A medical internship in Spain is the perfect opportunity for pre-med and undergraduate students to gain international healthcare experience. Through Intern Abroad HQ, students are closely guided by local medical professionals, enabling them to shadow real consultations, assist in clinical tasks, and strengthen their communication and cultural understanding in a healthcare setting.
Drawn by the opportunity to travel abroad and apply her medical school knowledge in a real-world setting, Cailin embarked on a 12-week medical internship in Valencia, Spain. In this blog, she shares how the experience helped her grow professionally and personally - boosting her confidence, clinical communication skills, and cultural awareness.
Hi Cailin! What tasks did your Medical Internship involve?
During my pre-med internship abroad, no two days were the same. I shadowed doctors during patient consultations, cosmetic procedures, and chemotherapy treatments. I assisted in minor esthetic operations like Collagen Hilo facelifts and lip fillers, took patient vitals (blood pressure and oxygen levels) and helped organize and file medical paperwork.
How did this Medical Internship Abroad support your career goals?
My healthcare internship in Spain has made me feel more empowered to pursue a career in medicine because I now have hands-on experience in a real-world healthcare setting. It reaffirmed my passion for patient care and strengthened my confidence in interacting with patients.
One of my long-term goals is to become a physician, which first requires me to be accepted into medical school. Medical schools require documented patient contact hours from applicants, which is what I have obtained by doing my medical internship with Intern Abroad HQ. While I have textbook experience with medical theory and basic practical clinical skills, I have limited experience working in interdisciplinary teams in a real-world, high-pressure environment.
As a result of the medical internship tasks and experience, I’ve developed a stronger ability to adapt quickly to new situations and act confidently. I am excited to bring these skills to future opportunities, especially where attention to detail is needed.
I have also learned a lot about natural remedies used to cure different medical concerns, experience that I can use to help my patients improve their health in future. In the United States there is a heavy influence on chemical and synthetic medications in the business of health care, so I am happy to learn more about orthomolecular medicine and an alternate natural approach to common health issues.
What challenges did you face while Interning Abroad?
The biggest challenge I faced during my medical internship in Spain was the language barrier. At times I would struggle to properly communicate with my host mother; however, despite her struggles with English, she did her absolute best to make me feel comfortable and cared for.
I also struggled a little at my internship when trying to understand certain patients. Those who spoke Catalan or Valencian were the most difficult, considering the languages have many differences compared to Spanish.
While I am relatively familiar with Mexican Spanish, the dialect and speed at which people communicated could sometimes leave me feeling a bit confused. However, my supervisor would help me with my Spanish and I would help him with his English.
While at times I was nervous, I would just ensure I told people that I was still practicing my Spanish and might make some mistakes during conversations. Both the staff and patients I interacted with were incredibly understanding when I made mistakes. Their support went a long way in helping me become more confident in my speaking abilities.
Some advice I would give is to not be afraid to immerse yourself in a different culture and speak Spanish. I met a lot of people who were hesitant to speak the local language in case they messed up, or were too scared to try traditional dishes because they might not like them. In the end, these people missed out on a massive part of the overall cultural experience.
What were the biggest takeaways from your Internship Abroad?
Having completed my medical internship in Spain, I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for my own culture, especially in terms of how we approach healthcare and work-life balance. For example, I noticed that in Spain, there is often more emphasis on taking time for family, socializing, and relaxation, even during work hours. This contrasted with the hustle and bustle culture I’m accustomed to back home, where the pace is often faster and more task-driven.
The most significant change for me is realizing the importance of balancing work with personal time to maintain a positive mental and emotional well-being. It’s something I’m now more conscious of and will integrate into my life moving forward.
Favorite memories for your Medical Internship in Spain?
One of my favorite memories would probably have to be going to see a flamenco show with a couple of friends I made. It was an incredible experience that I loved being a part of! After we went to a tapas bar with some other interns we had just met and spent hours drinking agua de Valencia and eating, before heading out dancing. It was an incredible night, and one of the first times I allowed myself to fully let loose and have fun. It also helped me make strong connections with people from around the world that I still talk with now.
What’s next for you after the Internship?
Moving forward, I plan to build on the experiences I had during my internship by pursuing more hands-on medical opportunities, such as volunteering or securing further internship opportunities in diverse healthcare environments.
I also want to focus on improving my Spanish language skills so that I can work more effectively with Spanish-speaking patients in the future.
Professionally, I will continue seeking experiences that broaden my understanding of global healthcare systems and deepen my clinical knowledge.
Personally, I’ll focus on maintaining a balanced approach to my work, ensuring I continue to prioritize my well-being alongside my career ambitions.
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