Doctors in Italy Shadowing Program operates a year-round, clinic-based medical internship open to students from all over the world. Explore the possibilities of your career in healthcare and experience the Italy-based study abroad opportunity you’ve been dreaming of. A team of outstanding English-speaking physicians, passionate about their work, will help you understand what it means to be a doctor, while you also learn Italian and explore the beauty of Rome.
The medical shadowing program you've been dreaming of
Home away from home
Our office is designed to feel more like a home than a medical clinic. Our spaces are warm and inviting, our staff is friendly and welcoming.
Learn from students who have already shadowed doctors at our clinic and participated to our research activities in the past years, before our official launch in 2018.
What to expect
A medical shadowing program that will boost your chances to be accepted in the best Medical Schools.
A unique international experience that will enrich you as a person, making memories that will last a lifetime.
A chance to experience a different healthcare model, and to prove to yourself that you really want to be a doctor.
What's included
Our stress-free all inclusive package will leave you nothing to worry about. Just get your plane tickets and bring some pocket money for food and shopping, we'll take care of everything else.
What our fellows are saying about the program
Taliah
Knox College
I was able to assist on the draining of a cyst, which was really cool, and also on a biopsy. The doctor had me hold back the tongue while he was cutting and showed me how to do it. At the hospital it was amazing. I’m pretty set on becoming an orthopedic so I got to shadow the top orthopedic surgeon. I saw 4 hip replacements, some knee replacements, a torn ligament in the shoulder and I was right behind him so I got to really see everything. I didn’t know what to expect as the program was brand new, but I jumped into it. Our apartment was super clean and central, the day trips were amazing and everything is so beautiful. I mean, when do you get to see a hip replacement and a knee replacement every day, seeing all the metal parts and the bones and ligaments and all.
Max
Cornell University
We got to shadow at a very big University hospital, very up to date technologically. I got to shadow an abdominal surgery where the liver was being removed, it was impressive. What can I say, I love Rome, and medicine is so interesting. I had a great time! We met people from all over the world, watched world championship soccer games with fans from the country of the team while eating great food, learned how to make pasta, which was really amazing as well, especially for me as I’m a terrible cook. I got to see a lot at the hospital and discover more about medicine and surgery. Now I know I want to do more of it, it’s definitely something I love.
Courtney
Tennessee Tech
It was honestly the experience of a lifetime. I got to shadow a cardiologist, dermatologist, an OB-GYN, endocrinologist, and so many other doctors. The doctors were very kind and would always explain to us what was going on. After shadowing we would go and tour some amazing place like the Vatican Museum, the Colosseum, the Pantheon. I would honestly recommend this experience to ANYONE because who doesn’t want to shadow doctors in Rome and learn from them? Additionally it helped me narrow down what field I want to go into, cause I knew I wanted to do medicine but I didn’t know what it took to be in each field. Going through the shadowing program was just an amazing experience and I made friends and memories that will last a lifetime.
Peter
University of Maryland
I observed hepatologists making rounds for patients that were suffering from liver failure. Many had big bellies due to ascites and edema. Seeing these patients led me to the feeling that I really want to be helping patients that are facing extreme, life-threatening conditions. In my personal statements I talked about this a lot and it has been tremendously helpful. If you are applying to medical school it helps if you can make yourself unique and not many pre-meds are looking into having this experience shadowing abroad so it can really help, especially in the interviews. Since I came back from Italy, I’ve been doing so well in my classes too. I feel so motivated!
A picture can tell a thousand words. See what our previous students have been up to...
Who we are
Doctors in Italy is an Association of English-speaking doctors working across Italy and promoting universal access to medical assistance without language barriers. Our flagship outpatient clinic in Rome is an established multidisciplinary trusted IAMAT Center, authorized by the local health authority in 1986 and providing medical assistance to local Embassies and Global Institutions.
Doctors in Italy is a partner to John Cabot University in Rome, providing internships and shadowing opportunities to international students.
As part of our clinical activity, we are contracted within the headquarters of one of the United Nations agencies in Rome.
Most of our doctors are actively engaged in research and academic activities, and we partner with University Hospitals where students will spend part of their shadowing hours.
What patients say about us
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It may seem strange to say that it "was my pleasure" to be served by Doctors in Italy this week but it was. Anytime you are far away from home is the wrong time to need medical care since nothing seems familiar. From the moment I arrived at DinI my concerns began to ease. The staff was cheerful, bright and welcoming. I arrived by appointment and was in to see a physician in five minutes. Dr. Luotto came across as competent and caring, as though I was the only thing she had to deal with that day. Her diagnosis was thorough and right on. With hours of beginning my prescribed medications I could tell I was on the mend. I have every confidence they treat anyone who visits them with equal attention and kindness. Do not think twice about using their services. 
Michael Cook
1/08/2018 - I cannot say enough good things about Doctors in Italy and Dr. Maria Luisa Gasparri! I went in for a routine test, everyone spoke English, and it was very easy to make an appointment. Dr. Gasparri was very professional, answered all of my questions and made me feel very comfortable. She also went above and beyond by checking in with me after my appointment and letting me know that my clinical chart would be emailed to me. I'm extremely grateful to Maria and all of the staff at Doctors in Italy. Thank you!
Ann Macoul
12/27/2017 - Doctors in Italy just recently won a contract to provide private medical services to the staff of the United Nation's International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in Rome. I have personally benefited from these guys - a group of very savvy, knowledgeable, caring doctors looking after their patients with dedication and love. They do so in Italian and in impeccable English. One of their 5-star surgeons - Dr. Massimo Pezzatini, Specialist in general, digestive, and laparoscopic surgery - put a team together recently and recused my life through a four-in-one surgical jamboree. I am alive today by God's Grace, Favors, and Healing Mercies to me through the Doctors in Italy. I unreservedly recommend anyone seeking a God-touched modern medical diagnosis and treatment to contact these guys. They are a 5-Star Medical Team - Doctors in Italy.
Jonathan Agwe
3/05/2018 - I really had a great experience because i was not feeling well and i just sent an email and was able to get in the next day to see the doctor. She was very kind and listened to my concerns. The whole experience was very nice. The reception was very nice as well. They are also very good at responding to my questions.
Cynthia Hunt
3/03/2018 - After months of visiting non English speaking Gynaecologists, I ended up at Doctors in Italy. The reception was very welcoming and the waiting period is minimum.I was attended by Dr Maria Luisa Gasparri. She was very helpfully kind and patient with me. Her service was splendid and I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone
Vaida Nyirenda
1/20/2018 - I visited Dr Maria Luisa Gasparri at Doctors in Italy and she was very helpful during the visit and also after. She even helped set me up at a local hospital with an English speaking doctor to save money and was available by phone for all of my questions. She was lovely and I would recommend her to anyone.
Lisa Winterfeldt
1/07/2018 - I recommend Doctors in Italy without hesitation. Everyone at the clinic goes above and beyond to provide excellent, professional and compassionate care at whatever level needed, even after clinic hours through their online options. As well, they helped me immensely with English translations and communications when Specialists needed to be consulted outside the clinic. A special and warm thanks to my physician Dr. Watanabe, simply a wonderful doctor and person.
Cindy-Wynne Kolding
1/02/2019 - Really pleasant experience 🙂 they were very corteous and attended to all my needs. I like how the doctor took her time to make a clear diagnosis. More than what i can say about our doctors back in my country, she was very very warm and polite. I forgot her name though but she really made a good impression 🙂
Enzo Gonzales
11/08/2018 - So happy to have found Doctors in Italy. Their response was quick, their location convenient, and the care was excellent. They even followed up a day later to see how we were doing. (And all in English.) A great resource for travelers.
Julie Rubin
12/30/2018 - Excellent helpful service from the staff. From the first phone call to all correspondence with Doctors in Italy was incredibly easy and helpful. I highly recommend to anyone who is travelling and needs medical care, especially for English speakers. Very happy with the care I received. Thank you!
Melisa Harvey
12/12/2017 - We are so thrilled to have discovered Doctors In Italy, and will be recommending them to all of our friends and guests who travel to Rome. They provided us with nearly immediate appointments when we called, and gave excellent, efficient and affordable medical care to two family members throughout our stay, including sending a visiting nurse to our apartment more than once to help our daughter. The doctor, nurse and office staft that we encountered all spoke perfect English and were utterly kind and professional. I wish I could give them more stars! We were so impressed by their service and dedication, are profoundly grateful for their help on this trip, and will breathe easier knowing we can contact them on future visits to Rome should the need arise.
Dana Johnson
1/04/2018