High School Medical Immersion Program in Zagreb, Croatia

I loved all the people I was with and we spent a lot of time together going to fun places like a national Park and the coast. I learned so much in the hospital and got to see a lot of different specialties and a lot of surgeries. The Atlantis team was so helpful and answered any questions that I had before the fellowship started and made me feel so well prepared to fly to Europe by myself for the first time. I made lots of friends and learned a lot about Croatia and the people that live there. While in the hospital I did something different almost everyday and got to see stuff that helped me to decide what kind of doctor I want to become (surgeon) and help to point me towards a few specialties I maybe interested in. This is also going to be a great addition to my college applications.

This past month I have had the opportunity to shadow OBGYN, ER/General Surgery OR, Oncology, and Pediatrics with my Atlantis fellowship program in the Sisters of Charity Hospital here in Zagreb. This program has given me the experience of a lifetime, and I have learned and seen more than I ever imagined I would.

My first week in OBGYN was very inspirational. We saw tons of births, both natural and through C section, and each time I was amazed and overwhelmed with how beautiful it is to see life coming into the word. I’ve always had an interest in this field of medicine, but now my passion for it has grown exponentially and I could really see myself pursuing this career. We got very close to these doctors, visited them each week exchanged emailed and numbers, and now one of them is actually coming to visit the states next month and asked me to reach out to her to meet up. This connection is incredible, and she said that one day if I am a doctor to reach out to her again. This support is like nothing I've ever experienced in the states.

The second week my partner and I were in the ER, and General Surgery OR. I found myself thrilled to watch various surgeries including hip replacements, mastectomies, and even a 6 hour long cytoreductive procedure removing tumors from the all over the abdominal cavity. I literally lost count how many procedures we saw, it was the most exposure I've ever had in an OR. The surgeons and anesthesiologists were so kind and interactive with me because my partner and I showed so much interest. We got to see absolutely incredible procedures, things that only residents would have the opportunity to observe in the states because of how competitive it is in the US. It is life changing to see the inside of a body beating with a pulse right before your eyes.

The next week we were in Oncology which was a great learning experience. I learned so much about cancer, chemotherapy, and the chemistry behind the drugs they use. They are very brave to work in this field because they really are fighting for their patients lives. This week showed me that all of the pre med classes I have taken in school really do come in handy and are applicable to the real world. Who knew I would be thrilled to share my knowledge of biochemistry and organic chemistry when learning about the chemotherapy drugs.
The final week we were in pediatrics, specifically the gastro department of pediatrics. This hospital has the center for eating disorders, so most of our patients were younger teenage kids who suffered from eating disorders. This week was very eye opening and gave me such a strong sense of compassion for these kids. We learned a great deal about the effects on the body these eating disorders cause, a topic I had never learned much about in school. We got to witness the most vulnerable patient interaction which was very inspiring.

I’m so thankful for what this program has shown me and taught me, and thankful for the support my friends and family give me to pursue my dream career.

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.

I had originally planned to attend the Harvard Pre-College Summer Program this past summer; however financial restrictions left me unable to attend. I stumbled upon The Atlantis Fellowship online and immediately applied without thinking I would actually be accepted. The interview went very well, and the Atlantis team kept touch with me after providing me and my family with adequate information to make the decision to move on with the fellowship - all of our questions were answered and traveling across the world by myself seemed much less scary.

Throughout the fellowship, I never stopped learning, whether it be in the hospital, around the town of Tomelloso, or on excursions. The hospital staff were extremely open to teaching, and my passion for medicine was greatly heightened. I learned about many procedures and medications, and I was even able to practice stitches on a cloth! The town and excursions allowed me to absorb the culture of Spain. Because of Atlantis, I feel more prepared in beginning my medical career and I hope to attend another fellowship in the future.