My Summer Shadowing with Atlantis, Italy!

What a summer! I had the opportunity to fly over to Italy and spend three weeks shadowing some of the most talented surgeons in the country - one being the head of the department who is one of the top 10 surgeons in the world! I attended the Italian program in Milan at the San Rafaelle Hospital. I'll break this review down into two; 1. shadowing and 2. experience outside the hospital. Firstly, you begin your days very early as expected, you commute to the hospital, which I personally thought it was good overall since we became familiar with public transportation and got ourselves more organized to arrive in time. I personally had the chance to watch a handful of surgeries in cardiac-surgery and hematology/oncology. My very last department was the Neurology, and although I did not have time to get in neurosurgery, I managed to see very interesting and shocking cases - some of those you did not believe were possible. The way in which Atlantis organizes your week was very effective as they focused one department per week. In this way, you are able to build a better relationship with doctors and residents and get familiar with the department in a more adequate manner. Additionally, the interaction with doctors was not as challenging as you'd expect when speaking another language. Most physicians were able to speak English, and if not, there was always a medical student who was able to accompany you throughout the day. Although their schedules are busy, your presence does not come as inconvenient or disrupting as the staff treats you like any other medical student of theirs, and are open to questions and teaching. Although it is not a hands-on experience, observation is a key factor in learning - there is nothing that compares to a heart in a textbook to a beating heart right in front of you. Secondly, outside the hospital was just as thrilling. All the fellows in my group got along well, we built a sort of family among us and it was very fulfilling to be able to leave the hospital and meet your friends afterwards for a lovely meal or go out and explore the city. The site managers were our absolute favourite. Initially, I was nervous in coming into a group of strangers and dealing with three strict adult managers, however my expectations were blown-up: the site managers were the most charismatic, social and caring people I have met, specially when dealing with this many people all together (our group was of 28). They were proactive, were always at your disposition for help and provided us the best of all activities and plan b's when something went wrong. Their constant energy and personalities enabled us to create a better sense of community among us and made all of this even more worth it. I could go on forever, but my final say is the following: Atlantis is a unique experience. You get the shadowing experience, where back home I do not have that much of a direct access to with doctors, surgeries, patients and learning as well as the social experience, when meeting your fellows, site managers and exploring the city you will be living in for a while. It is the best of both worlds and every penny is worth it.