I consider that my experience in the Neurosurgery department was enriching because the tutor guided me to take care of one patient each week, to think about their diagnosis, and also to observe their surgeries and post-operative evolution. Additionally, I had a student handbook with a checklist of the topics and skills that I should learn and develop during my hospitation. It was provided by the International Federation of Medical Student Associations (IFMSA), which helped me to get this opportunity at the Universitätsklinikum Magdeburg. I found it useful as it helped me to know what topics I should read and what things I would like doctors to explain to me better. For this reason, I consider the teaching in the Neurosurgery department to be excellent because all the doctors were predisposed to answer my questions and also to explain what happens during surgeries or with a patient during the visit pass. However, this wouldn’t have been possible if I hadn’t asked constantly. Furthermore, I feel that language was a significant barrier because most of the time doctors spoke in German, and even when a doctor was with another student and me, he/she spoke with the German student in their mother language which left me feeling relegated. I must acknowledge that it was uncomfortable, but other doctors were so kind and hospitable. On the other hand, contact with patients was limited due to the language barrier as well, but it improved when medical students introduced me to their language so I could take blood, review wounds, and change bandages. In summary, I am grateful to have had this experience.
