Hiroshi Mori
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Japan Society of Perinatal and Neonatal Medicine (JSPNM) for its generous support of my participation in the 24th Congress of the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies (FAOPS) held in Kathmandu, Nepal. This was my second time presenting at an international conference and my first oral presentation. Although I had prepared for several months, practicing my talk and simulating Q&A sessions, I was unable to fully understand one of the questions during the discussion. This humbling experience motivated me to further improve my language skills and continue my professional development.
It was also my first visit to Nepal. Despite the short stay, I visited several iconic sites in Kathmandu and interacted with many local people. The place that left the strongest impression on me was Pashupatinath, Nepal’s largest Hindu temple. There, the ashes from cremations are released into the Bagmati River, a tributary of the Ganges. Amid the ritual scents and the temple’s vibrant atmosphere, I felt disoriented, as if the boundary between worlds had blurred. The hospice-like facility adjacent to the temple further highlighted the contrast between serenity and activity, offering deep insight into Nepalese perspectives on life and death.
This visit was deeply meaningful both for my career as an obstetrician and for my life as a global citizen. I sincerely thank my collaborators and JSPNM for granting me this invaluable opportunity.
