My Atlantis Mantua Italy Experience! October 25, 2023
By Nicholas G (Biology, St. Joseph's College New York) - abroad from 07/09/2022 to 07/29/2022 with
Atlantis: Pre-med Fellowship Abroad
I learned that I did not want to be a doctor any more and wanted to go into the business side which is what I wanted the program to do in the first place. It was ABSOLUTELY worthwhile!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I went abroad to Mantua, Italy for 3 weeks! I shadowed in the ER, ICU, Immunohematology, Pediatrics, and even got a private tour / breakdown of their EMS system which was phenomenal since I was an EMT. On average I was shadowing about 5-6 hours / day yet in the ICU & Surgery specialties I was able to shadow 10-12 hours per day for I was really interested in those specialties. In my group, we developed life long friendships and spend the downtime playing duck duck burrito and sharing our dreams! We travelled to Florence, Lake Garda, Venice, and Rome in our down time, went to a firework show, and experienced an EDM concert while abroad which was insane. This program gave me the clarity that I wanted to go into the business side and leveraged my experience on my MBA application. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to go abroad for the experience of a lifetime and to confirm your calling into medicine. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program was well organized, and easy to follow. The specialties were assigned after our preferences were submitted, the Friday excursions were well planned, and there was enough free time to do as we pleased. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
An important thing to remember is that a 4 star living accommodation is different than 4 star in another country. My apartment was HUGE will all the necessary amenities. |
| * Food: |
One word, PHENOMENAL! It will take time for your body to adjust to the food / ingredients depending on the country. After that 1-2 day period, I was great to go. The dinners were fantastic, and the gelato I miss the most! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The first two days I felt insecure, and that was just the culture shock. Yet after that, I was ready for anything! Expect that shift. I found my stride which is all part of the experience. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
There weren't any health issues in my program yet there were plans and protocols in place in case there were any. The host manager was readily available if there were any issues. |
| * Safety: |
I felt safe during the program and I was with my group most of the time. It is like any other new area that you travel to. Always bring someone, keep an eye on your things, and have awareness. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I LOVE the smaller city experience for I like to get a layout of the city. |
Finances
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* 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) |
I knew that I wanted to experience all that Italy had to offer so I brought extra money, and I am very great at budgeting. I recommend bringing more than the recommended if you are going to eat out, get gifts for your family, etc. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $250-$300 per week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Yes, go in with a plan. Prepare before hand. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Overall, they recommended that you learn some of the basics. Yet in the hospitals, they spoke great English so it wasn't a problem. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I learned Spanish in high school / college, I knew 0 Italian. |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Practice Practice Practice. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I was well informed from the Alumni Representative, and the Website. |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
