July 2024
In July 2024, I went on a SCOPE exchange to Mansoura, Egypt, where I joined the pediatric surgery department for a month-long internship. Despite the many challenges, it turned out to be one of the most enriching and unforgettable experiences of my life. Think: scorching heat, walks with camels, questionable hospital hygiene, cockroaches in the bathroom — and a bunch of amazing new friends.
🚗 Culture Shock on Arrival
Throughout the whole month, I was constantly surprised by the cultural differences between Belgium and Egypt — starting the moment I landed in Cairo and met my contact person, who picked me up from the airport. The drive itself was an adventure: in Egypt, traffic rules are more of a suggestion than a rule. No lanes, non-stop honking, and if you want to cross the street? Just walk and hope the cars stop in time.
Quick shoutout: my incredible contact person waited over an hour at the airport in the middle of the night (thanks to my flight delay), then drove me two hours to my accommodation and chatted the entire way, giving me the rundown of what to expect over the next month.
One thing I never got used to was the heat. With temperatures soaring to 45°C, I couldn’t step outside without sunscreen and sunglasses — meanwhile, the Egyptians laughed at me because they didn’t need either. (Fun fact: finding sunscreen in local stores was a real challenge.)
Another funny cultural adjustment was “Egyptian time”: if someone says “let’s meet at 10,” just add 1–3 hours and you’re good.
🏥 Surgeries and Sterility
In true Egyptian style, my internship in the hospital was very laid-back. I could show up in the morning whenever I wanted, and most days I left around noon. I worked with different surgeons depending on who was available and what surgeries were scheduled that day. This was actually a great opportunity — I got to learn from a wide range of doctors and observe a variety of procedures.
It was also the first time I saw surgeries in real live, instead of just learning about them in theory at university, which made the experience even more valuable.
One of the most eye-opening parts was seeing the differences between the healthcare systems in Belgium and Egypt. In Belgium, we’re trained to follow strict sterility protocols. Our infectious diseases professor would probably faint if they saw how things were done in Egypt. The operating rooms were packed with people, with staff constantly walking in and out — without changing clothes. Surgeons used their phones mid-surgery and even applied alcohol gel directly on their sterile gloves.
Outside the hospital, there were always crowds of people waiting on the street, sometimes for days, just hoping to get treatment. That really stuck with me. In Belgium, healthcare is so accessible that it’s hard to imagine this kind of reality exists elsewhere.
🌍 Trips, Temples & Tight Friendships
The social program was easily one of the best parts of the exchange. Every weekend there was a trip planned, and by the end of the month, I had visited some of Egypt’s most iconic places. I went to Cairo, the historic city of Alexandria, the stunning beach town of Dahab, and even took a five-day cruise on the Nile.
The trips were packed with activities — fun but exhausting. We had long bus rides, early departures (which usually got delayed by a few hours — again, Egyptian time), and we often had to sleep on the bus. One week, I only made it to the hospital for two days that week because of the travel, but honestly? It was worth it.
One of the most fascinating parts was getting to know Egypt’s incredibly rich culture. I visited ancient temples, wandered through museums filled with history, and even went inside the pyramids — an unforgettable experience. It was amazing to see with my own eyes what I had only seen in history books before.
What made the trips even more special was doing them together with the other incomings. Spending so much time together — on the road, in the heat, sharing food and stories — brought us really close. It was so much fun to discover a new country as a group, to learn about each other's cultures, and to share both the fun moments and the challenges of being far from home. By the end of the month, it felt like we had become a little international family.
🐜 Wanted and Unwanted Roommates
One of the more challenging parts of the month was definitely the accommodation. Our room didn’t have any air conditioning, so it was always incredibly hot — especially during the day. It got so warm that it was nearly impossible to stay inside, so we often escaped to nearby cafés with the other incomings just to cool down. In the end, this actually turned into one of the nicest daily habits. We spent hours together in those cafés — chatting, playing games, studying, or just relaxing — and really got to know each other well.
What made the experience extra special was having a roommate — a girl from Slovenia. From day one, we clicked really well and became close friends. We shared everything, from funny moments to small frustrations, and we’re still in touch today. I honestly couldn't have wished for a better roommate during this month.
But not everything was so rosy. In the first week, we came back from a trip and found our room had been invaded by ants — they were everywhere, on the beds, the floor, and worst of all, inside my suitcase. Luckily, we were allowed to move to another room after that. Unfortunately, the new room came with its own set of visitors: cockroaches. They mostly stayed in the bathroom, but every morning when I went to the toilet, I secretly hoped I wouldn’t run into one. Let’s just say… it kept things interesting.
💬 Final Thoughts: Totally Worth It
It was an intense month — full of new impressions, unexpected situations, and unforgettable moments. I’m so grateful I got the chance to discover Egypt’s rich culture and see so many different parts of the country. Choosing to do my internship in a place where the healthcare system is so different from Belgium turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made. It really opened my eyes and broadened my perspective on medicine and the world.
This experience also taught me to be independent, to adapt, and to figure things out on my own.
But more than anything, what made this exchange truly unforgettable were the people. The other incomings and the contact persons became like family — we were such a close group, and they made every challenge feel lighter and every moment more meaningful.
So, would I recommend an exchange to Egypt?
Absolutely. As long as you're ready to embrace the chaos and challenges along the way — because trust me, it's 100% worth it.
