Why did you pick this program?
Betsy: I picked Gap Medics because I was dying to get more hands on experience. I wanted to see how different emergency medicine is in other parts of the world. I was impressed with Gap Medics' social media and how much experience I could gain.
What do you wish someone had told you before you went abroad?
Betsy: I wish somebody had told me not to be afraid to make mistakes. I was very timid my first week abroad, scared to make the tiniest grammar mistakes in public. But, what I soon realized was making mistakes is how you improve the most. And, there are worse things than being corrected by a smiling baker who is already impressed that you are trying to speak French!
My host mom even told me she thought it was adorable when I made small errors, but always ended the laugh with a lesson on how it should be said. My French would not be as good as it is now without the many mistakes I learned from.
What is the most important thing you learned abroad?
Betsy: The most important thing that I learned abroad was to appreciate how lucky we are. I did not appreciate simple medical equipment such as gloves until traveling abroad. It was a big reality check to realize how much medical equipment we waste. Traveling abroad made me realize that emergency medicine is the one thing I hope to do for the rest of my life.
What do you tell your friends who are thinking about going abroad?
Betsy: I tell my friends that traveling abroad was the smartest decision I have ever made. The amount of information you learn and the amount of involvement is only possible abroad.
What's your favorite story to tell about your time abroad?
Betsy: I was able to assist in procedures on teenagers that were my age. It was pretty shocking how much respect they had for me after realizing we were the same age. I connected with younger patients on a different level than the rest of the staff.