Hospital Shadowing in Europe
- Choose from a 4-week program in Italy or Portugal or a 6-week program in Italy
- Learn first-hand about an international publicly-funded healthcare systems
- Build confidence in a hospital setting through extensive observation of physician to patient contact
- Gain a competitive edge in graduate school applications, domestic health related internships, and a broadened perspective on the medical vocation
- Earn 1-3 credits for your shadowing experience via an accompanying KU internship course
- Experience the rich culture and cuisine of your host country through weekly group excursions and group meals
The University of Kansas (KU) has partnered with Atlantis, which focuses on providing AAMC-compliant physician shadowing in an international setting, to offer 4-6 week Hospital Shadowing Program in Italy and Portugal. Atlantis Fellows are afforded the opportunity to experience global healthcare by shadowing doctors in a different specialty each week for at least 20 hours per week. This provides an ideal learning opportunity for pre-med and pre-nursing students as well as those interested in clinical health areas such as physiology, developmental biology, exercise science, medical diagnostics, microbiology, neuroscience, physical therapy, and other allied health fields. Fellows will gain extensive observation experience in a hospital setting, a broadened perspective on the medical vocation, and a comparative lens to examine global healthcare.
Fellows will shadow four days per week (a min. of five hours daily) from early morning to early afternoon. Shadowing specialties vary by location and Fellows typically shadow in pairs. Though Fellows can request specialties of interest, surgery and other departments are not guaranteed. Department availability depends on the hospital and doctors’ schedules.
Each Friday of the Fellowship is reserved for an outing with the whole Fellowship group. Past excursions have included hikes, visits to local museums, sporting events, boat tours, beach trips, kayaking and even taking the train to explore another nearby city. Each excursion includes the transportation and one group lunch or dinner and is planned and led by the program’s site manager.
The Summer 2025 program dates are as follows:
4-Week Program in Italy or Portugal May 31 - June 27, 2025
6-Week Italy Program May 31 - July 11, 2025
Location Overview - Italy
From the rolling hills of Tuscany to the bustling streets of Rome, Italy is a land of timeless wonders. As the birthplace of the Renaissance, it is home to a wealth of artistic masterpieces, iconic architecture, and historical landmarks. Whether you are drawn by the art, history, cuisine, or landscapes, Italy promises a journey that is both enriching and unforgettable.
Please note that participants in the 6-week program will likely split time between two different locations in Italy.
Location Overview - Portugal
Medieval castles, cobblestone villages, captivating cities and golden beaches: the Portugal experience can be many things. History, great food and idyllic scenery are just the beginning. As one of Europe's oldest nations, Portugal boasts a diverse heritage reflected in its architecture, cuisine, and traditions. It is a wonderful place to experience local festivals, Fado music, and the friendly nature of the Portuguese people.
*In the unlikely event that Atlantis must shift program location, a comparable alternate location will be provided.
The hospital shadowing experience is for-credit and graded. Credit is available through the academic departments listed below. Many are available for 3 credits on both program durations, however, LA&S 490 and PSYC 490 are available for 2 credits on the 4-week program and 3 credits on the 6-week program due to contact hour requirements. All courses have variable credit hours (1-3), so each participant selects how many credits they wish to enroll in. Tuition is charged per credit hour and will be reduced accordingly in cases where students enroll in fewer than 3 credits. Please note, however, that a minimum of 3 credits is required to be eligible for summer financial aid.
BIOL 490 - Biology Internship & Practical Applications (available for up to 3 credits on both the 4 and 6 week programs)
Open to students of any major and level. Fulfills Core Goal 6.1 Integration and Creativity if taken for 3 credits.
HNRS 496 - Honors Internship (available for up to 3 credits on both the 4 and 6 week programs)
Open to students enrolled in the University Honors Program.
HSES 335 - Clinical Field Experience (available for up to 3 credits on both the 4-week and 6-week programs)
Open to Community Health and Exercise Science majors.
LA&S 490- Internship Exploration (available for up to 2 credits on the 4-week programs and up to 3 credits on the 6-week program)
Open to students of any major and level. Fulfills Core Goal 6.1 Integration and Creativity if taken for 3 credits.
PSYC 483 - Undergraduate Internship in Psychology (available for up to 2 credits on the 4-week programs and up to 3 credits on the 6-week program)
Open to Psychology majors and minors.
Participants will be housed in furnished university residences, hotels, or apartments. Units are single-gender and typically double-occupancy with shared bathrooms and common spaces. Towels, linens and internet are provided. Transportation costs between the program housing and hospital are included in the program fee.
Please note that participants will pay their own way for transportation within the host country between the airport and program housing. Atlantis will recommend a specific airport to fly into based on program location and provide directions for getting from the recommended airport, which may be in a different city, to program housing.
A light breakfast is provided from Mon-Fri, as well as three weekly group meals at local restaurants, one of which will be lunch on the excursion day. For most lunches, fellows buy and prepare their own food or stop in a local cafe for an inexpensive sandwich.
SAGE is dedicated to creating international engagement opportunities that meet the needs of all our students and providing resources to support you through the process of studying abroad. Study abroad is achievable for students of all identities including our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students, students with disabilities, and students with religious/non-religious viewpoints. Before selecting a program, consider how your identities may impact your experience abroad in unique ways and talk with your Program Coordinator about any program-specific concerns. Students with documented disabilities should discuss any accommodation needs with their Program Coordinator early in the planning process.
Additional Resources
Check our Identity Abroad page and resources listed below for information specific to you and other students who may be on your program.
This program is open to students of all undergraduate levels pursuing a career in healthcare. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required. Space is limited and the order in which applications were received will be taken into consideration so early application is encouraged.
Applicants will have the opportunity to list the program of their choice. They will also have a chance to select whether or not they are interested in the other two programs if they are not chosen for their top-choice program.
Please note:The majority of participants are not fluent in Italian or Portuguese and Atlantis does not require foreign language background to participate. However, it is important for participants to understand that the English fluency of doctors varies and so conversation will come more easily with some than others. Even when communication is limited, it is possible to learn through observation. According to the EF English Proficiency Index, which ranks countries based on their average English proficiency, Portugal falls into the top category, "Very High Proficiency" and Italy falls into the "Moderate Proficiency" category.