Pre-med Shadowing Program Abroad

When I was in the third grade, my single-mother was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer from a genetic mutation. She was given six months to live. Her cancer journey inspired me to want to study biomedical engineering with the intention of developing medicines to improve the wellbeing of people like her.

Throughout and the summer after high school, I worked with the National Cancer Society and American Cancer Society to conduct research and advocate for early detection, respectively. I am now a first year at the University of Virginia where I am working on my Bachelor's of Science in Biomedical Engineering. Once I get my B.S., I plan on going to medical school and later specialize in oncology.

In order to help me achieve this goal, it is crucial that I shadow physicians. I was recently accepted into a three-week study abroad program in Milan, Italy this summer where I will shadow several doctors at the Instituto Nazionale dei Tumori. This will help me not only in my medical school endeavors but also in the understanding of the global application of health care and health disparities, shifting the focus from what I am exposed to in the U.S. I will apply the valuable knowledge and perspectives I gain from this experience to my own career as a practicing physician in the future.

I appreciate your kindness in helping me reach this goal. This program will be extremely beneficial to my education and future career.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart,

Catherine :)