In this intermediate English conversation, Camille and Calvin share true stories about visiting doctors, ERs, clinics, and pharmacies while traveling with their family in Panama, Turkey, Italy, Brazil, Ireland, Spain, America, and Peru. You’ll hear real, unscripted English for talking about pain, illness, and medical costs, and you’ll learn the phrases you need if you ever have to see a doctor in English.
Navigating healthcare systems abroad can feel overwhelming, especially when managing an unexpected illness or injury in a foreign language. Studying textbook English is helpful, but listening to natural, everyday conversations is one of the best ways to reach fluency. In this video lesson by Learn English with Camille, Camille and Calvin share authentic, unscripted stories about their healthcare experiences while living a nomadic lifestyle with their family across more than 50 countries.
Level: B1–B2 (intermediate)
Format: Unscripted real-life conversation
Topic: Health, doctors, travel, costs
Countries: Panama, Turkey, Italy, Brazil, Ireland, Spain, the US, and Peru
7 Essential Vocabulary Words & Real-Life Idioms
Outgrow [a problem]
Meaning: To stop having a habit, condition, or physical issue as you get older.Example: “It was an issue for her for a couple of years… But luckily, she outgrew that problem.”
- Walk-in clinic
Meaning: A medical office where you can see a doctor without an appointment, for problems that aren’t emergencies.
Example: “We took the kids to a walk-in clinic because they all had infections.” - To mess with / Not to mess with
Meaning: To deal with something dangerous or troublesome. Saying “you don’t want to mess with it” means you should be very cautious.
Example: “Weeverfish you don’t want to mess with if you have them in your area…” - Doubled over
Meaning: Bending forward sharply at the waist, usually due to intense physical pain or extreme laughter.
Example: “Maddox is doubled over, which is like hunched over on the ground… his stomach is hurting so bad.” - Pull out your back
Meaning: To injure or strain the muscles in your lower back, making movement difficult or painful.
Example: “I was reaching down because something fell on the floor, and I pulled out my back…”
Note: Most Americans say “throw out your back” or “pull a muscle in my back.” - Clear as day
Meaning: Extremely clear, vivid, or easy to see or remember.
Example: “I’ll never forget the image of you. I can see it in my mind clear as day.” Wrap up
Meaning: To finish, complete, or conclude an activity or video.Example: “So we better wrap up this video… We’re almost done.”
Our Healthcare Experiences Around the Globe: How much did it cost? (Costs from 2019-2024)
- Panama: An emergency room visit and X-rays for a stomach issue cost just $8 USD.
- Turkey: Treatment for a venomous weever fish sting in an ER during a national holiday totaled $40 USD.
- Italy: A walk-in clinic appointment for three children suffering from infections came to €20.
- Peru: A quick pharmacy visit for a cortisone injection to treat severe back pain cost only $10 USD, and a full two-hour holistic treatment with a local masseuse was also $10 USD.
- United States: A brief walk-in clinic visit without insurance to check for strep throat cost $200 USD.
Useful English phrases at the doctor
If you ever need medical help while traveling, these are the phrases you’ll use most. Camille and Calvin needed many of them on their trips!
Describing how you feel
| Phrase | When to use it |
|---|---|
| I don’t feel well. | A general way to say you’re sick |
| I have a stomachache / headache / sore throat. | Describing pain in one part of your body |
| My back hurts. | Describing pain anywhere: “My knee hurts,” “My ear hurts” |
| I threw out my back. | A sudden back injury, often from lifting or bending |
| I got stung by something. | An insect, jellyfish, or fish sting |
| It started two days ago. | Telling the doctor when the problem began |
| It hurts when I walk / breathe / eat. | Explaining what makes the pain worse |
At the ER, clinic, or pharmacy
| Phrase | When to use it |
|---|---|
| I need to see a doctor. | Asking for help at a front desk or hotel |
| Where’s the nearest emergency room? | For serious or urgent problems |
| Is there a walk-in clinic near here? | For problems that aren’t emergencies |
| Do I need an appointment? | Checking before you go |
| Do I need a prescription for this? | At the pharmacy, asking if a doctor must approve a medicine |
| How often should I take this? | Asking about medicine instructions |
Asking about cost and insurance
| Phrase | When to use it |
|---|---|
| How much does it cost without insurance? | Very important in the US, where visits can be expensive |
| Do you accept travel insurance? | Checking before treatment |
| Can I get a receipt for my insurance? | So you can ask your insurance company to pay you back |
Try it: Imagine you’re at a walk-in clinic. Write three sentences to explain your problem to the doctor.
Check your understanding
- How much did an ER visit with X-rays cost in Panama?
a) $8 b) $80 c) $200 - What happened to Camille and Calvin’s son in Turkey?
a) A dog bite b) A weever fish sting c) A broken arm - Where did three of the children get treated for infections for €20?
a) Spain b) Ireland c) Italy - What did a pharmacy in Peru give for severe back pain?
a) A cortisone injection b) A cast c) An X-ray - Why was the US visit the most expensive?
a) It was a surgery b) They didn’t have insurance c) It was on a holiday - What does “doubled over” mean?
a) Laughing quietly b) Bending forward because of pain or laughter c) Walking fast
REVEAL THE QUIZ ANSWERS
Answers:
1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-a, 5-b, 6-b
Understand and speak real life English!
- Authentic, natural conversations based on a mix of fiction and real stories.
- Free downloadable audio to improve your listening comprehension and pronunciation.
- Contextual vocabulary and grammar breakdowns designed specifically for self-learners and classroom ESL settings.
More from Camille and Calvin:
Our Childhood Memories
Why We’re Leaving Northern Portugal
Curious about life in the US? Watch our most popular video: American Culture Explained by Americans
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say you need a doctor in English?
The simplest way is “I need to see a doctor.” You can add what’s wrong: “I need to see a doctor. I have a bad stomachache.”
What's the difference between the ER and a walk-in clinic?
The ER (emergency room) is for serious or urgent problems, like a bad injury or strong pain. A walk-in clinic is for everyday problems, like a sore throat or an infection, and you don’t need an appointment.
What does "throw out your back" mean?
It means to suddenly hurt your lower back, often by lifting or bending. For example: “I threw out my back picking up a box.”
How much does it cost to see a doctor in the US without insurance?
It varies a lot. In this video, a short walk-in clinic visit for strep throat cost Camille and Calvin $200, much more than their visits in other countries.
What English level is this conversation?
It’s for intermediate learners (B1–B2). It’s natural, unscripted English, so it’s great practice for understanding how Americans really speak.
