Location
  • Italy

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
Feb 17, 2023
Aug 05, 2023
71 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 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.

Since summer of 2021, Atlantis has ran many safe and successful programs throughout the continuance of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Video and Photos

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

4.97 Rating
based on 35 reviews
  • 5 rating 97.14%
  • 4 rating 2.86%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Growth 4.85
  • Support 4.85
  • Fun 4.95
  • Housing 4.75
  • Safety 4.9
Showing 1 - 8 of 35 reviews
Default avatar
Lauren
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Atlantis in Ferrara, Italy

This experience was one I will never forget. You learn so much in all aspects of the program. You get an accurate view in the medical field, and you become immersed in the culture surrounding you. I made so many new friends while I was there and we went on plenty of adventures. I would easily do this again. If you're even thinking about doing this, then go ahead. You won't find this experience anywhere else. This definitely gave me a better understanding of what I want to do in the medical field.

45 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Wesland
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Pre-Med Shadowing in Venice, Italy

Overall, the experience I had was more than expected. Venice is a city that is full of tourists, and with that, it can be difficult to understand its authentic culture from the lens of a tourist. By being in this program, not only was I able to shadow incredibly intelligent doctors and surgeons, but I was also able to understand how medicine is distributed to patients in a cultural context I was not accustomed to. Some of my favorite memories was seeing residents dancing with each other right before an orthopedic surgery and learning of the homeplace of the first doctor I shadowed. Additionally, I was able to go on excursions where I could understand Italy better, as they were less touristy places. This definitely broadened my perspective of medicine, and I think I am better equipped with some knowledge and understanding that will help me in my future medical ambitions.

Pros
  • City Manager integrated himself into the group well and ensured that we enjoyed our time here
  • Excursions were well planned and everyone felt safe
  • I was able to see surgeries that would almost be impossible to spectate in the states.
Cons
  • As a tourist, some locals were not the kindest at times, but it was easy to deescalate anger
  • The trains were delayed at times due to the train strikes in the country
  • Lots of walking in the summer heat, but that is natural in the summer in Venice
48 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Corinne
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life Changing Experience

This experience has been something I’ll never forget, both in terms of the memories I made with my group and the things I experienced at the hospital while shadowing. I am so grateful to have had this experience. I was able to experience not only the social scene in Italy and explore the country with my free time, but also got structured group activities as well as the hospital shadowing. I felt supported throughout the program and this program is definitely something I wish I’d known about sooner.

51 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Donya
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Valuable, Unique, and Unforgettable Experience!

I truly had a wonderful time on this program, and learned so much about both medicine and culture in Italy. The housing was clean and safe, and my program manager was so kind and helpful. I truly enjoyed every day and am thankful for this memorable experience! The various departments in the hospital that I shadowed allowed for me to have a more comprehensive understanding of the multitude of specialties in medicine. Overall, I highly recommend this program, as it not only is helpful towards a future career in medicine, but also makes for a very fun week exploring a new city and culture.

52 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Laicie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Genoa,Italy

I shadowed in neurosurgery, neonatology, and urology and learned so much. I got to see amazing surgeries some of which used the Da Vinci and saw what doctors and surgeons truly do on a daily basis. I went in thinking I wanted to be a neurosurgeon but realized I was an adrenaline junkie when I witnessed the emergency C-section, so I’ll probably work in a trauma center one day. Exploring Genoa was also amazing, Im definitely going back one day! I enjoyed visiting Boccadasse in the evenings. If you do go, don’t forget to eat the gelato!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
To not check my bag in, it took 5 days for the airline to deliver my luggage, it wasn’t Atlantis fault, but try to keep your luggage with you!
Pros
  • My favorite thing to see was an emergency C-section
  • The city was 10/10 and safe
  • Learned more about what I want as a future career
Cons
  • Traveling before meeting the city manager was hard
54 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Miciah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Milan, Italy Atlantis Review

This experience was very exceptional for me. I got to travel on my own, make new friends and enjoy a beautiful country. My city managers were very helpful and were great guides for the city. The staff at the hospital were also very welcoming and taught me a lot. Unfortunately, there were some days that my friends and I had to leave early because the departments did not have much for us to shadow/learn. This made it hard to meet our 20hr mark every week. Other than that, the hospital experience was great. Housing was also good and very safe, I enjoyed it a lot. All in all, I had a great experience.

Pros
  • Met many great people
  • Got some medical experience
  • Got to experience a different culture in a new country
Cons
  • Some departments in the hospital did not have much for us to watch
63 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Frances
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Atlantis Rome Pre-health Summer

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
60 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Jillian
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Rome Shadowing Program

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
56 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers