DAOM Students Witness Major Earthquake While Studying in China

For the seven Bastyr doctoral of acupuncture and Oriental medicine (DAOM) students who were studying in China when the 8.0 magnitude earthquake struck on May 12, 2008, studying abroad took on a new dimension. Not only did the students spend 10 weeks observing the medical approaches of doctors there, but they also gained a rare glimpse inside Chinese culture by watching the country respond to a devastating natural disaster.

The epicenter of the earthquake was located just outside of Chengdu. Fortunately for the group, when the first and most powerful quake struck, they had just finished observing practitioners at Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 10 days earlier. By the time of the earthquake, they were safely studying at Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Shanghai. Both universities are sister schools of Bastyr, and DAOM students complete their required clinical observations at the two institutions.

Although the students were far away from the earthquake's epicenter, many of them felt the quake. Regardless of whether they experienced it directly, they all felt the resulting emotional tremors. "I was on the Internet with my mom at the time," remembers Bastyr University doctoral student Kathleen Lumiere, "and the connection kept breaking." She could not feel the earthquake where she was staying, but people in taller buildings said they could. "What really stood out was the reaction of the people in the following days. It reminded me of the after-effects of 9/11 in the U.S. People were walking around stunned."

Lumiere says she observed more than just shocked reaction; she also witnessed countless acts of compassion. "Everyone really looked out for each other. They were more kind than usual. Nurses at the hospital immediately took up a collection," she says. "Over time, more and more news reports were broadcast, which became really graphic and disturbing, and there were collection boxes everywhere — the outpouring was incredible. Lots of people with SUVs drove all night to get to Sichuan to deliver supplies."

Lumiere kept in close contact with friends she had made in Chengdu. "Many of them were living in tents. They are doing okay now, but at first their e-mails were so distraught. One friend said he couldn't stop crying."

At Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, many students, faculty and staff members camped outside the school for days, afraid to go inside the building because of the aftershocks. Some classes were cancelled for two or three weeks. According to Bastyr faculty member Dr. Chongyun Liu, "There was no major damage and there were no significant injuries in the city, but people at the University were certainly scared by the quakes." He says that nevertheless, the teaching hospital sent many doctors out to treat and rescue sick and injured people around the city of Chengdu.

Several months later, more than five million people are still homeless and living in tents, explains Lumiere. "The effects on the people of China will be deep and long term." This is certainly true in a negative sense, but perhaps in a positive sense as well. "The type of response that occurred helped solidify the identity of the new China," she says.

Overall, the experience of studying in China was beneficial for Lumiere in spite of the turbulence. "I was happy being there. I loved the people and the culture was fascinating." Her clinical observations were also valuable. "It was a fitting ending for the program, to connect the theoretical knowledge to the practical application of the medicine." She explains that in Shanghai, the medicine they practice is directly relevant to how we practice in the United States. She hopes to keep going back. "My world is a lot bigger now. I can't wait to go back to Asia."

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