Coffee, Coastal Trains, and Clinical Data: My Medical Internship in Italy

Ciao! My name is Fiona Mateo and I am a second-year Biomolecular Science student at the University of Michigan. This past summer, I spent 10 weeks studying abroad in Sorrento, Italy. Living in the coastal town of Sorrento is an experience I hold close to my heart, largely because of the people who made it so special. 

The locals’ warmth— from shopkeepers (shoutout to Luca at Supermercati Netto) to neighbors— created a sense of belonging beyond what I could have imagined. These interactions not only improved my Italian, but also fostered in me a profound sense of gratitude. Of course, the town’s picturesque coastline and vibrant streets provided the perfect backdrop, but it was truly the community that made Sorrento feel like home.

During my time abroad, I enrolled in Italian 101, History of Mafia, and History and Culture of Italian Food courses. I also gained practical work experience through an internship at Villa Azzurra Centro di Riabilitazione located in Cercola, Campania—a small town near Naples. A typical workday started with the 7:30 a.m. train from Sorrento to Naples Garibaldi Station. From there, I transferred to a second train bound for Cercola.

By the time I arrived, the first stop was always a café. I had never been a coffee drinker before Italy, but now it’s one of my favorite things. Those short morning chats with the barista became part of what made Cercola feel like my own small community within a much larger city.

With my espresso finished, it was just a short walk to Villa Azzurra to start the day. My work focused on the I AM HERO device, a virtual reality system developed to enhance personalized therapeutic interventions for adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD. I was tasked with analyzing its methodological frameworks and conducted quantitative analysis on datasets simulating results from a VR-based cognitive assessment tool inspired by the WISC-IV test.

Using multivariate analysis, I developed predictive models to identify latent cognitive trends, ultimately delivering tangible insights that helped refine individualized therapy plans. This internship was one of the most unique and rewarding experiences I’ve been a part of, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in science, healthcare, and engineering. It strengthened my analytical skills and introduced me to the clinical realities of integrating emerging technologies for therapy on a global scale.

Outside of my internship and classes, I took advantage of every opportunity to explore. One of my favorite trips was to Ravello, where my friend and I visited the Villa Cimbrone Gardens. The Infinity Terrace, stretching out over the sea, gave me a rare chance to pause and reflect amidst a busy summer. This experience was far more than an internship or coursework; it was a chance to fully live within a culture, embrace its complexities, and grow through unexpected moments. I am deeply thankful for Italy's people and culture that enriched my learning in ways that no textbook could, and am excited to use my experience to continue contributing to medical care on a global scale.

Blog by Fiona Mateo, University of Michigan
Summer on the Italian Coast

Interested in studying abroad in Italy? Check out all of our study abroad and intern abroad programs here!