What inspired you to work for Philotimo Abroad?
I believe it's my job to foster relationships with students so I can integrate their interests with our programs.
My goal is to inspire students to apply the information and techniques they learn in the classroom to their real life—to share their unique life perspectives while in our programs. I am confident that my mission and vision for an ideal environment aligns perfectly with today's students.
Describe a typical day at work.
My day starts with checking and responding to my emails early in the morning. A lot of that time is spent answering to future candidates about our programs and the benefits of doing the fellowship.
I have daily meetings with our director, coordinators, and staff. I also gather comments from previous students to improve our future fellowship programs. Finally, I travel to the education center and inspect the space to make sure everything is ok.
Why do you do what you do?
I love working with students. Their energy and enthusiasm is contagious. To me this generation of students is different from our older generation. I must compliment this generation for being so accomplished, for their ability to multitask and to adapt to new technologies.
As Executive Director, I am providing opportunities and changing lives. Everyday our team at Philotimo enables our students to learn and grow—helping them become masterful problem-solvers, critical thinkers, and to have Philotimo’s "Love of Honour."
We are preparing the next generation to take charge of the world, and that's powerful.
Pre-med students visiting the beautiful city of Larissa.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Celebrating with our students when they learn about their college acceptances after attending our Philotimo Fellowship Programs. Our mentors, professors, and doctors build relationships and make strong connections with our students, which is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.
I enjoy creating a complete business plan for the attainment of goals and objectives set by our organization and building an effective team of leaders by providing guidance and coaching when students need it.
How do you use your education and international background in your current role?
Being raised outside of the USA has helped me a lot. Bear in mind that factors such as language barriers may present some challenges to adapt to an international atmosphere.
With my experience I know exactly what the students are feeling, their concerns and fears.
I obtain qualities and abilities which students studying abroad frequently develop—adaptability, achieving goals, cross-cultural awareness.
What challenges do you often face and how do you overcome them?
I face many difficult challenges. Accomplishing the best for our students seems to be easy, so I have not only overcome these challenges, but used them to develop myself as a person and as a director.
I look back and feel extremely happy for having such a wonderful team. The biggest challenge for me is helping the students with negative experiences or fears about their future career.
What are some current projects you are working on?
We are working at the moment in our new winter-break fellowships. Every year we redesign our programs, implementing innovative methods of learning and experimental programs. We update the particular procedures for accomplishing and approaching medicine for the students' participation in our programs.
In general, we are creating programs that are adaptable for all types of future healthcare workers—from shorter programs with elevated quality and organization to systemic procedures at the university hospital and at the laboratory.
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
Sit back and relax, this experience is unique and fruitful in all aspects. Don't waste time over thinking and imagining who, what, where...
Philotimo is here to help you and to provide you with the best academic experience in all of our programs. Be open to learning about and accepting other cultural beliefs.
Visit to the Tomb of Hippocrates
What makes your organization special?
Philotimo’s "Love of Honor." We are well prepared to contribute significantly to the goals and objectives of our students.
Philotimo is held in high regard for our efficient and innovative methods of teaching students—delivering modern technology and knowledge. We are very passionate about our students' future and skills.
Why should someone choose your organization over competitors?
First of all, we do what we do out of our love for education, medicine, culture, and tourism. We offer the best programs at the state-of-the-art university hospital with the best doctors in Greece and in Europe.
We provided all-inclusive services in all our fellowships. Philotimo has an orientation toward innovation and a willingness to pursue new opportunities.
What hopes do you have for the future for your organization?
My hope is that very soon we will have students coming from all over the world, gaining the experience they dream to obtain.
I hope to make our programs accessible for students in different fields. All of this to help the economy of Greece while making a bridge of communication and partnership. Philotimo will become the leader of Medicine shadowing programs.
What is your organization's mission and how do you continue to work toward it?
Our mission is to help transform the lives of our students and the way they see medicine. Philotimo has developed unique study abroad Fellowship Programs conducted year round in Greece for those on the path to careers in the medical and health professions.
Our approach entails selecting the strongest applicants to serve as fellows in Greece for programs lasting for two, three, or four weeks. Our mission is to empower fellows today through an international immersive mentorship and shadowing experience at leading Greek institutions to become the future global leaders in their fields tomorrow.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
A real transformative, life-changing experience. I hope they gain an understanding of the global healthcare system through working with professionals and gaining valuable intercultural competences and incredible work experience as an intern in one of Europe's most modern university hospitals.
I also hope that the students meet some like-minded students from different parts of the world.
How do you help support participants?
By managing all the details and logistics of programs in Greece, we ensure the welfare of our fellows 24/7 so they can focus on their important fellowship experience.
Fellows participate by shadowing assigned faculty mentors from multiple domains in real-life situations at the University Hospital.
By engaging with Greek experts in their respective fields, fellows gain competence in the five domains of mentorship: clinical knowledge, research skills, professional development, technological literacy, and technical skills.
Having lunch with our students
If you could participate in one of your organization's programs, where would you go and what would you do?
The Hippocratic Medical program in Larissa in Greece. This program helps those in the earlier phases of their studies to experience what a career in the medical/healthcare field may entail by immersing them in the setting in a hands-on way.
What questions do participants often ask you, and how do you typically respond?
Students are not required to speak Greek—most professionals have a strong mastery of English. Students are expected to observe, not practice during their time on the program.
Most groups are scheduled to work 20+ hours per week (five hours a day for four days). Students are free on the weekends to relax and travel, but they are expected to be available on-site to work Monday through Friday.
Students are expected to work in pairs or small groups for optimum shadowing experiences. We encourage students to ask as many thoughtful questions of faculty mentors as possible.During this time, they are expected to comply with Greece’s rules and attitudes.
Why is it important for people who are studying medicine to travel abroad?
Students are able to observe the physician-patient relationship, OR procedures, and participate in laboratory work in the research facilities.
Through this experience, they gain a better knowledge of human physiology, discover interesting research topics, and get to know the specialty and the doctor they are shadowing.
Students will complete medical research and practice at the laboratory of the University Hospital. Overall, traveling allows students to better understand other cultures
Why do you think learning a new language is important?
The number of languages you speak is equal to the number of people you represent. Besides having more chances of landing a good job or advancing in your career, learning a second language can also give you an insight into other cultures.
You will be more prepared and confident to travel the world and explore other people's ways of living. Lack of integration is a real problem for most countries.
What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?
Studying abroad is a unique, rewarding experience that offers you opportunity after opportunity to grow academically and personally. You’ll never get the chance to see where it can take you if you don’t pursue it.
So, whether you’re considering taking the first step and applying to a school abroad, or you are already abroad and thinking of getting involved on campus, our advice is to “Just Do It”!
Be bold, take the risk, and see what amazing things come your way!
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel is when travel enriches your life in some way. That could be done by focusing on making your own life better by discovering and learning new things about the world and yourself.
We’ve found that the more we learn about the world and the cultures we visit, the more it enriches our lives. The more you give back, the more you feel fulfilled. While volunteering or helping others you expect nothing in return, but it ends up giving you so much. It is the greatest feeling to know that you are making the world a better place in your own little way.
