Shadow Doctors 20+ Hrs/Week w/ #1 Pre-Health Provider

Name: Shadow Doctors 20+ Hrs/Week w/ #1 Pre-Health Provider
Brand: Atlantis (Pre-Health Summer)
SKU: 229063
Rating: 4.94 (53 reviews)

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4.94 Rating

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Location

Italy

Industry

Anthropology Biology Chemistry Communications Engineering Geology Healthcare Hospitality Life Sciences Nursing Public Health Social Work +2

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Program Details

Timeframe

J-Term Maymester Spring Summer Winter

Housing

Apartment

Pricing

Price Details

Program cost varies based on location and length of program. View the Dates and Fees page on our website for more information.

What's Included

Accommodation Some Activities Some Meals SIM cards Travel Insurance Wifi

What's Not Included

Some Activities Airfare Domestic Airfare Airport Transfers Some Meals Transportation Visa

Last Updated: Jan 09, 2025

Last Reviewed: Sep 20, 2024

Wish List

87 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Atlantis is the largest and most reputable pre-health study abroad organization for US undergraduates. With shadowing experiences in Pavia, Milan, Genoa, Venice, Como, Ferrara, Mantua and more, our Italy programs are for those who want adventure. What better way to gain 60+ clinical hours than in the country with pasta and gelato galore! Students will shadow in top European hospitals with well-esteemed physicians and have the opportunity to explore the rich culture that Italy has to offer.

Students build lasting relationships with physicians in various specialties and observe patient care from start to finish. Knowing how different healthcare teams operate and communicate is a great way for students to reflect on their own leadership skills. With alumni in 40 of the top 50 MD programs, Atlantis prepares students for a future career in healthcare.

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Program Highlights

Programs run during winter and summer breaks so there is no need to take time off during your academic semesters!
Rotate weekly through different specialties to gain exposure to various medical practices and procedures.
Immerse yourself in a program abroad to understand healthcare in a global context, and embark on weekly excursions to experience Italian culture, sights, and food.
You do not need to know Italian to have an amazing and impactful experience!
Start dates for summer in May, June, July and August, and for winter in December and January.

Program Reviews

4.94 Rating

based on 53 reviews

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Rating Spread Intern

5 rating 94.34%
4 rating 5.66%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Growth 4.85
Support 4.85
Fun 4.95
Housing 4.6
Safety 4.9

Good for Students, Building your resume, Adventure travelers

Showing 25 - 32 of 53 reviews

The site managers were so supportive and wonderful and the bonds that I formed with the program members were so meaningful. The opportunities provided as a student were so life-changing and allowed me to have the chance to study abroad while still furthering my pre-health goals. The doctors in the hospitals definitely struggle with English sometimes, but overall everyone in the hospital is so caring and dedicated to furthering your education. The residents are especially helpful in explaining things to you and making sure you are understanding what is occurring. Rome is also a wonderful city with so many beautiful sites to see.

Pros

friendships
mentorship
adventure

Cons

some housing amenities were insufficient/challenging
few meals included
housing for different students was far apart

The shadowing program was very beneficial to me both personally and professionally to help me prepare for further education on my way to become a doctor. I think that the 3 week option was the best choice because it gave me time to shadow multiple departments without taking over my entire summer. I stayed in Trestavere and was able to explore the shops and restaurants in the area every night. There were two separate public transportation strikes while I was there so it made it slightly harder to get around in the city.

Pros

City life
Authentic food

Cons

Dirty streets

I enjoyed shadowing doctors in different specialties, as it diversified my experience. I was able to get a feel of the specialties I may be interested in pursuing. Furthermore, the doctors were very open and passionate about their work- they were happy to share information regarding medical conditions and their research. Doctors, radiologists, and medical physicists discussed treatment options, diagnoses, and prognosis with us. I felt comfortable asking questions in an environment which fostered learning.

Pros

I learned a lot about various cancer treatments.
There were 2 students assigned to each doctor.
We had weekends off to travel and explore the city.

Cons

The language barrier during shadowing.

The city that we stayed in was beautiful and the shadowing was a great experience. I was able to observe many different rotation, including a full week of surgery. We also went out on weekly excursions that showed you beautiful destination on Italy. We went to Lake Como and Camogli while our hosts showed us all the best spots to eat and sight see. If you are looking for a program that will not only give you insight into another countries Healthcare system, medical experience, and a life-changing cultural experience then this is the trip for you!

The trip to Pavia, Italy was nothing short of amazing! I felt like the city was a great pick as it was not a tourist city so we got to enjoy the true Italian experience while exploring so much. The shadowing was amazing because I learned a lot and made connections with the doctors. I will always remember this trip and it will be used to maximize my knowledge in healthcare. I can’t wait to write about my trip in grad school applications because it is such a monumental part of my journey now. Ciao for now!

Pros

Food
Traveling
Culture

Cons

Heat
Mosquitoes

Our city manager was extremely qualified and helpful. All of the Atlantis planned meals and excursions were even better than I expected and really helped us embrace the culture while also being very fun! The shadowing experience was really interesting for me because it was quite different than shadowing I have been apart of in the US. It was extremely fascinating to see the differences in health care systems, and I was able to see many cool procedures that it would have been much harder to in the US.

Applying for Atlantis was a decision I made in order to discover if I truly wanted to pursue a career in medicine, as I was still on the fence going into my junior year of college. The Atlantis experience confirmed my commitment to a medical career and so much more: I established relationships with several surgeons, doctors, and residents who can now write letters of recommendation for me and have been great resources for discovering more opportunities abroad related to medicine. Additionally, you meet fellow pre-med students who will undoubtedly become lifelong friends. My housing was great, single bedroom and bathroom. As an independent women, I felt comfortable and safe exploring my city Pavia, Italy, and Pavia is also centrally located so that free weekends I was able to travel to Switzerland and other places in Italy, such as Cinque Terre and Rome. I could not recommend Atlantis enough for both the career/professional aspects and the unique cultural experience.

Pros

Explore Different Specialties
Network with Doctors
Visit new places/immerse into new culture

Cons

Pre-departure information and response from the Enrollment Team

I traveled to Genoa, Italy the summer of 2022. I am a pre-med student and wanted the study abroad experience but wasn't able to fit it into my academic schedule. I found Atlantis through my Pre-health advisor. It was a great way to experience a new culture, while getting shadowing hours and medical experience. I saw such cool things in the operating room that I would've never even imagined that I would be able to see before Med school. I got to be independent in this program, living in an apartment with 3 other girls, but at the same time had structure to my weekdays with the hospital schedule. On the weekends I was able to travel to Florence one weekend and Cinque Terra the other. Truly an amazing time that I'll never forget.

Pros

independent living accomodations
freedom on weekends
hospital shadowing experience

Cons

money spent

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I chose to go on an Atlantis fellowship for many reasons! I had a friend who went on a fellowship to Portugal and she absolutely loved it. When she told me about her fellowship, I was only a junior in high school.

Three years later, going on an Atlantis Fellowship was still on my mind. I knew that I wanted to become a surgeon, however I thought that going on a fellowship would help cement my career aspirations. And it did. I also wanted to experience foreign healthcare, as I have a strong interest in global health. To become a doctor, it is important to learn about health care systems in places other than the US.

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

The staff at Atlantis is wonderful. The program coordinators assist you with almost everything. The only thing you really have to organize on your own is purchasing flights. Throughout the enrollment process and prior to your trip, the Atlantis staff is incredibly helpful and ensures that you have all of the information you need.

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What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Get outside of your comfort zone and become friends with everyone on your trip! You might make some of your best friends!

Travelling abroad alone can be frightening at times, but being with people who share the same interests as you makes it all the more wonderful and less overwhelming.

Aside from spending time and especially going on weekend trips with your fellow fellows, I would suggest exploring on your own at least once. Adventuring alone in a foreign country is a once in a life time experience.

I would also suggest you bring a notebook everyday to shadowing. You will have so much to learn from the doctors at the hospital you are shadowing at. The surgeries you will watch are incredible, and you should write down everything so that later in life you can refer back to your experience. I documented everything I saw so I would not forget and I am glad that I did. Also, ask your doctors as many questions as possible! They will enjoy answering them and you will learn tons. Pay attention to everything they do! Whatever specialty you shadow in, even if it is one you did not orignally "want" to shadow in, keep your eyes open and learn. Every specialty is a great specialty. It might even become your favorite.

Ask your friends questions as well! They may be closer to applying to medical school and could give you valuable advice.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

For an Atlantis fellow, days are busy but SO fun. On Monday-Thursday, you'll wake up at about 6:30 am, eat breakfast and get ready for shadowing. You will be at the hospital by 8 am (at least this is what mornings were like in Genova), and be done with shadowing by around 1 pm.

Typically, if a surgery runs long you will stay at the hospital a bit later. After shadowing, you are free to explore unless there is a group dinner! On Friday there is typically a group excursion. We went on a hike to castles and on a beach trip. Saturday-Sunday are for you to travel, and I highly recommend you do so. Neighboring countries are easy to get to!

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

Before going on my fellowship, I had never travelled on my own, nor had I travelled overseas. I was afraid that I would get lost. And I did get lost! However, it turned out to be a good experience. Coming home to Genova from a weekend trip, my friends and I accidentally took a train that went in the opposite direction. We ended up in the Italian mountains, in a small commune town called Mondovi. It was 12am. There were no trains that ran until the morning, so we were stuck.

Although I definitely recommend triple checking to make sure you are on the correct train, getting lost was a learning experience and it turned out to be okay! Once you learn how to read the train and bus schedules in Europe or wherever you choose to go on a fellowship, getting around becomes easy!

Is there anything you would have done differently?

If there is one thing I would have done differently, it would be to never come home from shadowing and revert to resting because I was tired. The cities that you will be in are beautiful, and you should explore and take in every sight. You could go on a waterfront run with a friend, or go out for lunch in the city center! Drink lots of coffee, and especially stay hydrated. The more awake you are, the more you can take in during surgeries and during your adventures.

Timothy Kinville

2018 Alum

Giovanna Stefanutto

2018 Alum

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

As a member of the digital promotion team, Sam works to spread the word about Atlantis' life changing programs to students across the globe. He has been a part of the Atlantis team since November 2016 and started as an Admissions Coordinator.

What is your favorite travel memory?

In high school, I did a service trip to rural El Salvador to help build multiple buildings for a small town called Rancho Grande. Through that trip, I was able to make new friends, build deeper bonds with existing friends, and make a real, tangible impact on the people I was serving. Being part of a group that has continually improved the standard of living in such an underprivileged area is something I am still proud of today.

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How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Working for Atlantis has allowed me to see new parts of the world, learn about other cultures, and has given me a better vision for my future career. I have gained a much greater appreciation, understanding and interest in other cultures, and have an increased desire to travel because of my work with Atlantis. In my current role, I have grown in my problem solving, communication and time management skills.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

Too many to pick one. I think one of the most amazing things to hear about is when students form relationships with doctors that go beyond just shadowing in the hospital. Atlantis is about building relationships in the medical world that go beyond country lines, and to see students and doctors making that happen is a wonderful thing.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

I would love to go on one of our programs to Greece. To experience a country with such an important history both in medicine and in civilization would be an amazing learning and growth experience. Additionally, it would put me further outside of my comfort zone than most of Atlantis' other countries between having less familiarity with the language and less knowledge of the country's geography and culture.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

Our team works incredibly hard to develop life changing programs and to ensure that students have the best experience possible both with Atlantis and in general while abroad. We enjoy working together and spending time together in and out of the office. From team outings to weekend gatherings, our team bonds and grows together, which shows in the way we work on our programs.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

I think the biggest factor in the success of a company is the people. Having people makes room for innovation and makes a company more efficient. In the service and education world, the people are even more important to make sure every student feels cared for and valued. At Atlantis we focus on making sure students have a wonderful experience with us and that comes through our amazing people.

Location

Location:

Italy

Currency:

Euro

Weather:

Jan-Mar

59 F / 37 F

Apr-Jun

82 F / 46 F

Jul-Sep

88 F / 61 F

Oct-Dec

72 F / 41 F

Airports:

Rome Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino

( FCO )

Milan Malpensa

( MXP )

Venice Marco Polo

( VCE )

Italy has long been a bucket list item for people, and it's no wonder with the ancient ruins, astounding scenery, and renowned museums -- all accompanied by the beautiful Italian language. When visiting Italy, be prepared to see big differences in accents and food while moving between regions.

About Atlantis (Pre-Health Summer)

As the #1 and largest pre-health study abroad program, Atlantis is dedicated to creating the best healthcare experience for students to stand out in apps and prepare for medical careers. What’s our program? -Thousands of alumni over 15 years -20–200+ hospital shadowing hours -1–10 weeks over breaks -Multiple specialties (1/week) -U.S., Spain, Italy...