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

This study away experience was an invaluable experience. I had the opportunity to shadow different specialties in Lisbon’s hospitals over the course of three weeks. This gave me the opportunity to learn more about careers in specific medical specialties. It also allowed me to view first hand how culture affects healthcare. Having had shadowing experience in the United States, I was able to compare how the healthcare systems in both countries are similar and different. This helped me gain a global understanding on healthcare, which is integral to have as someone who wishes to pursue a career in the medical field. The program helped me learn more about myself, including what I want to pursue after graduating from my university. I could not recommend this study away experience enough!

This experience was amazing! Shadowing twenty hours a week in the local hospital, switching specialties everyday! I was able to see so much more than any shadowing I had done before, from consultations to procedures to surgeries. Over the three weeks, the whole group of students became very close and went on lots of excursions around Portugal. I would definitely recommend to anyone going into medicine and wants more shadowing experience. While in Coimbra, I made memories and had new experiences to last a lifetime, while also reinvigorating my passion for medicine.

I really enjoyed getting to know my peers and the excursions allowed me to learn about Portugal in ways I probably would not have otherwise! Shadowing in hospitals allowed me to be in places like the OR that I would not have had the privilege to see as an undergraduate student. I am grateful to have been apart of a smaller group of students as well because I feel as though the site managers got to know us on a personal level and we have shared lasting memories with them. I plan to continue the connections I’ve made.

At first I was a bit hesitant on this program, thinking it was too good to be true. But the more I got to know and the information provided by the Atlantis Team, the more eager I was to sign up. I’m so glad I decided to take this journey to another country to shadow. I work in a hospital so I have shadowing experience but this was nothing compared to what I experienced through the Atlantis program. I learned so much new knowledge that I never would’ve learned if I didn’t decide to go on this trip.

I went to Lisbon, Portugal with Atlantis in summer 2019 and absolutely loved my experience! It was the most memorable experience to date in my pre-med journey and I am so happy I went through with it! The shadowing experience was amazing, I got to see so many surgeries (my favorite was a c-section for twins!!!) and I learned SO much from the doctors. Outside of shadowing, my favorite group excursion was surfing :) I also had the best group and still talk to a lot of them regularly to this day!!

I did a 3-week long fellowship in Lisboa, Portugal Summer 2018, and left with an idea of what I finally want to do in medicine. This was a huge leap of faith considering this was my very first time on a plane anywhere, but I wouldn’t change it for the world! On my official first day in the hospital I saw a Tonsillectomy and the insertion of Tympanostomy tubes in the ears of pediatric patients. Over the next few weeks I also saw additional surgical procedures and consultations. I felt I saw more shadowing in Portugal as an undergraduate than in the U.S.
The excursions were amazing, I finally got to explore castles and scenic locations. The castles were beautiful, and the city itself was an architectural marvel. I explored a lot of Portugal alone, and saw some very interesting places. I even became friends with some locals and keep in contact with them today! This trip was a dream come true and educational at the same time. I honestly felt safer walking around in Portugal than back home, and the natives are very nice.

I did a 3 week trip to Coimbra Portugal this past summer, and I can say that it is the most valuable and fun experience I have had. The opportunity to see all types of medicine including surgery was astounding. The country is beautiful and exploring the country was breathtaking. This trip allowed me to gain experience medically and culturally which I do not believe I could of received in the US. I recommend this trip to anyone who has even the slightest interest in medicine. I would go on this trip and The Atlantis program over and over if I was able to.

I did a month long fellowship in Coimbra, Portugal this summer and walked away with so many positive memories. I had the chance to see open heart surgery, cataract surgery and many other different kinds of surgeries and consultations. I felt that I saw more than I would ever have the chance to see in the United States without being in medical school. I also walked away with a greater appreciation for traveling the world to learn more about other cultures. I would recommend this fellowship to anyone who wants to learn more about the medical world whether or not medical school is a plan in the future. I personally do not want to go to medical school, but am interested in PT or OT. This experience was so helpful for me to see that everyone has a different path and direction towards their end goal.