Shadow Doctors in Italy's Best Hospitals – 40 to 90 Hours

I joined the Rome program in the summer of my first year of medical school in Istanbul. The mix of medicine and social opportunities gave me an absolute blast of a time! Now in my fifth year of uni looking back, I remember my time at Doctors in Italy always with a huge smile. I met great people and made great memories. In the beginning of my medical journey, this experience was eye opening and broadened my vision for healthcare across different countries.

When I joined Doctors in Italy, I was still a pre-med student at LAU learning medicine through textbooks and lectures. The idea of seeing everything come to life felt distant until this program changed it. It gave me the chance to witness medicine up close, transforming theory into reality and deepening my passion for this ever-evolving field. Learning a concept is one thing; seeing it unfold in front of you is entirely different. On the first day, when the schedules were announced and I learned I’d be placed with the orthopedics team, I felt a wave of doubt convinced I was starting my experience on the wrong foot since orthopedics wasn't initially in my fields of interest — however, this experience proved me wrong. I still clearly remember shadowing Dr. Flavio Olivelli and watching my first hip-replacement surgery, I never realized how intricate orthopedics really is and getting to learn it under a doctor that passionate about his work, who actually takes the time to let you observe and learn, made it even better. A core memory I still cherish was seeing my first C-section, watching a whole team work together to safely bring a baby into the world was something I’ll never forget. Moments like these are opportunities of a lifetime, especially in a field as competitive and challenging as medicine. This program offered not only exposure to real clinical practice, but also the chance to learn from physicians who practice with genuine passion. It shaped me on both a professional and personal level, I met inspiring fellow students, built international friendships I still cherish, and felt deeply welcomed by the Italian culture, which reminded me of home in Lebanon. Doctors in Italy is truly one-of-a-kind. They say we are mosaics of the people we meet; I am grateful for this experience and the role it played in shaping the doctor I aspire to become. I encourage every future physician to take part in this journey, it’s one you’ll carry with you forever.

My Medical Exchange in Bologna, Italy My medical exchange in Bologna was an unforgettable experience, both personally and professionally. I was lucky to have Alessandra as my supervisor — she truly made all the difference. Always cheerful, friendly, and incredibly supportive, she was constantly available to help with anything I needed and made me feel at home from day one. During my internship in Oncology, I’ve learned closely with Dr. Giacomo, a resident who went above and beyond to make sure I understood everything that was happening during the consultations. He patiently explained each case, reviewed important topics with me, and even translated the appointments into English in real time so I could follow every detail. 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 internship lighter and so much more enjoyable. My friendship with Vitória continues to this day; we even traveled to see each other after the Doctors in Italy program! I stayed in a student residence with new, comfortable accommodations and a perfect location. Having everyone stay in the same place made it easy to connect, share experiences, and create strong friendships. I’m deeply grateful to the Doctors in Italy program for this incredible opportunity. It was an enriching experience that strengthened my passion for medicine and allowed me to learn, grow, and create memories that I will carry for life.