Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Seeing a Bit of Everything in Medicine October 22, 2026

By (Medicine, University of California - Berkeley) - abroad from 05/07/2024 to 05/20/2024 with

Cerca Abroad: Medical in Greece

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
The experience strengthened my interest in medicine, increased my confidence and gave me skills and memories that will stay with me.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The program provided valuable insights into different medical specialties and broadened my understanding of clinical practice.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The on-site coordinators were well-organized, approachable and always available to provide assistance.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The accommodation was clean and conveniently located for exploring Athens.

* Food:

Greek cuisine was delicious, with plenty of affordable dining options and traditional dishes to try.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The welcoming atmosphere and opportunities to interact with locals made it easy to connect with Greek culture.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Healthcare facilities in Athens were easily accessible.

* Safety:

Athens was a safe and welcoming city and I had no concerns about personal safety during my stay.

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

Hi, my name is Paxton, I go to UC Berkeley. I came to the Athens Metropolitan Hospital for a two-week program. I got to see a lot of different stuff at the hospital. I got to see the clinic as well as the OR. In the clinic I got to see cardiology and neurology and in the OR I got to see orthopedic surgery and plastic surgery. I think this program has been very valuable for me as a premed student. I would say that I actually gained a lot of insight during this experience. I got to see some medical fields that I otherwise wouldn’t have gotten to. The program itself has been super amazing and the staff has been super accommodating, especially on helping me get all my documents in order and navigate Athens. Being in Athens has also been absolutely amazing, beautiful city, lots of great landmarks. I was able to see Hadrian’s Library, the Acropolis, and many great things. So, I definitely enjoyed my time here.

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? 120$
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Use public transport, eat at local restaurant and take advantage of student discounts whenever possible.

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?
  • Exposure to multiple medical specialties
  • Supportive and accommodating staff
  • Valuable clinical shadowing experience.
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing to say
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Everything was very well organized and there was nothing else I needed to know beforehand.

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.