Hello, everyone!

It’s been about a month since I arrived in Berlin after a 20-hour journey halfway around the world. I’m Emily Ruiz, a medical student from Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo in Riobamba, Ecuador, and I was part of the Public Health Exchange Team in Berlin, Germany, in 2023. Since my arrival in this wonderful city, I’ve been working on adjusting to the different schedule we have and getting used to the entirely new city and how things are managed here. Before I began my internship at “Helios Klinikum Emil von Behring,” I took some time to explore the city, figure out how to use the various transportation options like buses, trains, and Bahns in Europe. I’ve also learned about shopping, dining, and the everyday things you need to do when living in a foreign place.

Internship at the “Helios Klinikum Emil von Behring”

My internship at the hospital kicked off with consultation days and regular patient reviews. During this time, I had the privilege of working closely with two outstanding doctors, Dra. Natascha Zahran-Höynck and Dr. Roland Hoffmeister, who graciously guided and taught me throughout the entire month.

My internship was centered around the Surgery Department, specifically the Plastic Surgery Division. I joined a group of about five interns, who were all close to the end of their medical education. The atmosphere at the hospital was welcoming, and everyone was willing to explain and share their knowledge with me. I was fully integrated into the hospital’s activities and learned a great deal from my colleagues.

My typical day started at 5am in the morning, as I had to commute for about an hour to reach the hospital. On my first day in the surgery department, I observed how things operated, but by the second day, I was actively assisting. I found the surgeries to be fascinating, and I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of them. We often spent entire days in the operating room, and I played an active role in the procedures.

Meetings

Meeting with the “German Central Committee against Tuberculosis”

I had a meeting with an organization fighting tuberculosis. It was like a journey into the history of this disease. We also discussed the guidelines used in five different countries to combat it. During this meeting, I met two amazing young women who were part of a fellowship with the Akkon Institute. They turned out to be important friends for the rest of my exchange, and now I can proudly say I have friends in Colombia and Pakistan. Regarding the tuberculosis discussion, we learned a lot about their research and the strategies they use to involve the community, practice prevention, and promote awareness. They have an effective program to reach out to the population and provide treatment in collaboration with hospitals and other organizations.

Meeting at “Akkon University”

Our official meeting with the members of Akkon University took place a few days later. We exchanged information about the work various NGOs are doing. We also discussed one of the most important health issues in the country, which is tuberculosis. They provided us with plenty of informative resources, including books and podcasts to review. We had a tour of the entire university, shared coffee, and had a meaningful conversation about the significance of medical research and how involving students leads to better results.

Sexual and Reproductive Health Meeting

On August 16th, in the middle of the day, the Public Health Exchange Team and the team and fellows at the Institute for Research in International Assistance (IRIA) met with the members of the Public Health Department at the Charlottenburg Center for Reproductive Health (HV/STI). The meeting began with introductions, where everyone got to know each other. Next, the members of the Charlottenburg Center presented their work and the plans they have to support people who can’t afford private healthcare. They have plans for eight different areas in their district, including services related to pregnancy, STI advice and testing, contraception, addressing female trafficking, counseling psychology for individuals and couples, guidance for those dealing with pregnancy-related issues, sex education and workshops, and counseling for sex workers. They explained each topic, their strategies, and their plans for each area. They also shared unique experiences and how they solved problems.

Visit to the Tuberculosis Department

I visited the central tuberculosis department, which was quite interesting. The people in charge explained how things work there and their goals. We had a discussion about the tuberculosis program in Berlin, and they also explained how they manage different groups and how the police handle situations when someone doesn’t want to undergo treatment.

Other Activities

 During my free time, I had a great time exploring the city and nearby places like Hamburg, Frankfurt, Szczecin, Dresden, Heidelberg, and more. I had a bit of a love-hate relationship with the local food; sometimes, I enjoyed it, and at other times, I did not like it at all. Traveling alone was a unique and sometimes bewildering experience. I often found myself lost, and my friends would tell you that “I’m lost” was probably the most common phrase in my messages. The first time I felt overwhelmed, I even cried, but on the second go, I realized that every problem has a solution, so I took a deep breath and kept going.

For me at the age of 21, this exchange was the most significant experience in my life, because it taught me much more than just health-related topics. I learned how to be independent, take photos, handle challenges, use various apps, meet new people, find the best hotels, and even navigate a long-distance relationship. My friends were in a time zone 7 hours different from mine, which meant that when I was going to sleep, they were having lunch, and when they were going to bed, I was waking up. I also made new friends from Kenya, Germany, Pakistan, Venice, Japan, Colombia, Spain, and many more, and I’m determined to stay in touch with them.

In other words, this experience was the best because it allowed me to make new friends, travel extensively, grow personally, and become once again passionate about my career in the medical field.