Internships in Thessaloniki, Greece

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.

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.

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.

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 scrab in 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.

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 Circa 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I am Adam I am from the United States and I am here in Greece for this Engineering program. This program is a cool opportunity to both travel and to taking an engineering internship and specifically in drone engineering which I am particularly interested. I got to see the end of the SMARTSEA program for underwater drones and it was very cool to go to the port and actually launch drones. I got to fly an air drone and video that while happening. On this side of the planet its definitely warm, Thessaloniki I a very cool city and I never seen a city so live at 2am at night

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.