Go beyond textbooks. Shadow healthcare leaders in Italy.
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40-80 hours of shadowing hours
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Experience multiple specialties
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Immerse yourself in a new culture
Don't let your story sound like everyone else's.
Every year, thousands of future doctors apply with the same story — good grades, solid references, and the dream of helping people.
But what makes you different when everyone says the same thing?
Pack your curiosity, we'll take care of the rest.
Choose your perfect match — join for 2, 3 or 4 weeks in one of 10 incredible Italian cities, including Rome, Florence, Milan, Bologna, Trieste, Ferrara, Bari, Naples, Padua (Venice), and Alessandria.
Every program combines hospital shadowing, local adventures, and full support, so all you need to do is show up ready to learn.
#1 Shadowing Program in Italy for Future Healthcare Leaders
Since 2018, Doctors in Italy has helped hundreds of students from over 30 countries gain real clinical experience in world-renowned hospitals and clinics across Italy.
Our programs are locally coordinated, and built in partnership with trusted healthcare institutions – so you can focus on learning in a safe, inspiring environment.
Choose your classroom across 10 Italian cities.
Experience medicine in one of 10 incredible Italian cities, each with its own rhythm, culture, and medical community.
Cities available for Summer 2026:
Your Path to Experiencing Global Healthcare
After researching what each city has to offer, submit your online application alongside your preferences for program and city – it only takes a few minutes.
Pre-requisites:
- be 18 or older
- have at least a 2.5 GPA or equivalent
- speak conversational English
If your application is successful, you'll be invited to book a virtual interview with the admissions team.
It's a relaxed conversation to understand your goals, interests, and preferred specialties so we can match you with the best city, hospital, and program length (2–4 weeks).
Once accepted and matched, it's time to reserve your place.
Confirm with a €300 deposit and choose a payment plan that fits your needs — 3, 6, or 9 monthly installments.
Your place in the program and your city assignment will then be fully secured, and your designated Program Coordinator will reach out to you to help you prepare for your trip.
If you'd like additional funding, we also offer scholarships.
ScholarshipsYou'll land on Sunday, get picked up by your program coordinator, and move into your student housing — ready for an unforgettable few weeks.
From Monday to Thursday, you'll shadow doctors across multiple specialties. Fridays are for group excursions beyond the city, and weekends are yours to explore Italy with your new friends.
By the end of your 2–4 weeks, you'll have gained 40-80+ clinical hours, real-world confidence, and stories that set you apart in every application and interview (plus an international network of peers and mentors!).
You will also receive an official certificate for the shadowing hours you've completed.
Shadowing doctors across various specialties was an incredible opportunity that opened my eyes to the world of medicine in ways I never thought possible. Whether it was witnessing life-saving procedures in the cardiology department or experiencing the miracle of childbirth in the gynecology ward, every moment left a lasting impression on me.
Christina Karam
USA
One thing I liked the most was that I had the experience of living as a local in Italy, being immersed not only in the Italian healthcare system but also in the culture. I also made a lot of friends from different countries and was able to gain some insight about, not only the differences in the healthcare system in different countries, but that we have so much in common as medical students.
Dayanara Torres
Mexico
My medical exchange in Bologna was an unforgettable experience, both personally and professionally. One of the highlights of the exchange was the friendships I built. I met Nandana (India), Claudia (USA), and Vitória (Brazil) — amazing people who made the program so much more enjoyable. My friendship with Vitória continues to this day; we even traveled to see each other after the program!
Marina Nascimento
Brazil
Undertaking the Doctors in Italy program was one of the best experiences of my life to date. As an aspiring doctor (and surgeon), this program exposed me to a variety of hospital and clinical experiences that exacerbated and confirmed my desire to enter the medical field. The program allowed me to make lifelong friends with people from around the world and also potential future colleagues.
Maddison Duff
Australia
#1 Shadowing Program in Italy for Future Healthcare Leaders
Since 2018, Doctors in Italy has helped hundreds of students from over 30 countries gain real clinical experience in world-renowned hospitals and clinics across Italy.
Our programs are locally coordinated, and built in partnership with trusted healthcare institutions – so you can focus on learning in a safe, inspiring environment.