Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An introduction to a different healthcare and way of life Past Review

By (Neuroscience, Linguistics, University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh) - abroad from 06/22/2014 to 07/07/2014 with

Atlantis: Pre-med Fellowship Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Any type of study abroad experience will undoubtedly leave a student enchanted by the idea that various aspects of life are so hugely different from what he or she may be used to in their native country. Apart from being intrigued by the community and culture in Gran Canaria, I was taken aback by the lifestyle I was exposed to within the healthcare system in Spain. The doctors are different people than the doctors one would find in the United States, in some ways for the better and some ways not. On a whole, I appreciated very much the humble and dedicated way in which the Canarian doctors taught us what was going on in our assigned specialities, how to do certain things, and how to act in particular situations. I will never forget the shadowing experiences I learned from, nor the advice the surgeons I met gave me for living life as a whole as I take the next steps to becoming a doctor in American medicine.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The doctors and residents I met in each specialty
  • The language exposure
  • Connecting with fellow students of different ages and backgrounds
* What could be improved?
  • Food at the residencia
  • Language classes
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? There is not anything I know now that I wish I knew before I left for the program. I appreciate my experience for both the imperfect and perfect moments.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!