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

I did doctors in Italy for 3 weeks from late June to mid July and the experience is once I can never forget. I had so much fun on this trip and it was like no other! Every week I am somehow reminded of the time I spent here and after the trip I was inspired to learn Italian!

I spent two weeks in Trieste shadowing the OB and Pediatrics departments!! It was so amazing and our guide was awesome. I learned so much and made amazing connections with memories that will stay with me forever :)

It was an extraordinary experience that allowed me to gain firsthand insight into how medicine is practiced in Italy. Throughout my stay, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in a completely different cultural and professional environment, which broadened my perspective both personally and academically. I learned extensively from highly skilled physicians, whose dedication and expertise greatly enriched my understanding of clinical practice. Additionally, I was able to observe a wide range of surgical procedures, including robotic surgeries, catheterizations, neck surgeries, and several other complex interventions. Each of these experiences contributed significantly to my appreciation of the precision, innovation, and teamwork involved in modern medical care. Beyond the clinical setting, I was fortunate to explore the country, enjoy its remarkable culinary traditions, and visit many places across Italy. This combination of professional growth and cultural immersion made the experience truly unforgettable, including great friends I got to make

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Italy has always been romantic in my imagination soft light, slow mornings, conversations spilling into the streets. But nothing prepared me for what Bari would make me feel. From the moment I stepped into the old town, Bari felt like a beautiful contradiction: ancient yet youthful, calm yet full of life, familiar yet completely new. The sea breeze carried this quiet kind of confidence, as if whispering, “You’re exactly where you’re meant to be.” And for the first time in a long time, I believed it. Every day began with the same ritual cobblestone streets under my feet, the scent of fresh focaccia in the air, and the Adriatic Sea glimmering like it had a story to tell. But the heart of my trip wasn’t just the beauty of the city… it was the shadowing program. Walking into the oncology hospital for the first time, I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. But as the days passed, I realized this experience was more than clinical exposure it was a lesson in humanity. I watched doctors heal not just with knowledge, but with presence. I learned how medicine is practiced with empathy, patience, and culture woven into every interaction. I saw how health, life, and community coexist differently in this corner of the world. There were moments that changed me quietly: a gentle smile from a patient, a doctor explaining a concept with passion, the hum of the ward in the early morning light. And there were moments that changed me loudly: standing in a foreign country realizing, “I chose this path. And I’m growing into it.” Bari taught me to slow down. The program taught me to rise up. Together, they reminded me why I fell in love with medicine in the first place. When I wasn’t shadowing, I wandered. I let the city show me its secrets tiny alleys where grandmothers make orecchiette by hand, sunsets that look like oil paintings, laughter echoing from balconies, and late-night gelato that tasted like pure joy. Bari didn’t just welcome me… it embraced me. I left Italy with more than memories. I left with clarity, courage, and a heart that feels just a little bit braver. If travel is meant to transform you, and medicine is meant to ground you, then my time in Bari was the perfect intersection of both. They helped me rediscover the version of myself I had been searching for. And a chapter I’ll carry with me forever.

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I haven't yet had the opportunity to participate in the Doctors in Italy program, but I've followed everything closely through a friend who went—and her experience simply blew me away. She described the program as one of the most transformative experiences of her life, both personally and academically. What struck me most was how she was able to learn from professionals in different specialties, observe hospital routines, exchange knowledge, and build a real network with people from various countries. She came back talking about how inspiring it was to see medicine from another perspective, more humanized, more global, and more connected. In addition to the technical learning, she also experienced Italian culture intensely, meeting new people, cities, stories, and ways of seeing the world. It was a complete immersion: medicine, culture, language, friendship, and professional growth—all at the same time. Even without having gone yet, I've already talked to the team on Instagram, and they were simply sensational! I realized how special this program is, and how it has become a lifelong dream. This is the kind of opportunity that opens doors, broadens horizons, and transforms careers. I have enormous admiration for the project and a huge desire to live this experience myself. I very much hope that my next step will be to be in Italy with the program, learning, growing, and taking with me all that is most beautiful about medicine.

My time with Doctors in Italy was nothing short of extraordinary. Participating in clinical rotations at the leading hospital in Alessandria, completely reshaped my understanding of medicine and helped me discover what I truly wanted for my future in the field. Throughout the program, I had the opportunity to rotate through multiple medical services, each offering a unique perspective on patient care and clinical decision-making. From internal medicine to surgery, emergency care, and specialized departments, every rotation challenged me, inspired me, and deepened my passion for medicine. The physicians and healthcare teams were incredibly welcoming and eager to teach, allowing me to observe real cases, engage in meaningful discussions, and witness firsthand the precision, compassion, and teamwork required in high-quality medical practice. This experience broadened my vision of what it means to be a physician. It pushed me to grow not only academically but also personally reinforcing my commitment to pursue medicine with purpose, empathy, and global awareness. Being immersed in the Italian healthcare system, learning from exceptional professionals, and exploring diverse medical specialties gave me clarity about the path I want to follow. Doctors in Italy was more than a program; it was a turning point. I left Alessandria inspired, motivated, and profoundly grateful for the opportunity. It is an experience I will carry with me throughout my medical journey.

I think the Doctors in Italy program changed my perspective on the idea of healthcare globally, and it showed me how to appreciate the technology we have for healthcare in general. The other main takeaway from this trip was the amount of friends that I still keep in touch with from the trip. We all bonded so fast and became close so quickly. What a wonderful experience that I think everyone deserves to have!

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I met the best people I could have ever known, I had a blast during shadowing hours, (almost) all the doctors were very available, friendly and helpful, they encouraged us to ask questions and engage even in the ORs. Milan is the best city where to experience the surgical shadowing!

I haven't yet had the opportunity to participate in the Doctors in Italy program, but I've followed everything closely through a friend who went—and her experience simply blew me away. She described the program as one of the most transformative experiences of her life, both personally and academically. What struck me most was how she was able to learn from professionals in different specialties, observe hospital routines, exchange knowledge, and build a real network with people from various countries. She came back talking about how inspiring it was to see medicine from another perspective, more humanized, more global, and more connected. In addition to the technical learning, she also experienced Italian culture intensely, meeting new people, cities, stories, and ways of seeing the world. It was a complete immersion: medicine, culture, language, friendship, and professional growth—all at the same time. Even without having gone yet, I've already talked to the team on Instagram, and they were simply sensational! I realized how special this program is, and how it has become a lifelong dream. This is the kind of opportunity that opens doors, broadens horizons, and transforms careers. I have enormous admiration for the project and a huge desire to live this experience myself. I very much hope that my next step will be to be in Italy with the program, learning, growing, and taking with me all that is most beautiful about medicine.

Doctors in Italy was exactly what I was looking for. It is very difficult as a premed student to find access to shadowing experience in the US. The doctors and residents are great and really want you to learn as much as you can with your time. It was a very unique experience. Out of the hospital the program provides amazing opportunities for you to bond with your peers and see/experience Italy’s culture. The program coordinators had great communication and were there for you with whatever you needed. Truly you can’t find a better opportunity than this one. It will be very difficult to leave after your time is up there. It exceeded every expectation I had and was more than worth it!

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Really excited about the upcoming journey with Doctors in Italy in Rome in the month of May. To be honest this fellowship can not only map my skill in medicine, but also lead a greater insight into the way global healthcare will be seen. Amazing mentorship so far from their team, looking forward an experience of lifetime.

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.

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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.

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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.

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This is the best Medicine program, if you want to study this beautiful career, or you are already studying, you have to live this incredible experience. you will grow in soul and heart. You will love more the Medicine

The 2-week Milan Fellowship I attended was very thoughtful structured according to the our liking and interest. Throughout these two weeks I had the opportunity to observe and shadow doctors in almost 5departments as well be present in the operating room for 6 procedures. Although the primary interactions were completely in Italian the Doctor in charge translated all the case details the best he/she could. Even though this course dosen’t require knowing the language, I do suggest that having some knowledge of Italian would definitely go a long way. But, overall this program is a great balance of work, travel experiences and an opportunity to make new friends as well as build connections:)

I had such an amazing time in Italy. I was able to learn so much about the medical field in other countries and was able to meet so many great people. We had plenty of time to explore Italy and spend time enjoying the culture.

One of the things 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. It was very enriching for me. Also, I made a lot of friends from different countries and I was able to gain some insight about not only the differences in the healthcare system and medical schools in different countries but also learned that we have so much in common as medical students. I think having those kinds of friendships is a good network for the future.

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My experience with the Doctors in Italy program in Milan was absolutely unforgettable. Shadowing doctors across various specialties, including but not limited to cardiology, gynecology, and the neonatal department, was an incredible opportunity that opened my eyes to the world of medicine in ways I never thought possible. From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed with warmth and enthusiasm by the program coordinators and the medical staff alike. The hands-on experience I gained, coupled with the chance to observe and learn from skilled professionals in their field, was invaluable to my personal and professional growth. Each day brought new insights and challenges, and I was amazed by the dedication and expertise of the doctors I shadowed. 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. Not only did I gain invaluable medical knowledge, but I also formed lifelong friendships with fellow participants from around the world. Exploring Milan and immersing myself in Italian culture added an extra layer of richness to an already unforgettable experience. I cannot recommend the Doctors in Italy program highly enough to anyone considering a career in medicine. It's a summer I will cherish forever, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of it. Thank you to everyone involved for making this experience truly unforgettable.

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My experience shadowing abroad in Bologna, Italy for 5 weeks was incredible. We got to see several different specialties such as dermatology, cardiology, oncology, etc. After shadowing for about six hours in the morning, we would go out to group meals or activities, like cooking classes, where we got to be fully immersed in the Italian culture. On Fridays, we went on group excursions outside of Bologna to other Italian cities like Ferrara, Modena, and Parma where we got to see different parts of Italy and learn even more. On the weekends, my other fellows and I would plan our own trips to different cities, such as Venice and Florence, and spend time having fun together. Overall, the experience not only helped me gain exposure to the medical field by allowing me to gain 100 clinical shadowing hours but also fostered lasting friendships and lifetime memories.

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