Cerca Abroad

Program Reviews

Jordan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My First Step Into Psychology Work

Hello, my name is Jordan, I am from Ecuador. I am a psychology student with a concentration in human analysis. My college is located in Connecticut but I am from New York. I chose this program because I wanted to learn and have a little bit of experience in psychology. The staff, I highly recommend them. The coordinators are good. I highly, really recommend this place for anybody who would want to do psychology or anything related to the field. Here in Athens, you can visit many beautiful places. I really enjoyed my time over here and I will hopefully come back next year.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The most surprising thing was realizing how quickly Athens made me feel connected to psychology in a real, human way.
Pros
  • Supportive and highly recommended staff
  • Great introduction to real psychology experience
  • Beautiful location that enriches the overall stay
Cons
  • N/A
Viktor Karl
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Many Surgeries and a Warm Culture

Hi, my name is Viktor, I am from Reykjavík, Iceland. I study at Reykjavík University. I am here in Athens for a program that has allowed me to observe surgeries at two hospitals in Greece. So first I was at Gennimatas Hospital and now I am at the Metropolitan General. During my time here I have seen approximately thirty-five surgeries. Greece is amazing and Athens is wonderful. I have had a fantastic time here. The culture and everything are very warm. Fully amazing. The team of Cerca Abroad has been incredibly helpful, providing me with all the information I needed throughout what’s happening in the city and where to go. I’ve had an amazing time. Thank you very much.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
Honestly, the most surprising thing was getting to watch around thirtyfive real surgeries up close.
Pros
  • Saw an impressive variety of realsurgeries in two major hospitals
  • Warm culture and incredibly welcoming atmosphere in Athens
  • Exceptional support from the Cerca Abroad tem
Cons
  • No real complaints
Marin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Learning Outside My Comfort Zone

Hi, my name is Marin, I am from Pennsylvania in the States but I go to school in Arizona, at the University of Arizona where I am a science undergraduate. I wanted to do this program because I wanted to put myself in a position that was very different from what I am used to in the States and find a new way of learning. Everything about this program has been super helpful. Everyone that has met me here during my stay has made sure I was comfortable, made sure I knew where I was going, and was always there if I needed something. I’ve been very happy with this experience. I got to see so many things that I wouldn’t be able to see at my university’s programs, as that would be hands-on procedures. I got all the questions I needed answered from the people that have been working in the field for decades. It has been very enjoyable and I would do this program again.

What was your funniest moment?
My funniest moment was probably when I tried to act like I knew exactly what I was doing during one of the hands-on procedures, when in reality it was completely new to me.
Pros
  • Unique learning experience outside the comfort zone
  • All questions were answered
  • Exposure to new ways of learning
Cons
  • Nothing
Sarah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing team, amazing time in Athens

Hi, my name is Sarah Sewing, I am from Atlanta, Georgia and I am a third year on Missouri State University. I am a premed and I have absolutely enjoyed being in Athens, Greece. The entire Cerca Abroad team and program has been amazing. They helped me out so much and I had the opportunity to scrub in surgeries which is so cool, definitely something I wouldn’t have the chance to do in the States. So I really enjoyed this program and it honestly made my time here even more meaningful than I expected.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
Scrubbing into real surgeries totally caught me off guard. I never expected that level of access. It ended up being the coolest, most unforgettable part of my time in Athens.
Pros
  • Warm, welcoming team that made everything feel easy and stress-free
  • Eye-opening clinical exposure that went far beyond typical pre-med experiences
  • A vibrant city setting that added so much to the overall experience
Cons
  • N/A
Margaret
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great program with phenomenal organization

Hi, my name is Margaret North. I am a junior at Missouri State; I am on the pre medicine on studying biology. I absolutely love being in Greece so far. I’ve been here for a week now and I still have a week left.

The Cerca organization is phenomenal. They are there for anything you need them, they are responsive and they’ll never let you down.

The hospital is phenomenal. All the doctors I’ve been able to shadow were incredible and answered all the questions I needed to. I got to explore other specialties that I don’t think I would or had the chance to explore, so that’s been great.

What was your funniest moment?
One day a nurse tried to hand me a chart because she thought I actually worked there. We both burst out laughing when I explained I was just shadowing. It totally made my day!
Pros
  • Really organized structure that makes everything feel smooth
  • Doctors who genuinely enjoy teaching
  • A super welcoming environment that boosts your confidence
Cons
  • Nothing
Hayden
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A very interesting internship

Hi, I am Hayden Gropp, I am from Colorado in the USA. I am in this program because I was interested into anesthesiology and this is one of the programs that they offered. I have been in surgeries and doing different clinics around.

Everyone in Cerca has been great in helping out and with any questions I’ve had. I am enjoying Athens a lot. There’s a lot of different places to go visit and I would recommend coming here if you want to be in surgeries all the time. Honestly, every day here keeps surprising me in the best way.

What was your funniest moment?
Probably the time I got lost in the hospital trying to find the OR and ended up in a cardiology lecture by accident. I just sat there pretending I belonged until I could sneak out.
Pros
  • Really supportiv staff who answer everything
  • Really immersive clinical exposurethroughout the program
  • Athens is amazing to explore in your free time
Cons
  • Nothing
Solomon
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Valuable moments in a super cool program

Hello, my name is Solomon, I am from Dallas, Texas. I picked this program because I wanted to gain a global experience, see similarities and differences on how healthcare works around the world and compared to the US. So I’ve never been in Greece and this is a country I’ve always had in my bucket list. So far it’s been good. I’ve only been here for a couple of days, so I’ve learnt some things I wouldn’t have been able in the US. I have enjoyed the fact that the doctors I have been with so far have provided step by step explanations of what they are doing in the moment.

Reception has been great. I wouldn’t have to wait for response from Dennis or for anybody across the Circa Abroad team. I really do appreciate it. I wouldn’t have so far any complaints, so yes.

What was your funniest moment?
My funniest moment was trying to pronounce some Greek words and saying them completely wrong. We all laughed at all and it made the atmosphere even more friendly.
Pros
  • Friendly and supportive staff
  • Great clinical learning experience
  • Chance to explore Greece and a new culture
Cons
  • Nothing
Cayley
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great journey with very good education

Hi, my name is Cayley Harris and I am from Alabama. I go to school at the University of Alabama. I chose this program to be able to compare the differences between a private hospital in Greece and a private or even public hospitals in the US, just to see what is different and how everyone work together in a hospital. Also, being in a foreign country and being able to adjust to learn new things. I’ve been here for four weeks. This is my fourth week here. I got to be in cardiology and surgery and this week I was in MOR scans. I think it was fun and interesting to learn different stuff here compared to the US. I’ve been able to go around Athens and explore the city. So this internship in a foreign country is in your list, I would say do it.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The most surprising part was seeing how different departments in a Greek private hospital operate compared to those in US.
Pros
  • Exposure to multiple hospital departments and different medical practices
  • Valuable cultural experience while adjusting to life in a foreign country
  • Opportunity to explore Athens and enjoy the city during the intenship
Cons
  • Nothing
David
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Really nice experience

Hi, my name is David, I come from San Diego, California. I go to school at San Diego State University. I am on a kinesiology major there, so our specific college requires of us to go on a study abroad program at some point of our career as post graduates, so that’s why I chose this specific program and to come to Greece. My experience so far has been really nice. I’ve been here for two weeks. So in my first week I got into kinesiotherapy and the OR. That has been an amazing experience as well. It’s something I wouldn’t have been able to do or experience back in the States. Greece and specifically Athens where I am right now, is a really nice city, very cheap. People are really friendly and helpful. Definitely got to see a lot places. The people are cool, the team here is also great, very responsive and very helpful. Any questions you have they would answer almost immediately. So, I definitely would recommend that you apply to this program.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The most surprising thing I experienced was having direct exposure to both kinesiotherapy and the operating room so early in my stay.
Pros
  • Friendly and supportive team environment
  • Affordable cost of living
  • Vibrant lifestyle and cultural experience
Cons
  • N/A
Mia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

So lucky to have been a part of such great program

Hi, I am Mia Houston, I am from Missouri and go to Missouri State University on a premed, hoping to get myself a neurobiology major. I found this program through girls that were already planning on doing it, and I am so lucky that they’ve told me about it. I’ve actually loved being in Greece so far. I’ve been here for a week and I have one more left. So, I got time to explore, get back to the hospital and have the opportunity to see other specialties that I wouldn’t have originally planned for myself. That really helps me to become a grounded doctor, seeing how a hospital works in every aspect of it. So this is just an amazing opportunity and I would definitely recommend it.

What was your funniest moment?
My funniest moment was trying to follow a Greek doctor's directions to a different ward and ending up somehow on the rooftop of the hospital!
Pros
  • Time to explore specialties I never originally considered
  • Real exposure to how a hospital works in every aspect
  • Being in Greece made the whole experience unforgettable
Cons
  • Nothing negative to report