If you are a science major looking for hands-on experience and an opportunity to study abroad, then the Atlantis Project is the program for you. 

“It was the best experience of my entire life,” said exercise-science major and Shippensburg University junior Aliyah Mensah reflecting on her three-week stay in Athens, Greece, where she shadowed doctors, learned about Greek’s healthcare system and immersed herself in the country’s culture. 

The Atlantis Project is a premed fellowship program which sends students to locations across Europe and South America so they can gain experience in the field as well as perspective on a healthcare system which differs from America’s.

“They want to make sure that you know what kind of field you are getting into,” explained Mensah. Throughout Mensah’s three-weeks at Attikon Hospital, she shadowed doctors in the gynecological, vascular and surgical departments. During her first week at Attikon, Mensah saw her first C-section. 

“I saw the baby being pulled out and crying, I was like ‘woah baby,’” Mensah said with a laugh, “‘this is great!’” 

The SU junior accompanied the doctors as they visited the patients in the surgical department. There she saw many people suffering from gangrene who would inevitably need limbs removed, news which once broken often left patients in tears. 

“To be a health professional, that is something you need to see because you are going to be interacting with patients who are going to be very sentimental about the procedure,” Mensah said with her head steady and eyes sympathetic, “but they have to understand that it is for their benefit.”

Although many students who take advantage of the program are looking for experience on the floor of the hospital, other students have used the project to gain experience in other related fields. 

“While I was on the trip we had a student with us who was interested in hospital administration. She actually shadowed the administration of the hospital so she was not there involved with the surgeries or anything,” Mensah explained. 

The junior’s exploration did not stop inside the hospital, Mensah and her peers visited the Acropolis, Parthenon and the temple of Poseidon among others. After a few hours of trekking, the group would spend time unwinding on the beach, eating food and talking about what they learned that day. 

The students had group dinners twice a week at a restaurant chosen by their Greek chaperones, many of which were at real Greek restaurants. Each morning a light breakfast of cereal and fruit was provided. 

“The chaperones translated everything we needed translated,” Mensah said. “It was the best because they were Greek so they knew where to go.” 

Although the chaperones were there when they needed them, the students were also given freedom to enjoy the night life of Athens. Mensah spent many of her nights exploring the streets of the city, holding hands with a man she met early on in her three-week stay. 

“I guess I could say I thought I found the love of my life,” beamed Mensah, her brown eyes glistening. “We would go out at night to walk the streets of Athens. We would just talk and hold hands. He would show me around and we would get gelatos and just talk about ourselves.” 

After her nightly rendezvous, Mensah would return to her well-furnished apartment, which she shared with six roommates, whom which she is still in contact. 

“I have been so connected to these females. They were probably the best people I met on the trip, and we got along really well,” said Mensah. 

If you are interested in learning more about the Atlantis Project or would like to begin the application process, Mensah welcomes you to reach her at am4732@ship.edu. 

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