Atlantis Fellowship in Teruel, Spain

I loved the Atlantis fellowship because it gave me the opportunity to combine my interests in healthcare with my Spanish major to get a global perspective on some of the aspects of the healthcare system, and also allowed me to make connections through language and cultural immersion. I was able to learn so much from many of the hospital staff including the nurses and doctors, as well as more administrative people within staff. Atlantis gives a lot of independence within the program, and it is truly what you make of it. I was able to see a birth within the labor and delivery department and also some really interesting surgeries within General and Orthopedic surgery. I was also able to see doctors outside of consultations and surgeries, such as when they have meetings before going on rounds, and also during their breaks for breakfast, and it was really nice that I got to see them during their busy and relaxed days to get a better feel for how mixed their day-to-day work life is. Through the fellowship, I also volunteered at the local language school, and it was really fulfilling to have conversations with residents of Teruel in both English and Spanish. The weekend trip to Albarracin and Valencia was also a lot of fun and gave us a break from the week of hospital shadowing. Through this fellowship, I met some lifelong friends, and we still keep in touch after the fellowship, and they really made this experience one that I'll never forget!