Shadow Doctors in Italy

A new way to experience medicine and culture

The Doctors in Italy Fellowship Program is an exciting opportunity to learn about healthcare and the daily life of medical professionals by shadowing English-speaking physicians across surgery, medicine, orthopedics, cardiology, oncology, pediatrics, emergency medicine and beyond!

Plus, it’s all Italy!

Outside the invigorating days in the hospital: Students enjoy divine Italian cuisine, group activities such as cooking classes, cultural theatre and artistic productions, or famous museums, or take self-directed trips to Mediterranean beaches, Amalfi Coast, Venice, and beyond!

Shadow all specialties

With 20+ shadowing hours per week, side-by-side with physicians, you will learn more about your interests and yourself. Rotations within different areas will let you observe the work of surgeons and doctors in orthopedics, pediatrics, ob-gyn, dermatology, cardiology, neurosurgery, oncology, dentistry, and many more, all in compliance with AAMC guidelines.

Discover Rome, Milan, Genova and Italy

Work with doctors all day towards your dream to becoming a doctor. Then get off for and enjoy Italian cuisine with a view in Rome, Milan or Genova. Beautiful, central housing allows you to make the most of your time, enjoying walks on your own or with your new friends, tasting local delicacies and discovering Italian culture.

Gain confidence for your graduate school application

During your early premed/college years is the perfect time to do programs that help you define your interest in medicine! This is a great time for students who think there may be a future for them in healthcare but aren’t quite sure! It gives you the chance to solidify your enjoyment of medicine and earn the hours you need, while allowing yourself flexibility in your normal schedule for research and a clinical job!

No Language Barriers!

Learn and participate with confidence! All our doctors are certified English-speakers, so you won't face any language barrier while shadowing with us. This is a unique opportunity within a country where English is not the first language.

🏥 Brunching with new friends before observing a cardiac cath

🧑‍⚕Befriending doctors and earning great letters of recommendation all before a dinner on the terrace baguette and pasta

🍕Taking a cooking class on traditional pizza making while discussing the knee replacement you watched that day

🍦Escaping to the city gardens with a Gelato al Limone after a great day learning how healthcare access impacts patient quality of care and how different countries vary in care delivery

👶Popping by a cafè for a small espresso before adorning your white coat for the day to observe a baby being birthed

🌇 Chatting with medical students mentors about ways to improve your application essays over a plate of fresh garden veggies and a golden sunset

🌍 Walking through the Colosseum and having a joyful debate on the role of which specialty has the most preventative care aspects

…and many more!

You will share the experience with students from other Universities from all over the world, building friendships that last a lifetime.

Our past years Fellows are students from Cornell University, Gettysburg College, Ithaca College, Knox College, Saint Mary’s College, St. John Fisher College, College of the Holy Cross, University of Tennessee, Southeastern University, Tennessee Technological University, and University of Maryland.

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!

Taliah

Knox College

I was able to assist on the draining of a cyst, which was really cool, and also on a biopsy. Shadowing at the hospital 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.

Doctors in Italy fellow Max after shadowing doctors in Rome

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.

Study abroad student and Doctors in Italy fellow

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. It was just an amazing experience and I made friends and memories that will last a lifetime.

At the end of the day - young med student with doctor in rome

Knox college prehealth study abroad student while shadowing surgery in Rome

Every pre-med has a story, what is yours?

Gain experience, test your committment, discover areas of medicine you had never heard of, be fascinated by the work of competent doctors, log everything and then discuss it with fellow shadowing students. Add pages to your personal story.

Develop skills that no classroom can match

Learn from experience by gaining exposure to a wide variety of specialties. Develop empathy and cross cultural competence through mindful observation. Learn the importance of observing and listening, rather than assuming, and overcome the instinc of stereotyping. Become a better healthcare professional, and make a meaningful contribution to society.

Create a compelling narrative and earn admission to top medical schools

Admission to Medical School is becoming ever more competitive and selecting committees are looking for someone who has done more than just taking all the mandatory science courses. What makes the difference is often having gone the extra mile, with deep-dives where you engage in learning with passion. Being able to support your statements with personal accounts will make a big difference.

Increase your academic focus and research opportunities

Clinical experience is such an important part of your pre-med training, and not only for medical school admission. It’s an occasion to build the foundations of your future as a physician and explore fields you are drawn to. Shadow multiple doctors, learn about their stories, build your network and create opportunities for learning and research.

Discover one of the most beautiful countries in the world

The mesmerizing beauty of Italian cities at sunset would be reason enough to hop on a plane today. Add to the equation that you’ll have the time to see from within, not on a short trip as a tourist. You’ll have the expert guidance of local staff and a chance to feel at home.

Immerse yourself in ancient history

With its deep roots that date back to the cradle of Western civilization, the Roman Empire has left enough of its ancient structures for us to feel the connection with the fathers of our modern culture, law, politics, religion, society. Even if archaeology is not in your major, you can’t help but stand in awe in front of this heritage.

Interact with the world beyond your borders

Experience life in a European city, observe the differences and similarities with what you are used to. Meet people from all over the world, discover local customs, and discover yourself and your own heritage in the process. You’ll come out of this experience with a deeper understanding of your values and an open mind, seeking for more opportunities for personal growth.

Get out of your comfort zone, make memories, make friends

This dive in Italian culture with new friends sharing a common goal is guaranteed to make memories that last a lifetime. Social life in Italy will take you outdoors, on rooftops and gardens in warm summer nights. It will feed you with food that you’ve never dreamt of. It will make you walk like you’ve never walked before – just to see that other spot that ended up being your favorite. It will make you laugh and sleep like a baby at the end of yet another unforgettable day.

Doctors in Italy fellows visit the Vatican Museums

Doctors in Italy fellowship program free time in Rome

Who we are

DoctorsinItaly is a purpose-driven healthtech company launched together with our shareholder, Bocconi University, the most prestigious School of Economics in Italy.

Our mission is to internationalize medicine through technology and education.

We find culturally competent doctors with an international background and make them accessible through a digital platform to the community of travelers, digital nomads and remote workers, lowering the language and cultural barriers to accessing healthcare in Italy.

The DoctorsinItaly Fellowship Program was established in 2018, with the purpose of sharing the knowledge of these doctors with students from all over the world, who are on a path to become members of a global community of medical professionals. Our educational mission is to foster a culture of inclusion and prepare doctors and students for the future of medicine in a digital, borderless world.

We want to make healthcare professionals of the future used to international medicine, aware of differences, and equipped with a worldwide network of contacts that will be so precious in a post-pandemic world.

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