Submitted by Julia Sonn on the 2024 Winter HLTH program in Athens, Greece…
My first week in Athens has been a whirlwind experience full of sightseeing, history lessons, amazing food, and of course, an immersive shadowing experience within Evangelismos Hospital, one of the largest public hospitals in Greece. My days have been a perfect mixture of work; experiencing the Greek healthcare system within the 3rd Internal Medicine Department by day, and leisure; strolling around the charming neighborhoods of Athens with my friends. The program is so fulfilling in that I am learning so many new things about the medical field, Greek culture, and everything in between. The weeks to come include two more shadowing rotations within different specialties, exciting excursions, and exploring all that Athens has to offer!
If you are an animal lover, Athens is the place for you! It is striking how many stray cats you see roaming around the streets, ancient ruins, and even the hospitals. Fortunately, they are well taken care of as they are typically (unofficially) adopted by nearby communities that provide food and outdoor shelters. Our hotel has a resident stray cat. I have yet to learn its name, but I hope to befriend it soon.
