What does a typical day of shadowing look like?

A Clinical Shadowing Day

A typical day starts early, having breakfast with other fellows at about 8:30 at the hospital.

 

You are then paired for the day with the doctor you’ll be shadowing in a medical or surgical area for about five hours.

 

Throughout the morning you will follow and observe a doctor doing rounds, prepping for surgery and working in the operating room, discussing cases with colleagues or in the research lab – wherever their daily schedule takes them, you will accompany them.

 

You may be shadowing on your own or with another fellow from your program, depending on the department and location.

 

At lunchtime, you will head home with the other fellows in your group.

 

If you are doing the program for-credit (4-week and 5-week programs) you will have classes or assignments in the afternoon. The programs offered by Arcadia University include online teaching twice a week (20 contact hours), while John Cabot University courses are held in-person in the Rome campus four times a week (45 contact hours).

 

If you are not taking the program for credit, you’ll have plenty of spare time after your shadowing experience to explore the city on your own or with your new friends. You’ll find that it’s very easy to do so as your housing is central and well-connected.

 

Twice a week, you and your group will join one of the excursions and cultural activities that your city managers have planned for you. Accompanied by your on-site coordinators, you may be having a tour, visiting a museum, learning how to cook authentic Italian food, or eating as much gelato as you can take…

 

Following an afternoon of exploration, you will head out for dinner in one of the many amazing restaurants in the area, and then most likely… you’ll want to go to bed early to be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for the next day of shadowing.

A Veterinary Shadowing Day

Start your day with an early breakfast with the other fellows in your group.

 

Then your group is transported with a private bus to the rescue where you’ll be shadowing.

 

Throughout the morning you will follow your veterinary mentor, learn about the animals in the rescue, their stories, their needs, and how to take good care of them.

 

You will meet the caregivers and assist them as they feed the animals, groom them, and treat them for chronic and acute conditions. You will shadow veterinarians in the field and learn about their different roles and specializations, learning important clinical skills. You will be outdoors for about 5 hours so be prepared for this with comfortable shoes and clothing.

 

You’ll have your (delicious) packed lunch at the rescue and then head home with the other fellows in your group with the private bus.

 

In the afternoon depending on that day’s plans, you will either:

  • shadow veterinary specialists at a clinic;
  • join your fellows for a planned group activity or excursion around the city, led by your on-site coordinators;
  • explore the area with your new friends – your housing will allow you to be independent, so you can step out and have a walk in the neighborhood, stop at a cafè, eat gelato, and take a few pictures to share with your family and friends at home.

 

Twice a week, you and your group will join one of the excursions and cultural activities that your city managers have planned for you. Accompanied by your on-site coordinators, you may be having a tour, visiting a museum, learning how to cook authentic Italian food, or eating as much gelato as you can take!

 

Following an afternoon of exploration, you will head out for dinner in one of the many amazing restaurants in the area, and then most likely… you’ll want to go to bed early to be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for the next day of shadowing!