Science Students Gain Hands-On Clinical Experience in Italy

August 20, 2026— The Faculty of Science, Engineering and Architecture is highlighting the impact of experiential learning as two students complete an immersive international medical fellowship. Through the Doctors in Italy Fellowship Program, first-year Biomedical Biology student Kaleigh Hamilton and former Biochemistry student Karina Schryer spent two weeks gaining direct clinical observation experience at Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria in Alessandria, Italy.

The competitive program provided a unique lens into global healthcare, cross-cultural communication, and patient-centred care. Shadowing leading European physicians across diverse specialties, both students navigated language barriers through teamwork, diagrams, and shared medical knowledge, reinforcing their commitment to their future healthcare careers.

Kaleigh Hamilton (Hanmer, Ontario)

A graduate of Bishop Alexander Carter Catholic Secondary School, Hamilton is pursuing her degree with courses in both English and French while actively contributing to local healthcare through volunteer work at Health Sciences North, Swimming with a Mission (SWAM), and the NEOMO travel clinic. During her fellowship in Piedmont, she completed rotations in pediatrics and obstetrics/gynecology—reviewing complex diagnostic imaging, participating in clinical rounds, and witnessing a live birth.

"Obstetrics and gynecology was an incredibly meaningful experience that strengthened my interest in maternity care," Hamilton reflects. "Witnessing a birth from beginning to end was a life-changing moment that showed me the deep human connection at the heart of medicine. Italy taught me that while healthcare systems may differ in procedures or technology, every physician shares the same dedication to patient care. Growth happens when you step into the unknown, and saying yes to opportunities like this can truly change how you see the world."

Karina Schryer (Sudbury, Ontario)

A graduate of Collège Notre-Dame, Schryer completed her foundational first year in Biochimie—where she actively participated in the campus MedLife club, volunteered at Health Sciences North and SWAM, and served as a Standardized Patient at Northern Ontario School of Medicine University—before securing acceptance into the Direct Entry Medicine program at University College Cork in Ireland. In Italy, Schryer rotated through internal medicine as well as a second-week rotation in obstetrics/gynecology alongside Hamilton, observing daily patient interactions and complex diagnostic processes.

"My time in internal medicine gave me a much clearer picture of the kind of physician I hope to become," Schryer shares. "The biggest lesson I learned was that it is okay to not always know every answer. Watching doctors collaborate and consult one another showed me the strength of teamwork in patient care. Stepping outside your comfort zone and embracing these global learning experiences is worth every bit of pre-arrival worry—it gives you perspective you will carry with you forever."

Laurentian University celebrates Kaleigh and Karina’s dedication to global health, academic excellence, and their inspiring journeys toward becoming future healthcare leaders.