Community Service and Volunteer in Greece

From the moment I arrived, I felt secure and supported. The accommodation was safe, in a charming neighborhood, and the short walk to the shelter each morning gave me time to soak in the Greek scenery. Shadowing a local dentist was an invaluable experience. I observed treatments that focused on children's dental hygiene, and it was inspiring to see how the dentist explained proper care to the kids, making them feel comfortable. The children at the shelter were always eager to learn and play, and I felt honored to be a part of their journey. I’d definitely bring a journal next time to write down all the little moments with the children. The group dinners were the best way to end each day, filled with laughter and good food. I feel like I gained a new family during my time in Greece.

Philotimo Med made my gap year unforgettable. The accommodations were clean, safe, and centrally located, which allowed us to explore Larissa’s vibrant culture during our free time. Safety was a top priority, and I always felt comfortable, even when walking back late after a group dinner. Shadowing a dentist was one of the most enriching aspects of the program. I got to observe how dental professionals here approach pediatric care, which gave me new insights into patient communication and care techniques. Stavros’s jokes, like the one about the ‘Greek time’ when we were running late, always kept us smiling and made even the most mundane tasks fun. One day, he convinced us that he could predict the weather just by looking at the olives in his salad—it was hilarious! The kids were so sweet, and I loved helping them with their English lessons. I’d bring more comfortable shoes next time since I walked everywhere, from the shelter to the markets and nearby cafes. But I wouldn’t trade the amazing group meals, where we often cooked together, for anything.

I'm a first-generation college student, my parents are not fluent in English, and I'm Latina, among other factors. I think some people are surprised to see someone who looks like me in the lab or hospital and their notions of what a researcher is might be questioned–and I'm fine with that. Finding and creating the space to be myself has allowed me to support others as well. I always tell people, it doesn't matter if they think you're not good enough, I'm certain you are. The Philotimo Internship and Volunteering program empowers me to go out there and pursue things that are difficult or uncomfortable. Thank you so much for this experience and for teaching the principles of what is to have Philotimo. The Internships are stunning, and the classes, the trips, and the food are just the best.

I always knew that I wanted to be a doctor, but I’ve been thinking about who I was when I first got to the Philotimo Internship, how much I've grown, and how much I've changed in 3 weeks of being abroad in Greece.
I shadowed at the Lab, where we were working on developing an anti-cancer, antibacterial agent. Typically, we run different chemical reactions in the lab. We read literature about the procedure, decided on the scale, set the conditions, and used nuclear magnetic resonance to determine the structure of molecules. the Philotimo Med Abroad experience has been about more than just chemistry or volunteering. I feel empowered to go out there and pursue things that are difficult or uncomfortable.
I enjoyed working with doctors for long hours and learning new techniques. I got few letters of recommendation which will help me when I apply to medical school.

I spoke to my advisor about preparing for a future in public health and he suggested that I take part in Philotimo Med Abroad DataLab. At that point, I didn’t know much about it. I had no idea what data analysis even involved. But he told me about the program’s focus on social good and that there was an emergency room overuse project. When I heard that I thought, “I need to check this out.” I started doing my research into what ER overuse is and I realized that this was an opportunity to help a community partner, the Shelter Network, advocate for many refugee minors.
We got our 2 week project, and let’s just say it was intense. I appreciate the fact that Larissa residents receive primary care in a fantastic hospital with a great group of doctors ready to care for them. During my time there, I shadowed and rotated 3 clinics and on Fridays we had a cultural excursions to Meteroa and to Mount Olympus.

I had a 3-week internship in Larissa, Greece with Philotimo, I shadowed a couple of physicians. I worked in a research lab and shadowed within the University and at a community clinic, which helped me see how their work with patients complemented thier research studies.
There is so much research happening here and there are so many ways for students to get involved. That isn't something that every college student gets to do. So I’m grateful because I’ve been able to do more than figure out what I want to do for a future career—I’ve had the chance to already start doing it.
I really want to become a research physician like the professors I shadowed, it was great to be able to talk to them about the path they took to get where they are. The really became a mentor who could give advice and have conversations about what's next.
The Philotimo excursions are also fun and help you to forget all the stress we have during our school time and at practice.

Choosing Philotimo Med Abroad was the best decision I could've made! All of my classes were super intriguing (I was excited to go shadowing), the organized trips were fun and convenient, and everyone I met was super nice and supportive. Living in Larissa was also much more convenient than I thought it would be -- access to other cities in Greece, as well as access to other countries in Europe, was super easy. The food, the culture, the Director's support system, and all of the fun activities that happened in Larissa made my trip super worth it. You won't regret it if you choose Philotimo!

I studied abroad in Greece to learn more about medicine. I love how I had the opportunity to be immersed in a hands-on environment to truly see what medicine is like. We went on field trips to Athens to see the Parthenon and the Acropolis Museum. We also did field studies in Thessaloniki to see a variety of medical specialties.
It was a very exciting and educational experience. Every doctor and professor we shadow helps me a lot. They advise me to keep trying and never give up.
So my advice to you reading this is don't wait anymore and book your shadowing experience now.