I do my clinical training here in Greece, Athnes. I work in Attikon Hospital in surgical department, and before that i was in the pediatric department and in ICU pediatric department. I also got to experience a couple of days in a Greek ER (emergency room). Compared to many others exchange students, I’m in a slightly different position, because me and my best friend came here together and we also got to work together.
Together with my best friend, we’ve spent our free time visiting the city’s famous sights and touring different neighborhoods to see the city from as many perspectives as possible. We have also partied a lot in Athens night because the club culture here is amazing! We have also made a lot of friends from the hospital and other exchange students. We’ve participated in various Erasmus events, such as going on trips outside of Athens like to Thessaloniki.
The work culture differs a lot from Finland, for the most part you can see it from technology – or the lack of it! In the hospital, everything is written on paper and the level of hygiene here is also not as high as in Finland. Nurses and doctors know the principles of aseptic in theory, but don’t always use it in practice. However, the nursing staff try their best and are really really friendly. Here everyone also smokes everywhere, everywhere like inside… Even the staff in the break rooms in hospital.
But whatever this postcard sounded like, i fell in love with Athens! People, weather, views, mountains, food, the whole culture! Greek food and food culture in general is wonderful. People are friendly and they’re really interested in, for example Finland or my own experience in Greece. What i don’t really care about is Greek timing, everyone here is late and it’s normal. But i kinda get used to that too haha.
I already know that i’ll definitely come here next year! <3
Filakia, Amanda <3
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