Shadow Doctors 20+ Hrs/Week w/ #1 Pre-Health Provider

Name: Shadow Doctors 20+ Hrs/Week w/ #1 Pre-Health Provider
Brand: Atlantis (Pre-Health Summer)
SKU: 229063
Rating: 4.94 (53 reviews)

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4.94 Rating

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Location

Italy

Industry

Anthropology Biology Chemistry Communications Engineering Geology Healthcare Hospitality Life Sciences Nursing Public Health Social Work +2

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Program Details

Timeframe

J-Term Maymester Spring Summer Winter

Housing

Apartment

Pricing

Price Details

Program cost varies based on location and length of program. View the Dates and Fees page on our website for more information.

What's Included

Accommodation Some Activities Some Meals SIM cards Travel Insurance Wifi

What's Not Included

Some Activities Airfare Domestic Airfare Airport Transfers Some Meals Transportation Visa

Last Updated: Jun 07, 2024

Last Reviewed: Sep 20, 2024

Wish List

84 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Atlantis is the largest and most reputable pre-health study abroad organization for US undergraduates. With shadowing experiences in Pavia, Milan, Genoa, Venice, Como, Ferrara, Mantua and more, our Italy programs are for those who want adventure. What better way to gain 60+ clinical hours than in the country with pasta and gelato galore! Students will shadow in top European hospitals with well-esteemed physicians and have the opportunity to explore the rich culture that Italy has to offer.

Students build lasting relationships with physicians in various specialties and observe patient care from start to finish. Knowing how different healthcare teams operate and communicate is a great way for students to reflect on their own leadership skills. With alumni in 40 of the top 50 MD programs, Atlantis prepares students for a future career in healthcare.

Since summer of 2021, Atlantis has ran many safe and successful programs throughout the continuance of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Program Highlights

Programs run during winter and summer breaks so there is no need to take time off during your academic semesters!
Rotate weekly through different specialties to gain exposure to various medical practices and procedures.
Immerse yourself in a program abroad to understand healthcare in a global context, and embark on weekly excursions to experience Italian culture, sights, and food.
You do not need to know Italian to have an amazing and impactful experience!
Start dates for summer in May, June, July and August, and for winter in December and January.

Program Reviews

4.94 Rating

based on 53 reviews

Leave a Review

Rating Spread Intern

5 rating 94.34%
4 rating 5.66%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Growth 4.85
Support 4.85
Fun 4.95
Housing 4.6
Safety 4.9

Good for Students, Building your resume, Adventure travelers

Showing 9 - 16 of 53 reviews

During my first week in Mantova, Italy, I had the opportunity to shadow Dr. Massimo. In the Carlo Poma Hospital, Dr. Massimo is the director of immunohematology. During the second day I was there, he gave us a presentation on the research he did with a university in the United States. In the presentation, I learned that, because of the research he did, plasma was used as a form of therapy against Covid-19. Although I originally believed that Mantova was such a small city in Italy, I now understand that this small city housed one of the many pioneers that brought a huge impact to healthcare and medicine.

The Atlantis program was very fun and a great opportunity to shadow doctors, explore a new country, and experience a vibrant culture. The day I arrived I was greeted by the Lead City Manager who helped get a taxi to take me and two others to housing. The managers provided food and ingredients for breakfast every week and were very helpful with any of our needs. We had two dinners a week and an excursion with lunch on weekends. The program is not only a great opportunity to shadow and build your Pre-Med resume but also a wonderful and fun experience.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

Charcuterie board!

Pros

Lots of shadowing hours
Time to explore
Make connections

Cons

Bedding
Lots of walking (lol)

In scrubs before going into surgery room

Atlantis is an amazing program and is a unique way to gain hands on experience while traveling abroad. I met an amazing group of people that shared the same interest with me, while also being able to have fun and explore a new country together. This program allows you to experience healthcare in a new light and exemplifies the cultural differences between difference countries and ways of practice. Not only do you get to explore the city you are based in, this program allows you to travel to surrounding cities and countries and immerse yourself in their culture.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

Take the step and do it! I was nervous with traveling to a new country I have never been to while also being hnfamiliar with the language. Everyone is extremely nice and helpful and you will meet amazing people along the way.

Pros

Cultural immersion
New friends for life
Exploring the country

Cons

I was a part of the Genoa, Italy program in May 2024. The three weeks I spent there were some of the best of my life. Not only was I able to learn so much about the medical field and different medical specialties that will be useful in the future, but I also learned so much about the culture in Genoa. I loved how every week I was able to shadow in a new specialty because I was able to learn so many new things every week. I also loved how the program included group excursions so that I could build relationships with other students in the program. Overall, this experience was so transformative and I would definite recommend it to anyone interested!

The program is awesome! I definitely do recommend it as a fun and educational way to experience another country's health system! I personally took advantage of my time in the hospitals and took notes on what I saw and what was different from the US heathcare system. I learned alot about myself and others while I was in Italy too. I think the best part easily had to be exploring other cities in Italy. I was in an apartment with five other girls and we visited other cities every weekend we were there.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

Just dont forget to have fun and learn as much as you can.

Pros

Shadowing hours
Meeting new people
Exploring new places

Cons

Cost
Being somewhere unfamiliar
Living with people you dont know at first

I had the time of my life on my Atlantis Program. I went to Pavia, Italy and met some lifelong friends and learned so much about medicine that no experience has been able to compare to. I was able to experience procedures and work with such advanced medical staff. I could never gain the cultural knowledge and competence that I now have from taking this trip. So worth every penny. My city manager was amazing and so kind. I would take another Atlantis trip in a heartbeat. I recommend it to anyone wanting to go abroad and/or gaining medical shadowing experience.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

Choose a place you are not familiar with and research that area beforehand. My city manager was amazing, but I wish I had known about the mosquitos in my city before coming over. Had I researched, I would have known. Utilize your weekend free time and pack light.

Pros

Shadowing Experience
Group of traveling friends
City manager

Cons

mosquitos
inconsistency of public transportation

Gio was a phenomenal guide for every aspect of this trip, he understood every aspect of the hospital, took our group to great local restaurants, and had a great sense of humor. He was the highlight of our trip because he went above and beyond to deliver a truly authentic experience. He also had a strong network within the hospital that allowed me to get over 90 hours in the ICU and OR alone. He was able to help me with every issues that I encountered along the way and improved my resume by a substantial amount, far more than I could have anticipated. It was a unforgettable experience and I wish I could relive it again.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?

Open heart surgery the first day of the internship. I was not expecting to be thrown into the OR room the second I walked into the hospital. Me and my partner stood in shock as we watched an intense 5 hour open heart surgery the first day.

Pros

Great experience
Helpful and informative staff
Beautiful program location

Cons

Weather can very hot and humid
Trains are unreliable for day trips. Must get a hotel in neighboring cities

I had an amazing time during my 2 weeks in Gorizia, Italy. I went through the Atlantis Program and the shadowing experience was invaluable. I shadowed multiple surgeries in different specialties in the operating room. It helped me strengthen my interest in surgery as a specialty and allowed me to see what happens in an operating room in real-time. I would recommend the Atlantis Program to any pre-health student who wants healthcare experience and wants to see the world. Italy was an amazing country.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

Don't be afraid to ask questions. The doctors were very friendly and were willing to explain everything that was going on. Make the most of your time there, spend time with your group, and enjoy yourself!

Pros

Healthcare experience
Cultural immersion
Good mixture of fun and shadowing experience

Cons

I had trouble with my flights to and from Italy

Questions & Answers

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I chose to go on an Atlantis fellowship for many reasons! I had a friend who went on a fellowship to Portugal and she absolutely loved it. When she told me about her fellowship, I was only a junior in high school.

Three years later, going on an Atlantis Fellowship was still on my mind. I knew that I wanted to become a surgeon, however I thought that going on a fellowship would help cement my career aspirations. And it did. I also wanted to experience foreign healthcare, as I have a strong interest in global health. To become a doctor, it is important to learn about health care systems in places other than the US.

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

The staff at Atlantis is wonderful. The program coordinators assist you with almost everything. The only thing you really have to organize on your own is purchasing flights. Throughout the enrollment process and prior to your trip, the Atlantis staff is incredibly helpful and ensures that you have all of the information you need.

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What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Get outside of your comfort zone and become friends with everyone on your trip! You might make some of your best friends!

Travelling abroad alone can be frightening at times, but being with people who share the same interests as you makes it all the more wonderful and less overwhelming.

Aside from spending time and especially going on weekend trips with your fellow fellows, I would suggest exploring on your own at least once. Adventuring alone in a foreign country is a once in a life time experience.

I would also suggest you bring a notebook everyday to shadowing. You will have so much to learn from the doctors at the hospital you are shadowing at. The surgeries you will watch are incredible, and you should write down everything so that later in life you can refer back to your experience. I documented everything I saw so I would not forget and I am glad that I did. Also, ask your doctors as many questions as possible! They will enjoy answering them and you will learn tons. Pay attention to everything they do! Whatever specialty you shadow in, even if it is one you did not orignally "want" to shadow in, keep your eyes open and learn. Every specialty is a great specialty. It might even become your favorite.

Ask your friends questions as well! They may be closer to applying to medical school and could give you valuable advice.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

For an Atlantis fellow, days are busy but SO fun. On Monday-Thursday, you'll wake up at about 6:30 am, eat breakfast and get ready for shadowing. You will be at the hospital by 8 am (at least this is what mornings were like in Genova), and be done with shadowing by around 1 pm.

Typically, if a surgery runs long you will stay at the hospital a bit later. After shadowing, you are free to explore unless there is a group dinner! On Friday there is typically a group excursion. We went on a hike to castles and on a beach trip. Saturday-Sunday are for you to travel, and I highly recommend you do so. Neighboring countries are easy to get to!

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

Before going on my fellowship, I had never travelled on my own, nor had I travelled overseas. I was afraid that I would get lost. And I did get lost! However, it turned out to be a good experience. Coming home to Genova from a weekend trip, my friends and I accidentally took a train that went in the opposite direction. We ended up in the Italian mountains, in a small commune town called Mondovi. It was 12am. There were no trains that ran until the morning, so we were stuck.

Although I definitely recommend triple checking to make sure you are on the correct train, getting lost was a learning experience and it turned out to be okay! Once you learn how to read the train and bus schedules in Europe or wherever you choose to go on a fellowship, getting around becomes easy!

Is there anything you would have done differently?

If there is one thing I would have done differently, it would be to never come home from shadowing and revert to resting because I was tired. The cities that you will be in are beautiful, and you should explore and take in every sight. You could go on a waterfront run with a friend, or go out for lunch in the city center! Drink lots of coffee, and especially stay hydrated. The more awake you are, the more you can take in during surgeries and during your adventures.

Timothy Kinville

2018 Alum

Giovanna Stefanutto

2018 Alum

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

As a member of the digital promotion team, Sam works to spread the word about Atlantis' life changing programs to students across the globe. He has been a part of the Atlantis team since November 2016 and started as an Admissions Coordinator.

What is your favorite travel memory?

In high school, I did a service trip to rural El Salvador to help build multiple buildings for a small town called Rancho Grande. Through that trip, I was able to make new friends, build deeper bonds with existing friends, and make a real, tangible impact on the people I was serving. Being part of a group that has continually improved the standard of living in such an underprivileged area is something I am still proud of today.

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How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Working for Atlantis has allowed me to see new parts of the world, learn about other cultures, and has given me a better vision for my future career. I have gained a much greater appreciation, understanding and interest in other cultures, and have an increased desire to travel because of my work with Atlantis. In my current role, I have grown in my problem solving, communication and time management skills.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

Too many to pick one. I think one of the most amazing things to hear about is when students form relationships with doctors that go beyond just shadowing in the hospital. Atlantis is about building relationships in the medical world that go beyond country lines, and to see students and doctors making that happen is a wonderful thing.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

I would love to go on one of our programs to Greece. To experience a country with such an important history both in medicine and in civilization would be an amazing learning and growth experience. Additionally, it would put me further outside of my comfort zone than most of Atlantis' other countries between having less familiarity with the language and less knowledge of the country's geography and culture.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

Our team works incredibly hard to develop life changing programs and to ensure that students have the best experience possible both with Atlantis and in general while abroad. We enjoy working together and spending time together in and out of the office. From team outings to weekend gatherings, our team bonds and grows together, which shows in the way we work on our programs.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

I think the biggest factor in the success of a company is the people. Having people makes room for innovation and makes a company more efficient. In the service and education world, the people are even more important to make sure every student feels cared for and valued. At Atlantis we focus on making sure students have a wonderful experience with us and that comes through our amazing people.

Location

Location:

Italy

Currency:

Euro

Weather:

Jan-Mar

59 F / 37 F

Apr-Jun

82 F / 46 F

Jul-Sep

88 F / 61 F

Oct-Dec

72 F / 41 F

Airports:

Rome Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino

( FCO )

Milan Malpensa

( MXP )

Venice Marco Polo

( VCE )

Italy has long been a bucket list item for people, and it's no wonder with the ancient ruins, astounding scenery, and renowned museums -- all accompanied by the beautiful Italian language. When visiting Italy, be prepared to see big differences in accents and food while moving between regions.

About Atlantis (Pre-Health Summer)

As the #1 and largest pre-health study abroad program, Atlantis is dedicated to creating the best healthcare experience for students to stand out in apps and prepare for medical careers. What’s our program? -Thousands of alumni over 15 years -20–200+ hospital shadowing hours -1–10 weeks over breaks -Multiple specialties (1/week) -U.S., Spain, Italy...