During the second semester, I had the opportunity to live one of the most remarkable experiences of my academic and personal journey: taking part in the Erasmus programme at Sofia Medical University, in Bulgaria, together with my colleague and close friend, Catarina Rodrigues.

During my Erasmus experience, I had the opportunity to undertake clinical rotations in Dermatology, Paediatrics, Neurology and Otorhinolaryngology across several hospitals, working alongside different healthcare professionals and experiencing a medical environment that was different from the one I was used to in Portugal. This experience allowed me to gain a better understanding of the differences in medical practice across European countries, from the organisation of healthcare services to patient care and the different ways in which medical teams work.

One of the most memorable aspects of this experience was also the opportunity to immerse myself in a culture so different from Portuguese culture. From the cuisine, with flavours, ingredients and dishes very different from those I was used to, to the various traditions and religious practices, I was able to discover a cultural dimension that was very different from my own.

The Cyrillic alphabet, in turn, turned simple tasks such as reading a menu, a street sign or directions in a hospital into a real challenge. The language itself was initially a barrier, but it also became an opportunity for learning and adaptation.

Being surrounded every day by a language I could not understand made me realise how important it is to communicate beyond words and to be open to understanding and respecting different ways of living and experiencing the world.

In the hospital setting, this experience challenged me even further, requiring me to communicate with patients with whom I sometimes shared neither the same language nor even English. This made me more confident, creative and resilient in the way I establish relationships with patients.

Needless to say, Erasmus was much more than an academic experience. It was also an opportunity to travel across several countries, discover new cities and interact every day with people from different cultures, nationalities and ways of thinking. Every journey and every new person I met helped broaden my perspective on the world and made me more independent, flexible and open to new experiences.

Living in Sofia, so far away from home, also brought challenges that ultimately became valuable learning experiences. I learned to adapt to different environments, step outside my comfort zone and appreciate even more the small things we often take for granted.

I look back on this experience with immense gratitude. Travelling from the westernmost country in Europe to one of its easternmost countries was truly special. I take with me not only new knowledge and skills as a future doctor, but also memories, friendships and experiences that will undoubtedly stay with me for many years to come.

Erasmus allowed me to learn more about Europe and the practice of medicine, but above all, it allowed me to learn more about myself.

Благодаря ти, България !!

Mariana Gomes Coelho

6th year student IMM