Hello! This is Melina Mazzella, and I am officially 3+ weeks into my summer internship experience in London! So far, I have felt welcomed, challenged, and amazed by all of the new experiences I have had.

Reflecting on the past 2 weeks, I am proud of myself and my friends for our efforts to explore and make each day here productive. Before my internship began, we spent our first weekend in London sightseeing and getting accustomed to the local culture and cuisine. We took a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus to see the major landmarks, such as the Tower of London, Big Ben, Tower Bridge, and the London Eye. I had an “aha” moment realising that I made it here and can finally call this city home for the next 8 weeks. Additionally, my friends and I have loved seeing other areas and sights in England! We have visited Cambridge, Brighton Beach, Notting Hill, Primrose Hill, Buckingham Palace, Borough Market, and many more!

During the week, I am a full-time intern in the Anaesthetics Department at Kings College Hospital. After meeting with my supervisors and touring around the large hospital campus, I was able to dive into the multiple projects I will be working on this summer. One project in particular involves analyzing the reasonable adjustments made for patients with complex needs receiving dental care. I have had the opportunity of shadowing multiple oral surgeries, following the anaesthetic process and patient journey: pre-operation, intra-operation, and post-operation. This Special Care Dentistry team makes adjustments in their surgical process for their patients to receive care catered specifically to them. I am also working on projects regarding patient satisfaction after a craniotomy procedure and a fractured neck of femur procedure. These diverse experiences have enabled me to learn from both a clinical and a management perspective. I already feel stronger in my leadership and communication skills and am excited to continue working on these fulfilling projects.

I feel so grateful for this experience. I will continue to ask questions, take risks, and challenge myself both personally and professionally. I am eager to continue learning what my summer in London has in store for me. Cheers!