Italian Surgeon I met a new friend today! Her name is Clara and she is an orthropedic surgeon from Italy. She just got an offer to become a fellowship in the biggest hospital in Chicago. According to Clara, the average salary of a surgeon can earn is the same as a medical resident can earn here in the US, so she is thinking about practicing here. But a big challenge to her is, she needs to take USMLE step 1,2 and 3 and then she also needs to do 5 year residency before she can practice as a real surgeon here. Clara said: " I have been practicing as a surgeon for almost 6 years and I don't feel like I want to study and take exams again." But in fact, Clara is one of the top surgeons in Italy and it is a big advantage for her, compared to other medical students. Hope Clara can figure out where does she want to live and practice!