Program Reviews

Hi, my name is Angie Juha I am from Palestine; I am studying in the European University of Cyprus, this is my fourth year. I came to Cerca Abroad for the second year because I recommend it so much and it helped me so much to get more experience, hands- on practice, my Greek language since I am studying in Cyprus, and I just felt like it was really helpful for my future. Especially since I’ll be coming soon again and this experience has been different from last year because I’m used to everything that happened and I know my way around. The coordinators are very helpful and, yes, that’s it! Thank you Cerca Abroad.

Hello, my name is Peter and I am from Hong Kong. I study at the Chinese University of Hong Kong medical school. And I am Lisa and I’m also studying at the Chinese University of Hong Kong I am also here for medical studies.

We came here for this medical internship because we wanted to learn more about medicine in general and to get a better grasp on medicine and the surgical aspects of medicine. Also, to look at the different cultures and different hospitals in Greece and look at the differences between Greece and Hong Kong. For me, Peter, I wanted to look at the different specialties and get to choose between different career choices, like to see what it is like for different specialties and I think it was good to see the difference between the healthcare system in Hong Kong and Greece. So, some of the major highlights of this experience would be seeing cardio treatment for the first time and as long as entering into the operation room, we would be able to see things which we wouldn’t have been able in Hong Kong, such as the OGDs, the formation of fistulas was also quite interesting and we’ve seen one finished and one in progress of being done.

And for me, Lisa, I liked the lab because it is really interesting to see how the cavity is inserted into the body and see the difference it’s making. So this is a precious chance to see surgeries. I would never have the chance in Hong Kong. As for the accommodation, it was very nice. The apartment was large, it was clean and it was very convenient to come from the apartment to the hospital. It was like a twenty-minute journey I think. There were a lot of supermarkets nearby. There was very good support from all the staff and also the hospital staff. Any questions we had would be answered very quickly and we were very happy to visit.

As for Athens in general I think it’s one of the most beautiful cities and we have been to different tourist spots and I took a lot of pictures there. Everything good is generally quite regular and we’ve found good food when we would go into the restaurants were really great when we have stayed in Athens. Everything was just fine.

Hi there, I’m Kelly, I am from Sydney, Australia and I chose to do this medical internship because I wanted to better my medical knowledge and be able to experience the hospital environment to a closer and more detailed extent. As I am an undergraduate medical student in Australia Sydney, this experience helped me be able to get to know the hospital environment a lot better as well.

So, some of the highlights of the trip include being able to really see the vast experiences of the doctors are having in this hospital. We were able to go to clinics in one week- and that would include things like neurology, cardiology- and we were even able to visit the emergency room for a couple of cases as well. It was really interesting. Apart from that, we were also able to have a lot of time in the OR, in surgeries as well. The surgeons there were very lovely and very wonderful. In particular, yesterday we had a vascular surgeon who was able to show us the case and talk us through everything that was going on, and show us on the screen and on imaging where each particular vein. So it was all a really great experience. Other than that we’ve had amazing experiences with other specialties as well. For example orthopedics, plastics and also general surgery. So, overall it was a really great experience to be able to see all these different specialties and how they interact with each other. Also how they were able to welcome patients and better their care and give them the best possible outcomes.

In terms of the communication by this team, it was really wonderful in helping me with all my questions. Before the trip I was unsure about some certain things and I didn’t hesitate at all to send them emails and questions and they were very lovely and quick at responding. So, if you have any hesitations about coming on this trip, just send them an email, ask them any questions and they will be very quick to respond and they will be really great. In terms of doing the trip they were also very lovely with all the organization. From with the first day there, they will actually take you to the hospital themselves and even from the airport, they had a driver who is able to pick you up. So, there’s no concern about safety at all and also Athens is a very safe place. So overall I really enjoyed this trip.

Athens itself is beautiful, in Australia right now it’s actually winter, so it was good to escape to Athens where it’s very bright and sunny- it was really great. So, if it's winter where you are, then definitely come over during the summer, and overall, also, being able to meet these lovely interns- there’s heaps of other interns that you can make friends with during the internship as well. I made some really close friends from all different parts of the world, especially the US and the UK - but also from various other countries- and we became really close over the course of the trip so I would highly recommend it.

Hi, my name is Ishmia and I am from Dallas, Texas. I am currently attending the Philander Smith College as a pre-med student. I choose this medical internships because I love to help people and I want to make sure that what I know affect the lives of others. The hospital Metropolitan General has been the highlight of this trip the faculty and everybody that is here, the doctors are all so nice and willing to teach us and everybody is willing to learn. My favorite part was actually the surgeries. Cerca Abroad has been beyond helpful from the moment that we got here up to, really, departing! They make sure that your adjustment into the Greek culture is a smooth transition. My favorite part of Greece has been seeing Mykonos on my first weekend and just walking around seeing the beautiful landscape.

Hi, I’m Nane, I am from Louisiana and I study at the Louisiana State University. I chose to come to Greece for my medical internship because Greece has always been one of my dream cities and I could come to pursue my interest in my career and it’s one of my favorite cities- I would love to do that. The accommodation here was amazing, I stayed at a beautiful apartment and everything was made ready for me. The hospital was very nice and the people have been very understanding with everything. Athens overall was such a beautiful city. I loved it here and I would definitely come back.

Hi, my name is Brooke, I am from Los Angeles, California, in the U.S. I just finished my undergraduate with premed. I chose to come to Greece because it is so beautiful. I’ve loved traveling all around here, having seen all the islands and the beaches. But also because I was getting a lot of the exposure that I wasn’t able to get in my country. For example I was able to sit in on a lot of surgeries that I wouldn’t be able to in America, so that has been an amazing experience for me.
Some highlights would be traveling, riding a moped, seeing Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum, traveling through the city, that has been amazing. I’ve made some really close friendships here as well, and the food is also very good to eat. In matters of coordination they have been great, everyone has been super helpful. they’ve been nearby when you needed them- gladly we had not really need them on this trip, but they would be very happy to help and easy to talk to. So, it’s a bliss.

Hello, my name is Logan Peck, I am from Oklahoma, I go to Oklahoma State University and I study biology premed. I wanted to do this internship so I can build my resume and get a more hands- on experience within the medical community. The best part of the internship for me was going to the hospital and see all the surgeries. It was very interesting to actually see and kind of get-to-do a hands on experience with that. It’s just something that I would never get to do in the US, as I have to guess.
The actual program was run very well, I had a really nice apartment, the metro is very easy to use and the hospital staff was great. Athens in general is such an amazing city, it’s so beautiful, the history and the culture is so rich. I really loved to see the Acropolis and (it was all very nice). It was a great experience.

Hi everyone, my name is Isabelle Joffe. I’ve currently just finished my last year at Adelphi University and I’m starting dental school in July. I decided to do his program to just get a better understanding of dentistry before I start my dental school journey. I’ve loved working with the doctor here. He was amazing and extremely educated in his craft. He showed me so many things I haven’t seen before. He even let me drill on a real tooth. He showed me how to prep a crown and do a routine and all that staff- it was so awesome.
The Cerca Abroad staff was amazing. On Whatsapp, someone is always there. You can text them any second and they will respond as soon as possible.
I also loved Athens, it’s so beautiful here, the people are amazing, the food is amazing, the metro system is really clean and accessible and I just loved my whole experience here. I would recommend it to anyone.

Hi, I’m Ankita, I am from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and I go to school at the University of Pittsburgh. I chose the internship to go abroad this summer because I’m going to graduate school in a year and I wanted some real life experience in something other than the US
About my internship, it was really interesting being here, I am at the Iasis day center, and we don’t really have something like a Day Centre back home in the States, so it was really cool to see a psychiatric work that occurs outside of the country and how it occurs in different locations. I am right now in Athens Greece and I’m doing my internship with Iasis as I said before, and I am so happy with the coordination from Cerca Abroad. This experience is something like, I never would have thought I would be able to go through a helping with group therapy and help with planning activities with patients and having a one- on- one connection. It’s just so incredible. I love staying in Athens Greece- that’s where I am currently located. I think it is so fun here and there’s so much to do besides just working. There’s just so much like fun staff I can do on the weekends and during the week days and everyone here is just so kind and generous.

My name is Mahen and I am from Vancouver, Canada. I am an engineering student from the Langara College. I chose this biotechnology internship to gain transferable laboratory skills and some exposure to active work. I believe this internship would help my career as an aspiring bioengineer. During my time here in this lab I was able to see various lab procedures that are used in industry and academia. Some of them being DNA extraction and PCR. Other than that, Thessaloniki is beautiful during the summertime and the view from the white tower cannot be missed. Time flies by here. With the arrangements made by Cerca Abroad, I was mostly happy. Just be ready to have some off line time. There will be times when you may need to disconnect from everything and soak in the experience. I found the city to be really accessible, so this made my experience very nice. Everybody is friendly here and you won’t find any trouble finding the things that you need. If you’re confident, you can make your experience one of a kind and unforgettable.