, he was confused when facing classic works like Huangdi Neijing(Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) and Shanghan Zabing Lun(Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases). Unwilling to give up, he delved deeper into TCM classics: he would record the class content with a recorder, then review it, look up words in the dictionary, and copy them repeatedly when encountering professional TCM terms related to acupoints, medicinal materials, and pathology. When learning techniques like acupuncture and tuina, he practiced on himself. To distinguish Chinese medicinal materials, he bought them and kept them in his dormitory to observe, record their characteristics, take notes, and watch related knowledge videos to deepen his impression.
Jin Xuefan said, "I have experienced the suffering of patients and understand their pain. Therefore, I study hard, hoping to gain real skills to help patients."
Postgraduate Study in Changsha: His Love for Children Led Him to Choose TCM Pediatrics
With his passion for TCM, Jin Xuefan completed a 5-year undergraduate program at Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, laying a solid foundation in the Yin-Yang and Five Elements theory from Huangdi Neijing. In 2023, he came to Hunan University of Chinese Medicine to pursue a master's degree, choosing TCM Pediatrics as his major.
"TCM is extensive and profound, and Hunan has a profound cultural heritage in TCM. I am really lucky to come to Changsha to learn authentic TCM and study TCM pediatrics under famous Hunan TCM experts," Jin Xuefan said. He loves children very much, and when he sees them suffering from illnesses, he always wants to do something for them. Moreover, TCM Pediatrics combines the wisdom of TCM with the needs of modern pediatric medicine, making it a major full of challenges and opportunities.
TCM is a discipline based on experience, and techniques like acupuncture and tuina require more practical training. Jin Xuefan focuses not only on academic research but also on practice. He is currently undergoing rotational training at the First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine."In the TCM pediatric consulting room, a child with tic disorder showed significant improvement under the teacher's careful treatment. Such scenes have further strengthened my determination to contribute to TCM Pediatrics," he said.
After arriving in Changsha, Jin Xuefan immediately fell in love with the city. "Changsha, a city of mountains,rivers, islands and the city, has a profound historical heritage, stunning natural scenery, and mouthwatering cuisine. You can go to Orange Isle to feel the lofty spirit of great men, to Yuelu Academy to savor the millennium-old cultural context, to Mawangdui Han Tombs to witness the wonders of the Western Han Dynasty, and to Taiping Old Street to experience the hustle and bustle of daily life..."He finds the people of Changsha very friendly, and it didn't take him long to integrate into the city. He also met several music-loving locals online and formed a band called "Fantasy Light Journey".In his spare time from study and work, they gather to rehearse and perform whenever they have time.
Becoming a Father: Aspiring to Be a TCM Doctor in China
Under the patient guidance of his supervisor, Jin Xuefan gradually mastered the essence of the "Four Diagnostic Methods" (observation, listening, inquiry, and pulse diagnosis). The acupuncture bronze figure on his desk is not only his learning tool but also a companion in his life. When the temperature drops, the Guizhi Decoction he boils himself warms his body more than cold medicine. Using TCM therapies like acupuncture to regulate his family's health is a way for Jin Xuefan to express his care and love for his family. This experience of integrating medical wisdom into daily life has given him a deeper understanding of the TCM concept of "preventive treatment of diseases".
During his studyof TCM, Jin Xuefan met a gentle and virtuous girl from Guizhou. They attended concerts together, participated in volunteer activities in the community, and provided free medical consultations for the elderly in nursing homes... In August 2023, they formed a small family in Guiyang. In June 2025, they welcomed a beautiful "little princess".
On July 21, when the reporter contacted Jin Xuefan again to send him the drafted article for confirmation, he told the reporter that he had returned to Guiyang. "My daughter is one month old today, and this article is the best gift you have given to me and my family!"
"I live a happy life in China. My wife and child are my strongest support. I will continue on the path of learning TCM,and with an exploratory mindset, I will comprehend the mysteries of TCM culture," Jin Xuefan said. After graduating from the master's program next year, he will take China's national medical licensing examination. He plans to continue his studies here and hopes to become a TCM doctor in China in the future, exploring more possibilities for promoting children's health.
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