By David Fleet

Editor

Kyle Gavulic had no problem skipping the elveator en route to the top of the Eiffel Tower.

“I did not want to wait in line,” said Gavulic, a former Goodrich cross country standout. “I opted for the 1,700 steps to the top—honestly it’s a long, long ways up there.”

Gavulic’s quest to reach the summit of the French landmark was the culmination of a unique three week stint inside a French hospital.

Thanks to funding from the French-American Chamber of Commerce Michigan Chapter—a non-profit business association promoting French and American business relations—Gavulic landed the internship at Saint-Laurent Polyclinique a private hospital located about 230 miles southeast of Paris in the city of Rennes.

“I’m not French, but I’ve studied the French language at Goodrich High School, U-M Flint and Oakland University,” he said. “Since I was dual-enrolled my senior year (of high school) I qualified for the FACC scholarship that sends a college student to France. Most of the members of the FACC are bilingual—my French was pretty good, but you just can’t get enough practice here in Michigan.”

The scholarship was the right fit for Gavulic, 18, who graduated top in his class from Goodrich High School last June. He will attend Vanderbilt University this fall to study medicine.

So on June 13, Gavulic flew from Toronto to France and despite a delay due to an Air France strike which diverted him to Amsterdam, he eventually landed at Charles De Gaulle Airport near Paris. After about a three hour train ride he arrived in Rennes just south of the English Channel.

“You really need the full immersion of French to converse adequately,” he said. “It was tough at first, but by the end of about the second week it became a lot easier. Most people did not know English so it was all in French, however, they would ask me the English word to use. It was funny that after awhile I did not know the English word to use when they asked me—only the French (word).”

Gavulic’s time at Saint-Laurent Polyclinique included a hefty exposure of medical procedures including: thoracic surgery, plastic surgery, interventional cardiology procedures, pacemaker implantation, open heart surgery, cataract surgery and endoscopy procedures. He spent a total of 110 hours observing surgery at the hospital.

“My stomach became used to the surgery real quick,” he said. “By the fifth day the blood was no big deal anymore. It was important that I studied patient care before, during and after surgery —pretty much every step of the way. I spent time in the recovery room and as the patient was released. From doing blood pressure to time in the intensive care unit when necessary the experience was complete.”

Gavulic was impressed with the French health system.

“From what I can see the French are as advanced as we are in America,” he said. “From health codes to medical protocol to health insurance it was very advanced. They have universal health care and it works just fine from my perspective.”

Gavulic was treated as a superstar.

“I was known as ‘The American,’” he laughed. “In casual conversation the French are very concerned about Trump getting elected president. I would say they are very afraid of him and questioned me about the campaign and election. I realized after speaking with the French that our politics in America impact the whole world. It just emphasizes how important our presidential decision this fall will be on the world.”

While Gavulic was in Rennes the terrorist shootings in Orlando occurred.

“Many people offered their sympathy to me and our country after the shooting. They are very aware of the impact of terrorism,” he said. “They are very in tune to what happens here in America.”

Gavulic had a few days in Paris before retuning to America on July 9

“The experience in France honestly changed my career choice,” he said. “I may use my voice in the public health research rather than surgery. That’s why interships are just so vital in education.”