Completing an internship abroad goes beyond adding professional experience to your resume. It is a transformative adventure, a unique way to learn about the world - and yourself - from a new perspective.
Imagine closely experiencing cultural differences, adapting to new environments, and discovering how your field is approached in a different country. This is what Sia lived, an intern who recently completed her Medicine internship in Argentina. Her experience allowed her to not only grow professionally, but also opened her eyes to new ways of understanding medicine, through different cultural and social lenses.
If you are willing to discover it, every country has something new to teach you! Read in Sia’s own words about her experience in Argentina, and take the leap to apply for your ideal internship program with us!
Hi Sia! What were your first impressions of Cordoba like?
Upon arriving, I was surprised by how accessible the city is. Unlike many American cities which rely almost exclusively on cars, in Cordoba you can walk to most places, or take the very affordable “colectivos” (buses). This accessibility supports a more social lifestyle: people can spend more time talking with their neighbors or drinking mate at the park (a very popular herbal drink in Argentina). I felt that this creates a sense of community that is often lacking in some American cities.
What did you do for your medical internship?
During my 8-week internship program in Cordoba, I not only had the chance to live in a vibrant and culturally diverse city, but also closely watch how medicine is practiced in the public sector as opposed to the private sector. My rotations in two different hospitals, one public and one private, allowed me to contrast the ways in which culture, values, traditions, and societal structures are reflected in the medical field.
Both hospitals allowed me to see two different perspectives, to be able to compare the provision of care between both of them. At the public hospital, I observed more improvised care, where compassion and flexibility often compensated for the lack of resources. In contrast, the private hospital had a more regulated and technologically advanced structure, creating an interesting balance between empathy, efficiency and control. In both contexts I witnessed the importance and value of interpersonal relationships between medical staff and patients.
How did the internship experience impact you?
My time in Cordoba changed me deeply. Not only was I able to enhance my Spanish skills, but I also learned to adapt and thrive in a new culture; to understand the value of human relationships in a medical context; and to question the assumptions I had made about what it means to be a health professional.
This experience shifted my perspective about what it means to be a medical professional, and how culture influences our daily interactions. One of the doctors whom I assisted during my time in Cordoba showed me another side of medicine: one where empathy is prioritized over efficiency.
I observed how interpersonal relationships can enrich medical care, and create a more holistic approach to it. The teams at the hospitals taught me that medicine is not only about technique and knowledge, but it also has the warmth that comes from empathy, community and compassion. Each of the doctors, nurses and other staff have these qualities that help them optimize their interactions with each patient.
If you’re ready to take the leap, embrace the language, and fully engage with this opportunity, I have no doubt you will be rewarded with the experience of a lifetime!
Ready to plan your own internship in Argentina?
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