ESAIC Exchange Programme at Hospital de Bellvitge, Spain

I have just completed my ESAIC Exchange Programme last week, and I can honestly say that I am writing these words while already missing the wonderful time I spent at Hospital de Bellvitge. When I first decided to apply for this programme two years ago, I already knew what a valuable opportunity it would be for a trainee like me who aims to gain experience in different countries around the world. I was also aware that being selected would be challenging due to the high number of applicants across Europe, which is why I dedicated a year to achieving a high EDAIC Part I score and improving my Spanish and English before applying. 

To be honest, at the beginning, I was a bit nervous — everything was new, and I was afraid I might not be able to prove myself to the people I would be working with. However, thanks to my host, Dr Esther Méndez and my fellow trainees, it felt like home from the very first day until the last. For instance, during the first weekend of the programme, the trainees I had just met invited me to one of Barcelona’s beautiful beaches to meet the rest of the team. I could not have imagined a warmer welcome! At first, I was actually quite shy about my Spanish, since it wasn’t as advanced as my English, and I had only practised it during language courses. However, everyone I met was incredibly thoughtful and supportive, which helped me gain confidence very quickly. Thanks to them, I no longer needed to switch to English after the first week. Their kindness and hospitality continued to surprise me until the very end, and I truly feel indebted to them. 

Hospital de Bellvitge is one of the largest hospitals in Catalonia, and it serves as a major centre for oncology and transplantation. I can confidently say that it has all the modern equipment, highly experienced staff, and an optimally organised operating room system that reflects how modern anesthesiology practice should be. Without a doubt, being part of the anesthesiology team at Hospital de Bellvitge has been an invaluable experience for my training, even in my final year as a resident. When we were planning my schedule, I asked Dra. Méndez to include rotations in specialities involving complex and advanced anesthesiology management, such as cardiothoracic surgery. She exceeded my expectations in organising this. I spent my first month in the thoracic surgery operating room, followed by two weeks each in cardiac and vascular surgery, and my final month rotating between orthopaedics and neurosurgery rooms for trauma cases. Under her guidance, those three months were filled with new perspectives that significantly enriched my clinical approach and training. There were more than ninety anesthesiology specialists in the hospital, which alone shows how large and comprehensive the institution is — something I often mentioned after returning home. Thanks to this rich pool of experienced professionals, I had the opportunity to work with more than twenty-five different anesthesiologists during my stay. This was especially valuable for me, as I believe that although most anaesthesiology procedures are similar, each clinician has their own style and perspective when approaching patients. Observing these differences was an invaluable learning experience. 

Finally, I have to share my feelings about the beautiful city of Barcelona and its wonderful people. I can easily say that I have never lived in a city so full of life and culture. It had been more than ten years since my last visit, and I was too young back then to truly appreciate how lively and aesthetic this city is. Before I arrived, people advised me to walk while looking up — and I immediately understood why the moment I started walking through the city centre. The architecture and overall beauty of the city were simply breathtaking. I was also very lucky to be there from July to October; spending the summer in Barcelona was a privilege. Almost every weekend, there was a festival or an event in a different part of the city, some of which I joined with my new trainee friends and others with friends who came to visit me. During the weekends of my first two months, I devoted my time to discovering the city and the culture of the Catalan people, visiting museums, landmarks, and attending various events across Catalonia. In my final month, thanks to national holidays, I also had the chance to travel to Andalusia, Valencia, and the Basque Country, exploring the rich cultural diversity of different regions of Spain. 

In summary, this was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me, as it was the longest period I have ever spent away from home. It also gave me the confidence to work in different countries and with people from diverse backgrounds. I gained many international colleagues, and I am already looking forward to meeting some of them again at the next European Congress. 

Author

• Dogukan Senberber, MD, Trainee