Biology Internships in Athens

I am incredibly grateful for my time in Valencia. Both my time with my host family and the staff at my placement allowed me to immerse myself in the Spanish language and culture while teaching me life and career skills that cannot be learned in a classroom. Rotating between nursing and the OR enabled observation of patient processing and medical decision-making from start to finish, pre-op to post-op.

The thing I enjoyed the most is that I got to meet so many people from various parts of the world who I deeply connected with, and shared some life changing experiences with. As for my professional development, I was able to gain more confidence and become more comfortable while talking with people. I would 100% do this again and I would advise anyone who wants to do this internship to do it.

My host mom was great! She was very welcoming and took an interest in what I was doing and how I was feeling! She made it easier to be away from home for so long. The part I enjoyed most about this internship was the opportunity to work alongside the staff at the school farm and experience how animal care and agricultural education are approached in another country. I enjoyed building relationships with my coworkers, host family, and classmates, and learning how to communicate despite the language barrier. It pushed me outside of my comfort zone and helped me become more confident, independent, and adaptable. Professionally, the internship gave me valuable hands-on experience in an international setting and reinforced my passion for pursuing a career in Animal Science. Personally, it taught me to be more open-minded, appreciate different cultures and ways of life, and trust my ability to handle new challenges. This experience has given me skills and confidence that I will carry with me throughout my education and future career.

This internship has truly given me the necessary tools to become more competent in my field. I feel as though I have developed both personally and professionally through the experience gained during my time in Spain. Stepping out of my comfort zone and interacting with experts on a daily basis or simply meeting new people and creating bonds were some key takeaways I will carry with me.

An excellent shadowing experience with Dr. Stavros Siderakis. His clinical expertise and professional approach toward patients are truly inspiring. I gained invaluable insights into medical ethics and practice. Highly recommended for any student!

This experience was invaluable in terms of immersion in a new culture and environment. I learned so much about different cultures and enhanced my skills in the Spanish language. The best ways to gain new perspectives is to travel!

The internship truly allowed me to appreciate the blessings I have. I really appreciate the internship for allowing me to grow both personally and professionally. I truly enjoyed seeing the similarities in medicine, even if the practices are separated by continents. Not only that, but working with patients and healthcare professionals from different cultural backgrounds improved my ability to communicate effectively.

My experience with InternHQ and my local team in Spain was great. I am a medical student and was looking for an internship that matches my profile and requests. I got assigned into a clinic and hospital for OB&GYN and I had a great time, learned a lot and felt very comfortable. My mentor was a very doctor and person, she was very keen to teach me and never made me feel left out. I was doubtful for this experience but I am so glad I spent 3 weeks into this experience who for sure brought me closer to what I want to do in the near future. Sarah my Program Manager at Intern HQ was very very helpful and always there to offer the best options possible. Thanks a lot Sarah!

In my internship, I gained surgical and research experience and was able to work and learn from surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses and residents. I also learned time management, collaboration and problem solving and how to work under pressure. Throughout my internship, I made not only professional connections, but also long lasting friendships and the best memories I will always cherish.

The thing I enjoyed the most was working in the clinic and gaining the hands on experience I have been wanting to achieve. This was my first internship and it was everything I ever wanted and now I only want to continue and do more to continue in my professional path.

I found it incredibly insightful to see how certain things in my field are carried out in a different country and culture. It was so eye-opening. I also loved meeting new people and integrating myself into the culture; the people who had been living in the same apartment building as me were so lovely and warm and welcoming and even invited me to their dinner. It was very memorable, and I enjoyed every second of it!! The internship alongside the doctor was also very informative; I got to do a lot of hands-on work and meet lots of new people. The island of Crete was so beautiful and felt very neighborly, and I really enjoyed looking at the views and taking walks in the central market.

This was the greatest experience of my life! I felt very lucky to be placed in such a great internship where my team took such good care of me. Additionally, my accommodation was amazing and I met some life-long friends through my shared apartment. It was nice to have everything set up for me even better than I could have expected. I honestly wish my internship was a bit longer.

I’m so glad I took this journey with Intern Abroad HQ! I was able to experience and immerse myself a new culture, in medicine and everything else. I also began to learn a new language and had a lot of help along the way. I gained confidence in the medical workplace setting in communication especially, and enjoyed my time meeting new friends and travelling with them. I will always remember this experience. I received quick responses and all my questions were answered by my Program Manager! My host mother is an amazing person. She cooked amazing meals for us everyday and had a beautiful home. She was so kind and I already miss her!

Veronica, my Program Manager, helped me with all of my various questions and concerns promptly and professionally. Without her assistance I would have had a much more difficult time attempting to figure out what I needed to do. I am very grateful for her support during my journey. This internship allowed me to become exposed to details and questions I would have otherwise not crossed. I developed relationships and ideas I would have never thought were possible without this opportunity. It allowed me to grow both professionally and personally in various ways, making me unbelievably grateful to everyone that I have met. I will carry this experience with me for the rest of my life, as it truly helped me figure out my own values and my capabilities.

The 1-week program is NO JOKE—over 25+ hours of clinical experience, and I got to watch some next-level surgeries. The hospital was crazy advanced, and the staff was so helpful. And can we talk about the food? Greek cuisine is undefeated. Big shoutout to Stavros for making everything easy—this trip was stress-free and straight-up amazing.

I had no idea what to expect, but let me tell you, Greece is NEXT LEVEL. The people? So welcoming. The hospital? State-of-the-art. The surgeries? Absolutely insane. I got to shadow top-tier surgeons, and the hands-on experience was unmatched. Outside the hospital, Larissa was popping—the food, the nightlife, the views… I already miss it.

What makes Philotimo Med special? Stavros! He truly cares about each student, always making sure we are getting the most out of our experience. I shadowed doctors in cardiology, general surgery, and emergency medicine and even observed a laparoscopic gallbladder removal! Everything was in English, and the excursions were just as exciting as the clinical experience. 10/10 recommend!

Philotimo Med Abroad is hands-down the best medical program in Greece for pre-med students! Everything was in English, and I got to choose my rotations, which included cardiology, anesthesiology, and general surgery. Watching a robotic-assisted laparoscopic procedure was mind-blowing! The cultural experiences were also amazing—weekend excursions, Greek cafes, and island trips made it unforgettable. Stavros is such an incredible leader, always making sure we have the best experience.

Philotimo Med Abroad responded to this reviewFebruary 19, 2025

Thank you so much! We wish you all the best and hope to see you in your white coats in the near future. From Philotimo Team

As a medical student, shadowing cardiac surgeons and gastroenterologists in Greece was incredible. The hospitals in Larissa are world-class, and I got to see minimally invasive robotic procedures up close. The best part? Everything was in English, and the doctors took time to explain cases. Beyond the hospital, we had the best cultural experiences—Greek food, breathtaking landscapes, and weekend getaways. Big shoutout to Stavros for organizing such a phenomenal program!

Philotimo Med Abroad responded to this reviewFebruary 19, 2025

Thank you so much! We wish you all the best and hope to see you in your white coats in the near future. From Philotimo Team

I couldn’t believe how many different surgeries I got to observe during my time at Philotimo Med! From a gallbladder removal to an orthopedic knee replacement, every day was exciting. The highlight? Seeing a da Vinci robotic surgery system in action! This experience strengthened my dream of becoming a surgeon. Plus, we had plenty of time to enjoy shopping, amazing food, and weekend excursions. Thank you, Stavros, for always being there for us!