When I got accepted into UNIMIB I remember being extremely happy and sharing that joy with my friends and family. Personally, to study at UNIMIB would change my life a lot; I would change countries, be far away from Brazil and be alone in a strange environment.

Quickly after I arrived I made very good friends from all over the world. They introduced me to many different cultures, beliefs, and languages, and that was without a doubt one of the most interesting experiences of my life. My Italian classmates were always eager to help out when I had any trouble with the language, and when we travelled a bit inside Italy they showed me the Italian culture. Slowly Bergamo began to feel like home.

I think I speak for the majority of students that for us to be able to do our clerkships in the Papa Giovanni XXIII hospital is a huge privilege. The hospital is fantastic, it is no surprise that it is ranked as one of the top 100 hospitals in the world. In this modern hospital I was able to watch incredible surgeries, and I got to know a bit more of the daily life of a doctor.

The positive aspects of graduating in the international environment of Bicocca are endless. We will be able to work as doctors not only in Italy but the whole European Union. Our classmates in the future will work as physicians around the world; some will probably return to their countries and others go somewhere else entirely. I believe these bonds we formed at university will be a great asset for us as doctors, because together we will create a network that will allow us to improve ourselves in our future endeavours.

“I joined the SMS because of its innovative curriculum and early exposure to clinical experience directly in the hospital wards. I find academic teaching enriched with clinical exposure directly under the mentorship of doctors, as a great way to build up valuable practical experience.”

“Being an international student, SMS made me feel part of its close-knit community. There is a strong culture of collaboration and commitment to the community, which I’m sure helps us become empathetic doctors. The solid knowledge we gain every day in both the classroom and clinical setting is invaluable, thanks to our distinguished faculty. I feel incredibly privileged and lucky to be a medical student at this well-rounded institution.”

“I decided to enrol in the SMS because of its modern patient-centered focus, based on early clinical exposure with practical activities in the wards of the leading Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital in Bergamo. Alongside, I got the opportunity to be part of the Virgilio Program, a pre-graduate training track in biomedical research for students of medicine and surgery. During this journey, I have realized how practice and theory must work in synergy to create future professionals, who are not only able to cure patients, but have a holistic approach to promoting health amongst the individuals and communities. Overall, a challenging and rewarding experience.”

“I joined the SMS because of its unique potential to open many possibilities for my future career as a medical doctor. Four years into the program, I’ve learnt that practice and clerkships are fundamental to strengthen our knowledge and competence.”