Atlantis

Super scammy. If you are considering an Atlantis program, move forward with extreme caution. This company has a track record of removing authentic removes. Previously, in the comments section of a now-removed sponsored post on The PA Platform (https://rb.gy/n8c3o5), many ripped-off students and parents expressed their concerns about this program. Even a European-based staff member for Atlantis articulated how the company poorly treats its staff and makes fake promises to students. This company, also known as St Marys Institute for Educational Excellence, has an F rating from the Better Busines Bureau: https://www.bbb.org/us/va/arlington/profile/education/st-marys-institute-for-educational-excellence-0241-236017782/complaints According to this TikTok, the company is potentially facing a class action lawsuit from its previous students. Company deletes negative reviews, only leaving 7s here so this review doesn't get deleted.

I shadowed in Lisbon and Viano do Castelo in summer of 2022 across various specialties, including pediatric anesthesiology, neurosurgery, psychiatry, general surgery, dermatology (including the burn clinic), ICU, and many more. You submit a list of specialties you're interested in, and the program director makes every effort to make sure they can find those opportunities for you. The physicians I shadowed were very welcoming and explained the procedures in English. Beyond shadowing hours, the program directors plan excursions like surfing or cooking classes once a week. I ended up getting super close to the other students in my program and we still keep in touch! Overall, definitely a great experience for anyone wanting intensive shadowing experiences who's also interested in exploring a new culture and making strong friendships :)

I went on an Atlantis Program in July of 2022 to Mantua, Italy for 3 weeks. From the Interview to getting prepped for my trip, to arrival at my apartment, shadowing and the excursions, it was a smooth process! I had the opportunity to shadow in the ER / ICU, Surgery, Immunohematology, Pediatrics, and got a private tour of their EMS system. I was shadowing on average 5 hours per day, yet in surgery / ICU I got more because there were additional cases / I really wanted the hours. Yes you do have to wake up early, and be punctual for shadowing! The cappucino in the morning was FABULOUS! I also explored near by cities such as Florence, Venice, Rome, Lake Garda which I made life long friends and experiences. From playing duck duck burrito in the apartments with the squad to experiencing an EDM Concert, still AMAZED at that experience to this day. This program gave me the realization that I wanted to dive into the business side of which I utilized the hours / experience on my MBA Application. Yes, it is an investment in ourselves and careers just like any part of the MD / DO / PA / Nursing process. I highly recommend this program if you're looking for an adventure, hours, friends for a lifetime, and you want to confirm in your heart the calling to medicine or not! Words cannot express the gratitude I have for the Atlantis staff, and everyone that made this process special. I would not be where I am today, and on the path that I am on without this experience. THANK YOU ATLANTIS!

I attended an Atlantis program in Valladolid, Spain in July of 2019! I absolutely loved the program because I got to travel, meet new people, watch surgeries and consultations, explore multiple cities of Spain and experience the culture, get shadowing hours (which is required by a lot of the grad schools I’m applying to), and so much more! Now, 4 years later I am still benefiting from the program because I get to talk about it in my PA school applications and interviews! I would recommend this program to any pre health student because it’s a great way to get a feel for medicine and different specialties, study abroad, and make great connections!

I had an amazing experience shadowing in Mallorca, Spain. Each week, I shadowed for about 20 hours, and switched departments every week. I was able to see Dermatology, Orthopedic Surgery, Ophthalmology and Ophthalmologic Surgery, and Neurology. The physicians and other healthcare workers were dedicated to teaching and helping students learn about a profession they love. During my time there, I stayed in apartment style housing for students in suite-style apartment. The City Managers were always on-call to make sure that everything was going well and that everyone was safe. The weekends were open for traveling and exploring on your own. That type of travel independence is another important skill the program helps students develop in addition to language immersion and a wider view of what different types of healthcare systems have to offer.

In Summer 2022 I shadowed abroad in Vigo, Spain with Atlantis through the University of Florida and it was incredible ! After my first year of college , I decided that the business field did not capture everything I wanted so in 2020 I made the switch to the pre-med track. With Covid blooming I had a hard time finding shadowing opportunities due to safety and health concerns in hospitals. I resorted to virtual shadowing and learned all I could but I still wanted to have a in-person experience with physicians. My academic advisor brought to me the Atlantis shadow abroad in Spain and I jumped on the opportunity. In this experience I left the country for my first time and submerged myself in the Spanish culture. I always wanted to study abroad but it never worked with my schedule given all my pre-reqs. Atlantis allowed me to scratch that itch and be one-on-one to two-on-one with physicians in Spain. I went for four weeks and shadowed a different specialty every week ( ER, Neurology, ICU, Vascular Surgery) culminating a total of 96 hours. I got to see even more than those 4 specialties because the doctors would invite me to see more operations and consults. My experience opened my eyes to the various healthcare systems and has allowed me to better understand the different ways of approaching health. I LOVED my location and where I got to live. For my first time out of the country I felt safe and secure Las I explored the city. I got to connect with prehealth students and also network with the physicians I met by getting their emails and keeping up contact. As I apply for medical schools now in the US this experience is consistently one I bring up in explaining my journey and love for medicine. I have grown tremendously in understanding of the duties and responsibility of a doctor because of this experience !

My Atlantis experience in Genoa was a transformative chapter that seamlessly intertwined academic exploration, cultural immersion, and personal growth. Through shadowing medical professionals, I gained invaluable insights into the intricacies of healthcare, fostering a deeper understanding of my future role as a speech language pathologist. Beyond the hospital, the city itself became my classroom, teaching me the art of cultural adaptability and offering a profound appreciation for diversity. The guidance of our dedicated city manager, coupled with Atlantis' comprehensive support, ensured that every facet of the program was seamlessly orchestrated, allowing me to focus on extracting the utmost value from each moment. From indulging in delectable local cuisine to forming lasting bonds with peers from around the globe, every interaction contributed to a profound sense of cultural humility and camaraderie. In retrospect, this experience has not only reinforced my passion for the medical field but also imparted life lessons that extend beyond textbooks. As I embark on the next phase of my journey, I carry with me a global perspective, an open heart, and the confidence to navigate the intricate tapestry of healthcare and human connection.

I completed 80 AAMC-compliant physician shadowing hours through the Atlantis Clinical Fellowship at Gennimatas General Hospital in Athens, Greece. My experience shadowing physicians in Athens, Greece, at Gennimatas Hospital was invaluable and gave me a fundamental understanding of what I hope to specialize in as a future physician. Through this experience, I not only embraced the ethical responsibility of learning from doctors through observation but also gained exposure to global healthcare. I learned how to overcome cultural communication barriers in my interactions with clinicians and recognized the subtle peculiarities of a foreign hospital. I built upon my critical thinking skills and utilized scientific inquiry as I followed along with surgical procedures and witnessed each unique doctor-patient interaction. This experience is a staple of my pre-med journey. From my clinical fellowship, I know that medicine is the only career path I desire.

I had the pleasure to travel to Sibenik, Croatia Summer of 2022. I came across this program through a school program at UT Austin and my application process was a bit different than most people who go on this experience. I do believe it was an easier application process but the experience I think was the equivalent to any other program. Our site manager, Ena, was so thoughtful and attentive to our needs. Although a bit chaotic, the hospital was open to teaching us about their day-to-day lives. On top of the great shadowing experience, we also got to wander the small town of Sibenik and interact with the sweet locals. Our weekend excursions planned by Ena were something to look forward to because it was a day filled with fun activities and yummy food. Overall, all my interactions with the Atlantis program have been positive and I am thankful I had the chance to partake in such an amazing trip.

Beautiful city, beautiful nature, wonderful food, wonderful hospital staff, the Atlantis program in Ferrol had it all! From the beaches to the forest to the restaurants and to the hospital, there was not one thing flawed! When going to Ferrol do not forget your sunscreen, hiking boots, and appetite for sea food. The beach at Domino's was the most beautiful beach I have ever seen. The hike in Las Fragas was extraordinary. The food in Ferrol was so delicious, my favorite by far were the zamburinas at the restaurant, La Cantina. Zamburinas can only be found in the coast of north western Spain, the region known as Galicia, which makes the eating of these zamburinas a must for any sea food lover. If I ever get the chance to travel to Spain again, I will most definitely have to stop by Galicia!

The fellowship I did in Trieste, Italy was an amazing experience. I got to meet new people from across the US who are instead in the same career path as me. I also got to know a experience a completely different care system than the one in the US. I also got to learn about the culture in Trieste. I would definitely recommend this fellowship! My site manager was really helpful and nice. It was great to see the city through the eyes of a local. I definitely saw things and are places that I would have not see or eaten had it not been for my site manager. This fellowship helped in reaffirming my decision to go into medicine and become a doctor. I was able to shadow different doctors in different types of departments. For example, cardiology, neurology, radiology and general surgery

Prior to my trip, I was nervous because I will be beginning my first year of college this fall. It was my first shadowing experience. The Atlantis staff on the post enrollment team dissipated that fear by giving me all the information I needed before going abroad. After I meet all the other fellows, I realized I would be learning as much from them as I would be from the hospital and city. They each had different backgrounds and different topics they were knowledgeable on. Between the other fellows, shadowing in the hospital (ER, Pediatric Surgery, and Neurosurgery) and my incredible site manager, I had a life-changing experience. My indecision about pursuing medicine is gone and I am beyond excited to begin my studies.

Shadowing physicians in a global health care setting was such an invaluable experience that has shaped and will continue to shape the kind of physician that I hope to someday be. I have never travelled outside of the US before, and yet Atlantis prepared me so well for this fellowship that I felt no anxiety whatsoever about traveling alone in a foreign country. My Site Manager made it so that I always felt safe and so that I also got the most of my experience, both in the hospital and during excursions/exploring the city. I learned so much of value while shadowing in the hospital. There is so much about global medicine that you can only experience; that you can’t be taught without firsthand experience. In Greece, I had the opportunity to see medicine practiced in manners both similar and different to that in the US, and it forced me to consider the pros and cons of both our healthcare systems. Furthermore, with the vast number of hours of shadowing you obtain, not only is it good for your resume, but it gives you a chance to decide if a career in medicine is really the right path for you. The shadowing isn’t easy; the language barrier and often long hours on your feet can be exhausting, but the life-changing learning experience is a reward well worth it. This program isn’t just an opportunity to explore global medicine. It’s an opportunity to explore a new country through weekly excursions and group dinners and to make meaningful lifetime friendships with fellow pre-meds. It is an experience that you will reflect on for the rest of your life and will shape your future career in medicine.

I did not know what to expect when leaving for my Pontevedra fellowship, but I was pleasantly surprised. Our site manager is one of the best people I’ve met, I made so many friends, saw so many surgeries and consults, and got to travel around Galicia! I came in wanting to be an OB/GYN, and after my obstetrics round confirmed that it is exactly what I want to do. My life is changed and I am so much smarter and different in the best way after this experience. I learned so much more than I ever thought I would’ve.

The Atlantis Fellowship is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Not only are you able to shadow intelligent and outstanding doctors, but you are able to immerse yourself in a new culture that teaches as much as it does enlighten you. I am so glad I took a new step toward my medical career and went with the Atlantis Fellowship. The doctors are kind, encouraging, and genuinely care about your learning experience. I was able to see many operations and the doctor-patient interaction that is held in Spain. I plan to take some tips from these doctors as they were very reassuring and kind to their patients. The activities outside of the program left me speechless such as Park Guell, the Sagrada Familia, and Paddle boarding. I was also able to travel to Costa Brava for a weekend adventure and I have never seen such clear water. The program offers a lot of opportunities that I wouldn't give up for anything. This Fellowship is an opportunity, I believe, can be a great point on a resume and an outstanding talking point in an interview discussing cultural diversity and professional experiences.

I have never traveled abroad before this trip so I was a bit scared to go away for the first time alone. I have to say that the three weeks that I spent in Rome was the best time I have ever had. I didn't want to leave. There was so many opportunities to explore the city. Everyday my group would walk around and get lost in Rome which is the best way to explore! I tried so many new foods and learned so much about the Italian culture and lifestyle. The site managers for our trip were the best that anyone could ask for! They showed us the best restaurants and took us on the most amazing excursions outside of Rome. The best part of this trip was being able to be in the hospital everyday and shadow doctors. Every department that I was assigned to was so nice and eager to help me learn. Getting an opportunity like this in the US would be near impossible. After this experience I am sure that the medical field is where I want to be. I have developed a new love for traveling abroad and I want to explore the world as much as I can while I am in school.

Program: Internship in Italy Shadow Doctors 20+ Hours/Week Jun 25, 2019 I am very very satisfied with my shadowing experience abroad in Italy. At first, I did have my concerns as the AAMC shows statistics and discourages students from SHADOWING abroad due to the risk of students being involved in medical procedures. I would like to clear this doubt for those who are interested in this fellowship as Atlantis is VERY VERY strict and abides by their policy of no physical fellow-patient interaction. Atlantis is very clear with all the rules that must be followed etc. That being said, the fellowship was incredible. I was able to shadow under general surgery, urology, and vascular surgery. All of these departments always had surgeries or patients and all the hospital staff were incredibly helpful. Though some of the hospital staff did not speak english, many if not all residents spoke english and were able to explain procedures to you if the attending surgeon was busy. Many of these doctors are incredibly well trained and have excellent english so language barrier is usually not a problem. Aside from shadowing, the weekly excursions (I don't want to spoil them if you are attending the fellowship) were very very fun. There's a lot of pictures to be taken and a lot of friendships to be made and it was quite the experience. Genova is very very scenic with mountains, beaches (mostly rocky but you can still find sandy beaches), and architecture. Genova is known for their pesto and I really really recommend you try it. The Atlantis fellowship is expensive but provides you an experience that is priceless. I was able to pay for this through fundraising, asking family members, working a part-time job, and a little bit of assistance from my parents. This really has taught me good saving/spending habits for my future. What is your advice to future travelers on this program? I highly advise future travelers to get to know the other fellows prior to the fellowship. It'll allow you to adjust much quicker.

I had the best experience I could have ever wished for. It was a fulfilling experience and very educational. Everyone in the hospital was very kind and did their best to improve the quality of our shadowing experience. Furthermore, I fell in love with the town. Everyone was friendly and happy. Also, the food was incredibly affordable and delicious. We tried many new things like octopus and found that it wasn't bad like we expected. Overall, I would love to do this experience again with Atlantis.

The Atlantis Fellowship was a unique opportunity to shadow and learn about the healthcare system of another country while in undergrad. I was extremely impressed by the staff and how helpful they were to make sure each fellow had the best experience. They prepared us with pre-departure meetings and on-site orientations, which allowed us to be very successful in shadowing. I was able to shadow in many specialties and view 18 surgeries in the OR! Outside of the hospital, I explored Athens and several Greek islands. I highly recommend this for any serious pre-med students who also love to travel and learn about other cultures.

My experience was great, but I felt as though I had no idea where my money was going. It is incredibly expensive. I found out that Atlantis does not pay the doctors even though the hospitals need the money. I’m wondering where my thousands of dollars went.

The Atlantis Program is a very safe, fun, and exciting way to travel and get experience shadowing for pre-med students. It is the ultimate opportunity for undergraduate students to gain essential experience for applying to medical school and for personal growth in general. The site managers were amazing, the pre-departure information was very helpful, and the Atlantis post enrollment team was very very helpful throughout the entire pre-departure process. The food and atmosphere was phenomenal, and I would go back in a heartbeat. I would highly recommend this program to any undergraduate/ pre-med student, or anyone looking to travel abroad and gain valuable experience while doing so. The people I met were amazing, and it was for sure a life-changing experience.

I loved the Atlantis fellowship because it gave me the opportunity to combine my interests in healthcare with my Spanish major to get a global perspective on some of the aspects of the healthcare system, and also allowed me to make connections through language and cultural immersion. I was able to learn so much from many of the hospital staff including the nurses and doctors, as well as more administrative people within staff. Atlantis gives a lot of independence within the program, and it is truly what you make of it. I was able to see a birth within the labor and delivery department and also some really interesting surgeries within General and Orthopedic surgery. I was also able to see doctors outside of consultations and surgeries, such as when they have meetings before going on rounds, and also during their breaks for breakfast, and it was really nice that I got to see them during their busy and relaxed days to get a better feel for how mixed their day-to-day work life is. Through the fellowship, I also volunteered at the local language school, and it was really fulfilling to have conversations with residents of Teruel in both English and Spanish. The weekend trip to Albarracin and Valencia was also a lot of fun and gave us a break from the week of hospital shadowing. Through this fellowship, I met some lifelong friends, and we still keep in touch after the fellowship, and they really made this experience one that I'll never forget! I think Atlantis could improve their pre-fellowship guidance. Once accepted into the program, the logistical information is not as clear as it could be, especially considering that it is a big commitment to go abroad for a few weeks. During the fellowship itself, everything went really smoothly especially with the help of our site manager, but before the fellowship, there were still a lot of details, especially regarding travel, that could have been made clearer.

I would definitely recommend Atlantis because of the amazing opportunities provided both inside and outside of the hospital at which the fellows are shadowing. Within the hospital I personally had the opportunity to shadow a variety of doctors, in a variety of specialties, observing a plethora of different surgeries/consultations, as well as to develop personal relationships with the medical professionals, which does not come as easily/naturally back home. Outside of the hospital, I gained a better understanding of a different countries medical system, got to experience differing cultures, learned to adapt/grow in a different environment, and established friendships with a group of like-minded, motivate, pre-medical students that I know will last a lifetime.

The Atlantis Fellowship is a life changing experience for students interested in a health major to explore the medical world. It not only gives a person the chance to shadow doctors, see impressive procedures in different specialties very closely, and make lifelong connections, but it also gives a student the chance to see a new culture and how it influences healthcare. I had a really good time !!

Atlantis gave me such a valuable experience in my path to medicine. The town of Szekesfehervar, Hungary is filled with kind, welcoming, and humble people and the hospital was no different. I shadowed for over 85 hours in 4 different departments (OBGYN, pediatrics, general surgery, and emergency department). Atlantis always made a great effort to make all of the fellows feel safe, welcomed, and comfortable with the experience. The Site Managers were Hungarian natives and were absolutely fabulous to spend time with. The cultural experience that comes along with the hospital shadowing was challenging and rewarding. The program was the perfect combination of experiential learning, cultural immersion, and free time to travel and explore. I made lasting connections with the other fellows on my program, and that has given me such a valuable network of other pre-med students across the U.S. I'm so thankful to have gotten to experience Hungarian healthcare and culture through the Atlantis Fellowship!

I completed my shadowing in a hospital in Inca, Mallorca. It was a very beneficial and inspiring experience. I shadowed in the department of internal medicine during my first week and in the department of gastroenterology during the second week of the program. I gained a lot of experience during the shadowing hours, where I completed around 40 hours of rounds, clinic hours, endoscopy and colonoscopy procedures, and surgeries. The program opened my eyes into the world of healthcare and triggered my passion too become the best doctor I can be. I was able to form many professional relations with hospital staff, and made friends with the Fellows that were in the same program with me. I also learned a lot about the culture of Mallorca during the weekly excursions. The program is highly recommended for all pre-health students, and especially for people who are not sure if they want to pursue this job.

This summer I had the opportunity to travel with Atlantis to Genova, Italy in the Province of Liguria. I can without a doubt say that this trip absolutely changed my life. Coming into college as a Freshman I knew that I wanted to do something in the medical field and potentially as a doctor but felt lost and like I had no direction.. That was until I decided to do something about it the summer after my Junior year. I had worked in several hospitals at this point and shadowed many doctors but something didn't feel right. I took the leap of faith and decided to travel with Atlantis as I had heard about it from a friend. Words cannot describe how vastly different the healthcare is in Italy, the hospital that I was in gave me an entirely new view into how I myself can make a difference. Talking with the Italian doctors, they spoke about the different kinds of pressures they faced in their very different hospital environment. In Italy they have social healthcare which means that any citizen of Italy can go into any hospital and receive treatment without insurance. That fact alone was shown in every person that worked in the hospital. They were not driven by money or fame but instead by a deep and innate drive to care for others. The passion I saw in these men and women paired with the new view of healthcare helped me decide that I do not want to work in the United States when I graduate medical school. It showed me that I was living in a country where healthcare is very stable and that if I truly want to make a difference that I should travel somewhere else, not necessarily Italy, and help those who TRULY have no one else. Thank you Atlantis, without this program I don't know that I would have the strong passion and direction that I now have.

4 weeks full of shadowing at the largest hospital in the entire country (so we got the coolest cases from all over Portugal and even Africa!) from the following specialties: plastic surgery, vascular surgery, psychiatry, and orthopedic surgery. 4 weeks full of traveling on the weekends with fellows that I can confidently say they are lifelong friends now. I went up and down the coast of Portugal, experienced a culture unlike any other during the World Cup, and went surfing for the first time. 4 weeks living in seriously a BEAUTIFUL apartment. Surrounded by all the fellows. We each had our own studio apartment that was brand new. Pool, rooftop deck, workout room, conveniently located, etc. There's so much more to say about this program that I can't put into a paragraph, but sign up for Atlantis to gain a wider perspective on medicine and learn things you honestly can't get in your university classroom. and for an irreplaceable summer!

Atlantis provided me with an opportunity to expand my knowledge and appreciation for healthcare. It was my second time going overseas and my first time experiencing a different kind of medical system. While it was challenging in the beginning, I gained a lot from the experience. At first it was nerve wracking trying to determine what language and cultural barriers would be in place that would inhibit my learning. After the first few days, all nerves were set aside because the language and culture (while different) just provided a new way of observing healthcare. When I could not understand what was happening with my ears, I would use my eyes to observe body language, facial expressions, etc. in order to figure out what was happening. Later on the doctor would explain what happened. I learned how to effectively observe a situation and deduce relationships and emotions from them. I would recommend this experience to anyone interested in medicine and/or has an interest in cultural competency. Atlantis allowed me to observe and interact with a culture that was otherwise unknown to me. It helped me gain a better understanding and appreciation for the many unique lifestyles in the world.

Atlantis offered me an incredible opportunity to strengthen my interest in medicine and expand my knowledge. The shadowing experience in the hospital was amazing and I got to see and learn more than I ever would have imagined. I had rotations in radiology, vascular surgery, and general surgery. The site managers were amazing and our group far exceeded my expectations. The planned group meals and excursions were great experiences also! I would highly recommend this program to anyone interested in pursuing a career in medicine.

This was such an amazing experience for me, it was definitely a culture shock but it made me interested in the different health care aspects of each country. There was a language barrier but the doctors were really nice so they tried their best to make each fellow comfortable. I would liked to have had more time observing orthopedics but I learned what I definitely do not want to do in the medical field. I wish we were at the public hospital for more than only one day but I saw the difference of the care in both the private and public. I loved our site managers and all of the excursions we went on. It was overall a great experience that I would not have been able to have over here in the United States especially being a highschool student.

Atlantis gave me the opportunity to feel important in the hospital, as if I truly belong there. They gave me the opportunity to stand close by a surgeon during a procedure, sit next to doctors performing exams, and be taught how to read MRI scans. They also allowed me to travel on my own if I so chose to. I was able to experience the Italian culture in more than one city while I was abroad. Because of Atlantis I can now say that I have Lifelong friendships with other Atlantis Fellows and even Doctors! Atlantis really helped me in knowing that Medicine was right for me!

My three weeks in Ponferrada, Spain were exactly what I needed to affirm my decision to be a Pre-Med student. Shadowing doctors in Pediatrics, Surgery, and Internal Medicine not only helped to broaden my views of the different specialities, but also allowed me to make lasting connections with medical professionals who genuinely cared about my learning experience. I observed far more than I expected for an undergraduate student, even getting to witness an amputation. Aside from my time in the Hospital, I got to immerse myself in Spanish culture and visit towns that most tourists never see. My Fellowship was extremely worthwhile and will undoubtedly aid me as I continue my path towards a career in Medicine.

My time shadowing doctors in Italy was one of the most valuable experiences I've ever had. It allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and learn so many things I wouldn't have known otherwise. I was able to be fully immersed in a different culture and gain a better understanding and appreciation of the rich Italian culture. Along with the cultural differences, I was able to learn more about the medical differences Italy has to the US. I learned how to deal with a language barrier and saw that the medical field surpasses language and can be understood between almost any individual willing to learn. I gained real world experience in a hospital setting where I was able to gain a better understanding of the everyday stresses doctors deal with. Overall, this was a great experience that I highly recommend to any and all pre- health students.

I was looking for a program in which I could shadow doctors and receive clinical hours for medical school preparation as well as learn about healthcare from a global perspective. Atlantis was able to give me that experience and help me immerse myself in another culture. I had always dreamed of going to Italy and being able to pair traveling with my passion for medicine was incredible. At the hospital I was able to actually be in the operating room next to surgeons, instead of in a gallery watching the operation from above. All of the doctors I interacted with were so willing to explain procedures, conditions, and anything medical to me. I absolutely loved general surgery and the doctors at AO San Camillo Forlanini. Coupling learning about medicine and how the doctors interact not only with patients but their peers was a wonderful experience and really made my passion for medicine stronger.

Ever since the age of 8, I have aspired to become a neonatal doctor. After my first year of university, Atlantis offered me my first step in the direction of achieving this dream by shadowing physicians in all specialties, including neonatal, pediatrics, radiology, surgery, and many more, in a hospital in Ecuador. This unique program aligns perfectly with my plans of studying medical anthropology and has only further peaked my interest in the medical field.

My fellowship in Cuenca was an amazing experience. I had never been abroad before and had the opportunity to enter into a new culture, improve my Spanish, and see incredible places. My time shadowing in the hospital reinforced my decision to study medicine and showed me several specialties that I had never thought I would be interested in pursuing. It was invaluable to see how the physicians there practiced medicine and the way that they treated each patient with love and compassion. I would recommend this program to any pre med student who wants to have more clinical experience while seeing amazing things abroad!

During summer of 2018, I spent three weeks in Mallorca Spain through the Atlantis Project. This program allowed me the opportunity to shadow doctors abroad, exposing me to a new culture and healthcare system. Shadowing abroad allowed me to interact with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who were genuinely excited that I was there to shadow and wanted to teach me as much as possible. Throughout the three weeks, I shadowed doctors in Emergency Medicine, Gynecology, and General Surgery. Each week brought something new, and taught me more about the healthcare system in Spain. In addition to the doctors taking their time to explain consultations or other information, I was able to see various surgeries. During my time in General Surgery, I watched bowel reconstruction, a single mastectomy, and much more. Each week my love and passion for medicine grew and I knew I had made the right choice in both my career choice and shadowing with this program. In addition to growing as a pre-health professional, I was able to immerse myself in a new culture. During the weekends and evenings, I was able to travel to other areas within Mallorca and other Spanish cities. Overall, I highly recommend the Atlantis Project to any Pre-Health Professional to grow further within the medical field and as an individual.

This was a great opportunity to not only gain valuable shadowing experience but also a fantastic way to immerse myself in a completely new culture for 3 weeks. I was able to narrow down what I wanted to do in the future in the medical field and that would not have been possible if I didn't go. Anyone interested in the healthcare field should look into this program.

I had an amazing time shadowing in Greece. I learned more than i thought I would and I saw more than I thought I would. Doing this program validated my love for medicine and helped me realize that it is what I want to do for the rest of my life. When I arrived in Greece, I wasn’t quite sure of what I was expecting, but I know by the end of the trip, this program far exceeded those expectations and then some. I would recommend this to everyone.

I was able to speak to doctors that ended up helping me beyond my expectations. This one Anesthesiologist I was shadowing knew doctors in the town I am from and gave me their numbers to shadow them when I got back from Spain. This was the first time I travelled and my site manager made me feel very safe. This was a relief to me because it relieved my stress and made me feel more comfortable with my time abroad. She would immediately answer all of our texts no matter what she was doing or what time it was. If anyone had the smallest problem for example, with the hotel room, she would not waste time in talking to the hotel staff and get all situations resolved. Many of us stayed in contact with her and maintain the friendship. She planned amazing excursions and would take us to the hospital everyday which made me feel very safe. The only thing I regret is not going on more excursions because the others did not want to and I did not want to go alone.

This experience is one I will remember for the rest of my life, and not even only for the fact that I was in another country. This was make or break for me. It gave me the clarity and certainty I needed to continue to pursue medicine. I lost my drive and my confidence, and this experience got it back to me.

This summer, I traveled to Ferrol, Spain, for a two week long shadowing experience that benefited me in the most successful of ways. Before going to Spain, I was timid in my accomplishments, because although I was doing well on a social level, my academics were shy of great. I questioned if going into medicine was really for me, because academically, I was not at the level I needed to be, and thought I would never be able to get to the success rate as some of my peers. However, while in Spain, I rediscovered myself. I realized that opportunities happen when you let them happen. I let myself embark on this two-week internship to learn more about healthcare, but came out learning more about myself. I talked with doctors that did not have the best grades, but still managed to become doctors. They reassured me that although academics are important, they are not the only qualification to be successful and obtain a white coat. This trip helped me rediscover myself, learning that I do have the potential to become a medical professional, and while there, gained a new level of determination to raise my GPA, and do better for myself and my future.

I completed a 4 week clinical shadowing in Ferrol, Spain. During my trip I shadowed Internal Medicine, Dermatology, Anesthesiology and Cardiology. Each week was a different specialty so I learned something new everyday. I saw everything from consultations to intense operations. It was the true experience of a life as a doctor. My fellowship had 2 different hospitals walking distance from each other where different specialties were held. I learned so much all of the doctors and improved my Spanish more than I could imagine. The Atlantis Fellowship has led me to confidently say that I want to doctor and be a change in the future health care.

Through Atlantis I was placed in Casa de Galicia for 5 weeks. The shadowing experience was amazing and unlike anything available in the US! I was able to see so many different specialties and understand the interconnecting network of the hospital. The doctors were very welcoming and would greet us even when we were no longer on their specialty. The environment of the hospital was very amiable and full of excitement for us to be there. Outside of the hospital, the Site Managers were awesome! They were willing to work with me to make the experience as great as possible and really radiated enthusiasm for the whole trip, including all of the excursions and group dinners. The experience was great, and I highly recommend it if you are interested in traveling abroad and medicine!

The Atlantis fellowship really provides pre- med students the opportunity to gain AAMC approved shadowing hours (+20 a week) whilst simultaneously providing them the opportunity to do so abroad in a new and diverse environment, and to gain new experiences with like minded students. My Atlantis experience was sensational from the first day to the last. I was able to gain priceless experience in the medical fields of Neurology, Rheumatology, and Surgery and learn key concepts from the medical staff as i was shadowing. On top of that, the Atlantis staff really went out of their way to structure the program in a well organized fashion, and helped me along every step of the process, from my initial application, to making it to my host country, and the entire experience there. The activities that the program provided during the stay include group dinners every couple of days during the week, and group excursions during the weekends that really allowed for me and my Atlantis group to truly immerse ourselves in the history and culture of Huesca, Spain. Overall the experience was an amazing learning opportunity in a diverse and unique fashion, and i strongly recommend it to pre- med students that are looking for a way to get shadowing hours and develop their medical experience.

As a pre-med student I decided to be apart of the Atlantis Fellowship to experience the daily activities of a doctor. Traveling abroad really intrigued me because I would be able to experience a completely different culture while also observing doctors. The admissions process was very straight forward and the Atlantis staff was happy to help and answer questions at any point along the way. I chose to attend the fellowship is Rome, Italy due to the historical significance of the city. Rome was so beautiful and there were so many places to visit. I enjoyed seeing a new side of medicine which further validated my aspirations to pursue medicine.

I did my fellowship in Calatayud, Spain. It being a small town with only one hospital it made it feel very personal, and like family. The doctors and nurses we worked with in the hospital were extremely passionate about teaching, and went above and beyond to make sure we were learning. I spent most of my time in the OR, watching and learning about different surgeries like c-sections, knee & hip replacements, cataracts, cancer removals, and more. I also got time in the emergency room, where everything is so hectic but the doctors still took time to explain everything, and pick your brain on different cases. And finally, I spent time in radiology where I was taught how to read scans, and learned more about anatomy there than in the classroom. Yet, the most life changing aspect was seeing most of the surgeons and nurses be women, which has inspired me tremendously. At the end of the fellowship we had become so close with the staff that we’ve exchanged emails with the director of the hospital to hopefully one day go back and practice medicine with them. It was definitely an experience that changed my life and that we don’t have access to as pre-med students here in the US.

The Atlantis fellowship I participated in took place in Pontevedra, Spain. A beautiful city where the feel of a small town gets a Spanish twist on life. The food was excellent and everything that I needed was within walking distance of the housing residence. In the Hospital, the doctors were charismatic, open to honest conversation, and really facilitated my learning and understanding of the procedures. If I had a question they would do their best to answer it in a way that made sense to me but didn't make me feel as if I should have known this. As a fellow, you do so much more than just watch procedures. You are fully immersed in the environment of the hospital and can see what your future could possibly look like. From inside the O.R., to filing paperwork, to getting coffee with your co-workers the doctors don't try to put on a show and make it perfect, they just show you what it is like to be in this environment which to me was one of the best takeaways I received from my Atlantis fellowship.

The Atlantis Fellowship was an incredible and diverse experience of the medical field while travelling to a different country. I was able to shadow doctors in multiple specialties and pursue medicine in a way I was never able to before. I met some incredible fellows and was able to explore Greece while doing what I love.

I signed up for a fellowship with Atlantis because I was unsure of what I wanted to do in the field of medicine, and I wanted to make sure it was right for me because medicine is a huge commitment. I traveled to Viana do Castelo and all the Atlantis staff before, during, and after were very helpful in answering all my questions. I shadowed general surgery, anesthesiology, orthopedics, and pediatrics. I would not change my experience with Atlantis for anything. I still do not know what field I want to go into, but I know for sure I want to go to medical school, and now I have a new network of pre-med students across the US! If you are thinking about a fellowship, definitely do it! You will not regret it!

My experience shadowing doctors through the Atlantis program in Viana do Castelo, Portugal was amazing. The opportunity to do rotations in hospital was invaluable because it helped me find where my true passion lies. The doctors were generally interested in helping us succeed -- one of the doctors I shadowed didn't speak English but she typed out everything in Google Translate and made it so easy for me to understand the consultations. My site manager and fellow students were also super supportive. I learnt so much about medical school application and how to prepare for the MCAT from them and more importantly they gave me the confidence to push through and pursue my dreams in medicine.

My fellowship in Cuenca, Ecuador with the Atlantis Project absolutely exceeded my expectations. I primarily applied for the program because I needed shadowing experience, but I was thrilled when I realized I would be able to do so in another country. With such strict pre-med requirements, it can be difficult for pre-med students to study abroad. I knew I would not be able to spend an entire semester elsewhere, I found this summer 5 week fellowship to be the perfect alternative. I spent at least two weeks of my program shadowing in the operating room, where I saw my first C section and neurosurgery. I also was given the opportunity to shadow a pediatrician, neurosurgeon, radiologist, gastroenterologist, and even visit the OB/GYN's private clinic. This program strengthened my desire to pursue medical school and become an OB/GYN. When not in the hospital, I practiced my Spanish with locals, volunteered at a daycare, and saw all the wonders that Ecuador has to offer. I would do the fellowship again in a heart beat!

I spent 3 weeks this summer shadowing multiple specialties in the largest hospital in Lisbon. I had the opportunity to not only spend 20+ hours each week in the hospital, but I also was able to explore Lisbon and the country of Portugal. The friends I made along the way were lifelong and this was truly a life-changing experience.

We got to shadow doctors and stand right over their shoulders as they performed surgeries. The doctors were also so helpful and ready to teach us. We would shadow about 5-6 hours a day and then we would go and experience the area around us and learn more about the culture. It was amazing! From about 8am to 2pm we would see various surgeries from brain to blood vessel to ortho. There were many options. After that, we would eat the food of the area and go to the places that made Patras, Greece famous. The experiences were unforgettable. I would 100% suggest anyone do this program!

I was looking for a unique opportunity for shadowing during my gap year and that is when I stumbled upon the Atlantis Program! This program has provided me with unique experiences, which have overall made me a stronger medical school applicant and opened my eyes to a different healthcare system!

I absolutely loved my experience with the Atlantis Project. I spent four weeks in Madrid, Spain, shadowing at a local hospital in Orthopedic Surgery, the Microbiology Lab, General Surgery, and in Neurology. Each week was so different from the last, and the doctors I was with taught me so much about their work. While I was shadowing, I also was able to learn more about the Spanish culture and way of life from the people I shadowed, and I learned so much about the European system of healthcare. Within the program, our site managers and Atlantis mentors were also extremely helpful. The Atlantis mentors are students who are recently accepted to medical school, or current medical students, and my mentors provided amazing help and insight regarding the application process. Everyone I met on the program wants to see you succeed, and I felt much more confident about my journey to medical school after completing this program. Would highly recommend to anyone who is interested in the healthcare field, even if you aren't necessarily pre-med!

The Atlantis Fellowship allowed me to experience healthcare in a setting drastically different from that of the United States. This experience has further confirmed my pursuit of a career in medicine and has taught me the value of patient-focused care. The physicians I shadowed were extremely helpful by translating situations and answering all of my questions; it was clear that the doctors wanted to help give you the most out of your time in the hospital. I recommend this program to any pre-health student that has an interest in stepping outside of their "norm" for healthcare because what you take away will remain with you as you continue your pursuit of medicine.

"When in Lisbon"... I found myself saying this phrase almost every day during my Atlantis fellowship in Lisbon, Portugal. From trying daring local cuisine to staying hours past the required time shadowing in the hospital, I took every opportunity I had on my fellowship. For three weeks, I was presented with opportunities to delve into my curiosity of another culture, bask in the knowledge and wisdom of European doctors, nurses, and surgeons, and witness the inner-workings of the European healthcare system. I was fortunate enough to shadow physicians in Otorhinolaryngology, Anesthesiology, and Emergency Medicine where each department offered different perspectives from outpatient care to surgery. In addition, among my days of exhilarating surgeries and patient consultations were group dinners and excursions that encouraged fellows to not only share their inspirational stories from that day but also their stories--why they want to join the scientific community as healthcare professionals. The on-site advisors could not have been more welcoming, encouraging, or knowledgeable about the city, and the housing felt as though it was a five star hotel. Whether it was riding in a tuk-tuk around Sintra, surfing in the Costa da Caparica, or going in to watch surgeries on days we had off, I challenged myself to be as adventurous as possible; and it was easy thanks to Atlantis. Going on this fellowship was truly life-changing, and I have never been more motivated and confident in my decision to enter the medical field. So if you are thinking about joining the Atlantis community and learning more about another country, medicine, and yourself, you too can find yourself saying "When in Lisbon."

I shadowed doctors for four weeks in Rome, Italy and I had the best experience! I was able to watch so many surgeries such as an open heart, Cesarean section, etc. The employees with this program are also very helpful and seem just as excited about your experiences as you are. I would definitely recommend applying for this fellowship!

I had such a life changing experience. I not only was exposed to a new culture, I figured out what I wanted to do with my life. It was so amazing and I learned so much. I feel like this program helped me have an understanding of what its like to work at a hospital. Do it!

The Atlantis Project is a certified and professional program that helps students gain a competitive edge in the medical process along with a better understanding of universal healthcare in different countries around the world. My fellowship in Budapest, Hungary was a very interesting and fun experience that allowed me to closely work with doctors and nurses. The doctors I encountered were friendly and passionate about their work and teaching. The hospital I was shadowing at was relatively small, allowing me the chance to more closely interact with the doctors and see their everyday routine in the hospital. Along with advancing my professional career, I was about to learn about Budapest's public transportation system, their unique culture, and delicious food. I also made five amazing friendships with people from across the country that I can rely on if I ever need anything. Overall, I had a great time and this was my summer highlight. Thank you Atlantis and thank you Budapest!

Atlantis is a great way to interact with other students that are passionate about the health care just like you! It was an opportunity to not only get a better inside idea on hospitals, surgeries, and patient care, but it allowed me to see a different culture's health care system. This fellowship opened my eyes to many different health care careers that I wasn't aware of and made me more passionate about becoming a physician that before. If I could do it again, I absolutely would!

Coming into this fellowship, I was unsure about the career path I wanted to pursue. But being able to shadow in various specialties allowed me to come to a conclusion that I didn't have to choose one passion. This fellowship helped me realize that I wanted to strive for an MD/PhD to become an orthopedic surgeon and a nutritional epidemiologist. Without this experience, I would have never made this self-realization.

This program is an amazing way to discover if medicine is truly for you. This program allows you to spend 20+ hours shadowing doctors in the hospital in different specialties such as surgery, gynecology, cardiology, radiology, emergency, nephrology, and many more. By studying medicine in a different country, you will learn about the differences in healthcare in the United States and foreign healthcare. Weekly excursions are provided to big attractions in the country which are a fun way to see the culture of the country as well as historical sites and tourist attractions. This trip was so extremely fun and the friendships I made on it are some that will last forever.

Wow was this trip amazing! I spent 4 weeks in the prettiest little city on the coast of Spain, shadowing at a hospital which grew my medical knowledge massively. In those few short weeks I learned about public healthcare, gained insight on doctor-patient relationships, and furthered my confidence in the medical career path. Not only that, but I gained a best friend, loads of memories from traveling to Barcelona and Madrid, and a perspective on a culture unlike that here in the states. And of course, the food was out of this world! I got to explore my passions for medicine and travel, as well as culture, architecture, and adventure. My group had a hike through a gorgeous nature park, a tour of the coast of Ferrol, as well as a visit to Santiago de Compostela. Would recommend this to any Pre-medical professionals who love traveling!

My Atlantis Fellowship Changed my life! It opened my eyes to the diversity of healthcare systems across the world. I not only discovered a rich culture in a country I had never visited, but I also discovered a new confidence within myself and true desire to practice medicine. Because I am an Atlantis Fellow and I did experience a culture different from the United States, I feel that I am a more understanding person and I can be a doctor who is aware of and can appreciate the diversity of different cultures. Additionally, because I was encouraged to take the initiative and connect with each doctor I met, I now have a unique professional network that not only spans multiple disciplines but multiple countries! This trip was the best decision I ever made!!

Atlantis is what it claims to be, and does what it claims to do. This is a legitimate program that if you have the money and passion/curiosity then you should go for it. This program has value as a 3rd tier or 4th tier addition to your medical applications - it won't make or break you, but it is worth doing if it won't break the bank. This was an amazing experience, primarily because of our excellent site manager. Be friendly with everyone, and those willing to give back will do so 10-fold. Doctors, locals, Atlantis staff, other fellows, etc. I found a second family and support network of peers in the states. I would highly recommend using this program to get an insider's view on how the day-to-day of a medical professional in a foreign country works. This can give you a taste of what types of fundamental things to expect here in the U.S.A. medical field.

My personal experience with Atlantis is easily one of the best experiences in my life. I shadowed at Hospital Universitario de Burgos in Burgos, Spain. It allowed me to grow and become more knowledgeable of the medical field. It allowed me to see first hand the day to day life of a doctor/surgeon in the hospital. And it allowed me to build professional relationships that I will always treasure. The doctors I encountered were so generous with their time and knowledge. They were eager to teach and show me cool and new things that I hadn't before. I was able to watch surgeries, endoscopies, and experience rotations and clinicals from the perspective of a doctor. Overall Atlantis helped motivate me to continue to pursue my dream of becoming a doctor. I'm excited to continue my studies and strive to be successful. When i'm feeling unmotivated, I will definitely look back on this experience to help motivate me to continue to strive. When i'm applying to medical school, this experience will definitely be one of the highlights in my journey.

Where do I begin? I really have no words to describe to you how amazing this program was. Not only because of the 60+ hours of shadowing professional Italian doctors, but the memories and bonds that I made with the other fellows is what made this worthwhile. I met 14 of the greatest people you could ever meet and got to experience a foreign country with them; what could be better? This program has impacted my life post program by giving me and upper edge when I start to apply for medical school. I hope and pray that they ask me all about this in the interview because I could go on and on and on about it. I learned so much from the hospital and from the country itself. To future participants: GO FOR IT! Take the chance and get out of your comfort zone. Atlantis is an A grade program with A grade staff and managers that will help you along every step of the way.

Being a fellow with the Atlantis Project was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I learned so much and saw things up close that I would never have been able to see in the U.S. I was in the OR for real brain surgery! My roommate is now one of my best friends and a surgeon is a friend. It was an amazing and unforgettable experience. Nothing in the states compares this fellowship. And as a bonus, I was in Italy!! I got almost 90 shadowing hours in one month! That alone makes this fellowship worth every penny.

My experience shadowing doctors was remarkable. I was very much on the fence about whether I wanted to pursue a future in medicine and this internship gave me my answer. It was an enlightening experience that was culturally and professionally enriching. I highly recommend this internship to anyone wanting to get valuable experience and wanting to develop impactful relationships with hospital staff around the world.

Spending 3 weeks in Trieste, Italy by being an Atlantis Fellow was great. We got to observe various doctors in a variety of specialties in two different hospitals. We spent four days a week in the hospitals. We got to see very interesting exams, procedures & surgeries during this time. It was a great way to gain experience to put towards my future medical career.

I did a fellowship with Atlantis in Zaragoza, Spain in 2016. The program was amazing. I learned so much in the short period of time that I was there. They hospital staff was extremely friendly and wanted us to learn from them. I felt very comfortable with the Atlantis staff that was assigned to my group, and my group members were amazing too! We all still keep in touch via groupme, wishing each other happy birthdays and celebrating each others accomplishments. I am very happy I decided to go through Atlantis, it was a one of a kind opportunity and experience!

Medicine has always been what I wanted to pursue but coming out of my Junior year of college I found myself unsure of if medical school was still what I wanted to do after I graduated. Besides medicine I also have a passion for traveling, Atlantis gave me the opportunity to combine those two thing as well as gave me an experience that was able to help me find where my true passion lies which is in nursing. The staff at Atlantis are so supportive and want to help students pursing medicine succeed. I was a bit skeptical at first of the legitimacy of their program but after attending a program myself I would recommend a fellowship with them to anyone who wants to pursue medicine. Atlantis gave me a chance to see the inner workings of hospitals, see how other healthcare systems compare to the U.S. healthcare system, make connections with other students pursuing medicine, and explore and fall in love with another country. They work hard to place students in programs that are safe, all their site managers are trained prior to students arrivals to handle any situation that may occur during your trip. One of the most rewarding things about Atlantis is that they allow you to make it what you want it to be through the amount of freedom they give you, if you want to focus on community service, shadowing, immersing yourself into the culture, etc you can. The program is structured and safe but allows for so many opportunities to explore things of your own interest. My experience through Atlantis was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had and will always hold a great value in my future career.

In Winter 2018, I had the amazing opportunity to shadow Doctors in Milan, Italy. I spent about 20 hours a week shadowing a range of specialties. My options were Neurosurgery, Pediatrics, Neurology, and Transplant Surgery. Other programs through Atlantis offer Cardiology, if that is what you are interested in. The Doctors spoke English and explained before and after each patient we visited. They made me feel welcome to ask questions. I plan to attend medical school, but experiencing medicine in a different country secured my plans. There was also plenty of time to travel and explore. We had nights and weekends off which allowed me to travel to Rome! My Atlantis Site Manager made my experience, he taught us how to navigate the city and took the fellows to multiple meals! I hope to travel again through Atlantis to a different country soon!

This past summer (2017) I had the amazing opportunity to go abroad for the first time in my life and to be surrounded by the world of medicine the whole time! 20-25 hours shadowing doctors every week, watching surgeries, and having all of your questions about medicine answered was truly amazing. Not only did we explore the world of medicine, but also the beautiful country that is Portugal. My fellowship was stationed in their capital city Lisbon. We had amazing group cultural outings every week. Traveled wherever we wanted every weekend. And were completely immersed in the beautiful culture. I am so grateful for the Atlantis Project and this experience. I wish I could do it all over again!

I don't think I could have experienced something that could solidify my love of medicine more. Doing this internship through the Atlantis Project showed me the real of being a doctor, not just the shiny. It showed the hours put into helping a patient, and it also shed light on a different culture interning in Portugal.

My 4-week Atlantis Fellowship in Athens, Greece was by far the best experience I have ever been through. Atlantis allowed me to immerse myself into a culture I was unfamiliar with while also allowing me to shadow several doctors in many different specialties! During my time at Ippokrateio General Hospital in Athens, I rotated through Anesthesiology, General Surgery, ENT, and GI (while there was also Cardiothoracic surgery available!) All of the doctors I worked with were inviting and eager to help us learn, and were efficient at translating anything we were not able to understand. Furthermore, the living quarters offered to the fellows was stellar. I was in an apartment with 3 others, just 1 block from Syntagma Square, which is the center of Athens. It was extremely easy to navigate the area and easy to learn how to use the metro, tram, and bus systems. As far as leadership went, my site managers were also very helpful and always available if you had any questions! It was nice to have the group meals multiple times a week to bond with others you did not reside with, and also to explore new places, or try new foods! My site managers were great at taking us to restaurants that offered authentic Greek cuisine to ensure we got the full experience! Lastly, it was nice having each weekend to ourselves. Every weekend, my roommates and I made plans. Especially in Greece, or Europe in general, it is very easy to island hop, or travel to other countries fairly inexpensively. Athens was also nice because with the tram in Syntagma Square, we were only a 30 minute ride from the beach, which was a common destination many days after shadowing! Overall, this was an amazing experience that was definitely worth it! From Atlantis, I gained clinical experience, cultural immersion, and also lasting friendships! (my roommate (from Greece) actually flew to my school last week and we still talk daily!) I would recommend this program to anyone interested in a career in medicine. If I can find the time, I hope to go on another Atlantis Fellowship!!

At first, I was a little skeptical of the whole experience since I hadn't heard of it before, and it wasn't affiliated directly with a well known university. However, Atlantis completely exceeded my expectations from the preparation before the trip, and relations during and after the trip. The staff at Atlantis is AMAZING. The fellowship was very meaningful also. You shadow doctors four days a week, for up to about 20 hours. Also, you are rotated in different specialities each week, therefore, you learn so much in a short amount of time. There is an excursion each week and it really helps get you acclimated to the culture and city that you are living in. I absolutely fell in love with Barcelona in the short 3 weeks that I spent there. For Pre-Health students, I know our time is very valuable, and this is definitely worth the time and money. I'm pre-PA and found this experience just as meaningful as the pre-med students. If you are even slightly considering Atlantis, choose this fellowship! You will not regret it.

My time in Trieste, Italy with the Atlantis was definitely one for the books. Before departure the Atlantis staff made sure we were prepared and had all the information we needed for our arrival there. They sent weekly email updates and reminders and held a pre-departure conference call. When I arrived at the airport my site coordinators were there to help us get to the residence hall. The residence was a nice and safe place for us to stay, although our rooms were a bit cold at first. Everything was organized from our first day to the last one; to and from the hospital, the group dinners and the excursions. The hospital staff were also very nice and welcoming. Trieste was a new site when I interned so there was a small, somewhat expected hiccup in one department where the staff was not quite sure of our [students from US] role there but this was not a big deal. Overall my experience was one that I will always remember and look back upon with a smile. I loved Trieste, the people I met and the time I spent there. I highly recommend the Atlantis project to premed students.

Being apart of Atlantis was one of the best the decisions of my life. I spent 2 weeks in Horta, Portugal where I was able to shadow in the departments of cardiology, radiology, emergency room, and general surgery. The best part of this experience was being able to interact directly with the doctors and learn from them. In addition, the other fellow and I were able to go on a hike, visit an aquarium, visit an neighboring island, and explore the island of Horta which allowed us to learn more the Portuguese culture.

On this trip to Spain to shadow medical doctors in a hospital, I gained a sense of self-awareness as well as cultural appreciation. I was humbled and forced to recognize that my view of the world and health and healthcare is only as wide as my experiences. It was easy for me, at first, to compare what I was used to seeing and doing in the United States to what was done in Spain, but it didn’t help anyone to compare what was in Spain to what I was used to. I decided to pay attention to how things were done in Spain and to learn about their culture and way of life. I learned not to compare and judge, but to investigate and appreciate the culture I was in, and by doing so, I gained a tolerance of difference as well. I moved around through the specialties and was able to see so much more than expected. I shadowed in neurology, gynecology and obstetrics, pediatrics, and hospital pharmacy. Although I am not interested in pursuing pharmacy as a future career, it was interesting to see how a hospital pharmacy operates. Additionally, within the pharmacy department, I spent a few days learning how the pharmacists research new drugs that are not yet in their system and determine if they are okay to be prescribed by the doctors in the hospital. I got one-on-one experience with the pharmacist learning how to use a medical database and properly perform my own research on any medical related subject through the PubMed database. This experience itself was extremely valuable to me and is something that I will likely use in my future, both in school and my work in the medical field. The shadowing experience at the hospital was extremely impactful. I was able to see multiple surgeries and operations, simple check-ups and consultations, as well as the research and investigating done by the doctors like examining MRIs or ultra-sound data. The information that I learned from the doctors and everything that I was able to watch and see in the hospital has helped me to better understand patient-doctor interactions, discussing medical professions, discussing the pros and cons of government-run healthcare, describing how a hospital works, and aided me in determining the areas of medicine I am, and am not, interested in pursuing. Every doctor there impacted me in one way or another, and a handful made lasting impressions. I am thankful for all of the doctors that took the time to stop what they were doing and explain to me exactly what they were doing and why it was being done. This made my shadowing experience worthwhile and helped me to better understand and gain more knowledge in that area. The Atlantis Project gave me exposure to many themes associated with modern medicine. Compassion, global health, the importance of a patient-centered workplace... all of these concepts can be directly experienced while on hospital rounds; the lessons learned about such topics are directly applicable to questions I may be asked throughout the medical school application process. The social components I encountered in the hospital in Alcázar de San Juan have led to me embracing this medical journey. Moreover, the chance to shadow physicians of multiple specialties, from multiple nationalities, and operating under a different healthcare system served to truly enhance my view of medicine. I have truly been “forever touched” by this experience, the people I have met, the knowledge that I have gained, and places I have seen and I will carry this with me throughout my entire life. This was an experience of a lifetime.

Atlantis gave me the opportunity to solidify what I want for my future along with giving me an experience that I would never forget. Being engulfed into a different culture and living a completely different style of life changed my daily schedule completely. The entire program opens up your thinking to a much larger scale while enabling yourself to see things from a new perspective. The people and doctors of Santiago de Compostela were welcoming and accepting of myself and the other fellows, allowing us a taste of what life is like in Spain.

A 3-week shadow abroad internship in Athens, Greece changed my view on international healthcare and strengthen my passion for medicine. It was an amazing experience that allowed me to learn about a different health care system and culture by shadowing doctors there. I got over 70 shadowing hours and I got to explore the country! The program can range between 3-9 weeks, the beauty about that is that you get to choose the number of weeks you want the program to last. I was in two different hospitals in Athens, at the private hospital I shadowed the ICU director for 2 weeks and at the public hospital I rotated through many different specialities ranging from cardiothoracic to neurosurgery. If you have the opportunity to participate in this program, 100% take it! Once in a lifetime chance.

This was my first time going to Europe so my initial thoughts about the trip were beyond over my head. When first arriving to Portugal I received a warm welcome from my all of my fellow peers along with my site managers. My first three weeks of shadowing were more than I ever expected. I spent three weeks in surgery and from what they told us we were not even guaranteed to see a surgery so I was very happy about this. My last week wasn't as interesting considering I was in internal medicine which a lot of my fellow peers agreed that this was the least interesting rotation. Atlantis made this experience incomparable to anything I have ever experienced before. The culture that we were introduced to was incredible along with the food. Our excursions every week were beyond amazing and we went site seeing to places there were unforgettable. Lastly, I would like to acknowledge the site managers that were assigned to us. They were truly amazing people and made my experience over seas that much better.

While everyone's initial determining factor is the price tag that they see for the program location of their desire, let me tell you something, it's absolutely worth it. In the US, there are few and far in between of hospitals that allow shadowing of surgeons and physicians, and even fewer that allow you to be in the operating room seeing everything the medical providers see. You will never forget the first time you see an emergency C-section or the first time you actually know what the burning of human flesh from an electrocauterizer smells like. For those unsure of their career path in medicine, this is the best thing to figure out if the hospital life is for you. Follow physicians on their pt. care routines day in, day out for 20+ hours a week. I've worked as an EMT for almost 3 years and I still got more experience from 5 weeks at la Hospital del Río. Outside of the hospital, I got to experience a whole new world; sight-seeing, tourist attractions, restaurants, and cultural events that I will always remember. I even met people over there that I still talk to to this day to help keep my Spanish going and honestly, I intend to go back to go see them next year. Atlantis fulfilled their part of the deal in providing me the best pre-med fellowship experience I could have asked for.

This was by far the best experience and decision I made during my college career. Not only did I get to meet a great group of friends from different schools, but I got to experience the Healthcare system of another country by directly interacting with doctors and other hospital employees. The Atlantis team was extremely prepared to handle our group, and they took excellent care of all of us. We went to local restaurants, had tours throughout the city and capitol and had a good amount of free time to spend exploring or finding awesome places throughout the country. I highly recommend this experience, and I really hope I can have another experience similar to this one...definitely life changing.

Shadowing doctors in Szekesfehervar is a life changing experience. It is a small town full of people who care about their health. They have a very active elderly population and a pedestrian street that is full of people from all walks of life. Shadowing in this type of environment sheds light on the importance of living a healthy, high-quality life. The doctors do a great job explaining treatment plans and diagnoses to the student shadows. Szekesfehervar doctors are proud of their work and illuminate with pride when the have the opportunity to teach US students how their hospitals and departments function. The combination of the city of Szekesfehervar and the abundance of knowledge gained through the shadowing experience makes this program very transformative for any student interested in pursuing a career in the healthcare field.

During Summer 2017 I had the opportunity to go on my Atlantis trip to Milan, Italy! As apart of the program, we enjoyed long hours in the hospital from (8:00 am to 4:00 pm) and Excursions to different areas of Italy! I learned a lot more than I thought from the doctors my partner and I were placed with and really was happy to be connected to professionals in the hospital even months afterward! I would recommend this experience to any Pre-Med or Pre-Health major who wants a more in-depth understanding of the day to day inner workings of a physicians schedule.

Through the opportunities that were provided by Atlantis, I was able to shadow doctors of different specialties each week, watch surgeries, and learn some Spanish medical terminology. It was a challenging yet enriching experience for me, as I was able to learn more about myself and be reminded why I want to become a doctor. I was also able to connect with health professionals cross culturally through teaching in an English language tutoring program. I would highly recommend this program to anyone who is looking to expand their perspective globally, both in their personal lives and in the health care field!

I did a 4-week program in Budapest, Hungary and it was the highlight of my summer. It was my first time going abroad and shadowing. The hospital shadowing was very beneficial, although some departments were better than others. It was hard at times because of the language barriers and that no explanations were given during some shadowing shifts but its all part of the experience abroad. One day I was randomly placed in General surgery and got to shadow an anesthetist and he was very helpful in explaining his job, what he does at the hospital, and the schooling he had to accomplish. I felt that my site manager always had my best interest in mind when assigning me to my shifts. As much as i valued my shadowing time, I also enjoyed exploring the culture of Budapest. I felt that being in the same place for a month allowed me to get a feel for the the Hungarian way of life. Overall, this program rekindled my passion to work in medicine and I think it is a great experience for anyone pursing a career in the field!

I spent 3 weeks shadowing doctors in Budapest last summer. It was an amazing experience that helped me to learn so much about medicine, other health care systems, and another culture. I would definitely recommend this program.

Participating in this program was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity that I would highly recommend to anyone interested in the medical field. The combination of medicine with an initially unfamiliar culture resulted in a variety of unique and irreplaceable memories. I was engulfed in clinical situations that I would never have experienced otherwise, and through this, I gained an immense amount of knowledge. In addition to the extraordinary clinical experiences, I had the freedom to travel to and explore other parts of South America, which was a plus! Throughout my entire time in Uruguay, the Atlantis staff was incredible in facilitating my needs and ensuring that I had the most fulfilling time abroad. This is a program that you definitely don't want to miss!

Overall, this fellowship was one of the best experiences that I have had so far. I was able to shadow doctors while they did their rounds, observe multiple surgeries, and even got to learn about the research that some of the doctors were currently doing. I also had the chance to sit in on a lecture at the medical school that was at the hospital. Not only does this program let you learn more about the medical field, but you also learn about the culture of the country that you are staying in. Once a week, you will take a group excursion and explore the cities surrounding. The four weeks that I was in Milan, Italy completely exceeded all expectations that I had. I highly recommend applying for this fellowship. You will not regret it!

This program was an amazing opportunity. Not only did I get several shadowing hours a week, but I learned so much about the culture of Barcelona in general. I met new people from different areas and because we are all going into similar fields, we got along very well. After every shift at the hospital I returned with pages of notes. Being able to visit patients along side the doctor was such a unique learning experience. I shadowed several doctors all in different areas of the hospital, so I saw many variations of cases. The doctors were very patient with all of the students and explained their patient's history and how they diagnosed and treated them.

My experience with the Atlantis Project was life changing. It was my first time abroad and the staff were so helpful prior to the trip and the overall experience was amazing! I learned so much from shadowing the doctors and gained so much insight about so many things that I did not know about Portugal. I also met amazing people whom I am still friends with till this day. OH and the food was amazing!!

I had an amazing time being an Atlantis fellow during the 2017 summer. I never thought I would be able to travel abroad as a pre-med student, but this gave me the opportunity to travel and be able to shadow doctors. Seeing the medical field from a different cultural perspective was very eye opening. I was also able to use a bit of my Spanish in the process. I was able to appreciate the doctors who were bilingual, and it made me want to learn Spanish even more. The program is pretty expensive for not covering the cost of plane tickets and having to pay for some of your own meals, but I do feel like I got a lot out of the experience and would highly recommend it to those who can afford it.

I completed a 3 week fellowship over the summer of 2017. To say the least, it was an amazing experience. Not only did I better myself by shadowing foreign medicine, I also got to experience an amazing culture. Along with that, the group leaders and other students on the trip were amazing. I met so many new people that impacted me in a variety of ways. I'll forever be thankful for the new friendships and experiences I made on my fellowship. I really believe that it changed me for the better, along with opening my eyes to a bunch of new opportunities.

I cannot thank the Atlantis Project enough for the opportunity for the experience I was provided. After four weeks in Lisbon, Portugal, I walked away with not only a lifetime of memories, but with a true understanding of what it means to be a doctor, no filters. The best way to learn is to be thrown into the thick of it, and that is exactly what the Atlantis Project provides. As someone who is both passionate about my goal to become a doctor, as well as a love to traveling, this is the perfect marriage of the two interests. While I was in Portugal, I shadowed doctors in both surgical and clinical settings in the departments of anesthesiology, orthopedics, neurology, and OBGYN. Prior departing, I was concerned about the language barrier since I had no pre-knowledge of Portuguese. However, while I was in the Hospital, I found many doctors spoke English and actively aided in translating what procedures were being done and helped me understand all that was going on. In my free time, I had opportunities to do so many fun excursions. I got to learn how to surf on some of the largest waves in the world, I went deep sea fishing off of the most western point of Europe, and got to try so many unique types of food. I made such great friendships with the other fellows on my trip. I absolutely recommend the Atlantis Project to anyone who is passionate about serving as a doctor or any other health oriented career.

I spent four weeks this past summer in Lisbon, Portugal through Atlantis. I had heard wonderful things about the Fellowship through a roommate who had attended the previous summer. After looking further into it, it seemed like a perfect fit, since studying abroad had been nearly impossible as an exercise physiology/pre-med major. The application process was easy, and my admission decision came quite quickly. The staff I spoke with were all so friendly and made the process enjoyable. When deciding on attending the program, I had multiple options for locations and duration, which I also appreciated. The trip was absolutely incredible, from the excursions, to the travel I was able to do on the weekends when we had days off. The experiences I had in the hospitals were also once in a lifetime. Although I came in knowing barely any Portuguese, I realized quickly that medicine is so universal, no matter what language you speak. Some of the doctors were so inviting and helpful in teaching us as much as they could during our time with them. Our site coordinators were also incredibly helpful and accommodating with each and every concern we had. Whenever we had an issue with housing or in the hospitals, they immediately did what they could to fix it. They took our feedback to heart, which was relieving. The Atlantis Fellowship is now an experience I can speak to in my medical school interviews, and thus far, it has been a great speaking point when asked about the experience I have had throughout my college career. I am also now an alumni ambassador, which has been a great way to stay connected to Atlantis Project. It has been a pleasure getting other students interested in the medical field involved with this program. Below I have attached some photos from my Fellowship. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

This was the best time of my life. I loved my time in Greece and the things that I got to do. It was an amazing experience. I had the best time I got to see many different types of heart surgeries and hernia removals and liver removals. I also got to experience many different types of the greek culture and see the city. I got to also spend a lot of time in the ICU which was super cool because I got to see so many different things there. Mostly everything is provided to you as well. A place to stay, breakfast every day, dinner 4 times a week and excursions once a week. As well as transportation.

I went to Szekesferhevar, Hungary this past summer to shadow doctors in the local hospital and I had an unforgettable experience. Not only do you get shadowing hours, but you get to see amazing surgeries in a new and different culture. This experience helped me figure out what I like/dislike in a hospital setting and what specialties are interesting to me. The Atlantis Project also gives there fellows a lot of freedom to explore the city and fully immerse in the culture. You get to see what it is like to work a full day and the way patients and doctors interact with other. This fellowship was easily worth every penny!

I was admitted to the Atlantis Fellowship which enabled me to shadow doctors for 20+ hours a week in Milan, Italy. It was a life-changing experience for me and I'm much more confident that medicine is the right path for me because of it. I think this would be a great opportunity for anyone interested in pursuing a medical career. It such a unique experience of not only medicine in a international setting but also a opportunity to see the culture of others. My favorite part was the food and meeting people from all different places. Everything was so authentic and real. I don't think there is any experience like this and highly recommend it to anyone, not just premed applicants. I'm an ambassador for this program now and hope to be able to spread the word to others.

This program allowed for a lot of experience of day-to-day life of multiple doctors of different specialties. It also gave a very relaxed schedule that allowed the fellows to get to know the city and the culture. For being the first summer they had in Lisbon, things did not always go very smoothly. Some doctors were not completely informed on what the fellows were doing and attempted to get us to interact with patients which was forbidden. However, for the most part the doctors were very eager to teach us. I learned a lot through this program and at the same time I got an amazing abroad experience.

I loved the Atlantis Project! Getting to go abroad was incredible, but the shadowing experience was unforgettable. I was able to see a variety of specialties and observe anything from emergency room consultations to surgeries. Seeing so many specialties really gave me insight into what I am and am not interested in, in the medical field. I also especially loved our Excursion Days where our amazing Portuguese site managers would take us to see the most popular sights, and even shared some awesome restaurants that only locals know of. I also really appreciated the Pre-Health advising. We had a student from Harvard Medical School sit down with us and help us plan our applications and how to plan out studying for the MCAT. Our group also had the opportunity to participate in ethics seminars where our advisor would discuss ethics issues with us to help prepare us for future Medical School interviews. While the program is pricey, the experience was truly unforgettable and I made some incredible friends along the way.

I spent 4 weeks in Szekesfehervar, Hungary. The hospital shadowing was always beneficial, but some departments were better than others. It is important to remember that shadowing abroad strictly means watching, and no explanations/teaching is implied. Some doctors/staff were very helpful and talkative while some were not. Regardless you get to see procedures/surgeries. The site managers made the trip as easy/fun/exciting as possible. They always had our best interest in mind. Communication before I left, I would say was lacking a bit, but you can always schedule calls or email to ask questions. I think the hours in the hospital helped students see if medical school was or was not the right choice for them. Remember that figuring out what you do not want to do in the health care field, is just as important as finding what you love!

I want to start off by saying this program was a wonderful experience for anyone who wants to be in the healthcare system. This program was not only an amazing way to travel abroad but also experience time in a hospital. The time between shadowing a doctor or doctors in the hospital and free time to explore the location given was well balanced. The weekly rotations between each department in the hospital was a great way to experience as much as a student could. The doctors at the hospital were very accommodating to students who showed interest in entering the healthcare system. The weekends were for our free time and it was spent on traveling to other parts of Spain — it is very doable! The weekly excursions to the locations around my town of Teruel were impressive because the group went to the beach in Sagunto, made Spanish dishes in a cooking class, hiked to a famous lake in the region, and walked around the beautiful town of Albarracin. Overall, my trip back to Spain was an incredible experience and I hope to back in Spain soon.

I highly recommend this program! The Atlantis Project fellowships allow pre-med students the opportunity to experience a new culture both inside and outside of a hospital setting. I experienced more than I could have ever asked for or expected. I spent four weeks in Spain. The hospital staff made me feel welcome and accommodated me in every way they could. I was surprised at how eager the doctors were to show me and teach me. The hospital staff have a passion for medicine and a passion for teaching. Although I could not participate and strictly observed, there were times I felt more like a medical student because of the level of education I received during my four weeks in the hospital. I observed in four different departments that rotated weekly and observed both surgical procedures and patient consultations that were culturally relevant and specific. I do not speak or understand Spanish at all and the language barrier was not an issue. There were a few instances where I was observing a doctor who did not understand or speak English very well and the doctor was still very eager to help me understand as much as I could - often finding unconventional ways to communicate, or finding a doctor that could better communicate. The Atlantis Project was the most enriching fellowship I have experienced to date. This is an experience that emphasizes healthcare education. Observing healthcare in a system that is foreign to your own is an effective way to learn. The Atlantis Project is relatively new and may not be as established as some of the programs that are more known in the United States - DON’T LET THAT STOP YOU. This program is worth every penny and then some! If you have questions and are interested in the program, email me at [email protected] for more detail or an application.

During the month of July I was lucky enough to be apart of an amazing four week hospital shadowing opportunity. I was located in Alcazar de San Juan, Spain which is a small town in central Spain. Although there was not much to do within the city itself it didn't hold me back from loving my experience. In the La Mancha Centro Hospital, I shadowed a different department each week; General Surgery, Neurology, ICU, and Rehab. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to learn so much about numerous medical professions but also the Spanish culture as well. During the my time in Spain, I was able to give back to the amazing surgeons and doctors by tutoring them in english each week. However, the program does not only focus on learning about the medical field alone, it also focuses on emerging each student into the culture surrounding them as well. During my stay, we had the opportunity to attend four different excursions where we learned about history and culture in Toledo, Campo de Criptana, Alcazar itself and Lagunas de Riudera. We also had the opportunity to travel on weekends where I was lucky enough to see beautiful cities such as Valencia and Madrid. I truly recommend the Atlantis Project to anyone who is considering the health field not only because you learn so much and gain so much knowledge but because you truly make amazing relationships along the way.

The Atlantis Project provided me with an experience that left me knowledgable, cultured, and with a lifetime of memories! I shadowed doctors in both clinical and surgical settings, and despite the language barrier there was always someone working hard to help me understand what was happening. I was treated with the utmost respect by those around me at the hospital, and this allowed me to learn even more than I ever have in a classroom setting. On our off days, we got to go on either guided excursions or plan trips of our own. The guided excursions and dinners introduced me to a new world of diversity which ignited a passion in me for travel that I didn't know I had. The free time we had to make our own plans allowed me not only to explore the country but to do so with new, amazing friends that I plan to keep in contact with for a long time! This trip is 100% worth it, it enriched my life in so many ways.

I spent a duration of five weeks abroad and a total of three weeks shadowing. I took time before hand to travel in Italy and absolutely believe that my most valuable time abroad was in the hospital during my fellowship! I am forever grateful to the Atlantis Project for this opportunity and allowing me to learn more about what I love. I was able to network with many healthcare professionals and form a strong, professional network. Atlantis includes weekly excursions that were incredible to experience and places I never would have heard of otherwise. In addition to my time as a fellow, I had a multitude of opportunities in which I genuinely learned about the culture in my host country. I will absolutely be applying for another fellowship in the future!

I had an amazing time in Budapest, Hungary shadowing doctors during the Atlantis Project fellowship. I made a great group of friends that I'm still in touch with and got to explore the city with them. All of the doctors that I shadowed were extremely helpful. They would take the time to explain what they're doing and why they're doing it, and they made an effort to make sure we could see everything that was going on during the surgical procedures. I would 100% recommend this program to anyone, it was definitely worth it.

I spent five weeks shadowing doctors in Portugal's largest hospital center, immersing myself in Portuguese language and culture, and meeting a bunch of amazing people! This was a truly valuable experience that I believe strengthened my understanding of international healthcare and my desire to become a physician. In addition, I received very helpful pre-health advising that improved my medical school applications and interview skills. I would highly recommend the Atlantis Project to any pre-health students interested in traveling abroad and getting hands-on hospital experiences.

I went on the three week Atlantis Project program in Barcelona this July and absolutely loved the experience. During my three weeks I got to shadow ICU, dermatology, and anesthesiology in the Hospital General de Catalunya. I loved this program not only because I learned so much from the doctors and healthcare professionals around me, but also because of the immersion aspect of the program. During our excursions, we had the opportunity to tour Barcelona, spend a day at the quaint beachfront town of Sitges, and take a tour of a castle in the city. Overall, I would recommend this program to anyone thinking about going into the medical field!

The Atlantis Project offered the greatest experience I could ever ask for and more. Traveling abroad for the first time was scary, but the best rush I ever felt. The hospital I shadowed in created a wonderful environment for my other fellows and I. for three weeks, I shadowed doctors in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Pediatrics, and Surgery. We had weekly excursions and weekly dinners. My fellows and I bonded for three weeks in Barcelos and also traveled on our own to other bigger cities in Portugal. We all picked up on a few Portuguese sayings and learned the history. We attended museums, historic castles and monuments. I strongly suggest looking into the Atlantis Project, it creates an adventure and a new bound of freedom.

The Atlantis Project was a great opportunity that allowed me to explore Europe, learn more about other countries medical industry, and provided valuable experience that will benefit me for years to come.

This internship allowed me to explore a new country and health care system in an easy and engaging way. I made such great connections with doctors in Spain and made life time friends. Getting to learn about medicine from a different perspective really allows you to appreciate and question how things are/could be done. I couldn't have asked for a better way to confirm wanting to be a doctor.

A fellowship with the Atlantis Project is the best of both worlds. You are able to travel and explore a new country while also gaining invaluable hours shadowing at the local hospital. The program coordinators serve as great resource to you throughout the trip, from recommending a great spot to try local cuisine or assisting with navigating the hospital. My AP experience helped me solidify my lifelong pursuit of a career in medicine. Wherever you go in the world, you have to study and prepare for at least 8 years to become a doctor of medicine. It is not easy, and that’s the point. The opportunity to have experienced different medical specialties up close, and being treated like a medical student was amazing! The doctors explained things to me as if I would be doing the procedures or diagnosing a patient the next day. Communicating with the doctors in this way, brought me to the realization that what I am doing and learning today, will benefit my patients in the years to come. If I am serious about becoming a doctor, I need to start acting like it now! How I engage in my studies, develop my leadership skills, and what I feed my mind outside of the academic realm is all going to be imperative as it pertains to what kind of doctor I will become. I ascertained what my future career will be as I walked into the hospital everyday for three weeks, I recognized that I could do this for the rest of my life. Studying abroad is one of the most impactful learning experiences of my life. My Atlantis Project experience allowed me to renew my focus, solidify my goals, gain valuable life lessons, think differently from new perspectives, sparked new interests in me, and facilitated countless cultural experiences.

I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Guadalajara, Spain this past winter vacation. Traveling abroad as a pre-med is always difficult, because most study abroad programs do not have classes that pertain to the typical pre-med's classes. However, the Atlantis Project was an opportunity for me to justify traveling abroad by getting the chance to shadow various doctors in multiple specialties. The Atlantis Project also offers programs all throughout the year (Winter, Spring Break, Summer). This is great for someone like me, who has limited availability to take an international trip. While in Guadalajara, we spent our mornings shadowing physicians of all departments of the hospital. I had the opportunity to shadow in maxillofacial, obstetrics, and general surgery. I was shadowed during multiple surgeries, procedures, and got to see my first natural birth. The physicians at the hospital were so kind and welcoming, even despite the slight language barrier. Most physicians spoke in English with me, and when the physician knew minimal English, I had the chance to practice my Spanish. Our shadowing experience was very well coordinated and helped make our short time in Spain worth-while. Aside from the numerous hours spent shadowing, I had the chance to experience the culture by exploring the town we were staying in. I met some locals, ate delicious food, and visited some of the most beautiful historical sites. On most nights, the Atlantis Project provided us with dinner at a local restaurant. Each dinner was very well-planned with multiple courses. The food was definitely one of my favorite parts of the trip. During our program, we also traveled to Toledo, Spain to take a tour of the city. I got to see some of the most beautiful landmarks and try some of the best pastries in Spain. The only thing I would change about my Atlantis Project experience is the length. If I could do it over again, I would have opted for a longer program, because I truly enjoyed it and wanted to spend more time in the beautiful country of Spain. If you are a pre-med student with an interest in traveling while at the same time developing your knowledge about medicine and international healthcare, the Atlantis Project is the program for you!

This past summer I was accepted to the Atlantis Project and I travelled to Spain and shadowed in Toledo for three weeks and the experience was unforgettable! From the moment the plane touched down until it was time to pack our bags and get to the airport, the AP staff was there helping us out at every step of the way. They were all super helpful and they wanted us to get the most of the program. I personally shadowed three different specialties over the three weeks (ICU, Pulmonology, and Oncology) and I even had the opportunity to observe two different surgeries (defibrillator placement, cataracts removal). Every day in the hospitals offered something new and interesting! A typical day was waking up at 7am, breakfast, and arriving at the hospital by bus or on foot for 8am. Then we spent the day shadowing our individual department from 8am-2pm. After that the day was ours to do whatever we saw fit whether it was shopping, eating, exercising, sightseeing, etc. Breakfast was always complimentary in the hostel and four dinners a week were provided for by the AP. The weekends were spent on excursions where we went kayaking, hiking, and exploring some ancient cities and their monuments. The nightlife was also fantastic and it was a great way to relax after a long week at work! I also quickly became great friends with the other students in my group and to this day I still reminisce on all of the memories and good times we've had - reunions to come! If you have a free summer, want to learn more about medicine, and have a itch to travel I strongly suggest you apply! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity!

The Atlantis Project fellowship was honestly one of the best experiences of my life. Right when you land you are immediately greeted with a smiling face by one of the site coordinators. From there you'e always on the go! In Greece we got to experience two different hospitals in the duration of 3 weeks. Everyday you get to rotate through different specialities and really get to be involved in what is going on in the hospitals. My favorite memory from the hospital aspect was getting to watch a neuro surgery during the second week! I boast about it to this day to people that I talk to! Not only do you get to have a crazy time seeing so many aspects of the medical field, but you also get to dive into the country's culture. Twice a week all the fellows and site coordinators get together to go on excursions that entail a lot of the history of that country. There's so many meals you get to experience with your other fellows, as well as, some "down time." We had a lot of fun exploring the Greek night life during the weekends and just getting to experience the country as a whole. I could talk hours about how great this program is! I honestly believe anyone who is interested in medicine should really experience this program!

The Atlantis Project isn't just a program that allows you to choose from an immense amount of specialties to shadow, but it also gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture of Spain. The Atlantis Project took us to places we would've never found on our own and most importantly, our safety was always a priority. The coordinators were also extremely professional and helpful! They showed us Spain like no other study abroad program would while still focusing on the medicine and our future careers as health professionals. I had the chance to network with two medical students, one going to Stanford and the other going to Harvard. They gave us a lot of helpful advice and we even got a chance to meet with them one-on-one. I've completed a substantial amount of programs, but this program is by far my favorite. I encourage everyone to apply!

I’ve always wanted to go to New Zealand so this program was automatically great, the opportunity to shadow in a hospital made it even better. The Atlantis Project is great for undergraduate students who want the experience of going abroad while also shadowing physicians. I had originally applied to the fellowship because my university is small and the study abroad trips are outside of my major so the Atlantis Project’s pre-health opportunity was a great fit. All of the physicians were incredibly helpful and went the extra mile in explaining concepts and examination procedures. There are many staff members through the program that can answer questions immediately and they do a great job of checking in with you as you prepare everything for your trip to ensure that you don’t forget anything important. New Zealand was also beautiful and our site coordinator worked hard to help us with anything we needed and he took us on great excursions. Life-changing trip!

The 24 days I spent in Spain as a part of the Atlantis Project were hands down the best days of my life. You are surrounded with people you become so close with, so fast because you share common interests, aspirations, and drives. There is a perfect balance of shadowing in the hospital and exploring Spain. You will find yourself building lasting relationships and falling in love with the medical field at the same time. The Atlantis Project gives you an in depth look into medicine and a variety of different specialties, that you just can't find here in the U.S. The Atlantis Project has truly been a life changing experience and I would do it again in a heart beat.

Atlantis Project provides a completely unique experience that makes study abroad worth it for pre-health majors. Most of us don’t have time to go abroad because they don’t offer the kinds of classes we need as part of the programs. Atlantis Project allows us to go abroad and get the experience a study abroad program gives while still helping us with our application for professional school. The program gives you ample opportunity to learn at the hospital and to learn about the culture outside of the hostpital. I was able to shadow a variety of physicians, that I was allowed to help pick, and see an amazing assortment of procedures and techniques. At the same time I also learned about Spanish culture and saw amazing things while there. Atlantis Project was the best month of my life and I wouldn’t change a minute of it.

My trip with the Atlantis Project to Athens, Greece was one of the most life changing and eye opening experiences of my life so far. I am so lucky to have spent five weeks immersed in Greek culture, language, customs and history. I not only learned so much about what it is like to work in a hospital, I learned a lot about myself and grew exponentially as a person. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to see a global view of healthcare.

Choosing to join the Atlantis Project was easily the best decision I made on my path to a medical career. The Atlantis project gave me the unique opportunity to completely immerse myself within a foreign culture while simultaneously learning about medicine and how hospitals operate. By the end of my five weeks in Vilnius, Lithuania I truly felt like a native, it had become a second home to me and that was definitely an amazing feeling. I would without doubt recommend the Atlantis Project to anyone pursuing a career in medicine because it is such an incredible and life changing experience.

The Atlantis Project gives you the unique ability to completely enrich yourself in another country, from working there to volunteering there to experiencing the culture. Living in Cuenca for 3 weeks over the winter was an enriching edition to my college experience that I highly recommend to any pre-med student. Not only was I able to shadow physician from different specialties, I was able to meet patients and shadow in surgeries. I was a member of the ICU team for a few days, learning patient’s stories, an observer in nearly a dozen surgeries, ranging from cardiac to hernia repair, and interact on ER consults. Not only did these physicians challenge me to apply my own personal knowledge, asking me questions throughout the case(s), but they allowed me to build strong relationships with staff as they explained their journey through medical school and compared international medicine to that in America. I came back to the US with a great understanding of what it meant to be a global doctor, and a new look on different specialties I had not previously interacted with. Additionally, this program allowed me to completely emerge myself in Spanish culture. From living with a host family in a hostel building to experiencing the vibrant holiday traditions, we were welcomed and embraced. The family welcomed us into their lives, inviting us to their family restaurant and flamenco lessons. More so, we were able to experience New Years Eve within Barcelona, and Three Kings Day, a traditional Spanish holiday, and learn more about the culture abroad. We were allowed to interact with locals and hear their stories as we were recommended to different restaurants, monuments and experiences. Not only did this experience give me an international experience to share with everyone, this experience taught me so much about what medicine in a global mindset. Additionally, I made friends who I still talk to regularly as we encourage and support each other’s premedical careers.

It was my first time being out of the United States completely alone and it was an amazing first experience. I'm more confident now and have an increased desire to go abroad again and learn about different cultures and health systems. If you can I would recommend this program for every pre-med student who does not have any other way of studying abroad, or is looking for something to do medically related out of the US.

Overall, the Atlantis Project was definitely a life-changing event, an event that I will never forget. Along with global healthcare exposure, I was also exposed to the beautiful culture of Greece. Putting yourself out there may be scary at first, but eventually you start to get a handle of things and appreciate the little things in life. The Atlantis Project was an unforgettable adventure for me and I do think it is worth the experience. I was scrubbing in surgery almost every day and was out exploring Greece after I returned back to the hotel. I had the opportunity to observe and note specific skill sets from rounds and diagnosis discussions. I also shadowed and focused on a variety of cardiac and thoracic surgeries as well as doctors in the cardiac surgery intensive care unit, emergency room, anatomical pathology, radiology, cardiology, pneumonology, gastroenterology, and anesthesiology department. The doctors, nurses, and surgeons I've met encouraged me to push forward and continue to pursue medicine. Along with the exposure, I also made strong friendship bonds with people across the world. The three weeks in Athens, Greece has evolved my perspective and brightened my long journey towards the medical field. Not only was I able to travel alone, but I brought along my enthusiastic interest of medicine with me. Overall, I am forever grateful for this breathtaking opportunity and would not second guess my choice to shadow again with the Atlantis Project. To see pictures and blog posts of my time in Greece, follow #TravelWithMay

The unique opportunity of traveling to Faial Island was a revelation of gigantic proportions. During this fellowship I gained clarity on how much the teaching aspect of medicine influences my desire to become a physician. The physicians and hospital personnel helped me to realize how much fun I can have as they taught the various intricacies of their individual crafts. Their impact has instilled a greater dedication in me to gain as much knowledge as possible while keeping it “simple,” so that anyone, regardless of education, language barriers, or socioeconomic backgrounds, will be able to understand the content. Although a language disparity existed, the ability for the Portuguese to simplify complex concepts was impressive.

This past Summer I had the privilege of partaking in a cultural healthcare experience like no other. As a rising Junior Nursing student, I embarked on my trip with plenty of enthusiasm and a couple semesters of clinical and theoretical knowledge. Although I was the only Nursing student on the trip, I feel like I potentially got the best experience. I had a basis of knowledge, saw things that I learned about in class and ultimately grew in my confidence. It was incredible to meet other future healthcare providers from across the country. We bonded, went out to eat each day, and tried to embrace the Spanish lifestyle as best we could. I spent three weeks in a small town called Cuenca. It was absolutely beautiful and I love, love, love Spanish culture. The people were friendly and by taking advantage of weekends to travel, I found that I got a really well rounded travel experience as well.

The Atlantis Project has been the best opportunity I have had for shadowing. I was placed in different departments such as neurology, psychiatry, thoracic surgery, internal medicine and gastroenterology. In these departments I shadowed amazing doctors who showed me so much, I was able to see things first hand and feel like a resident by their side. I wish i could do it again, Spain was amazing! on the weekends we got to travel wherever we wanted to, and they had amazing activities for us to experience aside from shadowing. The coordinators expect you to be very mature and devoted, so they do not require you to go to the hospital to shadow, but you definitely do not want to miss anything! Best experience ever. Sebastian Garcia (Albacete, Spain Intern 2015)

During the summer following my freshman year of college, I had the opportunity to be a fellow for the Atlantis Project. This life-changing experience taught me many valuable things. From the actual shadowing hospital program to the leisure excursions, the Atlantis Project planned and executed a flawless experience. The biggest thing that I got out of this fellowship was meeting new and amazing people and experiencing healthcare outside of my own country.

The Atlantis project not only allowed me and my fellows to shadow and experience a doctors/surgeons daily life was but it also gave us a sense of direction into what we all are looking for and what we are not looking for. Through out the program I was able to pinpoint where in the medical field I would like to follow up on and where I was sure not to. I learned so much and was actually able put my knowledge to use and see how much I actually know. It was overall an amazing experience and I recommend everyone who is interested in the medical field, to go do this program.

I really enjoyed traveling to Toledo, Spain for this hospital shadowing and cultural immersion program. I was able to spend three weeks in different hospital departments. These included pharmacy, orthopedics, pulmonology, neurosurgery, intervention radiology and intensive care. This clinical exposure allowed me to see a larger variety of specialties than I had at home. My time in Spain gave me a glimpse at public healthcare and a holistic perspective of medicine. This collaboration for the greater good focused on highlighting the integration of unique skill sets and teamwork aspect of medicine. I enjoyed getting to learn from the different healthcare professionals and my fellow students. Overall, the experience provided me with new and diverse perspectives. It was reassuring to be surrounded by students that all had health interests in common. I made great friends during my stay. The program leaders worked hard to accommodate us all and considered our feedback to make changes for the better!

My time spent shadowing with the Atlantis Project was one of the most beneficial experiences I’ve had as a pre-medical student. I spent an incredible 6 weeks in Spain, during which I was able to see 2 different specialties a week, and each location offered different options. (Neurosurgery was by far my favorite to see!!) The programs were so easy to jump into and provided weekly group excursions to get to see as much of the culture as possible. The differences between European healthcare and what we have in the United States is so very different that I feel like experiencing it is the best way to understand it. The opportunity this program provides is such an amazing resource for students who want to see a broad range of specialties, something that is hard to do in hospitals here. The living situations were very good, the hotels we were in were nice, air conditioned, and either situated in a place that is easy to come and go or had public transportation nearby that was easy to navigate after a few days. This program puts you out of your comfort zone and encourages you to learn and adjust to life in a foreign place, a trait that will help anyone later on! I made the most amazing friends and I would recommend this program to everyone interested in the medical field!

Through the Atlantis Project, I was able to explore Spain and get to know its rich culture. I spent four weeks in Guadalajara, Spain and two in Albacete, Spain through the Atlantis Project. During my time there, I saw surgeries on people injured from bull runs and the doctor-patient interactions. By going to Spain through the Atlantis Project, I was able to shadow doctors from a variety of different fields and explore what the daily life of a surgeon or doctor in Spain. The Atlantis Project gave me the ability to see and explore. From being a part of the Atlantis Project, as cliché'd as it sounds, it expanded my worldview and helped me grow in more ways that I could have ever imagined. I learned what it's like to be in a culture different from your own and the ins and outs of Spanish culture. I'm thoroughly grateful that I did the Atlantis Project.

For the best, hands down, summer of my life I interned with The Atlantis Project for 12 weeks in Spain and Portugal. As an aspiring medical school student I knew that my summers were extremely valuable not only for gaining experience to become a competitive applicant for medical school, but also for enjoying life and seeing the world. With a background in Hispanic Studies and pre medical courses, I was able to practice speaking Spanish on a daily basis and see how real hospitals in Europe operate. For anyone trying to decide how to spend their time and money this summer, The Atlantis Project fully takes care of their interns and provides them with experiences for a lifetime by shadowing seemingly every speciality in a foreign hospital. Although this program is early in its development, the coordinators and leadership at the Atlantis Project take pride in assuring a quality worthwhile experience for their interns that does not just throw them into a hospital everyday, but rather gives them the opportunity to make personally rewarding connections with the international medical community.

The abroad experience with the atlantis project provided me with a cultural immersion of the spanish culture, as my program was in the small town of Toledo and it also allowed me to explore many other cities of Spain. The best part of the experience was the shadowing experience. I was able to shadow 6 different specialties of doctors in just three weeks. Others in my program traveled between different cities of Spain and Portugal, which I would have loved to do if given the time. The excursions that the program provided were fun but there was also no pressure to not go on them if you weren't feeling up to it. Another plus is that the administration took our feedback into consideration during the trip. We had some difficulties with the temperature in our rooms, and we ended up being moved to an air conditioned hotel. Overall this program was great and I would love to do it again.

This experience was one of the most influential for me both personally and in my career endeavors. I traveled out of the country for the first time and was able to experience a new and fascinating culture. The shadowing opportunities were such an inspiring chance that in this past semester when I really struggled, they were my reason to keep pushing. It gave me sight of the end goal and reminded me why I want to pursue my career. With opportunities that immersed me in the medical field, I was able to compare U.S. healthcare to European healthcare. I was also able to experience adventures like swimming with dolphins, cliff jumping, and observing the bull fights. Nothing can compare to an experience overseas for both personal development and career development. Overall, this internship pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to gain a new independent outlook on life.

My experience with the Atlantis Project was one of the most enriching experiences in a hospital and clinical environment I ever had. In the shorter term that I was able to experience being alongside healthcare professionals, I was able to visit multiple departments in the hospital, witness a cesarean section, multiple realignment surgeries, pediatric care, and much more. The doctors and nurses I shadowed and spent time with were not only some of the most friendly staff I met, but they also were very knowledgeable and caring about their patients and the students that shadowed in their program. I learned some new things in the techniques I witnessed in surgery, and got to see how some of newer technologies in the cardiac and pulmonary departments were implemented. The guide we also had that helped us adjust to some of the cultural differences was so friendly and knowledgeable as well, and we felt right at home being as close to the hospital as we were. I highly recommend checking out what the Atlantis Project offers and encourage students with all levels of shadowing experience to apply!

Of course I was hesitant about paying quite a bit of money for a shadowing experience...but I can honestly say that I have no regrets whatsoever. Pursuing the opportunity presented to me by the Atlantis Project gave me an exposure to clinical settings that I would have had an EXTREMELY hard time trying to receive here in America. After six weeks with the program, I could honestly say that I had fallen in love with surgery and even had some idea about what specialties I might be interested in. So--if you're hesitant, believe me when I say that it was worth every bit!

This program was an amazing opportunity. We were able to get an idea of what we will actually be doing while also experiencing European culture first hand. The staff at the hospital were very knowledgeable and extremely helpful. While I was there I saw a variety of different departments and the connections that we made were unbelievable. I would recommend this program to anyone going in the field of healthcare. It will teach you a lot about difference kinds of health care and also about yourself.

I was an Atlantis Project fellow in July of 2015. I was placed in Faial, an island part of the Azores. During my time in Faial, I was immersed in the culture and had a great amount of exposure in the hospital. Monday-Friday consisted of breakfast at the hospital and then a 5-6 hour day in the a certain department of the hospital. I was able to shadow in Radiology, Pediatrics, Internal Medicine and Surgery, all of which I experienced things I had never in the US. This program allowed me to get a feel of what the medical field was like all while getting to explore a beautiful culture. During our off time I spent a lot of time on the beach and hiking. There were team meals at least 2, sometimes 3, nights a week and this was a time for us to get to know each other and the coordinator that was a local to Faial. Luis, the grounds coordinator, planned many events for us; all of which involved some type of adventure. Whether it was hiking, climbing volcanoes, or whale watching there was much fun to be had. My overall experience as a fellow of the Atlantis Project was great and I am sure it will be beneficial to me when applying to medical schools.

At first it seemed kind of unorganized because a lot of things were unclear. But I understand it is harder since they are located elsewhere and the fellows are everywhere.There were definitely plenty of emails going back and forth with the administration to clarify the details. The overall experience was amazing and so valuable. The internship was great because we were able to shadow in so many different departments in such little time as well as gain many hours. I shadowed 5 different departments and shadowed for about 6-7 hours each day. We also had less time in the hospital since we went during the holiday season, yet we still gained a lot of hours of shadowing. The coordinator I had was amazing, she was so easy to relate to and easy to communicate with. I got placed in a small town. The country itself mainly speaks Spanish except for some tourist areas, so knowing Spanish or being with someone Spanish speaking is essential. Our coordinator spoke good English and helped us out whenever we needed. The excursions were mostly well planned out, and the meals provided were really good, especially since Spain is really big on big portions, so the meals were 3 courses of goodness. Overall, the experience was worth it! Wish there was more chances of scholarships or we were clear of the qualifications for it, because it is harder to pay the tuition and have pocket money for some of us, but still glad I did it. I would highly recommend the program! It's very safe, and valuable and fun experience! I was lucky with my group of people, because I know I will still be friends with them and AP has helped us create those friendships!

Traveling to Toledo, Spain is such an immersive and incredible learning experience in itself. The city has so much history, and so many beautiful sights, like many of the cities in Spain. Traveling here with students from various places throughout the US ( and Canada) provided me familiar ground to stand on, while showing me that I had so much more to learn about my own country as well as the one I was visiting. Shadowing doctors, some of them world renown, of more than 10 specialties over 3 weeks opened my eyes to so many things. Immersion in culture and language to this extent can be a difficult and intimidating process. However, the Atlantis Project administration and the Hospital staff helped to make it seamless, and approachable. The fellows were welcomed with open arms, welcomed any and all questions, and were always willing to stop and explain things. Teaching the Hospital staff added yet another incredible aspect of this trip, allowing fellows to give back to the community which had accepted them so graciously. I have never learned so many different things at such a rapid pace in my life, and have never seen so much beauty as this trip revealed to me.

In 2015 I went abroad to Toledo Spain to work amongst other students from all over the United States with the Atlantis Project. During my visit I shadowed many different doctors throughout my three week stay and it was the greatest experience. I created a great rapport with the doctors as they explained procedures, medical terms, and learned why they loved what they did within each of their respective fields. I would recommend this program to anyone who is interested in the health care field!

This internship program was one of the best experiences I've had as a premed student. I didn't know what to expect going in but my two weeks in Albacete were unforgettable. I shadowed five different medical specialities all the while learning about the Spanish healthcare system and becoming more proficient in the language. I enjoyed teaching English to doctors while hearing about their lives and I made some connections that I would have never had the chance to otherwise. We also were able to explore our city and surrounding areas through the activities the Atlantis Project planned for us. I will never forget the surgeries, patient interactions, emergency room visits, psychiatry clinic, internal medicine floor, etc that I observed. I have recommended this program to many friends and would encourage anyone considering it as an option to apply!

When I saw the email about this project through an undergrad on campus organization, I thought that it was a scam because I was skeptical about how a program this unique and engaging would exist. I was wrong. This program helped me realize the multitude of incredible fields medicine has to occur, and has pushed me to switch my focus from clinical work to surgery, which is something I've never thought I would do. The freedom that the doctors provide you with shadowing them is impeccable and unparalleled to anything I've done. Interning at one of the best hospitals in Spain amidst doctors who were passionate to teach students and who were eager to learn English from us was a very humbling experience. They were patient with us as we were with them. They let us see so many things up close and personal (we followed all ethical codes set by AAMC, so everything was legitimate). Although this program provides no hands on work like medical mission trips, the shadowing was so robust and incredible that it didn't matter. I personally got to see more than 10 different surgeries, including one open heart surgery. During the procedures, the doctors were lecturing us on techniques and anatomy and happily encouraged us to come take a closer look. I know that this will sound cliche, but this program has changed my life and I would recommend it to anyone to is interested in medical internships abroad.

The Atlantis Project was an incredible experience that allowed me to experience my two passions: medicine and culture immersion. I lived in Cuenca, Spain for the month of July and had the privilege of shadowing physicians in Hospital Virgen de la Luz. I enjoyed the Atlantis Project especially because I was given the opportunity to experience different specialties, such as endocrinology, anesthesiology, and cardiovascular surgery. These specialties were my top choice, as given in the survey the Atlantis Project gives us prior to the trip, and I was pleasantly surprised that the Atlantis Project was able to give me my top choices. At the hospital, I was able to see the differences and similarities between the European healthcare and American healthcare. Because not all healthcare providers could speak English, I was also able to practice speaking Spanish and found that immersion in another country was truly the best way to learn the language. In addition, I also loved how my coordinator was from Spain and was like a mother figure in case I was ever in need of anything at all. Lastly, the Atlantis Project also enables the students to explore Spain and not waste any time at all. I was able to see the sights of the town I stayed in as well as go to a local winery.

I spent 3 weeks on the island of Faial, and I have to say, it was both a meaningful and exhilarating experience. The physicians were more than accommodating, answering questions and explaining their thought processes, all while bridging the language gap. The other fellows were all highly motivated and exceptionally outgoing, which led to quick friendships and memorable experiences. The local coordinator went above and beyond to ensure not only our safety but also to provide us with unforgettable cultural experiences. The island itself is a beautiful place, filled with wonderful people, delicious food, and breath-taking sights. I highly recommend all pre-health students to apply and experience the Atlantis Project fellowship. Traveling to this beautiful island, is already well worth the trip, but the experiences and insights you gain from the clinical observations will go a long way in preparing you for future endeavors.

This past summer, I interned in Ourense, Spain for two weeks. Before I arrived, I was extremely hesitant about interning in a foreign country where I did not know how the administrators of the program would be, or how the program, itself, would be. I was worried about safety, whether or not I would be culturally immersed, or if I would actually be getting experience in a European healthcare setting. From the minute I arrived, I knew this was the right program for me. The coordinators were kind and informative, we started exploring from day 1, and the next day, we went right to work. The number of rotations one went through depended upon the length of stay. In my two week fellowship, I experienced six different specialties! What was even better was that we even had the chance to give back to the community. After spending the day in the hospital, we would explore the town and nearby cities, and on the weekends, I was able to travel to nearby countries as well! I made life-long connections, friends, was able to experience the culture of Ourense, and most importantly, I was able to properly experience European healthcare. Two weeks were definitely not enough, and I can't wait to go back! Experience this for yourself...it isn't something you want to miss!

Last December, I had an opportunity to visit Horta, on the Azorean island of Faial. It was an incredibly immersive and productive internship, not to mention extremely well-organized. The Atlantis Project did a wonderful job of providing us fellows with lots of valuable shadowing time, but also lots of free time to explore the island, get to know other fellows and the locals, and go on many beautiful hikes. Despite not speaking the language, I learned a lot from the doctors and surgeons I shadowed at the Hospital Da Horta. Most of the staff were able to communicate with the fellows in English, and always took time to explain the procedures going on. Apart from the medical experience, it was truly a remarkable opportunity to not only immerse ourselves in a different culture, but also to visit such beautiful and remote islands. From the breathtaking hikes, to climbing a volcano, this was a once in a lifetime opportunity, that I feel especially fortunate to have been able to complete. It has not only affirmed my desire to pursue medicine, but has allowed me the chance to experience so much more than any other internship I have completed!

The Atlantis Project is for college students interested in the health field and shadowing, as well as traveling and experiencing Spain for 3, 6, or 9 weeks. I was in Spain for a total of 6 weeks- 3 weeks in A Coruna, a city on the northern coast of Spain near Portugal, and 3 weeks in Toledo, in central Spain near Madrid. The core experience of the Atlantis Project program was shadowing- the other Atlantis Project fellows and I were in the hospital M-F from 8-3 each day, in roughly two different departments per week. In A Coruña, I shadowed in plastic surgery, rheumatology, digestive, cardiology, anatomic pathology, ENT (ears nose throat), and pulmonology. In Toledo, I was in Pediatrics, ICU, Mastocytosis (the only department for this disease in the country), Internal Medicine, Orthopedic Surgery, Ophthalmology, and Radiology. I, like many others, have had my doubts about the pre-med life, but luckily this experience has definitely helped solidify my interest in medicine. The other parts of the experience: -Teaching English a few times a week in private lessons with a student (adult medical professionals with varying levels of English experience) to whom we were assigned -Pre-paid planned travel excursions on Wednesdays post-hospital, and all day on Sunday, and free time on Saturday -As a personal pursuit alongside the program experience, I prepared research reports about Spanish healthcare for Rice, by way of conducting several interviews with different doctors, residents, and leaders I am unbelievably fortunate to have had this opportunity and to have gained so much from it. Though I only was abroad for 6 weeks, every day was packed with activities, lessons, memories, and fun!

Before traveling to A Coruna, Spain this summer through the Atlantis Project I was very worried about living in a foreign country for an extended period of time with people that I had never met. Little did I know that this experience would forever shape my passion for medicine and that I would meet such a talented and smart group of people! The doctors in Spain were more than happy to work with us, and we were able to shadow a variety of procedures and surgeries which helped me decide what specialties I may be interested in practicing. I will never forget the kindness of the Spanish people and all of the beautiful excursions we went on through the towns, coasts, and forests in and around A Coruna. But most of all I will never forget the other fellows that I met and all of the adventures that we had, and I hope to catch up with them soon!

I participated in one of Atlantis Project's five week programs. I spent 3 weeks in Toledo, Spain and 2 weeks in Albacete. We spent five days per week shadowing doctors of various specialties. In addition to this we usually went on one or two cultural adventures each week. One day per weekend we would embark on group trips to nearby cities where activities would be planned for us. These trips were always a great time!! I highly encourage anyone interested in expanding their knowledge of global healthcare or anyone looking for a fun and unique opportunity to check out Atlantis Project!!!

I had the pleasure of traveling to A Coruna with an amazing group of 15 other students from a multitude of universities. Immediately, I felt welcomed by not only the AP staff but my fellow interns. One of the most valuable things I took from my experience was the relationships I made during the 3 weeks. We were able to form a quick tight knit bond with one another due to our shared love of the medical field and hunger to learn. Everyone on the trip was excited to share their experiences with one another, so I was able to still learn and be apart of specialties that I was not assigned to. Since my trip in Summer 2015, I have visited two of the fellows I worked with and have plans to visit many more as next summer approaches. The time spent in the hospital was above and beyond what I expected, the residents, nurses, techs and doctors that I worked with were so excited to not only teach but practice speaking English and getting to know me on a personal level. I kept a blog during my travels and posted daily, having many readers from home but also majority of the hospital staff I worked with too because they were so interested in my experiences. I have completed more than 2,000 of shadowing in the US, mainly in the ED and I was so excited to be able to scrub in to watch surgeries and procedures. This trip provided me with networking experience as well, making me more confident and comfortable with my abilities to connect with others. Being outgoing and friendly led me to the opportunity to shadow pediatric general surgery, my ultimate goal! As for A Coruna, it was an amazing and beautiful place. There were few tourists so we were constantly welcomed with open arms. The weekend excursions are "optional" but all of the fellows went on every trip they offered, we wanted to take advantage of the easy travelling and have amazing memories (and pictures) because of such. AP helped reassure me that all the hours I have spent studying, working and shadowing are for a reason, reaffirming my aspirations of becoming a health care provider. The time I spent in A Coruna was one of the best summers of my life and I am so proud to be able to put this experience on my medical school application in June and know that it will help me stand out among other candidates.

I spent two weeks in Ourense, Spain and three weeks in Terceira, Azores. I can honestly say it was the best summer of my life. My experiences in the hospitals confirmed my intended path of becoming a doctor. From C-sections to leg amputations to emergency revivals, I saw so many things I will never forget, and from up-close angles that only an internship abroad would provide. The social and adventure aspects of the Atlantis Project were equally fulfilling as the hospital internship. I lived every moment to the fullest when I explored Spain, Portugal, and the Azores. Every day was incredible. I highly recommend this to any pre-health college student. It just might change your life.

I was nervous and anxious, but beyond excited to be going abroad to learn about Healthcare in Spain. This past summer, as a participant in the Atlantis Project Program, I spent 3-weeks shadowing doctors in Cuenca, Spain. As a Nursing major, the experience provided an interesting perspective and platform for me to learn and teach others about what Nursing IS. The staff at the hospital could not have been more welcoming or excited to teach. I was able to gain exposure to surgical procedures and a wide variety of hospital units. Besides the hospital experience, my peers who accompanied me on the trip were exceedingly friendly, and genuinely fun people. I loved getting to know other future healthcare providers from a variety of locations around the US (and I still keep in contact with some of them). During my three week experience, I also made day trips to see Toledo, Valencia and Madrid. Spain is such a beautiful country, with beautiful, welcoming people. The vivacity of the environment that I was surrounded with was incredible and I would love to go back to Spain. This program was a great asset in increasing my knowledge of, and confidence in healthcare and I gush about it all the time to friends, family and anyone I know looking to pursue a career in Nursing or Medicine.

There is no other opportunity like the Atlantis Project. As a fellow I was able to immerse myself not only into a different culture than my own but also in the hospital culture which is so vital during your pre-health education. Being in the operating room was an experience I will never forget and would likely not have been able to have in the states. My first day in the Pediatric unit confirmed for me that I wanted to do this first the rest of my life. Not only are you having these crucial internship experiences but you are also getting to know a whole lifestyle other than your own. Time off from the hospital was free to truly vacation and site see with your fellows. The Atlantis Project coordinated everything for me as a fellow including really nice hotel accommodations, and tours. I want all pre-health students to be able to have the same awesome experience!

This is the first time for me to travel abroad and it was magnificent. The doctors were extremely nice and very helpful. There are a lot of stuff to do when your not at the hospital, which was great! I saw some of Albacetes' culture with the places that we went as a group. It was truly an amazing experience

My time spent in Toledo, Spain was well worth the hard work it took to get there! Most of my time was spent shadowing surgery, and on the first day I had the opportunity to jump right into trauma surgery. For some time I have been debating whether or not I wanted to pursue a career in surgery, and the shadowing experience provided by the Atlantis Project reinforced my motivation to aim for that goal! I could not have asked for a better experience with my fellow fellows, the medical professionals, the wonderful people of Spain, the atmosphere and the professionals at Atlantis Project that made it all possible. Just be prepared for the heat!

This summer, I completed a four week medical internship in the beautiful European country, Spain. This experience was truly enriching because it has allowed me to shape my perspective on the future and has given me valuable experiences and connections to European medical professionals. Moreover, I was able to experience the culture and to hone my Spanish speaking and communication skills. This opportunity has truly influenced my perspective on both the medical field and the world at large. I believe that my study abroad trip has allowed me to gain many skills that will be essential for my future success as a student and future health care professional.

I absolutely loved my experience in the Azore Islands of Portugal. It was something amazing that words cannot describe. I enjoyed the scenery and learning about the history of whale watching. The people of the Azores were very humble and polite. My shadowing in the European Healthcare Hospital "Hospital Da Horta Epe" was highly educational and very interesting. If you are considering this program for studying abroad, I encourage you to do so. It is an experience to have once in a lifetime.

The Atlantis Project offers a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience that you truly won’t want to miss! For three incredible weeks, I was able to fully immerse myself in the medical field by observing various physicians in the Azores Islands, Portugal. The doctors I followed specialized in pulmonology, internal medicine, pediatrics, urology, gastroenterology, and surgery. Through the Atlantis Project, I was able to experience, first-hand, what it actually means to be a doctor by observing all of these different professions. The number of things I was able to see in three short weeks, along with the diversity of it all, was absolutely exceptional. The European health-care system also gave me the chance to experience things I would not have been able to here in the U.S. The cultural aspect of the program (food, language, side-trips, etc.) was also a big highlight, and opened my eyes to a whole new way of life. The flexibility offered also made sure everyone was satisfied with the program, and was able to experience everything they wanted to. It was after this program that I finally decided I wanted to become a doctor, so I owe the Atlantis Project big-time. Go apply! Have the most amazing experience of your life! I promise they won’t disappoint!

Atlantis Project gave me the opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture while shadowing doctors and gaining experience in the European Healthcare system. It was an amazing opportunity for me to find my strengths in the career choice I have picked. Not only that, I was able to meet wonderful new people from different states in the U.S. and amazing doctors in the Albacete University Hospital in southern Spain. Atlantis Project is a very flexible program that grants many year-round opportunities to visit Spain and/or Portugal and get to know doctors of different specialties. I got to see first hand the medical environment and was allowed to rotate between the various areas of the hospital from ICU to psychiatry. Not only that I was able to partake in cultural involvements that were very well organized by our local program coordinator. From the very beginning the Atlantis Project allows to envision yourself in a whole new environment, independently exploring what it is like to be a healthcare professional. This is a very well organized program for many healthcare individuals that wish to expand their knowledge of what the career choice requires and what it can be like outside of one's own local healthcare system. For me it was comparing the U.S. versus the European styles and finding my strengths in Intensive Care Unit to be better than psychiatry perhaps.

For me, the Atlantis Project was a dream come true. I had always wanted to study abroad but felt restricted by the many requirements (academic and professional) that are placed on pre-med students. When I found a program that guaranteed a medical shadowing experience outside of the US I was thrilled. Everything the program promised they delivered - I had an unbelievable amount of one-on-one shadowing in two different hospital locations and 12 different specialties, I had strong support from coordinators and other fellows, I always felt safe and taken care of, and there was plenty of time/flexibility to travel and explore on my own. I will never forget the things I saw and the people I met while traveling abroad with AP.

My five weeks in Toledo and Ourense with the Atlantis Project were some of the best of my life. From the minute I arrived, everything was well-thought out and flexible enough for me to get the most out of my experience in Spain. On our first day in the hospital, I was able to shadow GI surgeons who were extremely engaging. They would stop what they were doing to explain to me and the fellow I was with why they were doing what they were. They always made sure we were able to see, whether it was bringing us right up to the table or finding things for us to stand on. That first rotation set the tone for the rest of the shadowing rotations I went through, as the doctors seemingly became more and more friendly. What was so unique about this program was that the doctors we shadowed were just as interested in learning about us/the U.S. as we were about their fields of medicine. They took genuine interest in us while we were with them. Beyond the shadowing experiences, the AP sets up excursions for you to go on. In my 5 weeks, I traveled to Segovia to see the Roman aqueduct, went to a winery to learn how wine is made, jumped off a cliff (and into a body of water) in Portugal, and hiked through the Ribeira Sacra. These are optional events, but why wouldn't you want to go adventuring with people who become some of your closest friends? The AP offers it all, from the shadowing to the excursions to teaching doctors English to refining your Spanish or Portuguese. I can't recommend participating in one of its immersive programs enough to anyone still on the fence.

While stationed in Guadalajara, Spain, I experienced over one hundred hours of shadowing as I rotated through Internal Medicine, Pharmacy, Neurology, Emergency Medicine, Cardiology, Vascular Surgery, Maxillofacial Surgery, Anatomic Pathology, and Gynecology! The cultural immersion extended well beyond our weekly group dinners tasting Spanish food, city exploration and shopping, and weekend excursions to Toledo and Madrid as I connected with the hospital faculty and learned more about global healthcare. I made some incredible friends, both from the program and the local hospital and brought home some amazing stories and experiences. This was an amazing traveling and learning experience that I would again if I ever had the opportunity.

My month in A Coruña this summer was one of the most holistically productive and enjoyable experiences I have had abroad. I have been fortunate enough to travel a lot in my life and this was one of the best trips I have ever been on. The Atlantis Project did an incredible job of combining an extensive and rigorous work day with free time and planned activity. They did an amazing job of exposing us to both the healthcare and cultural differences between Europe and the United States. We learned firsthand from our Base5 English lessons and travel within the country about the history and culture and benefited greatly from hands-on clinical experience. AP in Coruña, or any other city, is a great and totally worthwhile experience for any pre-medical student or avid traveler.

You may be looking at doing this experience simply to get an advantage of getting into medical school or something similar, but this was an amazing life experience and you should do it regardless of whether it'll help you get into med school or not! Being immersed in the culture of Spain in Albacete was incredible - my group would regularly go get tapas, went on trips around town, saw some beautiful nature, and even saw a bull fight. This is not to mention even working in the hospital, where I got so much experience practicing my Spanish and witnessed so many interesting medical cases, which is especially notable because you rotate specialties every couple days so you really get to see a wide variety of things. All in all, it was a ton of fun and I felt that I learned a lot about the culture, medicine, and European healthcare, so I'd definitely recommend this to anyone!

Spain is such an incredible country full of beautiful people who are truly so kind. I had an amazing opportunity this summer (July 2015) to go to Guadalajara, Spain (1 hr from Madrid by train) to shadow and observe many different specialities. It was truly an unforgettable experience. When I first landed in the Madrid airport, it was extremely large and overwhelming. However, I am the type of person who does not have a lot of fears when I travel. I love new experiences and visiting new countries. I knew maybe five words in Spanish and idd not know much about Spanish culture. The program did provide very specific details on how to get from the airport to the program site. It was extremely useful, but there is only so much information can do. The next part is very much up to the individual to seek out help from locals (who were extremely kind) and do the best you can. Luckily, I found a few other Atlantis fellows by overhearing some conversations spoken in English. Together, we were able to get to the correct train station in Madrid (Atocha) and get to our respective program locations. It was fine once I was in Guadalajara because my program coordinator (who I became so fond of) was waiting for me. She was waiting for me at the train station and paid for the cab ride (as they indicate) and brought me to the dormitories. Each program site will look different, but the one in Guadalajara was a college dormitory. However, because it was summer the students were on break and we were able to use the facility. It was not extremely nice (relatively speaking), but it was still a safe haven by the end of the trip. I did not encounter any bugs or anything like that but it is a bit older of a facility. They changed my sheets every week and provided breakfast Monday-Friday. The breakfast is the same every day, but you become appreciative by the end of it. If you are the high maintenance type, I recommend you also learn what it's like for other nations to live, even if they are considered an affluent, developed nation. It is important to immerse yourself in all settings and learn from any type of environment, in my opinion. Each day we went to the hospital 8-3pm and we normally took the bus which was about a 10 min walk form the dorms. A bus card was provided for us and the walk was very easy (slight incline). The town of Guadalajara is very quaint and pretty. It is not a large town, but there are still a few things to see. There is a mall near the hospital that the students would often visit after their time at the hospital. At the hospital, we had two rotations per week. I was in Guadalajara for 4 weeks and was assigned up to 8 specialities. However, there were certain specialities that the other fellows were more interested in and if the coordinator thought it was fit, you could re-arrange the specialities that you really desired to have, but were not assigned to. This time was so valuable to me and I will cherish this for the rest of my career. The Spanish doctors are so incredible that I do not even know where to begin in describing them. A few relationships I was able to make were with a few anesthesiologists, the chief of nephrology and an oncologist. Personally, I am not interested in a surgical specialty at all, and so when I was assigned to anesthesia, I did not think it would be one bit exciting. However, I tried to keep an open mind about it and I was able to learn so much. The anesthesiologist I was assigned to was a very young doctor. It was only her 2nd or 3rd year as an attending but she was in her 20s. She was so friendly even though her english was very limited. In the operating room, there is a lot of time with anesthesiologists that you have to wait. So it was a perfect opportunity to talk to the doctor and learn from them. She explained the healthcare system in Spain and what it entails. It is so different from the U.S. and there are aspects that the U.S. healthcare system should adopt. The doctor was always keen on showing me what the surgery was about. She did not know the specifics about each operation because she is not a surgeon, but she would share all the knowledge of the procedures she could with me. I have never felt so personally mentored by a doctor that I had just met. I was able to show my enthusiasm each morning with her that she even invited me to come on other days and to observe an on-call shift. With the approval of my coordinator, I was able to do all of these things. I can list so many different interactions I had with each doctor that I was observing, but this review would never end. I have so much to say about each doctor that I truly do not know where to begin. I still keep in touch with many of the doctors from Spain that I met. The Chief of Nephrology was so encouraging. He gave me words of wisdom and things I can do to improve as a pre-medical student. Still to this day, when he responds to my emails, he always says that he believes in me and affirms me to tell me that I will become a great doctor. It is these kinds of relationships that I was able to build, that have become invaluable experiences to me. The Chief of Nephrology told me that he would love to hear about my pre-medical journey to the end and even when I am able to earn my own degree for him to know how my practice is going. I was so encouraged by him. No doctor has ever shown me that kind of faith that I can accomplish everything I want to. Of course there were specialities that were not as exciting, but I always kept an open mind and I have been able to learn something even from the less exciting specialities. In addition to the invaluable hospital experiences I was able to gather, there were always two cultural immersion activities a week. These were optional (but they are included in the program fee, so it is recommended to attend them) and with the entire group. My group had about 13 students, including myself and so it was a very manageable size group to go around with. These times were very fun and I learned a lot about Central Spain. We always had a tour guide. In Europe tour guides are highly acclaimed and have to have a lot of education and usually have several masters in different areas such as religion, geography, politics, etc. These highly educated tour guides would explain the history of the areas we visited and it was very informational and fun to hear from a Spanish tour guide. The dinners we had were pretty excellent. There were 3 (maybe 4) a week and there would always be so much food that I would nearly burst. Additionally, on the weekends, a lot of people would travel by train to different parts of Spain. I went to Valencia with a few of my friends that I made in the program and it was a very fun weekend. Another weekend I spent on-call with the anesthesiologists and another weekend, I was able to visit Madrid (an incredible city). The last weekend I went to Madrid again to shadow a pediatric oncology (my dream speciality) in one of the major hospitals in the city. They did not have pediatric oncologists in Guadalajara. Even this opportunity only came through the Chief of Nephrology who was able to set me up with his friend in Madrid to go and observe. There, I was even offered a research position if ever came back to Spain in an oncology lab. I was so amazed at how eager they are to partner with global health partners. They are so passionate about making medicine globally united to overcome diseases quicker and more efficiently. These opportunities all came from efforts of getting to know the doctors I was shadowing and sharing the interests that I have. Before this review turns into any longer of an essay, I will say that every penny was worth this program. I am thankful to the Atlantis Project for what it was able to provide for me. It is not a perfect program but it is very invaluable to partake as a fellow at the Atlantis Project. I would highly recommend this program to any pre-medical student. Experiencing European healthcare has never been so rewarding.

Participating in the Atlantis Project internship this summer was one of the best decisions I've ever made! I spent 4 weeks in the island of Sao Miguel and 2 weeks in Guadalajara Spain. For the internship experience itself, I got to shadow doctors in all different departments including surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, radiology, nephrology and cardiology. The doctors are really friendly and speak pretty good english. They are eager to teach you and you get to see a lot more than you would get to see in a hospital in the US. The other activities we got to do were amazing as well. We visited natural hot springs in the Azores and swam in the water, we took a boat out to an islet and hiked through mountains. in Spain we visited local museums and went kayaking in river rapids The food was wonderful as well and we were able to sample a lot of different local cuisine. Saturday's are you free day to explore the city (or country) for yourself and get the most out of your trip.I highly recommend this internship for any pre-med or pre-public health student who wants to travel but also wants to get good shadowing experience at the same time.

First of all, Spain is an amazing country. Second, the Atlantis Project is an amazing program. Together? You have the most memorable summer. Before even leaving the country, I was sent a schedule giving me an idea of what I will be doing each day, and how to navigate my way through the Spanish train system. I arrived into my living residence to snacks and maps of the city I would be staying! I couldn't believe how well organized the whole thing was. During the days I got to shadow doctors of different specialties. This included observing surgeries! All the doctors are nice, respectful, and always willing to explain anything. All while learning about the different specialties of medicine, you get to make new friends and enjoy the beauty of Spain! Between group dinners and taking side trips together, I couldn't have asked for a better group of fellows. Honestly, this was a great program to get real experience in medicine.

I found the Atlantis Project when I was looking for a way to study abroad during the summer. I read the reviews, watched videos, and decided that this was the program for me. The application process was incredibly easy and the Atlantis Project coordinators were quick to respond to all my questions and concerns. There was pre-trip online orientation which talked about things I had not even thought about (including NOT being able to bring my hairdryer overseas). I interned in Ourense, a city in the northwest region of Spain, Galicia. The fellows stayed in a hotel in the heart of the city. We ate breakfast in a chocolateria next to our hotel. After breakfast, we caught the city bus to the hospital with a bus card, provide to us by Project Atlantis. Monday through Friday, we shadowed for around six hours, every day. I shadowed in two specialties a week. In my two week stay in Ourense, I shadowed in cardiology, angiology/vascular surgery, the intensive care unit, and obstetrics/gynecology. The doctors were incredibly friendly, eager to tell me about their lives and learn about mine. I had some of the most unforgettable experiences while shadowing. I watched Conan during some downtime in cardiology, because this was how one doctor practiced his English. I sang "American Pie" in an operating room with two vascular surgeons. I watched multiple births. I saw emergency procedures take place in the intensive care unit. In addition to learning about different specialties, I learned about the Spanish healthcare system from doctors and patients alike. I practiced my Spanish and helped doctors with their English in lessons after shadowing. In our downtime after shadowing and teaching English or on the weekends, we explored. I ran with a bull. I ate squid. I watched an American jazz band play in a small Spanish bar. I toured monasteries older than most nations and wineries that had been passed down for generations. I got in lost in a city that I quickly fell in love with and experienced a culture unlike anything I had ever known. If you are looking for a study abroad program where you learn about different medical specialties, experience a different culture, and ultimately, have a blast, Atlantis Project is for you.

I was lucky enough to participate in the Atlantis Project European Shadowing Program this past summer in A Coruña, Spain. I would HIGHLY encourage students to look into applying for the program. I had one of the most amazing experiences of my life and made friends that will last a lifetime. Each day was spent shadowing phenomenal doctors and teaching english to both residents and attending physicians. Over the summer I gained a better sense of what the daily life of a physician is like and what I may want to pursue a career in in the future. The doctors were wonderful and always willing to teach. Cultural Excursions are also provided each week allowing the Fellows to learn about their new home country during their time abroad. We were also able to teach English to give back to the hospital a few days a week, which was amazing. I know that going forward with my medical school applications in the next year I will be able to discuss both medical and ethical aspects of what I learned in essays and interviews as well have several great anecdotes to share.

I had never traveled abroad before in my life, but this summer I decided to do a medical internship abroad through the Atlantis Project in Galicia, Spain. I had the opportunity to work at Hospital with amazing doctors while I was there for one month. The experience was absolutely amazing, the best experience of my life! The Atlantis Project was also an amazing organization to be a part of and work through. They are extremely supportive from the very first time you express interest in the program abroad. When I arrived to Galicia one of the staff members picked me up from the train station, introduced me to the hotel I was living in, and then took me around the town to orient me to where I was living. The next day a staff member took me to the hospital and helped assist me in determining what I would do at the hospital and what my schedule would be. The internship went off and it was amazing, being in the hospital, and exploring the city was just fabulous. We also had social nights every week where all the fellows go out for dinner together. My favorite times were getting together with all the other fellows and getting to know such a diverse crowd. I would definitely recommend Atlantis Project, especially for students who are thinking of going to medical school, they are very good and quick about orienting you and helping you fit right in to the culture and undestand the medical field. - See more at: http://www.atlantis-project.org

I traveled to Albacete for two weeks this summer to shadow doctors in the Spanish healthcare system. We were placed in 4 different specialties where we got to watch surgeries, ask questions, experience socialized healthcare, and make the most of opportunities unavailable to us in America. I wasn't fluent in Spanish by any means, but all of the doctors were super helpful in teaching me through the language barrier. My guide, Paco, was amazing and helped me with everything from getting to the residence from the airport, to what to order at the Spanish restaurants. The excursions were incredible, the doctors were insightful, and the experience was unbeatable. I didn't know anyone going into the trip, but I left with some of the best friends! I recommend the AP to everyone considering a career in a healthcare field!

If you're looking for a program where you can observe a variety of specialties in a hospital based setting, then you're looking in the right direction. Atlantis Project went above and beyond my expectations and I would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone who has interest in the healthcare field. Specialties range from internal medicine to vascular angioplasty surgery and no matter where you are placed during the week, there is always something new to learn. I can honestly say that those 4-weeks I have spent in Ourense, Spain have been the best 4-weeks of my life. This program was undoubtedly a life changing experience as well as a lifelong investment. Not only was I able to shadow eight different European healthcare specialties, but I was also able to create life long friendships with both students and physicians alike. Alongside the hospital, the coordinators were always there to guide you along the way. From group dinners to group excursions, the coordinators were the impeccable and went out of their way to accommodate your needs. Atlantis project caters to mostly pre-med students, however as a nursing student myself, I gained an incredible amount of knowledge that I would not have been able to obtain in the United States otherwise. But don't take my word for it. Experience it yourself and see what I'm talking about. I guarantee you won't regret it.

Oh, what's that? You're tired of the fabled, dare I say coveted American way of life? You want grandma to keep her apple pie so instead you can taste a little bit of European Culture? Oh! And you have an affinity for the sheer majesty and miracle that is modern medicine? Well my soon to be cultured Amigo... You came to the right place. The Atlantis Project is like those old "Wonder-Ball" candies they sold in the 90's. On the outside it looks like some nice milk chocolate. You see it and think, "I like milk chocolate. Imma eat some of that." And when you take a bite- Surprise, surprise my hungry little Billy Goat- there are assorted treats INSIDE the chocolate ball. No, this is no re-TREAT (get it?) for the faint of heart. It takes a person with the will to do and seek more. To bite into the unknown candy! But that's what you're here for, is it not. Well, what are you waiting for?

The Atlantis Project is brilliant. Being an AP Summer Fellow allowed me to combine many of my interests - medicine, travel, service, and making new friends - into a single, unforgettable experience. In the hospital, my friends and I shadowed doctors specializing in everything from cardiovascular surgery to pediatrics. Our hospital was large enough to see interesting cases, but small enough that we really got to know the doctors, which made for a much richer learning experience. Outside the hospital, we got to experience Spain - the people, language, food, music, history, and more. Throughout the week, we were well-taken care of by our wonderful program coordinator, who took us on all kinds of expeditions, including fun meals, a great hike outside the city, and a visit to a beautiful winery. On the weekends, we also had time to play "tourist" in big cities like Barcelona and Madrid. In addition to everything else, we took time each week to give back in a small way: teaching English to interested doctors. The AP uses Base5, a one-on-one, conversation-based system to guide the teaching - if you can speak English, you can be a Base5 "professor"! Though the program is open to anyone interested, I found that having a basic familiarity with Spanish language and upper division biology really enriched my experience. Don't let concerns about that stop you though - the Atlantis Project is fun, it's safe, and I couldn't imagine a better experience for people who are interested in medicine, travel, and connecting with people.

The Atlantis Project was an incredible experience that I won't be able to sum up in a short review. The coordinators were wonderful and always there to help, but we were given lots of freedom so I felt fully immersed in the Spanish culture. I was able to see 8 different specialties during my 4 weeks in Ourense, Spain. I could never have imagined how much we crammed into 1 month. From the hospital to group dinner to excursions on the weekend it was fast paced and wonderful from beginning to end. My communication and language skills improved as well as becoming good friends with other students from the U.S.! I made some great connections with physicians and healthcare professionals in the hospital, and I feel that I have a better view of healthcare specialties and public health. I was able to see a place in Spain that I would normally have never heard of or seen. I have more than enough memories to last me forever and I would highly recommend this to any pre-health student who is interested in travel!

I have been abroad both recreationally and to study over ten times. This was the best experience I have ever been a part of. Not only were the people that I was surrounded by both in the program and in the hospitals medically oriented folks like myself, they genuinely cared about those around them. Time spent in the hospital was exciting, and friends I made there I still keep in touch with. It's truly an incredible experience being surrounded by people who are also so passionate about medicine and the future that you want for yourself. I think it is for this reason you find that you have so much in common with the people in your program that you can have so much fun -- weekend trips, scheduled excursions, going to the pool. I would pack my bags for Albacete again in a heartbeat.

I spent two weeks in Albacete, Spain with the Atlantis Project. It was such an amazing and insightful experience. I had the opportunity to shadow many doctors in different departments, such as hematology, psychiatric, plastic surgery, and thoracic surgery. Also, I had the opportunity to build relationships with the other fellows. Being surrounded by people who have the same goals as you and by doctors who are willing to show you what they do is worth the time. My motivations and determination has grown stronger after participating in the Atlantis Project. Also, the Base5 program is a great way to say thank you to the doctors for letting you shadow them. Many of the doctors were eager to improve their English speaking skills and it was a pleasure to help them. My AP coordinator was the best! He made sure everyone felt comfortable and made the experience even better by taking us on excursions and bonding with us through group dinners. I can honestly say that this was worth my time and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in the medical field.

This hospital shadowing opportunity was definitely a once in a life time experience. I spent four weeks in Ourense, Spain. In that time, I was able to see 8 different specialties, tour multiple different places, try local cuisine, and build friendships with the group of other interns (fellows). Not only did we have time to experience the daily activities within the hospital, there was plenty of time to explore outside and take part in the activities of Ourense. This experience was one of the best choices I have made in my college career and it helped me find further direction as to where I want to go after graduation.

I loved my experience with the Atlantis Project in Ourense, Spain in Galicia. I was able to shadow so many different doctors for 4-6 hours every day, and they were all so welcoming and kind. They helped me immensely improve my Spanish skills and welcomed me into their community as if they had invited me there themselves. My program coordinators were so fun, and every event excursion was well-planned and extremely fun. I wish I had stayed even longer!!

I was in Albacete for two weeks with the Atlantis Project. When applying, I didn't really care about anything except interning in the hospital, so I was surprised when I found myself enjoying the non-medical aspects so much. One weekend, some of us went to a nearby town to go running with the bulls (I highly recommend it, only the idiots get injured!). There, we saw this guy get totally mauled by a bull and taken away by paramedics. Then, the next week while shadowing an anesthesiologist I saw him! He barely lived and had to have surgery. When the doctors got the toxicology report, they discovered he had been drunk and on cocaine. Crazy! Most of the doctors were awesome and super helpful, while others barely spoke english. Our coordinator was awesome though, and he made sure I was always with a doctor who spoke decent English (because I'm not great at Spanish). If you have the funds and the time for this internship I highly, highly recommend it.

I was placed in Albacete, which was a pleasant surprise. The living accommodations were amazing - the room was spacious, we had access to a plethora of facilities, and we were close to important buildings (hospital, mall, restaurants, nightlife). I learned a great deal about medicine during my time here as well - I shadowed a different specialty every 2-3 days, and the AP Program Coordinator tried his best to ensure that I could see the specialties I wanted to see. The language barrier was not an issue at all - although doctors had difficulty understanding my English, my Spanish was passable, and they responded in English that I could easily understand. Physicians went above and beyond in answering my questions and ensuring that I learned as much as I could. BASE5 was fun - I loved sitting down and having conversations with doctors in English. Other AP interns were great as well - I got really close with everyone there really quickly (as we had adequate time to hang out), and we still stay in touch back in the U.S. I was much younger than everyone there, but I felt like I had a family.

I was somewhat skeptical to begin with, as I had never heard of Atlantis Project before, and it has only been in existence a handful of years. I was accepted into the inland project, placed in Cuenca, Spain, a couple hours outside of Madrid. AP (Atlantis Project) does a great job informing their fellows ahead of time with online conferences etc. explaining what is expected of you, as well as a general briefing on what your internship and stay will consist of while on site. I cannot say more of my AP site coordinator in Cuenca, she was so very helpful, and genuinely sought out our best interests. Everything was extremely organized, and a lot of thought was put into our excursions and meals etc. I am most thankful for the shadowing experience I had in the hospital. The doctors were pleasant and did their best to communicate in English as much as they could. I was surprised to find that most of the doctors I shadowed actually knew english. I was able to experience a variety of specialties, and everything from consultations to surgeries within the hospital - an incredible wealth of knowledge if you apply yourself, and try earnestly to interact with the doctors. I would choose this program many times over, there is no better way in, my opinion, to experience not only another culture, but system of healthcare in such a fluid, auspicious way. Exceptional program!

I couldn't be happier with my first experience abroad. This program taught me a lot more than I thought I would learn about European healthcare, medicine in general, and myself. It was so much fun and I had time to travel to other cities in Spain while in the program. My coordinator was amazing and so helpful, and the people I met, students and hospital staff were all phenomenal people. If you're interested in healthcare or studying abroad in Spain/Portugal then this is the program for you, you definitely won't regret it.

I spent 3 weeks in Terceira, and had an amazing time. I learned a lot about European Healthcare, island life, and portuguese culture. In terms of my hospital experience, the physicians were super helpful, willing to speak english, and often went out of their way to explain everything to us. In terms of excursions, I really enjoyed going outside my comfort zone and doing many adventurous activities. I never would have thought to have visited a place like Terceira, and am so happy to have seen one of the most beautiful places in the world.

I spent 4 weeks on the island of Sao Miguel and can honestly say it was one of the best months of my life. I learned so much from being in the hospital and shadowed much closer to the doctors than I was expecting. You are placed directly into the operating room and the surgeons would take time during the surgery to explain to you what it is they were doing. The AP staff does an amazing job making sure you are comfortable and getting the most out of your time abroad. While learning about different specialties in the hospital, you also get to explore the island and learn about the culture of the Azores. I would join the Atlantis Project again in a heartbeat.

I enjoyed the program a lot. If you go into this program with enthusiasm and a desire to see and explore as much as you can you'll go far. You'll get as much out of it as you aim to. You'll see a lot of surgeries and if you make the effort to, you'll get to know a lot of the specialists really well. The location and scenario is incredible and you'll never want to leave.

I took part in a two-week session of the Atlantis Project last June. I always wanted to go abroad but knew that I would not be able to during the school year due to my double major and extra curricular activities. When I first heard about the Atlantis Project I knew that it was the perfect opportunity to not only go abroad to a country I have never visited before but also to get more hospital experience. The application for the program was very straightforward and easy to fill out. I was also happy to see how many options there were to choose from in terms of dates, lengths of the program, and places to travel. I chose to go to the Canary Islands in Spain (the island of Tenerife) because I have studied Spanish for a long time and knew that it would be a great opportunity to practice the language. When I first got to Tenerife, I was happy to see that everyone in the program got their own room and bathroom at the Residencia. There were three directors which helped us figure out where everything was and how to get places such as the hospital. It was very easy to get to the hospital and it was quite close to the Residencia. One of my favorite parts of the program was that we got to give our preferences for fields that we wanted to shadow doctors in. This let me explore multiple fields and helped me confirm what fields I want to go into in the future. The doctors were also extremely nice and even though a lot of doctor-patient conversations were in Spanish, they still translated what was happening especially when they were using medical terms that I could not understand. The hospital itself was also very nice and it was so exciting to wake up every morning and go there. After our hospital hours, some students took part in a volunteer opportunity during which they taught English to Spanish speakers. Other students went out to the town to have lunch together, explored new places, went to shops, or played sports outside the Residencia. A lot of days we were taken to have group dinners together and go on excursions. The excursions were truly amazing and included activities such as whale watching, hiking, exploring a cave, a tour of a vineyard, a flamenco show, and visiting beaches on the island. The Atlantis Project is honestly the perfect pre-health summer program. It was one of the most fun experiences I have ever had while also learning so much about medicine. I highly encourage everyone I know to apply and am going again myself this summer!

The Atlantis Project was a great opportunity for me to really experience what the typical day of a doctor is. This is very important for me and many others who want to be doctors. This program allowed me to experience different specialties and see what types of procedures are done in each. This way I was able to learn a lot about the specialty and see if it was something I was interested in as a future career. The accommodations were great, transport was easy and affordable. The doctors were very kind and amazing in explaining procedures to me. Grand Canaria was also a very nice island and I was able to do some tourist activities when I was not shadowing. I would recommend this program to anyone looking forwards to a Health career.

I participated in the Atlantis Project back in 2009, when AP was in its earliest years. I heard about the opportunity by chance, and decided to apply. I didn't speak any Portuguese and was unsure of what to expect with the internship. From the very beginning though, the people of the Azores welcomed us with open arms. Everyone was friendly and we were invited to participate in cultural experiences that convinced me of the generosity and spirit of camaraderie of the Azoreans. My internship at the hospital provided me with opportunities to shadow doctors from a range of specialties and to get a feel for what medicine is like in a country with a different health care system. I was able to see so much and do so much in just one summer, and I also made some friendships that will last a lifetime. I highly recommend this program to anyone who is pre-med or even just considering a health care profession - it's an opportunity of a lifetime!

The Atlantis Project is such a wonderful program. I was able to follow and learn from wonderful Doctors in orthopedics, ophthalmology, trauma, and acute care. These amazing physicians take the time to help you understand the procedures and surgeries they do while allowing you to ask questions. You have so many choices including oncology, pediatrics, neurosurgery, maxillofacial, gastroenterology, and cardiology just to name a few. Outside of hospital life there are beautiful beaches with pure black volcanic sands and a beach with sand from Africa! You can also visit the highest point in all of Spain which is a volcano called Mount Teide on Tenerife that is over 12,000 ft high! The best part is the lifelong friendships you make with the AP fellows. Smart and caring people that are on the same path of medicine make the trip all the more fun. I would highly recommend the Atlantis Project to anyone wanting to solidify his or her career goals in medicine, enjoy beautiful scenery and landscape, and meet incredible people for a lifetime friendship.

I participated in the Atlantis Project in Tenerife, Canary Islands during summer session 3 (July 27-August 31) of 2014. It was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. I thoroughly enjoyed the hospital internship, where I was able to shadow doctors in five different specialties and see more than I ever had volunteering in hospitals in the U.S. I participated in all of the weekend excursions and loved every single one of them. We had many different types of excursions, including hiking, festivals, whale and dolphin watching, and star gazing on top of a volcano, among other things. The friends I met while participating in the Atlantis Project were some of the best people I've ever met and I have remained in contact with most of them. The program was very organized and the coordinators were very helpful with our transition from the U.S. to the island. I would recommend the Atlantis Project to anyone pursuing a career in medicine.

I love to explore other countries but the Atlantis Project gave me the opportunity to what I think of as "travel with a purpose". I was able to return to my favorite country, Spain, and explore the unique environment of the Canary Islands while also shadowing surgeons and conversing with them in Spanish. I shadowed during neurosurgery, a gastric bypass, a hernia repair, breast tumor removals and countless other amazing surgeries that I had never before witnessed. I also was completely immersed in Spanish during the time at the hospital and became more fluent in Spanish in those two weeks than in my previous seven year of studying the language. I don’t think I could have had these experiences anywhere else but with the Atlantis Project. ! I also think that it is super important for students going into the healthcare field to have a globalized view of healthcare and the Atlantis Project is the one of the few programs I have found that offers the chance to do this. The Canary Islands has one of the most beautiful environments in the world. We would hike on the weekends and spend our late afternoons at the beach after our mornings at the hospital. How could you beat that? Spain also has amazing nightlife so there was always something to do, no matter the time of day. I met many other pre-med students from all over the US (and the world!) and we still keep in touch after the program, as we are all applying to medical school! The Atlantis Project has been an amazing experience in my life and I would recommend it to anyone considering a career in medicine.

This summer, I spent 5 weeks in La Laguna, Tenerife in the Canary Islands of Spain through the Atlantis Project and I cannot say enough good things about the program. The idea of the program is to give students firsthand observational experience across all types of medicine in hospitals. Over the course of 5 weeks, I spent time shadowing plastic surgeons, the ICU doctors, thoracic surgeons, dermatologists, and anatomic pathologists at the Hospital Universitaria de Las Canarias. Not only did the Atlantis Project help me to decide once and for all that healthcare was the field I wanted to go into, but it also helped me figure out which areas of healthcare interest me the most. Not only was I able to spend several hours a day doing rounds with doctors, sitting in on consults, and watching surgeries, but at the end of the day I also participated in Base 5. Base 5 was a fantastic way to give back to the community of doctors that had been so generous to let the interns follow them everywhere. Essentially, this program was an English immersion style class, where depending on the level of English the students are capable of, is lecture or discussion based. Not only did I feel good about sharing my knowledge with the doctors after they had shared so much with me, but it was also a great opportunity to talk to the doctors about the politics of Spain, the public system of healthcare and their views on it, and generally just getting to know them as people in a more informal environment. Outside of the "work" part of the internship, students participate in group activities several days a week, and there are always at least 2 group meals per day. Group activities consisted of hiking, exploring new towns, going to festivals, or hanging out at the beach. The cultural immersion in Spain was very interesting! The Atlantis Project provided Spanish lessons so help us assimilate better, and living in a dorm with full-time students at the University really helped everyone get adjusted to living in Tenerife. Not only was all of this incredibly enjoyable, but they really brought the group together. I think the part of the Atlantis Project that was the most rewarding was the relationships I was able to make during my time with AP. I met some great doctors, and the other interns in my group are some of the most genuine, intelligent, fun, and overall fantastic people I know, and 6 months later we all still talk every day in a group chat. Meeting lifelong friends is priceless, so I highly recommend the Atlantis Project.

Because the Atlantis Project began at UNC, I was somewhat familiar with the program before I applied. And as I began to work with the AP staff to plan my trip, select my specialties, and get a better feel for exactly what I would be doing, I knew I could expect great things once I was on the ground. Gran Canaria is an absolutely gorgeous island with a lot to offer to a variety of people with diverging interests. From outdoor activities, such as hiking and surfing, to food culture (which even as a vegetarian, was still incredible), to shopping and just enjoying the beaches, the environment is conducive to people of all types. Some of my most fun memories from my summer were going out on Thursdays for tapas in Vegueta, where the streets were packed with people enjoying good food and even better company. Even apart from the cultural offerings of the island, the landscapes and terrain of Gran Canaria are really something special. Gran Canaria offers sandy dunes in the South, views of neighboring island Tenerife from various peaks that we climbed during the summer, dramatic cliffsides, and even rocky beaches completely absent of sand. Switching to the internship side of things, I did full-time hospital shadowing as well as Base 5. I interned at the Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Dr. Nergín in Las Palmas for 5 weeks. During my time there I spent 1 week in cardiology, 1 week in neurosurgery, 1 week in general surgery, and 2 weeks with the orthopedic/spinal surgery team. The physicians, nurses, and assisting personnel at HUGC were some of the most inspiring, kind, and generous people that I have been fortunate enough to encounter. The time my physicians took to not only explain and teach, but to make sure I truly understood as much as possible, was humbling. The staff are excited to have students from abroad interested in learning about their profession and are curious about the differences between Spanish and American practices. Working with some of the top physicians allowed me to hone in on particular specialties that appealed to me while being able to see what it's really like to work within those fields. Shadowing in the O.R. for 4 weeks was something I would have not been able to do in the States, and I'm grateful to the AP for facilitating a program that allows students to be exposed to what this type of environment is really like. From reading my first EKG, to seeing a spinal instrumentation surgery, my experience at HUGC was an overwhelmingly positive one. Furthermore, teaching Base 5 to level B1 students was remarkably rewarding, even at the times where I felt challenged. Base 5 goes beyond teaching English; it involves cultural exchange, giving back, expressing your gratitude, learning to understand and empathize with others, getting a feel for what it means to teach, and becoming adept at accepting criticism and feedback in order to become a more effective instructor. Although I am sure that I learned more Spanish than the amount of English that I taught, I feel so privileged to have worked with such an amazing group of students. If you're interested in experiencing firsthand what it's like to work in a particular medical specialty, improving your Spanish skills, wandering through an alluring island with motivated students from around the world, and gaining truly unique experiences developing perspective, I would recommend applying to the Atlantis Project.

The Atlantis Project was a program that I stumbled across on Facebook. Immediately, I went to the website and applied. I was accepted and then my summer unfolded. The Atlantis Project changed my life. It was definitely a once in a lifetime experience. I had never heard of the Azores Islands before the Atlantis Project and I think that was one of the biggest draws to the Islands. Once we were on the island, we explored over 80% of it as well as spent over 125 hours in the hospital. I was able to observe operations in the operating room, round on patients, and get to experience everyday doctor life. When we finished at the hospital, we always had a fun activity to attend to. Whether it was visiting a 16th century military fort or hiking through a forest, there was never a dull moment on the island. I feel like I was completely immersed in the culture and was able to experience what medicine in a different country was like. It was fascinating to be able to compare medicine in America to medicine in another country. I would do it all again in a heart beat.

Any type of study abroad experience will undoubtedly leave a student enchanted by the idea that various aspects of life are so vastly different from what he or she may be used to in their native country. Apart from being intrigued by the community and culture in Gran Canaria, I was taken aback by the lifestyle I was exposed to within the healthcare system in Spain. The doctors are different people than the doctors one would find in the United States, in some ways for the better and some ways not. On a whole, I appreciated very much the humble and dedicated way in which the Canarian doctors taught us what was going on in our assigned specialities, how to do certain things, and how to act in particular situations. I will never forget the invaluable shadowing experiences I learned from, nor the advice the surgeons I met gave me for living life as a whole as I take the next steps to becoming a doctor in American medicine.

The Atlantis Project allowed me to shadow doctors in a variety of specialties. Every week I switched specialties. Personally I shadowed a hematologist, a thoracic surgeon, a nephrologist and an ophthalmologist. While shadowing, I was allowed to be present when the doctor consulted patients, was even allowed to scrub in with the surgeons and observe the surgeries they performed that day. The doctors' english was not always great but they always tried to explain the procedures they performed. The residents were very friendly as well. We were also able to hold english language classes for the hospital staff. Outside of the hospital we were able explore the city, spanish cuisine and enjoy the beach. With the whole group we were able to visit surrounding cities, go on multiple hikes and experience many touristic events.