Clinical Internship for Pre/Medical Students

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.

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.

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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!

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!

If you're a med student looking for hands-on clinical exposure, Philotimo Med Abroad is THE program to join. I scrubbed in to observe an appendectomy, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and even a C-section! The program is fully in English, and I got to work directly with experienced Greek doctors. The weekends were just as exciting, with trips to Meteora, Aegina, and stunning Greek beaches. Stavros made sure we were always learning, exploring, and having fun!

My 2-week internship with Philotimo Med was fantastic. I shadowed in the Emergency Medicine and Cardiology departments, which was eye-opening. We had a fun excursion to Meteora. Stavros was always around to manage and assist us, making the group meals even more enjoyable. It was an experience I’ll never forget

At 18, I was nervous about my 2-week internship in Larissa with Philotimo Med, but it turned out to be an incredible experience! I shadowed in the urology and General Surgery departments and learned more than I ever expected. The excursion to Mount Olympus was breathtaking. Stavros was always there with a piece of advice. The group meals were a highlight, and I made amazing friends!

I loved my 4-week internship with Philotimo Med! I rotated through the Neurology and Pediatrics departments, learning so much from the doctors. The excursions to Mount Olympus, Meteora, and the beach were perfect for unwinding. Stavros always kept things light with his jokes and practical advice. The group meals were fantastic and a wonderful part of the whole experience.

My 3-week internship with Philotimo Med was both educational and fun. I shadowed in the Cardiology and ENT departments and gained invaluable experience. On weekends, we visited Meteora, hiked Mount Olympus, and had beach outings. Stavros was always there with helpful tips and funny stories, making the group meals a great time to connect. Highly recommend this program for any future med student!

I spent 2 weeks in Larissa with Philotimo Med and had an amazing time. I interned in the Emergency Medicine and Orthopedics departments, where I saw a wide range of cases. The trips to Meteora and Mount Olympus were incredible, and the beach day was so relaxing. Stavros made the whole experience even more enjoyable with his jokes and advice. The group dinners were a great way to end each day!

Spending 3 weeks in Larissa with Philotimo Med was a life-changing experience. I interned in the Cardiology and General Surgery departments, where I saw complex procedures up close. We had amazing trips to Meteora, Mount Olympus, and the beach. The group meals were always lively, thanks to Stavros, who kept us laughing and offered great career advice. I highly recommend this program!

This summer, I joined Philotimo Med Abroad for a one-month medical shadowing program in Greece. At the University Hospital of Larissa, I observed consultations, orthopedic surgeries, and even endoscopic spinal procedures. These 100 hours of AAMC-compliant shadowing helped me feel confident in my decision to pursue medicine!

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Spending a month in Greece with Philotimo Med Abroad was a life-changing experience! I completed 100+ hours of physician shadowing at the University Hospital of Larissa and gained hands-on insights into Orthopedics and Neurology. Observing surgeries, including minimally invasive spinal procedures, gave me a new perspective on patient care and solidified my passion for medicine.

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I completed over 50 hours of AAMC-compliant physician shadowing at the University Hospital of Larissa. Here, I observed several areas of patient care from consultations to surgeries in Orthopedics and Neurology. I also got the opportunity to observe endoscopic and minimally invasive spinal surgery at IASO Hospital in Athens where I accumulated more shadowing hours. he outcome was a transformative experience that fueled my passion for healthcare by providing me with valuable insights into patient care, different healthcare systems, and cultural diversity. Although I have roots in Greece and visit family often, living and working in a foreign country allowed me to not only reconnect with my culture, but also enhance my global citizenship. By stepping out of my comfort zone and immersing myself in a foreign environment, I was able to develop cross-cultural communication skills, resilience, and an appreciation for global healthcare practices. Reflecting back on my time in the birthplace of Hippocrates, the father of medicine, this journey has definitely become an essential stepping stone towards a successful and globally-minded healthcare career.

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Your Philotimo Med Abroad summer premed program uniquely aligns with my long-term goals by providing an opportunity to diversify my experiences and gain exposure to international perspectives in healthcare. I believe that the diverse medical experiences offered through your shadowing program complement and enhance my understanding of emergency medicine practices. I understood the medical landscape of Greece through Philotimo Med Abroad to not only help me expand my clinical knowledge but also develop a broader cultural understanding that is crucial in emergency medicine. The chance to witness different healthcare systems, different patient populations, and unique medical challenges will significantly contribute to my growth as a future emergency medicine doctor.

I hope to grow my understanding of the medical field, develop my professional and leadership skills, and have the opportunity to experience a culture outside of my own. I love learning and gaining new perspectives on life, so above all else, I grew as an individual from my experiences with the Philotimo Med Abroad program.

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I really enjoyed my experience with Philotimo. The Medical program is very organized and I felt very supported by staff throughout every step of my experience, from first submitting my application until the day I left Larissa I also really enjoyed the planned excursions and felt that I really got a deep and well-rounded view of Greece, getting to see places and enjoy experiencing that I would not have had access to if I took myself to Greece. I also appreciated that the surgeries and clinic offerings were varied, meaning that there were courses for everyone. Classes were taught by experienced and overqualified professors and doctors. I learn a lot while still having time to enjoy living in Larissa. The location of the program is great, being a 15-minute walk from amazing sites. Overall, I felt that Philotimo was very organized and was very good at what they did. From amazing extracurricular offerings, like the volunteering and shadowing program I took, to great organized trips, like my trip to hike Mt Olympus, Philotimo offers a lot of amazing experiences that help you create the perfect and most well-rounded school break.

The Philotimo director, professors, and doctors are astounding and make sure that you're engaged while also allowing you time to live your life and not be too stressed over academics. I learned a ton with many shadowing and interesting surgeries. Additionally, They encourage being social as well and the social scene at Philotimo is unmatched. I made more friends at the university hospital midsized (around 140 students) program than at my home school with many more students. This is because the culture of Philotimo is to live life to the fullest and fully engage with your surroundings, which you can't help but do. My favorite part of the program was the week-long surgeries. The whole program takes two weeks off of school together to travel to different parts of Greece and explore while being guided by the program. You get tons of free time while also being taken to amazing sites that would be difficult to travel to on your own.

The Philotimo Med Abroad Internship was easily one of the most rewarding experiences of my college career. I don't know of any other program that allows you to not only shadow doctors and nurses but also experience a whole new culture and healthcare. Our day-to-day was always full of different activities ranging from exploring the beaches and mountains to visiting the different villages and islands full of history and culture. Monday through Thursday the day would start with going to the hospital, where we would stay until 3 in the afternoon. I got to shadow in pediatric emergency and nephrology, which were both great experiences! The doctors and nurses were all very welcoming and willing to let us observe their day-to-day and teach us about their jobs. The hospital was also the best place to practice the language since a lot of patients felt more comfortable speaking in Greek. The cost of food was pretty low, so buying your meals was not expensive and most students chose to do so and try different foods.

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My Philotimo Medical Study Abroad Trip to Greece was by far, the best study abroad experience ever. I was able to learn about a European country, shadow numerous health care professionals at a University Hospital, observe different surgeries, build life-long professional connections, learn about patient-centered health care, travel to different islands along the Aegean Sea, and finally, make ever-lasting memories with great people! We shadowed so many surgeries in one day, you can imagine how our 3 weeks-program. I would like to thank Stavros and Maria for all your help and advice. The Philotimo Experience is definitely a huge help if you are not sure what medical department you would like to study.

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