The month I spent at Keck was, without exaggeration, one of the most defining periods of my medical career so far. I felt greatly honored to have had the opportunity to practice at the Department of Pathology, in the specialty where I wish to practice in the future.

The first day started immediately with an orientation. Each day, we were assigned to different areas of pathology where we could participate. My first station was surgical pathology, which involved the macroscopic and microscopic processing of surgical specimens. Here, I had the opportunity to consult with both residents and fellows about each case that was individually assigned to us. Additionally, I participated in hematopathology, gynecological pathology, frozen section, and cytopathology practices, all of which provided a wealth of useful knowledge. Moreover, in the USA, alongside anatomical pathology, specialists also practice clinical pathology; hence, microbiology and transfusion practices were included in the program for two days each. These were particularly interesting to me, especially since I had the opportunity to see their significant pathological relevance.

The attitude of both the professors and the residents toward their work was very motivating; every morning began with an extended training session, where we had the opportunity to gain insights into every area of pathology. In addition, we had to write case reports about pathological changes that particularly caught our interest during the practice. I worked on a case of urothelial carcinoma that had developed in the renal pelvis and then invaded the ureter, in which I personally participated in both the macroscopic and microscopic processing.

One of the most interesting practical parts was the LA County Medical Examiner practice, where we participated in the processing and evaluation of local forensic medical cases. Here, we encountered cases that are rare in European contexts, and all cases from LA County are brought here, from celebrities to poorer residents. Witnessing such an on-site autopsy was shocking, and it somewhat felt like being in an actual CSI episode, but we also gained a lot of interesting and useful knowledge.

Perhaps the highlight of the practice for me was the last week when I had the opportunity to spend an entire week at the Pathology Department of Keck’s private hospital. Here, they handle the county’s largest number of urological cases, which was particularly exciting for me since I plan my student research and future plans in the field of uropathology. It was especially honorable to work alongside two professors during that week, whose work I have long admired in the world of uropathology. Dr. Manju Aron, the leader and outstanding educator in uropathology, personally showed me the kidney tumor collection that was presented to the world's outstanding pathologists at the American Pathology Congress in March. Dr. Shivani Kandukuri seized every moment for us to delve deeper into the processing of urological cases. I cannot be grateful enough for the few days I spent with them, and it was an honor to see and learn from them, and to take an example from their work ethic.

Although I spent most of my time at the clinic during the four weeks, I still took time on weekends to explore Los Angeles. The state of California was impressive in every aspect. The people, the food, the weather, the nature, and the atmosphere spoke for themselves. I had never had the opportunity to be in a place with such welcoming communities. I even attended a birthday party in the area of Venice Beach, which truly dropped me into this open and vibrant world. In Los Angeles, I visited the Observatory, Koreatown, Little Tokyo, Beverly Hills, and Venice Beach. Yet, the most dreamlike image was achieved as I left the bustling city. Malibu is a separate oasis with mountains, verdant nature, and a magnificent oceanic view. Rancho Palo Verdes, on the other hand, is a surprisingly small community, yet it offers vast natural beauty and peaceful countryside.

April 2024 will always be an important and defining memory for me. What I received both professionally and personally at Keck and in California was a gift that I will proudly and sincerely carry with me.