Doctors in Italy Fellowship Program

My experience shadowing abroad in Bologna, Italy for 5 weeks was incredible. We got to see several different specialties such as dermatology, cardiology, oncology, etc. After shadowing for about six hours in the morning, we would go out to group meals or activities, like cooking classes, where we got to be fully immersed in the Italian culture. On Fridays, we went on group excursions outside of Bologna to other Italian cities like Ferrara, Modena, and Parma where we got to see different parts of Italy and learn even more. On the weekends, my other fellows and I would plan our own trips to different cities, such as Venice and Florence, and spend time having fun together. Overall, the experience not only helped me gain exposure to the medical field by allowing me to gain 100 clinical shadowing hours but also fostered lasting friendships and lifetime memories.

I absolutely adored my time in Genoa with Doctors in Italy. The city managers and accommodations were phenomenal! I even tested positive for asymptomatic COVID-19 upon arrival and the staff at Shadow Doctors in Italy and our hotel were so helpful and caring. They made sure that I was well taken care of and even reimbursed me for the meals I had delivered while in quarantine!
Our hotel was within a short walking distance of the bus we needed to take to the hospital each day and to the city's train station.
Each rotation we shadowed had at least one doctor who spoke English proficiently and was willing to take on and guide a student for the day. Because we had a smaller shadowing group, we were even able to choose what specialties we wished to shadow each day. Each rotation, I was met with friendly and helpful faces who were happy to meet us and teach us more about their work. I always felt welcome and accepted by all.
The city managers, Denise and Matteo, were so helpful! They showed us around the hospital as well as the city. We had such a great time with them, and they were always a phone call or text away if we needed them. Our group excursions with them on Wednesday and Friday nights were so fun!
After shadowing and on the weekends, we were free to travel on our own! We received great advice from Denise and Matteo on where to visit, shop, and eat. During my time in Italy, I was even able to travel to Rome for the weekend before returning to shadowing on Monday morning.
Overall, I miss my time in the Doctors in Italy program immensely, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in entering into the healthcare profession!

Doctors in Italy was an amazing and immersive experience for aspiring young medical students/pre-med students, which not only was immersive into the field of medicine but into the Italian culture. From shadowing in heart surgeries to seeing how the local general practitioner ran, the program allowed me to gain insight into international medicine and solidified my desire in the healthcare field. The staff are supportive and ensure you have an enjoyable time, and the friends that you make are some you will keep for your whole life!

Doctor’s in Italy allowed for me to comfortable and confident in learning medicine anywhere. It exposed me to a completely different culture with individuals that are so divergent from myself and my culture, which in return made me more open minded. Through my time in Rome, I learned so much more about the rich history and got to visit some of the greatest architectural monuments known to men that I’ve learned about in my history courses growing up. Through this experience I’ve also met some great people from my city managers to peers to the people of Rome and Physicians/Surgeons

Going to shadow abroad in Italy was easily the best experience ever. Not only do you get to learn about something you're passionate about doing in the future, but you also get to experience life in a foreign, beautiful country that is filled with so much to do. This program does a great job of making sure you have everything you need in order to have a fun and safe experience. I would do it all over again if I could because I miss it so much! I would recommend this program to anyone who is interested in the medical field because its great to learn about global medicine and the different approaches used across the world.