Study

Shadow Doctors 20+ Hrs/Week w/ #1 Pre-Health Provider

Name: Shadow Doctors 20+ Hrs/Week w/ #1 Pre-Health Provider
Brand: Atlantis (Pre-Health Summer)
SKU: 229059
Rating: 4.96 (54 reviews)

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Atlantis (Pre-Health Summer)

4.96 (54 reviews)

Good for

Students

Building your resume

Adventure travelers

Shadow Doctors 20+ Hrs/Week w/ #1 Pre-Health Provider

Atlantis (Pre-Health Summer)

4.96 · 54 reviews

Community Choice Award Winner

Location

Spain

Term

J-Term, Maymester, Short Term, Summer, Winter

Subject Areas

Anthropology Asian American Studies Asian Studies Biology Chemistry Communications Creative Writing Earth Sciences Education Engineering Environmental Studies Food Science and Nutrition Gender Studies Global Studies Graduate Studies Health Sciences Human Rights Humanities Kinesiology Life Sciences Linguistics Medicine Natural Sciences Nursing Physical Therapy Physics Pre-Med Psychology Public Health Social Sciences Sociology Speech-Language Pathology Sports Science Statistics Women's Studies +25

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Program Details

Program Type

Provider

Housing

Apartment

Pricing

Price Details

Program cost varies based on location and length of program. View the Dates and Fees page on our website for more information.

What's Included

Accommodation Some Activities Some Meals SIM cards Transportation Wifi

What's Not Included

Some Activities Airfare Some Meals Transportation Visa

Last Updated: Jan 30, 2026

Last Reviewed: Feb 10, 2026

Wish List

103 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Atlantis by CEA CAPA Abroad is the largest and most reputable pre-health study abroad organization for US undergraduates. With shadowing experiences in Madrid, Sevilla, Barcelona and more, what better way to gain 60+ clinical hours than in the beautiful and warm country of Spain. Not only will students be shadowing in top European hospitals with well-esteemed physicians, but students also have the opportunity to explore the rich culture that their host city has to offer.

Students build lasting relationships with physicians in various specialties and observe patient care from start to finish. Knowing how different healthcare teams operate and communicate is a great way for students to reflect on their own leadership skills. With alumni in 40 of the top 50 MD programs, Atlantis prepares students for a future career in healthcare.

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COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

This program offers immersive medical shadowing in Spain with supportive doctors and staff, blending hands-on learning with cultural experiences and group excursions.

AI-generated summary from verified community reviews Read reviews →

Program Highlights

Programs run during winter and summer breaks so there is no need to take time off during your academic semesters!
Rotate weekly through different specialties to gain exposure to various medical practices and procedures.
Immerse yourself in a program abroad to understand healthcare in a global context, and embark on weekly excursions to experience Spanish culture, sights, and food.
You do not need to know Spanish to have an amazing and impactful experience!
Start dates for summer in May, June, and July, and for winter in December and January.

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Program Reviews

4.96 Rating

based on 54 reviews

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Rating Spread Intern Study

5 rating 96.3%
4 rating 3.7%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Growth 5
Support 4.95
Fun 4.95
Housing 4.6
Safety 5

Academics 3.9
Support 4.8
Fun 5
Housing 4.65
Safety 4.9

Good for Students, Building your resume, Adventure travelers

Showing 1 - 8 of 54 reviews

This program allowed me to shadow doctors and healthcare professionals in a rural hospital in Madrid, Spain for three weeks. This unique experience allowed me to develop meaningful relationships with my peers, the doctors I followed, and the patients I encountered in various departments of the hospital. I also was able to have the chance to travel on the weekends, which offered me a chance for personal growth, adventure, and soul-searching. This opportunity helped me confirm my passion for medicine and allowed me to see the unique perspective of foreign healthcare, especially with the language barrier. Overall, I had an amazing time, and would recommend this experience to any pre-medical student interested in going abroad.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?

The most nerve-racking moment I encountered was communicating with the healthcare workers in Spanish. As a Spanish minor in Spain, I wanted to practice my skills, and it was hard to build up the confidence to do so. When I got comfortable, however, I found this leap of faith to be super beneficial to the experience.

Pros

Independence
Opportunity for Learning
Lifelong Friendships

I loved my Barcelona program through Atlantis. The staff was so helpful and my peers made the experience unforgettable. I received over 60 shadowing hours to use for my applications and many stories to include like being in the operating room and having physicians talk to me about procedures while they were happening! We were also able to spend a lot of time exploring the city and surrounding areas. Public transportation was easy and housing was modern and clean. I honestly would love to do it again!

Atlantis was such an amazing first time hospital experience! Even through the language barrier I still had the time of my life! Everyone in the hospital was super friendly and treated me like family. This gave me an amazing insight into an environment I could possibly be in within the near future. The program outside of the hospital was almost better than the in hospital experience. The Friday excursions were always a blast and we had plenty of free time to explore Spain on our own. I met some very special people and made connections for life. I am beyond thankful for my experience and would definitely do it again if my schedule permits it.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

Freshen up on your language! I definitely should have prepared better for that! Luckily I had two translators within the group who I grew very close with.

Pros

Lifetime connections
Seeing new parts of the world
Learning about spain culture

Cons

Language barrier
n/a
n/a

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!!!

What was your funniest moment?

I had a funny moment when I was passing a local on the streets with my friends from the group. I found myself speaking english but with a spanish accent, everyone laughed about it, you really do pick up the language!

Pros

exposure to procedures
group bonding
cultural

Cons

little sleep

This trip was one of the best things I’ve done for both my personal and professional life. It allowed me to both gain shadowing hours and learn from respected healthcare professionals in a different country. There was plenty of time to explore as well when not at the hospital. Group dinners and excursions were great ways to get to know people on the trip and see more of the country. I didn’t know anyone before going on this trip which was very nerve wracking, but I left with some lifelong friends!

It was a fun way to travel on your own, but still have people in your group. It’s a great to beginning traveling as a young person. You get the chance to make a bunch of great friends, try new foods, and see new things. You get to shadow different units of a hospital, and can choose to visit a country in a different language and try to hone your skills. You get an outside view of different healthcares and how people live in different countries and cultures. You get to live with others so you won’t be on your own either. So it’s a lot less scary.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?

Flying to a different country on my own and then taking a bus to get to my destination.

Pros

Shadowing experience
Made new friends
Traveling

Cons

Expensive

I honestly did not know what to expect from this program, but I can say with everything that I had a great time. I learned so many things about the culture and the healthcare system. I also made some new friends. If you ever have doubts about shadowing aboard let me be the first to tell you to do it because you will have a great time and learn so many new things. I am so grateful to the Atlantis program for providing me this opportunity to shadow abroad. I will never forget this experience!!!!!!!

This experience was life-changing! I had the opportunity to observe various surgeries and procedures with the nephrology and general surgery units at HUBU. The doctors were extremely nice and excited to have us come and shadow. I was nervous about taking a trip with other students I didn't know but I truly loved everyone I met and had an amazing trip! It was a cool way to practice my Spanish and learn more about medicine! The housing was also nice because it was close to the bus we took every morning to the hospital. The housing was also near La Plaza Mayor with many amazing shops and eateries!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

Baby squid!

Shadowing with the Nephrology team at HUBU!

Our group in front of the Burgos Cathedral

Our group in front of HUBU before our first day!

My favorite anesthesiologist after the last surgery I watched.

Questions & Answers

Hello! What are the fees for this shadowing opportunity?

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I chose this program because I wanted to experience healthcare in Spain as well as to enhance my Spanish abilities. I chose a smaller city in order to experience genuine Spanish culture and have more intimate interactions within the hospital. As a Pre-Med student, it is difficult to go abroad, but this program provided a unique opportunity to go overseas and gain valuable shadow hours in the hospital.

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

Atlantis is very hands-on. They will be in contact with you before, during, and after the program. You are responsible for traveling to/from your host city, however, they offer guidance on trains, buses, airports, etc. Atlantis plans one to two weekly group dinners and group excursions, however, most meals and any additional travel are planned on your own. Compared to the United States, eating out and traveling is a lot cheaper (and the food is better!!)

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What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Attempt to speak the language even if all you can say is hello/please/thank you! It goes a long way when you show an effort to use the country's language! Many people will speak English, or have things written in English, however, trying to speak Spanish is a nice cultural gesture.

Also, take into consideration that customs or behaviors might be different, so you might have to adjust! Don’t worry though – you’ll learn as you go, and people love hearing about where you’re from or what you’re doing!

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Mondays to Thursdays are spent at the hospital, although evenings are pretty open to relax or explore with other fellows. There are one to two group dinners per week (which were my favorite nights!). Fridays are group excursion days! Saturdays and Sundays are completely open – take advantage of the time to travel!

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

I was worried that I would not get along with the other Fellows, since Medical School is competitive, and everyone is trying to gain an edge. I couldn’t have been more wrong! I absolutely adored everyone in my group. We supported one another throughout our time in Spain and had meaningful conversations, memories, and travels! I still keep in contact with just about all of them, and I know we’ll be there for one another through Med School!

What was the most influential moment of your program?

During my surgical rotation, I witnessed an amputation. While it was necessary, it was emotional, to say the least. The day after, I switched to my rotation in Pediatrics and saw a live birth. To come full circle from the loss of a leg to the beginning of life was incredibly moving, and it renewed my passion for Medicine.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Catherine coordinates an Atlantis' Fellows experience from a student's initial interest to their decision to become an Atlantis Fellow.

What is your favorite travel memory?

For many reasons, my favorite travel memory is from this past summer, when I worked abroad as a Site Manager for one of our Fellowships in Lisbon, Portugal. It was an incredible experience the impact of our Fellowships firsthand, learning alongside our Fellows, witnessing all of their challenges and successes. Also, my family was able to visit for a week, during which I was able to show them around the city that I had come to call my home as well as visit some other parts of Portugal's countryside!

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How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Working at Atlantis has been an good experience. I have learned how to proactively work toward the successful completion of diverse projects and initiatives. I have both participated in and witnessed how our conversations and assistance of our team and the eventual completion of our Fellowships our Fellows achieve vocational discernment, increasing their awareness and understanding of different medical specialties, as well as the United States' and other countries' health care systems - which is awesome.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

It is so exciting to read through our Fellow's feedback, upon completing an Atlantis Fellowship. At Atlantis, we prioritize making sure students have an transformative experience. Whether that was by developing an understanding of healthcare on a global scale, interfacing with medical professionals with such a unique approach to the profession, or even becoming more empathetic and compassionate to others simply by witnessing conditions and individuals that were unfamiliar to the Fellow.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

I would absolutely participate in on our Clinical Shadowing Fellowship. Personally, I am interested in healthcare practice and policy in the United States and abroad, and believe our Fellowship offers a fantastic firsthand understanding. The greatest highlight for me would come from the relationships I would work to develop with the medical professionals I met, by hearing their stories and having a genuine interest in witnessing their profession.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

We desire to hire and retain the best people. Our interview and evaluation process for new team members is much longer than other organizations I have worked for or interacted with. It is important to have the best team possible as we implement our Fellowships, since we are seeking to offer and facilitate the best opportunity possible for our Fellows.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

A successful company must align company focus. Companies need to know who they are and what they want to accomplish, which necessitates an aligned focus across departments. Atlantis values and is proud of its identity as an education organization focused on healthcare, which in turn is one of our greatest strengths.

Mary Bains

Admissions Manager

Max Hartman

Campus Outreach Coordinator

Location

Location:

Spain

Currency:

Euro

Weather:

Jan-Mar

61 F / 31 F

Apr-Jun

82 F / 43 F

Jul-Sep

90 F / 57 F

Oct-Dec

68 F / 37 F

Airports:

Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas

( MAD )

Barcelona–El Prat

( BCN )

Palma De Mallorca

( PMI )

Come to Spain for its beautiful landscapes, variety of culture, and amazing food and wine. Each region shines with its own individuality and reflects Spain's remarkable history as one of the world's strongest empires. Get to know the country famous for fiestas, siestas, and tapas!

About Atlantis (Pre-Health Summer)

As the #1 and largest pre-health study abroad program, Atlantis is dedicated to creating the best healthcare experience for students to stand out in apps and prepare for medical careers. What’s our program? -Thousands of alumni over 15 years -20–200+ hospital shadowing hours -1–10 weeks over breaks -Multiple specialties (1/week) -U.S., Spain, Italy...