Atlantis (Pre-Health Summer) Reviews

This Atlantis Fellowship in Pavia, Italy was by far one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had. The appeal of combining two things I love - traveling and health - was one I could not let pass. The healthcare professionals in Pavia were some of the kindest I have yet met, more than eager to enlighten us on the procedures we witnessed or problems we came across. They went out of their way to explain the medical terms and procedures to us. I truly learned so much through their help and guidance. As for the cultural aspect, Italy will always have a place in my heart. Getting to know a smaller town such as Pavia, discovering all its hidden treasures and even living like an Italian for a short amount of time was unforgettable. Another huge aspect of this program which became a win for me was the people I met throughout it. I can say I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent with my group there. Overall, this was a priceless experience that helped enhance my medical and cultural scope.

I loved getting to see different sides of medicine and learn about their healthcare system. Not only did we shadow, we had a meeting with the emergency control center to learn about their “911” system. Overall, I made a really good connection with one of the doctors I was shadowing and felt comfortable asking him questions. All of the doctors understand/speak English! I also made close friends throughout the process that I have visited in the US! So worth it I already talk about things I experienced!

I did a 3-week program in Rome, Italy, and it was such an incredible experience. I shadowed in the OB-GYN, internal medicine, and endoscopy departments, which gave me the chance to see a wide range of cases and learn from different doctors. Every day was a little different, and it was eye-opening to compare how healthcare works in Italy versus at home.

One of the best parts was meeting so many new people. Our group got really close, and I’m still in touch with several of them today. The program leaders were also amazing — they made everything run smoothly, but also hung out with us outside of the hospital. We had group dinners, explored the city together, and it honestly felt like a little family by the end.

Of course, being in Rome was a highlight in itself. After shadowing, I’d wander around the city, grab gelato, or just get lost in all the history around me. If you’re thinking about doing this program, I’d say go for it. It’s a perfect mix of medical experience, cultural immersion, and making friendships that last. Overall, I couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend three weeks abroad.

I can't help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude for the incredible experiences I've had during my Atlantis study abroad trip shadowing doctors. From the intricacies of orthopedics to the delicate procedures in cardiology and the fast-paced environment of general surgery, every moment has been invaluable. I was especially blessed to witness a triple bypass surgery and pig aorta valve surgery, and a hip replacement, as well as spending unforgettable time in the orthopedics ER with Dr. Dmitry Cherkes Zade.

Beyond the medical realm, I've cherished the time spent exploring Venice and visiting the neighboring cities of Padua and Florence. Murano, with its stunning glass art, also captured my heart. A highlight was visiting the University of Padua, where luminaries like Galileo and William Harvey once taught, and viewing an anatomical theatre. And the Basilica of St. Anthony, the final resting place of St. Anthony and Gabrielis Fallopii, the man who discovered the fallopian tubes.

Overall, I am immensely thankful for this journey, which has broadened my horizons and deepened my passion for medicine.

I had a great overall experience during this shadowing program. I learned a lot shadowing their doctors. I was able to shadow in a variety of specialties and two different hospitals. One aspect that was very refreshing was seeing patient care centered solely on the patients best interest without the consideration of insurance or how they are going to afford any of their treatments. Overall the experience was very informative and fun. Our city manager was also very helpful, and easy going! I loved my experience, and if i had the opportunity I would do another one!

I had the best time learning from various doctors in the hospital. I was able to ask so many questions and see lots of procedures and surgeries up close! I enjoyed my free time exploring the city and learning about the culture. Everyone who was on the trip was great and we made good friendships!! By the end of the trip we were so close and found ourselves exploring more and more areas of the city. We even started picking up a lot of the basics of the language and were able to communicate well!!!

During my experience in Greece, we shadowed doctors in a local Athens hospital. I was able to observe a variety of different surgeries and procedures. In our free time we were allowed to explore the city of Athens and even island hop to any surrounding island or anywhere we had the time to go to. I made life long friendships with people I did not even know before the program and my experience was amazing. I would recommend going abroad over and over again, it was so much fun and I am so happy I decided to do it.

Atlantis gave me a life-changing opportunity. As a pre-med student, I really thought it was going to be impossible for me to study abroad, given the rigorous course loads that accompany most pre-med majors. However, Atlantis provided me with an experience that challenged me, allowed me to immerse myself in a new culture while studying medicine, discover the beauty and uniqueness of an entirely different healthcare system, and make amazing connections with people my age as well as medical professionals. I will be forever grateful to Atlantis for my abroad experience, and would love to share how amazing it was with curious and similar-minded students who are searching for a transformative and unparalleled experience.

I really enjoyed shadowing in Budapest over the summer through the Atlantis pre med program. I learned a lot at the hospital I went to and became friends with all of the doctors. Some gave me letters of recommendation and some I am still in contact with. Also it was cool to see how healthcare is done in another country other than America where I live. There were a lot of cool differences. It was also cool to do excursions on our trip like taking a boat on a lake and eating at nice restaurants. This trip was the best moments of my life up to this point and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is thinking of going to become a doctor as it teaches you a lot about what it is like to be a doctor and you get to have fun doing it.

Over the summer, I participated in the Atlantis shadowing program in Lisbon, and I loved it! I got the chance to interact with many different medical providers which allowed me to get first-hand perspectives on what it is like to work in the medical field. One thing that pleasantly surprised me was the fact that I was not only able to interact with physicians, but I also got to interact with other professionals such as nurses, which also offer a unique perspective on the field. It was very interesting to observe how the medical system works in Portugal, as it opened my eyes to how medicine differs and is similar around the world. Additionally, I loved getting the opportunity to learn more about what life is like in Portugal. Personally, I enjoyed being able to live life as people typically do in Lisbon, such as being able to walk everywhere and take public transportation. I loved learning about the Portuguese culture, especially through my amazing city managers! Overall, this experience was incredible and allowed me to learn more about medicine while simultaneously learning more about a culture different to my own.