Dr. Aviad Lampner
Dr. Aviad LampnerArutz Sheva

A young doctor reveals the factors behind Israel's shortage of doctors, as many Israelis leave to study and practice medicine abroad. The trend has reached the point where the government is trying to encourage doctors to immigrate to Israel.

Dr. Aviad Lampner, who recently finished his medical studies at Bologna, Italy, spoke to Arutz Sheva about his decision to study abroad.

"I wanted to study medicine in Israel, but here the chances of being accepted is low," said Lampner. "Even though I had high psychometric (pre-university standardized) test scores, my matriculation exams weren't high enough. I decided to study abroad."

Lampner demonstrated his great talents by learning the Italian language in a mere three months and being accepted at a university in Bologna.

"I searched for an English-speaking institute, like universities in Hungary and Romania, but the price of studies and living there were very high," remarked Lampner. "In Italy you pay less on studies and more on living expenses," leading to his decision to apply there.

The young doctor recounted his challenges adjusting to the new location.

"I needed to get a handle of the Italian language within a few months - I started from zero studying the basics of the language in Florence, and in 3 to 4 months I was speaking Italian and had passed the entrance exams," recalled the doctor.

Lampner studied in Italy over the course of seven years, in the process becoming fully proficient in the language.

"All the exams I did in Italian," Lampner commented. "Today, now that I've completed the studies, I understand and write like an Italian. I have many friends in Italy, including Israeli friends."

The doctor is currently completing his licensing exams in Israel, and hopes to work in the country.

"I had a great experience in Italy, and I wouldn't have missed it for anything," recalled Lampner. "But now I've turned back to Israel, it's my country and I want to be a doctor here."