Over the summer, from July 21st to August 1st, I was fortunate enough to attend an advanced anatomy course at Penn State University through the Erasmus+ program. During this time, I participated in a variety of cadaver dissections alongside senior-level students from Penn State, with two to three students assigned to each cadaver. I particularly valued this experience because of its hands-on and practical nature, which helped solidify my prior knowledge of anatomy through close, collaborative work.
While there, we also had the opportunity to shadow residents and attending physicians, allowing us to observe the inner workings of the American healthcare system and gain insight into a typical day in the life of an American physician. Additionally, we shadowed at the Centre for Volunteers in Medicine (CVIM), which is the only free clinic in Centre County. This experience provided valuable insight into the care of underserved populations and highlighted the importance of accessible healthcare within the community. I am especially grateful to Dr. Stephens for providing my colleague and me with invaluable lessons on the clinical applications of medicine and for demonstrating how to effectively apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting.
Moreover, we participated in several art-based exercises organized by Dr. Flanagan, including painting an image based solely on a verbal description provided by a partner, as well as a collaborative group pour painting that is currently on display at CVIM. Although I was initially skeptical about the connection between art and medicine, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the activities, especially as someone with little to no experience in art. These activities highlighted the importance of effective communication, collaboration, and teamwork within a healthcare environment.
State College is a very charming town, with plenty of new and enjoyable things to experience and delicious food to try. The student population was extremely kind and welcoming and made us feel at home. They gave us campus tours, took us to well-known restaurants around town, and showed us various attractions in the surrounding area.
Overall, I strongly recommend that students apply for this experience, as it offers a unique opportunity to engage in intensive dissection, gain exposure to a different healthcare system, understand its advantages and limitations, develop valuable clinical skills, and gain a deeper appreciation for the critical role of communication in the field of medicine.
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