Pre-health Shadowing in Warsaw, Poland
Warsaw, Royal castle and old town at sunset
Pre-health shadowing programs in Warsaw, Poland
The Lazienki palace in Lazienki Park, literally "Baths Park" or "Royal Baths"; often rendered "Royal Baths Park"- largest park in Warsaw

Poland

Warsaw

$6,499

Overview

Discover Warsaw, a city where resilience and innovation shape every corner. Its historic Old Town, meticulously rebuilt after World War II, stands alongside sleek modern architecture, creating a striking skyline. Through the Atlantis Warsaw program, students have the opportunity to shadow doctors in Poland, gaining hands-on clinical experience in top medical facilities. With lush parks like Łazienki and vibrant cultural venues such as the Royal Castle, Warsaw offers a mix of relaxation and exploration. Whether wandering through its museums or enjoying a riverside café, the city’s dynamic spirit is impossible to ignore.

Beyond its architectural charm, Warsaw is a hub of creativity and culture. Its dynamic energy, from lively music festivals to world-class theaters, offers a rich cultural backdrop that complements the professional growth of anyone participating in medical shadowing in Poland.

Destination Information

The City

Every city has its iconic landmark, and for Warsaw, that place is the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site that has stood as the heart of the city for centuries. When viewed from across the Vistula River, the city’s skyline is a striking contrast of modern skyscrapers towering above the charming red rooftops of the historic district. This blend of old and new architecture gives Warsaw a unique character, revealing its multifaceted identity.

The city offers a dynamic mix of serene green spaces, rich history, and vibrant modernity. Visitors can explore the picturesque Old Town, the grandeur of Wilanów Palace, and the peacefulness of Łazienki Park.

History buffs will find captivating experiences at the Warsaw Uprising Museum, the Museum of the History of Polish Jews, and the Copernicus Science Centre, each offering a deep dive into the city’s rich past. Warsaw’s architecture perfectly reflects the harmony between its past and present.

With nearly half of the city covered in green, Warsaw is home to 95 parks, with Łazienki Park being the most famous. In summer, you can enjoy the Chopin Concerts in the park’s open-air setting, while the theatre founded by King Stanisław August hosts performances of contemporary music in its historic interiors.

Dates & Availability

  • Summer Break 2026

Dates

Price

Availability

July 11, 2026 - July 31, 2026 3 weeks

$6,499

Open

You may pay over time, fundraise, consider scholarships, and more. Learn about our significant partial need-based scholarships here.

Participants may transfer to another program or receive a refund up until a predefined amount of time before the start date.

What’s Included

Atlantis programs include ~20h/week of shadowing, housing, some meals, transportation, travel health insurance, and more. Airfare is not included but can be very affordable.

Hospital Overview

University Clinical Center of the Medical University of Warsaw (MUW)

The University Clinical Center of the Medical University of Warsaw (MUW), is one of Poland’s largest and most modern teaching hospitals. It was formed by merging several major clinical facilities and serves as the university’s main site for clinical training, research, and patient care. The hospital offers a wide range of specialties, including internal medicine, cardiology, surgery, oncology, neurology, and intensive care. Equipped with advanced medical technology and over 1,500 inpatient beds, it provides comprehensive services to thousands of patients annually while supporting the education of future doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals.

Alumni Favorite

Lazienki Park

Lazienki Park is home to a wide-range of places to explore, including a pond, a river stream, and a zoo. For nature lovers, Lazienki Park offers a small forest that is a perfect utopia. It will give a wonderful experience with lush green lawns, immaculate gardens, and beautiful flowers. You might even see some elegant peacocks strutting around if you’re lucky! On Sunday afternoons, a Chopin concert is held in the park for all music lovers. You can even walk through the gardens few minutes or hours to feel the beauty and calmness of the garden.

Pre-health shadowing programs in Warsaw, Poland
The Lazienki palace in Lazienki Park, literally "Baths Park" or "Royal Baths"; often rendered "Royal Baths Park"- largest park in Warsaw

Atlantis allowed me to step outside of my comfort zone and immerse myself in a culture that I would probably have never done if it wasn’t for this program. I learned so much about a different healthcare system and was able to confirm that medicine is what I want to do in the future. The program is a perfect mix of being able to explore a foreign country while also helping you to achieve your future goal of being a doctor.

Pre-health shadowing programs in Warsaw, Poland
Atlantis students standing in front of a castle on a program excursion (Torun, Poland).
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Excursions

Our excursions are designed to offer a deeper look into your host culture, for both the educational benefit and the enjoyment of exploring a new place with others who share your interests in travel and medicine. Excursions range from historical tours to culinary and cultural explorations.

Your Site Manager will inform you of the excursions they have planned during your program orientation. If you make travel plans outside of your city for a weekend and it conflicts with the events your Site Manager has planned, notify your Site Manager several days in advance so that they can plan accordingly.

Atlantis students on a program excursion.
Atlantis students on a program excursion (Genoa, Italy).

Language Skills Not Required

Most participants do not speak the local language at their Atlantis program. English levels vary within the hospital, but no knowledge of the language is required for Atlantis to be valuable. There is enough English spoken in the hospital for participants to benefit from the programs, as you can read in our testimonials. 

Many patients in your future career will not speak your language and will come from a different cultural background, so the Atlantis experience prepares you for that intercultural perspective. Any slight language barrier you may encounter at Atlantis also helps you develop “resilience and adaptability,” an AAMC core competency.

Clinical Experience that Stands Out to Schools

Medical schools want 3 things: healthcare exposure, GPA/MCAT, and certain competencies. Uniquely, “360 Shadowing” gives you the best version of the 1st, frees you to focus on the 2nd, and cultivates/shows the 3rd to medical school admissions.

Two students walking out of a hospital wing.
Atlantis students in a hospital wing (Lisbon, Portugal).

Funding Your Future

The cost of Atlantis isn’t too dissimilar from the cost of many study abroad programs that you may find. And we’re here to help: from our extensive fundraising guide to flexible payment plans and financing options, we make the process simple and easy, allowing you to focus on what really matters.

An Atlantis student smiling while shadowing abroad.
An Atlantis student on an excursion experiencing culture while shadowing abroad (Athens, Greece).

Bring a Friend

Consider bringing a friend to the same program you’re applying to. Although the vast majority of Atlantis alumni have gone on programs without knowing someone in their cohort, bringing a friend allows your experience to be shared in a unique way, while still allowing you one of the benefits of Atlantis: meeting new pre-health friends from across the country. Consider sharing this idea with your friends.

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students walking and smiling.
Atlantis students exploring together on a program excursion (Athens, Greece).

Med School Interview:
Atlantis Alum vs. Typical Pre-med

Compare a possible medical school interview of an Atlantis alum with that of a typical applicant by looking at responses to common questions.