HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?
Applying to one of our programs is simple! All you have to do is fill out the online application here, which takes less than 10 minutes and covers basic information about yourself, your academic background, and your interests.
Once submitted, our admissions team will review your application and get in touch with you regarding next steps!
Founded in 2018, the Doctors in Italy Fellowship Program is an established organization, as part of Terra Clinica Institute. We partner with accredited Italian hospitals and medical institutions, university partners like Texas Tech and Auburn, and – for our animal care track – trusted rescues and sanctuaries. Our team of healthcare and animal care professionals has guided 500+ Fellows worldwide into successful careers in the field.
See our press coverage to learn more about our reputation and impact.
Typical self-sourced shadowing usually locks you into a single department or specialty, and a standard study abroad program tends to focus on tourism rather than genuine cultural immersion.
The Doctors in Italy Fellowship Program is different on both fronts: you get exposure across a wide array of departments and specialties, paired with real cultural immersion led by our on-ground, entirely local teams – not a tourist itinerary. Every recommendation and detail of your experience is planned by locals who know how best to support you, whether you're pursuing human health or animal care.
Our students come from diverse academic backgrounds.
On the human health side, this includes pre-medical students, nursing, public health, biomedical sciences, and related health professions. On the animal care side, this includes pre-veterinary students, animal science, zoology, and related fields.
We welcome anyone passionate about healthcare or animal care who wants to gain international clinical experience and broaden their understanding of global health systems.
Yes, our human health shadowing program is fully compliant with AAMC guidelines for clinical observation experiences. We maintain strict ethical standards, ensuring that all activities are observational only, with no direct patient care responsibilities. This makes the program an excellent addition to medical school applications.
For our animal care track, we exclusively partner with animal rescues, sanctuaries, and other ethical organizations. We uphold observational standards in line with guidance from the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) ensuring fellows gain meaningful, ethically-grounded experience suited for veterinary school applications.
The application process consists of:
- Submitting an online application
- Participating in a 30-min orientation session with an assigned advisor
- Getting matched to the program and track best suited to you
- Locking in your spot with a €300 deposit and choosing your payment plan
- Preparing for your program with our pre-departure orientation materials.
The entire process typically takes 2–4 weeks from application to your program match.
The Orientation Session is a 30-minute conversation with one of our advisors, and it’s an exciting first step in your journey to Italy. We’ll get to know you, talk about your motivations and goals, and learn your preferences around cities, program dates, and duration, so we can help guide you toward the options that fit you best.
It’s a two-way conversation, so come with your questions! You’ll have time to ask about anything on your mind, share any concerns, and tell us what would make your program meaningful for you. The more you share, the better we can help you find the right experience.
Program costs vary depending on the length and track you choose:
- Human health: starting at $2,990 for 2 weeks — or as low as $249.17/month with our 12-month payment plan
- Animal care: starting at $4,950 for 2 weeks — or as low as $412.50/month with our 12-month payment plan
Generally, fees cover accommodation, clinical placement, orientation, program coordination, insurance, and select meals. To lock in your spot, you'll pay a €300 deposit (which counts toward your total program cost), then choose a payment plan for the remaining balance – including 12-month installment options – to help make the program more accessible.
Visit our Programs page for specific pricing by duration, or contact our admissions team for a detailed breakdown.
Yes! We offer merit-based and diversity scholarships to help make being a part of our programs more accessible. Learn more about our scholarship opportunities and application process on our Scholarships page. We also recommend checking with your home institution for study abroad grants.
A typical day on our human health program begins at the hospital where you'll shadow physicians in various departments. You'll observe patient consultations, diagnostic procedures, and sometimes surgeries.
On our animal care program, your day will often start at one of our partner animal sanctuaries, where you'll shadow your dedicated vet mentor performing routine checks, feeds, and grooming across different species. Some days will involve heading to the clinic to observe clinical appointments.
Evenings are yours to enjoy Italian cuisine, connect with other fellows, or relax at your accommodation.
Shadowing takes place Monday through Thursday in the mornings, approximately between 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM. You will obtain a minimum of 20 shadowing hours a week.
This schedule provides participants with a meaningful shadowing experience while leaving the afternoons free for cultural activities, group discussions, independent study, or personal exploration.
Fridays are reserved for program-provided excursions. Weekends are yours to explore nearby countries, discover different parts of Italy, and make the most of your time abroad.
The first date listed for your program is always the official arrival day, which falls on a Sunday. No program activities are scheduled on this day, giving you time to check into your accommodation, unpack, rest after your journey, recover from any jet lag, and settle in before your program begins. This also gives you the opportunity to get acquainted with your new surroundings and prepare for the exciting weeks ahead.
No, you don't need to speak Italian to participate in any of our programs. All shadowing sessions and program activities are conducted in English. However, learning a few basic Italian phrases can enhance your experience and help you connect with locals. We also provide cultural orientation to help you navigate the city.
Keep in mind that during patient-doctor consultations, some conversations may naturally take place in Italian, since you'll be observing real clinical interactions with local patients.
Human health fellows may rotate through areas such as internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, emergency medicine, and more.
Animal care fellows get the opportunity to shadow across multiple sanctuaries and clinics, with the chance to observe a variety of species - including exotics, farm animals, small animals, avians, and more.
The specific rotations depend on the length of the program, as well as department or clinic availability and scheduling during the dates of each session. While we always strive to provide exposure to diverse specialties, rotations cannot be guaranteed and may vary from one program to another.
Yes, upon completion of our program, you'll receive an official certificate documenting your participation and clinical observation hours. Many fellows have successfully used these materials for medical school applications, academic credit (check with your home institution), and professional development portfolios.
For fellows who want official academic credit, we also offer an optional course add-on in partnership with Arcadia University, available for $990 on top of any program you choose.
This 3-credit accredited course helps you turn your time abroad into a deeper, more reflective experience - building intercultural and professional skills, comparing global healthcare approaches, and helping you translate everything you've learned into a compelling narrative for your medical or veterinary school applications.
Read more about the Arcadia University add-on here.
Business casual or professional attire is required during clinical shadowing. Think dress pants or skirts, collared shirts or blouses, and closed-toe shoes. Avoid jeans, sneakers, or overly casual clothing. We recommend bringing comfortable professional shoes, as you'll be on your feet for several hours.
Animal care fellows should also dress according to the weather, as the animal care program runs during the summer months and can involve field work - lightweight, breathable layers that can still hold up to hands-on, outdoor work at the sanctuary are a good call.
Specific dress code guidance will be provided before your program begins.