My name is Dilshora Yusupova, I come from Uzbekistan and I study nursing at Trnava University in Trnava. This summer, I decided to take advantage of the opportunity offered by the Erasmus+ program and completed two short-term internships – one in Turkey and the other in the Czech Republic.
I had long wanted to visit these countries, so I started looking for information on the internet and contacted the hospitals that interested me directly. My goal was not only to gain new professional experience, but also to see how healthcare works elsewhere in the world and to experience something completely new.
Preparation and arrangements
Turkey attracted me with its culture and different working environment, while the Czech Republic appealed to me because of its proximity, similar language, and high standard of hospitals. The administrative side of things was not entirely straightforward—I had to communicate with hospitals, fill out documents, and negotiate details. Fortunately, the faculty and Erasmus coordinator helped me a lot – they provided me with templates and guided me, so everything went much more smoothly.
Internship in Turkey
I completed my first internship at Özel ADN Hastanesi, in the anesthesia and resuscitation department and in the operating rooms. From the very beginning, the team was very friendly, and the head nurse allowed me to observe surgeries, communicate with doctors and nurses, and ask about anything that interested me. It was a unique opportunity for me to see what healthcare looks like in Turkey and how healthcare professionals treat patients and each other.
Internship in the Czech Republic
Then I had an internship at Na Homolce Hospital in the gynecology department. Here, too, I was welcomed with great willingness and helpfulness. I had the opportunity to observe procedures directly in the operating rooms and compare how doctors and nurses work in our country and in the Czech Republic.
Free time and new friendships
During both internships, I never felt alone. I always found time to walk around the city, visit monuments, or go on trips with other students. Thanks to this, I made new friends and experienced many unforgettable moments.
What the internships gave me
I felt the biggest difference between Turkey and the Czech Republic in the culture—in Turkey, everything seemed livelier, more colorful, and different, while in the Czech Republic, I gained intensive professional experience in an environment that was closer to me. Both internships gave me more than I expected: I improved my organizational skills, flexibility, teamwork, and, above all, I gained the courage to deal with new and unexpected situations.
My recommendation for students
If you are thinking about applying for an internship abroad, definitely go for it! It is an investment in yourself that will open doors to new opportunities. Prepare in advance, ask questions when you don't know something, and don't let doubts discourage you. You will see that you can do much more than you think.
