As fourth year medical students at the School of Medical Sciences (SMS) of the University of Campinas (Unicamp), Júlia Fein and Filipe Botto have always been looking for opportunities to learn more and improve their knowledge. Last July they had the chance to go to Portugal and have an experience in Coimbra. With the help of Division of Trauma and Trauma League of Unicamp, professor Gustavo Fraga and doctor Thiago Calderan, the students made contact with University of Coimbra, in which professor Henrique Alexandrino received and guided them through an internship in general surgery that lasted three weeks.

“In Coimbra, we were both assigned to two different residents (Ines Prior and Claudia Raposo), who we followed throughout the weeks. We had the opportunity to be in many services, such as the operating room, urgency, nursery and appointments. It was a great way to be closer to the specialty we are looking forward to follow, and to learn more about the healthcare and health system in Portugal”, said Júlia.

“It was an experience that certainly added a lot to our medical studies, and that allowed us to be in contact with situations and realities different than the ones we are used to in Brazil. We are thankful for this opportunity and for all of those who helped us to make it possible, and will certainly carry the memories of those weeks with gratitude”, said Filipe.