Atlantis

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.

My Atlantis fellowship was so valuable. It gave me an opportunity to witness first hand medicine in a new culture and learn from doctors there. Medicine in every culture is different so understanding the differences in medical practice was so interesting. I gained an understanding of the hospital and foundation as a whole. Living in another country was so empowering and helped me with personal development. I was sad to leave our fellowship and would go back if I had the chance.

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.