When Lorenzo first arrived at Itchen College as an exchange student, he could not have predicted how profoundly the experience would shape both his academic path and personal growth. Looking back now, as a qualified medical doctor preparing for specialisation, he reflects warmly: “I absolutely loved my experience at Itchen, so it’s an honour for me to stay in touch.”
Lorenzo’s time at Itchen was academically rigorous but deeply rewarding. He pursued subjects that complemented his Italian high school curriculum, while also challenging himself with new opportunities, such as completing a French A-level in just one year. “I even considered doing a second year to graduate from Itchen College,” he admits. “It was a challenge to adapt, as I went from studying four subjects I was passionate about to taking on everything again back in Italy.”
The intellectual breadth of his studies proved invaluable when he later entered medical school. In particular, sociology left a lasting impression: “Sociology was a wonderful combination of history and modern culture, looking at families and education, and it really helped me understand my patients better.” This awareness of the social dimensions of health has become a cornerstone of his approach to medicine.
Beyond academics, Lorenzo credits Itchen with cultivating the personal qualities essential for a medical career. “I grew so much as a person at Itchen College; I became more mature and independent, I developed empathy towards others, and I became more open-minded. These qualities helped me when I started university and was living away from home again.”
After completing his high school diploma in Italy—achieving the highest possible grades despite the challenges—Lorenzo passed the competitive entrance exam for medical university in Milan.
“After high school, I passed the placement test and was accepted into medical university in Milan,” he recalls proudly. His six-year program began in October 2019, coinciding with the outbreak of COVID-19. Despite the disruption, he persevered and is now a qualified GP. “I recently qualified as a GP. I have my consultancy in the mornings, and I use the afternoons to study for my specialty exam.”
Lorenzo’s sights are now set on psychiatry, a field that first captured his imagination during his dissertation on bipolar disorder. “I’d like to specialise in psychiatry; my dissertation was on bipolar disorder, and that project really confirmed my interest,” he explains. He also emphasises the growing importance of mental health awareness in a post-pandemic world: “Psychiatrists are doctors, and their patients aren’t ‘mad’—they simply have conditions that make them different. You don’t have the same clear diagnostic tests as in other fields, but illnesses like depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia are very real pathologies.”
Yet Lorenzo’s story is not solely academic. His personal life was equally enriched by his time in the UK. He remains close to his former host family, the Dawsons, who played an important role in his development. Their support, alongside the friendships he made, provided a foundation of belonging that extended far beyond the classroom.
“I go back to the UK every year to see them,” Lorenzo admits. “They gave me a lot of confidence to try new things and embrace my time abroad.”
Today, as he takes a gap year to prepare for his specialty exams, Lorenzo continues to draw upon the resilience, empathy, and openness he cultivated during his time at Itchen. His journey—from Italy to the UK and back again—illustrates how education abroad can nurture not only professional aspirations but also the qualities of character that define a compassionate doctor.
