Internships in Athens, Greece

I enjoyed spending time in the operating room and learning from the kind and communicative surgeons and nurses. I also had the opportunity to meet many different people and experience a new culture. I especially loved the historical aspects of the experience, including seeing ruins and learning about Greece's history through museums. This experience not only gave me an inside look at possible career paths, but also allowed me to learn in multiple hospital settings and gain a better understanding of different areas of healthcare. Beyond the medical experience, I was able to immerse myself in another culture and develop a much broader perspective of the world. Overall, this experience helped me grow both professionally and personally, and it is something I will always value.

Since completing the Psychology internship in Cape Town, I've been more empowered in several key ways. I've developed greater cultural competence within my field, along with a stronger understanding of how to draw on other professionals and networks to bring together resources that genuinely support a community or individual. I also feel more confident in the value of my informal counselling skills, and a renewed appreciation for the value of my psychology degree and what it equips me to offer. My experience co-facilitating the DBT session for clients with BPD has genuinely inspired me to consider this as a potential area of future specialisation, and I'd like to continue building my knowledge and skills in this space. I enjoyed staying in the big intern house with the other interns and exploring Cape Town together. The cultural insight from the local coordinator and internship was very insightful and has allowed me to personally and professionally appreciate and develop my cross-cultural competence.

I was a little skeptical about what I was getting into when I signed up for this program but I am so so so glad that I gave it a shot. I learned so much about the history and culture of Greece while also seeing how PTs and clinic operate in different areas outside the US. I met so many amazing people, and the staff on the trip were so helpful and involved and truly wanted us to have the best time. I am beyond grateful for the experience and the connections that I made on this trip. Definitely would recommend going to anyone that is questioning it!

It is hard to pick one thing that I enjoyed the most. The entire experience in itself was amazing, and I could not be more grateful that I put myself out there. I was able to gain hands-on experience in the healthcare setting, which will better prepare me for my future.

I believe that this internship was beneficial for me in many ways, in and outside of the medical field. I enjoyed being able to see things in the hospital that I may have never gotten to see if I were not in this internship. Seeing so many types of surgery truly opened my mind to so many other career possibilities. I now have the confidence I was lacking to pursue what I truly want in the medical field.

Toucan Abroad gave me the experience of a lifetime! I gained valuable PT observation experience, explored so many beautiful places throughout Greece, and made lifelong friendships along the way. The directors were incredible so supportive, organized, and genuinely invested in making our experience unforgettable. I couldn’t recommend this program more to anyone looking for professional growth, adventure, and amazing memories.

I really appreciated and enjoyed how the internship was flexible in a way that I could try out different areas of the hotel, working with different departments instead of staying with one the entire time. I made some really good friends while working there, so this allowed me to connect with people from different parts of the world, and they are people with the same or similar career goals.

I enjoyed the entire experience as I learned a lot about cybersecurity, mainly in encryption and the use of drones, which was really exciting. The culmination of new knowledge and hands on experience in programming DES, ciphers and drones has significantly aided in my professional development as I now have a whole new knowledge base in this field. Personally, this internship also helped me understand how these algorithms can be adapted to cater to international interests and a range of languages.

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.

From being able to shadow physical therapists to doing group excursions every week I had an amazing time. Every clinic I went to was super kind and willing to teach us students. Group excursions were a great way to hang out with everyone in the group while exploring athens. The location of our stay allowed us to explore the city while still feeling safe. I learned so much on this trip and would highly recommend to others.

I believe this internship provided me with a much more unique experience than what I was expecting. Working in a holistic psychology practice, where themes of psychoneuroimmunology, family systems, and transpersonal psychology are all intertwined, opened my eyes to a side of therapy that isn’t taught in textbooks, and I’m sure this experience will influence how I practice in the future. Outside of work, living alone abroad taught me a lot about myself, the people I want to surround myself with, and what kind of experiences I value. I made connections with people from all over the world and traveled to 5 countries and countless cities. And along the way, I also improved my Spanish and picked up another language.

One thing that I found interesting in this internship is how warm and supportive the team is. Right from the beginning, despite the language barrier, the members made me feel a part of the team and they were always ready to answer any question and involve me in different processes within the patient treatment process. Finally, at the end of the internship, I felt as a valuable member of the team. From a professional point of view, this internship helped me develop my clinical skills in terms of observing and participating in the treatment of patients suffering from musculoskeletal injuries and sports injuries. Also, this internship gave me an opportunity to practice rehabilitation technologies, including Diamagnetic Pump Therapy, Compex, TENS, pressure boots, hot and cold compression boots. Additionally, during this period, I developed my clinical reasoning through discussion of the patient assessment with the help of my supervisor and prescribing rehabilitation exercises taking into account the right progression, regression, repetition, and sets. From a personal point of view, it helped me become more confident, adaptable and culturally competent. Working and living in another country, I learned how to overcome language barriers, effectively communicate with people of different nationalities and adjust to a new healthcare setting. Finally, the internship impacted my career plans by changing my perception of them. Initially, I did not think of becoming a sports physiotherapist at all and certainly did not expect to work abroad after I finish my studies. However, this experience made me interested in exploring opportunities related to sports physiotherapy and motivated me to think about the option of working in Europe after finishing my education.

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.

Through my internship, I was able to gain a global perspective on healthcare by amercing myself in a local system. I now feel much better equipped to enter the healthcare field with a new passion for my future career. Being in Greece, I was able to travel easily to many destinations, giving me a new perspective on human interactions, an important aspect in healthcare. I feel even more comfortable interacting with physicians and medical professionals after completing my program with Intern Abroad! Overall, I had an amazing experience being able to get a glimpse into what my future in healthcare may look like.

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.

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.

Studying abroad in Greece was an unforgettable experience that challenged me to grow both personally and professionally. Living in a new country, navigating a different healthcare system, and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds strengthened my adaptability, cultural competence, and confidence. Beyond the clinical experience, some of my favorite memories came from exploring Greece, building lasting friendships, and immersing myself in the local culture. This experience broadened my perspective on healthcare and reinforced my passion for becoming a physician who provides compassionate, culturally informed care.

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.

The internship was an incredibly rewarding experience that contributed to both my personal and professional growth. What I enjoyed most was the opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture while working alongside people from diverse backgrounds. Building relationships with my coworkers, interacting with members of the local community, and collaborating with other interns allowed me to develop stronger communication and interpersonal skills. I especially enjoyed stepping outside of my comfort zone by navigating Athens independently, using public transportation, and adapting to a different way of life. Professionally, this internship strengthened my interest in psychology and working with diverse populations. I gained a greater appreciation for the importance of cultural competence, empathy, and flexibility when supporting individuals from different backgrounds. I learned how to communicate effectively despite language and cultural differences, observe professional practices in an international setting, and adapt to unfamiliar situations with confidence. Personally, the experience helped me become more independent, resilient, and open-minded. Living abroad challenged me to solve problems on my own, adjust to unexpected situations, and become more confident in my ability to navigate new environments. Overall, this internship broadened my perspective, enhanced valuable professional skills, and reinforced my passion for pursuing a career where I can support and work with people from diverse communities.

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.