Ever Considered Shadowing Abroad? This is a Great Opportunity!

Written by: Sarah St. Germain, Pre-Health Peer Advisor

Over Christmas break, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Madrid, Spain, and shadow doctors at a hospital. I did this through a program called Atlantis, which I discovered online over the summer. After spending some time researching their opportunities in early October, I decided to apply.

Atlantis offers shadowing programs in nine different countries, with options ranging from one to nine weeks. No matter how long you stay you have the chance to bond with your cohort, explore the area, and get valuable one-on-one time with the doctors you’re shadowing.

To get into the program, you first need to apply and then meet with an Atlantis representative to determine which program is the best fit for you. I chose a one-week program because it worked best with my schedule, but everyone’s experience is different! After selecting my program, I had to submit several documents, complete safety trainings, and attend regular meetings with my program leader to ensure everything was on track.

One of the things that makes this program so unique is that students come from all over the U.S. (and even Canada!). My cohort included students from California, New York, Connecticut, and even Queens, Ontario! Since everyone flies in separately, you’ll likely be traveling alone, but, don’t worry, your Program Manager will guide you through everything and meet you at the airport to ensure you get where you need to go.

Housing is included in the program fee, and I was pleasantly surprised by how nice it was! I shared a hotel-style room with one other student, and we had a kitchen, a stocked fridge, and a cozy living room with a balcony view of the city. Plus, the location was perfect because it was just a 10-minute metro ride from the heart of Madrid! Speaking of exploring, one of the best parts of this experience was the people I met. From the moment we arrived, everyone was eager to go out and experience the city together. It was amazing to bond with like-minded pre-med students while also immersing ourselves in a new culture.

Of course, the most important part of the experience was the shadowing itself. Before the program, Atlantis asks for your top specialty choices and does their best to match you accordingly. I was lucky enough to get both pediatrics and trauma, which was exactly what I wanted! One day, I shadowed a Pediatric Neurologist, sitting in on consults with children facing a variety of conditions. Another day, I was with a Pediatric ER doctor, which was incredible. I loved learning about how different the healthcare system is in Spain compared to the US. The last two days, I observed an Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon, which was absolutely incredible! I watched multiple full knee and hip replacements from right up at the operating table! That is an experience I don’t think I’ll ever have the chance to replicate.

Now I know after hearing all of this you might be worried about the language barrier, but don’t be! I barely speak Spanish, but I was still able to communicate and get around just fine. Atlantis is very intentional about pairing students with doctors who speak their language, and honestly, I learned so much just from observing patient interactions. It helped me develop a stronger ability to read body language and understand patient care on a deeper level.

Overall, this was one of the coolest things I’ve ever done, and I know I’ll never forget it. If you’re looking for a unique shadowing experience or have always wanted to study abroad but haven’t found the time, I highly recommend looking into Atlantis. Since you can choose the duration that works best for you, it’s a flexible and rewarding way to gain medical exposure while exploring a new country!

Click here to get more information on this amazing opportunity!