"Life is not the days that have passed, but the ones that are remembered."

Gabriel Garcia Marquez

These words perfectly reflect the essence of my summer internship in Astana (Kazakhstan). When I saw an announcement near the international department about the opportunity to practice in another country, I immediately decided that this was a chance that could not be missed. Participation in the competition, filling out the questionnaire, waiting for the results... And here is the good news.: I have passed the selection process and am going to do an internship in the capital of Kazakhstan! Together with my friend, we flew to Astana, full of hope and anticipation of new discoveries in the world of medicine.

First impressions and everyday life

We were warmly welcomed at the airport and helped with our luggage. We were accommodated in a comfortable dormitory for University guests at 47 Abai Avenue. The room for four with a private bathroom was spacious. Although there was no kitchen on the floor, this small nuance was more than compensated for by the abundance of cafes and inexpensive canteens within walking distance, where you could have a delicious and budget lunch. Having a laundry room has also made life much easier.

The heart of the internship: practice at NCCEM

The most important thing is, of course, the practice itself. We underwent surgery at an advanced institution, the National Coordination Center for Emergency Medicine. Our supervisor was Professor Alexander Borisovich Fursov, Head of the Department of Surgical Diseases at Astana Medical University, whose guidance and attention to us were invaluable.

The internship took place in two key departments (as the departments are called in the Center):

1. in the Department of General Surgery;
2. in the Department of Purulent septic Surgery with combustology.

I would especially like to express my deep gratitude to our immediate mentor in the Department of General Surgery, vascular surgeon Almas Kenesarov. His ability to explain complex things in an accessible way, his willingness to share knowledge and involve us in the process gave us a huge amount of both theoretical and practical skills in surgery.

The work with young, but already highly qualified specialists, residents of the Center, also left an indelible impression. Arna Kabduaissova, Diaz Bolat, Zhetpisbayuly Yergulan, Yernar Suleymanov and many others not only demonstrated high professionalism, but also shared their invaluable experience with sincere warmth, answered all our questions, making the practice truly productive and inspiring.

Valuable experience in the operating room

One of the most striking and significant aspects of the internship was participation in operations. We were lucky not only to observe the work of the masters of surgery, but also to have the opportunity to assist in some interventions. This direct contact with surgical practice, the feeling of belonging to saving a life, is a truly invaluable and cool experience that can hardly be overestimated for a future doctor.

Astana: the city of impressions

Astana impressed us with its modern architecture, dynamism and cleanliness. In our free time, we tried to get to know the city as much as possible: we walked in numerous parks, visited the National Museum, visited the unique aquarium and even took a horse ride. And the culmination of the cultural program was a full-day trip to Borovoe (Burabay), a picturesque resort area near the capital, known for its stunning nature.

Thanks

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the international department and the Department of Practice of our University for providing a unique opportunity for professional exchange and growth. Special thanks to the host party — Astana Medical University and the National Coordination Center for Emergency Medicine — for an exceptionally warm welcome, excellent organization of practice and creation of all conditions for our comfortable stay and effective training.

This summer internship in Kazakhstan was exactly the "memorable" time that Marquez wrote about. She gave us not only invaluable professional experience, new knowledge and skills in surgery, but also self-confidence, vivid impressions of another culture and wonderful memories of the people with whom we were lucky enough to work and communicate. It was an important step in my development as a doctor, as well as an unforgettable adventure in life.