Describe a typical day at work.
There is no such thing as a typical day at my work! My working days can vary from one hour to around the clock, depending on at what stage the current or future projects are in. I may be working on several completely different projects, and I have to talk to suppliers and clients around the world or, I could just be creating marketing material together for print and organising last-minute changes and/or details.
Medical Shadowing Interns
What is your favorite part of your job?
I think the best part of our job is interacting with our customers and making their dreams happen. When we see our students happy, we know we did our job well, and that is the most rewarding moment of this job!
What are some current projects you are working on?
I am currently working on two projects, one is a 40 hour/week medical shadowing program based in Athens, Greece, and the other is a volunteering program in vineyards/wineries across Greece.
Vineyard Pruning
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
Read a lot about your destination before arrival. Explore the new location and ask the locals for the interesting off-the-tourist track sights, experiences, food, and cultural activities.
What makes Cerca Trova special?
Above all, we value our participant's safety and educational needs. We aim for a personalised experience that will leave an everlasting positive effect to our participants.
Winery Work
Why should someone choose your organization over competitors?
In our Medical/Dental/Physio shadowing program, we provide participants with up to 40 hours/week experiencing the leading private and public hospitals in Greece. Our interns gain a valuable and intense observation experience next to leading experts, coupled with the chance to explore Greece at a very affordable cost.
For our Vineyard/Winery volunteering program, participants have the chance to learn first-hand how grapes are cultivated and how wine is made by working for leading wine producers.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
I hope that participants take away experiences, knowledge, growth, and professional development from our programs and that they view this as a starting point, rather than an end result.
How do you help support participants?
We provide plenty of information regarding the programs, location, and host organisations prior to arrival. From the minute you land at the airport, one of our team members is there to meet you and transport you to their house/accommodation. Our participants have 24/7 support while on the program.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
It is vital to learn about different cultures in an effort to understand each other, to comprehend each other’s historical background, social and economic inequalities, way of thinking, and work ethics. Traveling abroad opens up new cultures in a way that cannot be learned in any other way; you need to be submerged into the culture at its origin to get a deep understanding of it and its people.
Medical Shadowing Interns
What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?
I think it is important to fight against our expectations, to be open to what places and people can offer us. The beauty of traveling is in finding the unexpected, not in going to look for something that we already know exists.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
A meaningful travel experience is one that penetrates our perception of things. This generally happens when we can connect with the people around us.
