My First Time Seeing Surgery: What It Taught Me About Medicine

For many pre-med students, the first time witnessing surgery is a defining moment. It’s one thing to study anatomy in textbooks or learn about procedures in class—it’s another to stand beside a surgeon in a real operating theatre, watching medicine come alive.

Whether you're interning at a teaching hospital in Mombasa, Kenya or a district referral center in Tanzania, Go Elective gives students the opportunity to observe surgeries in real clinical environments. Here's what that first exposure often teaches—about medicine, about systems, and about ourselves.

> Explore Go-Elective Pre-Med and Surgical Internships Abroad 

The Build-Up: Anticipation and Uncertainty

Before stepping into the surgical theatre, most students report feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. You might wonder:

• Will I faint?
• Will I understand what’s going on?
• Will I be in the way?

At Go Elective partner hospitals, you’re never thrown in unprepared. You're guided by mentors—surgeons, residents, and nurses—who help you understand sterile protocol, what to expect, and how to observe respectfully.

“I remember standing outside the OR, gloved and gowned, my heart pounding. The surgeon turned and said, ‘Are you ready to see something incredible?’ And I was.”

Lesson 1: Surgery Is a Team Sport

The biggest misconception students have is that surgery is a solo act. But the operating room is a highly choreographed team environment—every player essential:

• The lead surgeon relies on assistants, scrub techs, and anesthesiologists.
• The nurses anticipate needs before they’re spoken.
• The residents teach and learn simultaneously.

“It amazed me how communication was constant—but quiet. A nod, a glance, a motion of the hand. Everyone was in sync.”

This experience reinforces the importance of collaboration in healthcare—something every future doctor needs to internalize.

Lesson 2: The Human Body Is Both Delicate and Resilient

Watching a C-section, orthopedic repair, or laparotomy up close, you realize how much strength and precision is involved. Surgeons work with deliberate pressure and care, guided by years of training.

“I watched as a small child’s abdomen was opened to treat an intestinal obstruction. I was struck not just by the complexity, but by how calmly the surgeon navigated the anatomy.”

What textbooks can't teach is this visceral understanding of the body’s ability to heal when supported by skilled hands.

Lesson 3: Medicine Is About More Than the Procedure

In low-resource settings like Kenya and Tanzania, observing surgery also means seeing how context shapes care. You might notice:

• Limited supplies or older equipment
• Creative adjustments by the surgical team
• Discussions about whether a patient can afford follow-up care

These moments teach you that medicine isn’t just about cutting and stitching—it’s about equity, access, and problem-solving.

“In one case, the surgeon used a sterilized fishing line because surgical sutures were in short supply. It wasn’t ideal, but it was effective. That’s the reality in many parts of the world.”

Lesson 4: You Don’t Need to Know Everything to Learn Deeply

Many students worry they’ll be “lost” during surgery because they haven’t studied it in depth. But your role as an observer is to absorb, not perform.

Watch how:

• The team moves and communicates
• Anatomy appears in 3D, not just diagrams
• Clinical decisions are made in real time

“I didn’t understand every term they used, but I asked questions afterward. Each procedure became a new chapter in how I think about patient care.”

Lesson 5: Surgery Reveals the Privilege of Being Trusted

Perhaps the most unexpected lesson comes from the emotional gravity of surgery. The fact that a patient has entrusted their life to the team—and that you’re allowed to witness it—is profound.

“A woman undergoing a myomectomy looked at me before anesthesia and whispered, ‘You’ll be a great doctor someday.’ I still think about her.”

It’s a reminder that medicine is never just technical. It’s about humanity, trust, and compassion—even when patients are unconscious.

How Go Elective Makes These Experiences Possible

At Go Elective, students don’t just “shadow”—they engage. You’ll learn:

• In high-volume settings like Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital
• Under real-time mentorship from surgeons and clinical officers
• With exposure to a wide range of surgical specialties: general, OB/GYN, pediatric, trauma, and more

You’ll also reflect through clinical debriefs and mentorship sessions, helping you turn observation into insight.

Conclusion: Your First Surgery Is Just the Beginning

The first time you see surgery, you're not just learning about a procedure—you’re discovering what it really means to be a doctor. It’s an unforgettable entry point into a world where science, empathy, and teamwork converge.

If you're ready for this kind of learning, Go Elective offers real clinical exposure that transforms students into future healthcare leaders. Your journey starts with a single scrub-in.

> Apply now for surgical shadowing internships abroad

Article Details

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Recent Articles , Pre-health, Medical Electives,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: Jul 2, 2025