July 2024
A foreign adventure in the form of a scientific elective… how exciting! I had been looking forward to this for a long time. Experiences like these are invaluable for broadening your perspective as a doctor, and I’m incredibly grateful I was able to take part. In this post I’ll take you along on my journey to Ioannina, Greece.
Why Greece?
A southern country such as Greece instantly conjures up images of sunshine, sea and great food. Coffee is another thing Greece is truly famous for. It is also cheaper than Belgium: an average dinner cost me about €7. That, combined with the high standard of healthcare, made the decision easy. Ioannina is a small, friendly town on a large lake, so there was always a cool breeze. It’s home to the University Hospital of Ioannina, a centre of expertise with an interesting patient mix.
Research project
I took part in a SCORE elective, meaning I joined a research project, although the focus was very much clinical. My schedule ran roughly 09:00‑14:00 each day. I worked in the department of anatomical pathology, an eye‑opening experience for someone who’d had little exposure to the field.
My supervisor was wonderfully kind and taught me a great deal—from slicing tumours into sections to analysing them under the microscope.
Social program
The social calendar was packed. Every day there was something on: open‑air theatre, beach trips, and a visit to the breathtaking Meteora—always with a delicious Greek coffee in hand. Meteora, now UNESCO World Heritage, is a set of stunning monasteries perched on towering rock formations. Naturally, no stay in Greece is complete without the beach, and we went countless times.
And the food? Phenomenal. Greece is famous for gyros, comparable to Belgian kebab but cheaper and tastier—I’d almost call it healthy!
In summary
I can only recommend a SCORE exchange. It’s a rich experience where you gain medical knowledge in an international setting while immersing yourself in another culture. You create unforgettable memories, make new friends, and grow both professionally and personally.
Ioannina
Greece
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