Erasmus +  Success Stories

Erasmus period: 01.08.2025-03.10.2025

My name is Ilia Mitrev, and I am a sixth-year medical student at Medical University of Sofia. Throughout my studies, I have had the opportunity to participate in several Erasmus programs. One of the most valuable experiences was my summer traineeship at Acıbadem University in Istanbul, Turkey, where I spent two months expanding both my professional knowledge and cultural horizons.

How the Idea Began

The inspiration for this traineeship came during my participation in the Ingenium European University Allianceprogram in Iași. During this program, I met a colleague with whom I quickly developed a close friendship. Together we decided to apply for a summer traineeship in Istanbul. Since the program took place during the summer, we had the flexibility to organize our schedules individually and choose the specialties that best matched our interests.

Clinical Rotations

As my main academic interest lies in internal medicine, I selected rotations in Emergency Medicine, Cardiology, and Pulmonology.

From the very beginning of the traineeship, I was impressed by the modern infrastructure and organization of the hospitals affiliated with Acıbadem. The hospitals are large, technologically advanced private institutions that provide high-quality healthcare services and patient-centered care.

Emergency Medicine

My rotation in the Emergency Department provided insight into the daily workflow of emergency care. Interestingly, many of the cases involved non-urgent conditions, such as mosquito bites, anxiety and panic attacks, fatigue, or sore throat. While these cases still required proper medical assessment, the department encountered relatively few severe emergencies during my stay.

Cardiology

The cardiology rotation was undoubtedly the most inspiring part of my traineeship. On my very first day, I was welcomed into the angiography laboratory, where I had the opportunity to observe an angiography procedure.

Throughout the rotation, we held daily discussions on various cardiology topics. Under the guidance of experienced specialists, we examined patients and analyzed medical history, clinical status, laboratory results, and ECG findings. I also observed numerous echocardiographic examinations, learning how different measurements and imaging findings contribute to clinical decision-making

One of the highlights of my cardiology experience was assisting the nursing staff during my final angiography procedure, which allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the clinical environment and teamwork in interventional cardiology.

Pulmonology

My final rotation was in pulmonology, where I had the privilege of working with another excellent mentor. The training began with basic respiratory system examination, including the differentiation of breath sounds. We then continued with functional diagnostic tests such as spirometry, followed by sessions focused on diagnostic imaging, including chest X-rays and computed tomography scans.

Each learning session was followed by short quizzes and practical exercises, which helped consolidate our knowledge and encouraged active participation.

Beyond Medical Training

For me, the Erasmus experience goes far beyond academic training. It provides a unique opportunity to discover new places, cultures, and perspectives. Living in Istanbul allowed me to experience the city not as a tourist, but as a temporary resident.

During my stay, I explored the city, traveled within the country, tasted traditional Turkish cuisine, learned basic elements of the language, and immersed myself in the rich culture and history of Turkey.

A Valuable Experience

This traineeship was an exceptionally rewarding experience, both professionally and personally. It allowed me to deepen my medical knowledge, gain practical clinical exposure, and build international friendships. Experiences like this demonstrate the true value of Erasmus programs in shaping the next generation of medical professionals.