Program Reviews

In Summer 2022 I shadowed abroad in Vigo, Spain with Atlantis through the University of Florida and it was incredible ! After my first year of college , I decided that the business field did not capture everything I wanted so in 2020 I made the switch to the pre-med track. With Covid blooming I had a hard time finding shadowing opportunities due to safety and health concerns in hospitals. I resorted to virtual shadowing and learned all I could but I still wanted to have a in-person experience with physicians. My academic advisor brought to me the Atlantis shadow abroad in Spain and I jumped on the opportunity. In this experience I left the country for my first time and submerged myself in the Spanish culture. I always wanted to study abroad but it never worked with my schedule given all my pre-reqs. Atlantis allowed me to scratch that itch and be one-on-one to two-on-one with physicians in Spain. I went for four weeks and shadowed a different specialty every week ( ER, Neurology, ICU, Vascular Surgery) culminating a total of 96 hours. I got to see even more than those 4 specialties because the doctors would invite me to see more operations and consults. My experience opened my eyes to the various healthcare systems and has allowed me to better understand the different ways of approaching health.
I LOVED my location and where I got to live. For my first time out of the country I felt safe and secure Las I explored the city. I got to connect with prehealth students and also network with the physicians I met by getting their emails and keeping up contact. As I apply for medical schools now in the US this experience is consistently one I bring up in explaining my journey and love for medicine. I have grown tremendously in understanding of the duties and responsibility of a doctor because of this experience !

My Atlantis experience in Genoa was a transformative chapter that seamlessly intertwined academic exploration, cultural immersion, and personal growth. Through shadowing medical professionals, I gained invaluable insights into the intricacies of healthcare, fostering a deeper understanding of my future role as a speech language pathologist. Beyond the hospital, the city itself became my classroom, teaching me the art of cultural adaptability and offering a profound appreciation for diversity.

The guidance of our dedicated city manager, coupled with Atlantis' comprehensive support, ensured that every facet of the program was seamlessly orchestrated, allowing me to focus on extracting the utmost value from each moment. From indulging in delectable local cuisine to forming lasting bonds with peers from around the globe, every interaction contributed to a profound sense of cultural humility and camaraderie.

In retrospect, this experience has not only reinforced my passion for the medical field but also imparted life lessons that extend beyond textbooks. As I embark on the next phase of my journey, I carry with me a global perspective, an open heart, and the confidence to navigate the intricate tapestry of healthcare and human connection.

I really liked the program- it was fun and educational. It definitely helped me reach my pre-health career goals. I feel like the doctors I shadowed were able to communicate with me well in English. I was also able to practice my Spanish skills while living in Spain. I enjoyed the beauty of Majorca and loved meeting students with similar goals. I also loved my city manager who made me feel at home and taught me many things about Spain. I would recommend this program to any student that would like to be abroad while reaching their goals.

This experience was one I will never forget. You learn so much in all aspects of the program. You get an accurate view in the medical field, and you become immersed in the culture surrounding you. I made so many new friends while I was there and we went on plenty of adventures. I would easily do this again. If you're even thinking about doing this, then go ahead. You won't find this experience anywhere else. This definitely gave me a better understanding of what I want to do in the medical field.

This is a must do for every premed and future healthcare worker! Shadowing outside the US provides students with a unique experience to learn about a healthcare system different from the US and how it affects its patients. There are different cases and diseases you may experience and learn about that you otherwise would not have. The doctors are so helpful and want to teach the students and make it as memorable an experience as possible. When I was not shadowing, I was immersed in the culture with my amazing Atlantis group. The excursions were a lot of fun and a great way to see other parts of Spain that I never would have visited! My city manager was excellent as well, and made sure all of us were getting the most out of our shadowing and time in Valladolid. I cannot say enough positive things about this experience and encourage everyone to go and try it for themselves. 100% would do it again!

I thoroughly enjoyed my month spent in Spain. I had a wonderful shadowing experience in many different areas, created great connections with doctors, made new friends, and immersed myself in a new culture. I would recommend taking some Spanish before going just to have an idea of what’s going on. I never felt overwhelmed with shadowing it was just five hours a day Monday-Thursday. Each Friday we did a fun group excursion, and my study abroad group grew close so each weekend we would travel to other cities/countries together. I cannot recommend this program enough!

Overall, the experience I had was more than expected. Venice is a city that is full of tourists, and with that, it can be difficult to understand its authentic culture from the lens of a tourist. By being in this program, not only was I able to shadow incredibly intelligent doctors and surgeons, but I was also able to understand how medicine is distributed to patients in a cultural context I was not accustomed to. Some of my favorite memories was seeing residents dancing with each other right before an orthopedic surgery and learning of the homeplace of the first doctor I shadowed. Additionally, I was able to go on excursions where I could understand Italy better, as they were less touristy places. This definitely broadened my perspective of medicine, and I think I am better equipped with some knowledge and understanding that will help me in my future medical ambitions.

This experience was very educational and also fun! Atlantis does a great job with creating a good balance between shadowing hours and organized group events and excursions. We had organized group dinners and an excursion each week! I got to learn so much in each of my rotations in the hospital and also outside of the hospital learning about the city I was in and the other cities we visit as a group! I highly recommend this program if you are a pre-health student looking for more experience and want to go abroad!

This experience has been something I’ll never forget, both in terms of the memories I made with my group and the things I experienced at the hospital while shadowing. I am so grateful to have had this experience. I was able to experience not only the social scene in Italy and explore the country with my free time, but also got structured group activities as well as the hospital shadowing. I felt supported throughout the program and this program is definitely something I wish I’d known about sooner.

I truly had a wonderful time on this program, and learned so much about both medicine and culture in Italy. The housing was clean and safe, and my program manager was so kind and helpful. I truly enjoyed every day and am thankful for this memorable experience! The various departments in the hospital that I shadowed allowed for me to have a more comprehensive understanding of the multitude of specialties in medicine. Overall, I highly recommend this program, as it not only is helpful towards a future career in medicine, but also makes for a very fun week exploring a new city and culture.