Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

PA goals and Island Adventures October 10, 2026

By (Medicine, The College of St. Scholastica) - abroad from 09/29/2024 to 10/26/2024 with

Cerca Abroad: Medical in Greece

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a clearer understanding of my career goals through clinical shadowing and discovered new perspectives on healthcare and cultural differences.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The program offered a good balance of clinical exposure and learning opportunities. The experience was engaging and helped me expand my medical knowledge.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The on-site coordinators were approachable and responsive, ensuring everything ran smoothly throughout the program.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The apartment was comfortable and conveniently located, with easy access to public transportation and nearby amenities.

* Food:

I really enjoyed the variety of Greek dishes, especially the fresh ingredients and traditional local specialties.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I had the chance to connect with local people and experience Greek traditions firsthand , which made my stay even more enjoyable.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't encounter any health issues during my stay, but medical services were readily accessible if needed.

* Safety:

Athens was safe and welcoming city, and I had no unpleasant experiences.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Hi, my name is Greta and I am from Minnesota, USA. I am currently applying to a PA school position in the U.S. and I decided to come here so that I can get some experience shadowing doctors and other medical professionals to kind of engage with what interests me the most. I’ve had a really great experience not only at the hospital but in Athens too. I really loved Athens and being able to travel to the islands has been also great. Overall, in my experience I found Greece supportive not only by the program but by the medical professionals here. I have learned so much and definitely I have a better understanding of the cultural differences as well as of myself and what I want to do in the future.

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 100$
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Take advantage of affordable local markets and set daily budget to avoid unnecessary expenses.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Supportive medical professionals
  • Valuable clinical shadowing experience
  • Opportunities for cultural exploration
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing comes to mind
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The entire experience went smoothly and everything was well-organized from the beginning!

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.