What inspired you to go abroad?
As a pre-med student, I wanted more experience of shadowing doctors. I knew this would be beneficial in confirming my desire to become a pediatrician, but also give me a more solid idea of what my future career as a doctor may look like. I also love traveling and being immersed in new cultures. This experience seemed like the perfect way to combine my love of traveling with my love of medicine. Also the amount of shadowing and the welcoming personalities from the doctors for us to learn and observe is hard to find in the US.
The whole group at orientation in the hospital
Why did you choose Atlantis?
I chose Atlantis because it was recommended to me by my Pre-Med advisor. I looked into it more and began seeing ads on Instagram. The program seemed like it was made just for me with how well it combined my interests.
What was your favorite part about Montevideo, Uruguay?
I was in Montevideo, Uruguay from their last home game before the World Cup to their final game against France. It was an amazing experience to be a part of the energy the country had during this event. Everything would be put on pause when a game began, and whether you went to a crowded plaza or a small restaurant, everyone was cheering along and watching intensely. There was such an amazing sense of pride and excitement radiating from everyone.
What made your experience abroad unique?
Shadowing in the hospital and being able to connect with doctors from another country is definitely a unique experience. They were all so willing to teach us and very welcoming when they saw us. It was an amazing experience to be able to see births, surgeries, and many other exciting medical procedures while abroad.
In scrubs for gynecology rotation
How did local staff support you throughout your program?
The Site Managers for my program were so helpful. They helped me get directions home and made themselves available in any emergency. They truly cared for us and enjoyed watching us have fun during the experience. They went above and beyond my expectations and radiated enthusiasm for every event.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?
I wish I would have taken a greater initiative to practice my Spanish. Many of the doctors could get by with English, but I am realizing that I was in such an amazing environment to practice, but I resorted to English for ease.
Describe a typical day in the life of your program.
On Mondays through Thursdays we would shadow from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the hospital. Afterwards we had free-time to explore the city, museums, and shows. On Fridays we would typically have excursions to major attractions of the country in order to better experience the culture. Then we would have the weekends to ourselves to do what we pleased, like going to Sunday markets or watching the soccer games.
What did you enjoy doing in your free time?
I actually worked with my Site Managers to get more hours of shadowing in the afternoon. I want to be a Pediatrician and typically kids didn't show up for appointments until the afternoon. They were willing to let me stay and it was a great way to fill some of my time. Other days, I would hang out with the other students on my trip and get to know them better. We would go to museums or out for food and have fun hanging out. One weekend we also made a trip to Buenos Aires.
Taking a group picture at the Montevideo sign during one of our excursions
What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?
The hotel was not the best, but the accommodations vary with every destination and may change from year to year. I wish that my location would have had home-stays, so that I would have been more immersed in the culture. The hotel staff were very nice and always helpful.
What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?
You get out what you put in. The shadowing hours are an amazing opportunity to learn more about medicine and the free time is a great way to learn more about the city and the culture. Take initiative to ask the doctors questions, practice your Spanish, and explore!
Prepared to watch surgeries
Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life?
It has made me feel more confident that I want to be a doctor. I now understand better how hospitals and different specialties work and it is an experience that I probably would not have been able to have in the US. Not only did it provide me with more medical knowledge, but it also filled my summer with memories from a new country that I may never have visited without this trip. I have so many cultural and medical stories to tell, and I love sharing them when people want to listen!
Would you recommend Atlantis to others? Why?
I would recommend Atlantis. Like I have said above, it is an amazing immersive experience that is unlike anything you could get in the US. The hospital was so welcoming! Not only was the shadowing amazing, but living in a new country that speaks a different language for five weeks helped me grow and become more understanding of others cultures and experiences.
