In Barcelona, I was able to engage with the local community by visiting local museums, restaurants, and smaller surrounding cities. Asking locals about food, activity, or travel recommendations was especially helpful. While my Spanish is nowhere near perfect, practicing using it by engaging with native speakers was both educational and rewarding. Everyone was very patient and kind.

I interned at two local hospitals during my time in Spain. I was able to shadow in radiology, emergency medicine, pediatrics, general surgery, and plastic surgery. Going into the experience, I had certain specialties in mind that I was more excited about than others. Interestingly enough, after shadowing, I learned that there were aspects of all the specialties that I really loved. I would encourage any prospective student to go into their specialty assignment with an open and positive mindset.