My journey from Dubai to Havana was an exhilarating and unforgeable journey. My name is Colleen McCully, I am a second-year medical student at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, MBRU.

Earlier this summer I was fortunate to be part of the group of students who enrolled in the Studentship Summer Placement Program. The program was designed for the 1st cohort of medical students, and it is also the first of its kind at the university. The initiative was created by a team comprised of faculty, student services administrators and members of the Dean’s office.

My home for the summer was the University of Havana, Cuba. I spent a total of four-weeks at the Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital, in the General Surgery, Transplant Surgery and Coloproctology departments.

During my studentship, I applied everything I learned in year one anatomy while assisting and observing in the operating theatre. I, also, learned so many new clinical skills from basic care to patient interaction.

If I have to sum up my overall experience in one word, I’d say fantastic to say the least, the Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital and its’ professors are so enthusiastic to work with. The close relationship between MBRU faculty and the University of Havana ensured that I was enthusiastically received and well taken care of during my stay.

Prior to my departure to Cuba, our faculty at MBRU prepared me well. I was well briefed by connected with all the resources that I could need once I arrived. My professors and student services team were always in contact with me throughout my stay to ensure everything was going well.

The placement program provide a valuable work and learning experience, by immersing the students in real-life medical situations, from my experience, it taught me how to communicate, collaborate, and be a better manager of situations. These types of internships illustrate the importance of being managers as future physicians, and it also create a strong foundation to build on within each student.

I will never forget…

I will never forget the warmth that exists in healthcare in Cuba. The physicians work closely together with the patients and take care of each other. There is a mutual respect and affection that is truly inspiring. I will not forget the lovely doctors I worked with, and the very helpful medical staff. Their relationship with one another truly illustrates teamwork and friendship.

My favorite part of the entire experience was participating in the operating room. The hospital’s team makes you feel like a surgical resident even after your first year! They value teaching hands-on and instill confidence in their students.

Lastly, this experience was unforgettable for countless reasons, but one of many is my journey as a medical student from Dubai to Cuba.