Gap Medics

This experience was hands-down the most amazing two weeks of my life. The experience of shadowing hospitals in a foreign country is so valuable because I learned how different the health care system is compared to what I am used to. More importantly, I got to experience first hand what my dream profession would be like through shadowing incredibly talented mentors, as well as getting a feel for working in a hospital environment. Not only did I learn about medical procedures, medical conditions, etc., but I also learned a lot about which future profession truly suits me. I also made life-long friends with awesome like-minded people on this trip, and I will never forget the memories we made together. Aside from our shadowing placements in the hospital, we had the opportunity to experience Dominican culture through fun activities and excursions such as trips to the beach, ATVs, and a sunset cruise. This trip was the perfect blend of a valuable, academic shadowing experience and a fun, cultural immersion with amazing people.

This experience leaves you fully appreciating the struggles a less economically developed country faces when it comes to medicine. The opportunity to shadow doctors in a variety of departments and explore the differences in treatment options for patients in the country compared to your own is incredible. I thoroughly enjoyed my placement, had lots of fun during the placement as well as in the activities. The staff are incredible from the moment they pick you up from the airport to saying goodbye. The rooms vary in size, normally sharing with 4/5 other people. There is always a night supervisor and security surrounding the house. The food is very good with plenty of options each night. After placement, there is a variety of fun activities such as a sunset cruise, horse riding, roller skating etc. Overall it was a very valuable experience as it is a great to talk about at interviews, whilst giving you extra work experience!

I had an amazing two weeks there and would recommend this experience to anyone who is unsure if they are ready to go to medical school. The doctors that you shadow are very informative and do their best that each student gets to see various procedures in the hospital as well as targeting each area of interest. A couple things they could improve on is having an itinerary of what the two weeks will look like, sending price lists of various activities that you can do in the afternoon and having the La Romana staff contact students prior to arrival instead of at arrival. Other than that, the hands-on experience is something that is crucial in medicine and the ability to ask the doctors about each step is something that I loved most about the program.

This trip was an experience of a life time and one I wish I could relive everyday. It was my first time truly travelling alone, but the people you meet as well as the amazing staff at the house become a second family instantly. The hospital, Dr Dario Contreras is a place I will never forget. I was assigned to Neurosurgery with Dr Vasquez and Dr Carreras and they made our assigned group feel so welcome and always made sure we understood what was going on and if we had any questions at all. We were invited to as many surgeries as possible, and standing in the OR watching so many amazing procedures is such a privilege and one I treasured everyday there, as it is something that simply doesn’t happen at my age. We accompanied the doctors on patient rounds and consultations getting an immense learning platform for their field and the medical field in general.
This program is one I suggest to anyone wanting a career in healthcare at any level. Once you go you will never want to leave.

I spent 2 weeks in DR on placement for nursing in July and they were possibly the 2 best, and most formative, weeks of my life! I learnt a lot about my dream career and about myself as I spent time shadowing nurses providing primary care to very ill patient in the ER; watching nurses as they performed essential daily duties such as administering medication and vaccinations; and observing various surgeries including multiple c-sections and hernia removals! My hospital mentors were great and really helped to answer my questions and get me the most out of my time in the hospital. One highlight for me was a workshop lead by one particular mentor where we learnt (and practiced) how to suture using a pigs foot. I felt like a proper nurse!! Outside of the hospital, there were always loads of activities on offer. I went on the Saona Island day trip as well and doing ATV driving and getting my nails done with my friends- there really is something for everyone! However, my favourite afternoons were often the ones I spent reading by the pool or playing ‘water volleyball’ with my new friends. The people definitely made the experience for me. I am from Northern Ireland, but I now have friends from America, Canada, Spain, Greece... the list goes on. The staff were also really amazing- from lovely Tom who answered my every question from the day I signed up to the day I left, to Traben and Jess who became friends and people I could trust and talk to. Thank you!!!