Sofia Teiga is a 6th year medical student from NOVA Medical School in Lisbon, Portugal, and she had the opportunity to do an internship in UNICAMP – School of Medical Sciences. She stayed in the Division of Trauma Surgery, Cardiac Surgery and Thoracic Surgery from September to October 2022.

“First, I would like to highlight my surgical practice for the duration of the internship. When I came to UNICAMP, I never seriously considered a surgical residency. Not until I spent a few hours in the OR with UNICAMP’s resident surgeons. The skills and the level of capacity entrusted to me were unprecedented for a medical student with a Portuguese curriculum. Also, they do not only treat patients, but they also treat people like a whole, with love and kindness. And that’s the type of doctor I aspire to be.

The work done in the trauma, cardiac and thoracic surgery departments have not only improved my practical skills, but also my theoretical knowledge applied to all those areas. The independence I had in the surgical ward and the consultation has greatly enriched my curriculum as well as my resourcefulness. I was privileged to study at UNICAMP and to be a part of their incredible education system.

Last but not least, the manner by which I was welcomed into the hospital teams and introduced to your way of working was as professional as it was affectionate. This was my first time living in a country abroad, away from my usual connaissances (family and friends.) But UNICAMP quickly became a home to me and thanks to and your warm embrace my anxiety at arrival turned into a teary goodbye a couple of months later.

I would like to thank the Trauma Team, specially Dr. Gustavo Fraga and Dr. Bortoto, not also for the clinical knowledge but for teaching me how to treat patients with kindness. A special thanks to the Cardiac Surgery Team, that welcomed me to the team like one of their own since day one and made me discover how much I admire this residency and the impact of a joyful team. I am very thankful to the Thoracic Surgery team because not only they care for their patients, but they do also care for their student’s wellbeing too. Thank you to Clariza, our guardian angel, always ready to help us with whatever we needed. And lastly, to all the 6th year interns, thank you for becoming not only our colleagues but our friends. Thank you for all your love and support, I hope to see you soon”.