What were your expectations for the Mentoring Program?

I expected to learn about clinical training and research positions for international medical graduates in the United States, to gain insights into working in the United States compared to Italy/Europe, and what is expected from students/graduates seeking these opportunities.

How did this experience impact you?

My mentor, Dr. Lucia Pastorino from Boston University, and the people she put me in contact with (university administrators, and Italian students/alumni from her institution), have offered invaluable help, as the combination of their firsthand perspectives and their advice helped me to better understand the American environment. The exchanges I had during this journey have been instrumental to me for reflecting, and shaping my own growth path. 

Why would you recommend the ISSNAF Mentoring Program?

I believe that any Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM) student from an Italian University could greatly benefit from this Program, especially if they are oriented on pursuing training or career opportunities in North America, but also if they did not previously consider studying, training, or working on the other side of the Atlantic. In fact, aside from insights specific to the North American environment, the true essence of the program lies in the mentorship relationships it fosters.