Join Atlantis: Pre-Health Shadowing 60+ Hrs w/ Top Doctors

Every morning we woke up early and grabbed the bus to the hospital. Once there we met up with our doctors, we shadowed them for the rest of the day till late afternoon. We were able to change specialties every week and got to see a multitude of surgeries. I personally got to shadow in Hematology, Thoracic surgery, Endocrinology, Ophthalmology and nephrology. The doctors were amazing! Most of them spoke some english but either way we were able to practice our language skills with them or with patients. They were also very patient and explained the procedures to us in detail. They were allowed us to scrub in on their surgeries which allowed us to see some amazing procedures. We were only allowed to watched for patient safety. The doctors even allowed us to shadow them when they were consulting patients which was very interesting to see how these two interacted. The residents were very friendly and helpful too.
At night we had time to explore the city, see the major cities on the islands and visit the major tourist areas. Some nights there were group dinners or activities which was a good opportunity to bond and swap stories about the surgeries or other exciting events we experienced that day.
During the weekends we had group activities planned which usually included hikes and visits to other cities and tourist activities.

I absolutely fell in love with this internship. I learned and got to see so much! I saw numerous surgeries each day, was immersed in the culture, experienced wonderful food, amazing warmth and hospitality within the Portuguese culture, and made a few wonderful friendships.
I loved that we were introduced to aspects of the Portuguese culture (parades, festas, etc.) as well as able to participate in beautiful nature hikes and leisure time at the beach. I also love that we had the opportunity to not only teach English, but also to learn Portuguese through the available classes. It was an awesome once in a life time experience I would be crazy to have passed up.

This was a summer unlike any other! I met some of the best doctors and of course I made some great friends! I would recommend this internship to anyone. The only con is the cost of the internship. I was in the Azores for 1 month and the Canary Islands fof another month. I had a blast and I plan on going back very soon!

The healthcare exposure was outstanding. Being able to view surgeries in the surgical theater is an experience that is hard to come by in the United States. You also get to observe a different health care system than that of the United States, and this itself is insightful.

The excursions were beautiful and very diverse in nature. They ranged from hiking to whale watching. You will not be bored from the activities.

This internship was a reminder that even though opportunities can come your way, it is up to you in terms of how much you learn and receive from these opportunities. A little timid in terms of asking and creating opportunities for myself, I was challenged during the shadowing portion to really be proactive and develop further opportunities myself, a crucial skill that is necessary as we enter the professional field.
Language Barrier:
Even though a language barrier existed, the warm atmosphere and the help of the staff and locals helped me fully receive the Tenerife culture in all aspects. With a weaker Spanish background, I was motivated to study and learn Spanish more because I wanted to embrace the culture quickly.
Shadowing:
Most of the days included visits to the hospital with the opportunity to shadow many different types of specialities that may be harder to shadow back in the United States. My shadowing experiences helped me realize the caliber of programs or experiences I will experience as I further my field in pre-medicine and medicine. With exposure and interaction with real patients, the level of professionalism and expectations are clearly higher than any previous program. I was able to realize and/or remember the reasons why I chose this field as I met the different doctors and patients.
Excursions:
Excursions were good and kept us busy. I would have liked to have at least one free day every two weeks or so to relax. (Everyday is scheduled) I loved the excursions but wished it also included a trip to Siam Park (Best Water park in Europe).

Overall, with the right people and experiences, I think this internship could really teach and effect a lot of students interested in this field. Not only are you able to meet fellow peers, you can experience a realistic view of the medical field.

I had the opportunity to visit Tenerife in the Canary Island for 5 weeks, and it was one of the best pre-medical and personal experiences I've ever had. Working in the Spanish healthcare system gave me firsthand insight into universal healthcare. I believe it gave me the chance to form my own opinion on a topic that is so controversial in the U.S. The program also introduced me to a culture other than my own. I loved learning the language, visiting sites all over the island, seeing festivals, and trying new food. The coordinators were very friendly and were always there if you needed them! I would definitely recommend the program to anyone!