Days 1-3

Despite a severely uncomfortable flight, my first impressions of Germany are definitely positive. After a smooth transition to the dorm room in Bonn, we had an orientation meeting then dinner. On the first full day in Bonn, we went to the university clinic to see surgeries, and my group saw a liver tumor resection. Much of the surgery was similar to those I’ve already seen, which I was expecting. However, I was surprised that the doctors were not anticipating the patient’s atypical vein. In the US, it seemed like the surgeon would make absolutely sure that he knows where everything is before he cuts, but here in Germany, a scan probably costs money that the insurance does not cover. Since the cancer was so extensive, the surgeons did not know if they could do that resection, so between doing a cholecystectomy and waiting for the lab results of the tumor and normal liver, we had to leave before the actual removal began. After lunch on the beautiful Rhine River, we were shown around Bonn and learned about some of its important historical moments. Sometimes it can be easy to forget how extensive the Roman Empire became, especially, for example, since I don’t think of the Romans when I think about Germany. For having lived over two thousand years ago, the Romans had advanced techniques, such as heating the floors, walls and baths by a fire underneath the floors.

On the third day, after a lecture from Dr. Wasser, we headed to the Museum of the History of Anesthesia for a tour by Dr. Stoeckel. It was interesting to see the evolution of a specific part of medicine, from the machines used to deliver the anesthetic and keep the patient alive to the actual drugs. Learning about the history of something directly from a man who witnessed it himself always brings a new perspective to the subject that could not be found in a book. We also went to the House of German History Museum to learn more about what happened after World War II. Even though we studied this in world and US history classes, hearing the same stories from a fresh perspective is always an eye-opening experience. What impressed me about the museum is that is completely public, since it is so important for Germans to learn about their history.

Bonn is an amazing town, not too big and not too small. Walking through the city center looking and the stores, comparing the McDonald’s to the ones in the US and seeing a bakery on what seems like every corner have been the highlights of the free time.