“This experience will help me move forward in my career by helping me become more culturally aware. It has shown me that there are many approaches to patient care, which has increased my adaptability when working with individuals from diverse backgrounds,” reflected Ryleigh Rohrbacher, a biochemistry major on the pre-medicine track who participated in the Atlantis - Pre-Health Shadowing Experience in Budapest, Hungary.
The Atlantis Pre-Health Shadowing Experiences allow students to shadow doctors and healthcare professionals in an international setting, spending 20 hours per week on site. This was important for Rohrbacher, who wanted to get a deeper look at new fields in a new place.
“It was important for me to go abroad to gain exposure to different healthcare systems and broaden my understanding of global medicine,” she noted.
Rohrbacher spent her time at the National Korányi Institute for Tuberculosis and Pulmonology in Budapest, which is Hungary’s leading center for the diagnosis, treatment and research of respiratory diseases, with a particular focus on tuberculosis and pulmonary disorders.
“This experience has helped me to become more adaptable and independent. I discovered how much I enjoy connecting with people from different backgrounds and learning from their perspectives,” said Rohrbacher.
Along with getting to experience a new culture and enjoy the local sites and neighborhoods, Rohrbacher’s favorite moments came from the daily work with the on-site doctors, who provided her insights and lessons that she can take back to Columbus and use in her future career.
“Some of the most memorable moments have been getting to connect with the physicians. The doctors were incredibly welcoming and were willing to share their experiences and advice. I appreciated how kind and approachable they were and how passionate they were about teaching us more about medicine.”