I knew it would be an awesome experience even before I got to the city. Rijeka was my first chosen country and I could not be happier for my choice. We were more than 40 exchange students from about 20 countries. This exchange included everything that a student might need: practice in nice hospitals with English speaking tutors, doctors and nurses, living one month next to the beach, parties at every level, a very kind and well-organised croatian team with a great social program. And of course, do not forget the 2018 Football World Cup which got Croatia into the final, and we could see it in the heart of the country.

Our accomodation was a 9-floors dormitory, comfortable, with not so big rooms, common kitchen and bathroom and wifi only at the cantine. But we were all together in two buildings next to each other, so it was quite enjoyeable. Although we were on the 8th floor with extreme hot weather, from our window we could see the sea, so I could not complain.

I was on General Surgery practice, which should have been originally at the Susak hospital, but it was so far from our dorm (around one hour travelling) that the croatian students helped us to switch for the KBC Rijeka hospital, which was in 15 minutes walking distance from our dormitory. There we went to digestive and plastic surgery, everyone could choose. Almost all the surgeons and anaesthesiologists could speak English, some nurses as well. They were kind and helpful, but did not have too much time for us, as in summer they have a lot of surgeries, more than in the other seasons of the year. Still, if we asked something, they were happy to explain any aspect of the surgery to us. The hospital itself was clean and the operating rooms well equipped.

I loved the social programs. We went to Istria trip, to Opatija trip and to the Plitvice Lakes, every of them were one day programs. They organised Welcome and Goodby Party for us, NFDP of course (which was really exciting with this many countries), and on the days of World Cup matches including Croatia, they gathered us to watch it together with them. There was also a National Social Program which was five days long and included Split, Zadar, Hvar Island etc. but for me the price was not so good considering that it only included the travel and accomodation (1500 kunas= about 65.000 Ft), so this one I did not join.

Apart from the organised programs all the exchange students were making 1-2day trips to different close countries (Italy, Hungary, Slovenia, Austria) during the exchange month. I visited Slovenia for 2 days with 8 other people and it was awesome. When we were not travelling, we were on the beaches of Rijeka or went to other close villages’ beaches, because we had a season ticket that was valid for all of the buses of the region. Nightlife was great, well nightclubs were mostly open on Tuesday and at the weekend, but we could go every day to bars or just sit in a park and drink and talk.

I enjoyed every day of this practice, I really feel like I made long-term friends who I can not wait to see again and I could not be happier I chose Rijeka to spend one summer month!