Dear future exchange students,

I would like to share my experiences of my 6^th year surgery practice in Spain, Málaga. First of all it was AMAZING! I have spent an incredible month in August in Southern-Spain. I have applied for the exchange program with my boyfriend, and we have been placed together.

Málaga was the second requested city on my list. I have wanted to spend my exchange practice at the department of surgery. I have received the card of confirmation on time, everything seemed to be perfect. But, on the day of arrival it turned out that none of us who applied for surgery practice would be placed at the desired department. The local exchange officer promised us that we will get the stamp either way, so we took it easy, as everyone in Spain. And that’s how it happened that I have fallen in love with dermatology, yes you have read it right! I have met three young residents at the department of dermatology, who were really kind and very helpful. They have taught me a lot and let me make small procedures, for example removal of nevi on the back or putting in sutures. I have also seen some amazing surgeries, I think in my country these kind of operations are performed by plastic-surgeons, but there they were done by the dermatologists. And what was even better is that I could scrub in, so I haven’t only seen them, but I could assist. At the end of the month with one of the Spanish students we went to the department of surgery to get the stamp, but it wasn’t that easy. First they have sent us away, saying that they can’t give us stamps since we haven’t been there for a day, but finally with the help of our residents we got the official stamp and signature what we needed.

The accommodation was totally fine. We were lodged at a students’ hostel, in separate apartments for girls and boys. Sadly we couldn’t be placed together with my boyfriend because the apartments were full for the whole month, so I was with three other girls. There were three rooms, a bathroom, a toilet and a kitchen with a dining room. We had to ask for plates and cutlery at the reception. We could wash our clothes in the laundry for 2,5 euro/wash. The student’s hostel was app. 30 minutes from the hospital. But from the city center app. 40 minutes and the beaches 50 minutes away. So we decided to buy the monthly bus-card, which cost 40 euro and offered unlimited travelling in the city.

The social programs began with the national food and drink party in the first week. After that we have visited the castel on the top of a hill together, from where we could see the whole city. On Sundays there was free entry to the museums, so I have visited the Picasso-museum, since Málaga is the hometown of Picasso. The spanish students took us to a very famous local restaurant, where we could taste the most delicious sea-food I have ever tried. We have had a walk in the botanic garden together with the other exchange students, which felt like we were in a jungle. In August there is a one week festival in Málaga, called Feria, which is fantastic and unbelievable! For the weekends we have planned trips for ourselves to neighbouring cities, like Sevilla, Granada, Gibraltar and Ronda. And of course we have spent a lot of time at the beaches swimming in the sea, playing volleyball and sunbathing.

Altogether it was an amazing experience and on our last day I felt really sad to leave this beautiful city. I would recommend you to take your chance and go visit Málaga for your exchange!