Want to know what to expect on a Physical Therapy internship in Athens, Greece? One student from San Diego State University shares her experience and perspective. If you have a passion for Physical Therapy and are motivated to cultivate a global perspective within the field, read on to learn about the benefits of interning abroad!
Hi Jenny! Can you explain your Physical Therapy internship role?
As a Physical Therapy intern in Athens, Greece, I observed orthopedic surgeries under one prestigious surgeon, providing valuable insight into pre-rehabilitation procedures and enhancing my understanding of the full continuum of patient care from surgery to rehabilitation. I acquired a deep understanding of international healthcare practices, with a focus on applying these new learnings to enhance future medical practice.
What was it like getting settled into this experience?
My experience during my first week in Greece was better than I could have ever expected. Going into this internship, I was very nervous because I didn’t know anyone and being in a completely new environment on my own terrified me.
Luckily, I was able to get along with my roommates right away which eased my nerves and motivated me to go out more and explore. I thought my week would be very work heavy, but it was the complete opposite and I enjoyed having the freedom and flexibility of this program.
My most memorable moment was meeting my supervisors as their work astonished me and I couldn’t believe I would be working alongside them. For instance, the physical therapist I shadowed works with one of my favorite NBA players so I was starstruck when I found out that I would be with him.
When I reflect on this experience overall, my #1 favorite memory for this program as a whole was definitely my first day. From navigating the metro, to going into the operating room for the first time, to meeting the physical therapist for one of my favorite NBA players, I can confidently say that my first day really set the tone for the rest of my experience here. I was to expect the unexpected and embrace whatever came my way. I met really amazing people this trip as well that I can’t wait to meet up with again in the near future.
What kind of challenges or unexpected situations did you encounter?
I think the biggest change was walking and taking the metro everywhere. I wasn’t expecting to like it that much since I like the convenience of my car at home, but for some reason I thought it was very refreshing and felt a form of independence commuting to work on my own everyday. Additionally, I enjoyed knowing that I was getting my daily steps in, as well as saving the planet a little bit.
I was shocked by how quickly I was able to memorize my routes and what was around me. For instance, I was able to recall passing a pharmacy or a supermarket on my walk from the metro to my apartment and be able to get there when needed without using my phone. My advice to others would be to not be afraid of making mistakes and ask questions.
Another challenge I faced were language hurdles, as not all patients or personnel spoke English well, which made it difficult to communicate and maybe led to misunderstandings. However, at the same time, I was also surprised to see that many people did speak English. For instance, all of the baristas at coffee shops and the taxi drivers as well. I knew that my supervisors would be able to, but I guess I wasn’t expecting so many others to, especially because Greek is the spoken language.
On the last day of my internship, the weather was peaking at around 104°F and on my way there, my supervisor told me that they had many cancellations due to the heat. This was definitely not anticipated and I was unsure what to expect when I got there if there weren’t going to be many patients. To my surprise, due to a more empty clinic, we were able to try out more of the equipment that was strictly for patients. This was highly beneficial as we were able to physically experience firsthand what the patients go through and how it works certain parts of the body. As my last day in the clinic, I would say it was highly educational and informative since we got to see the other side of physical therapy from the patient’s perspective.
How did an internship abroad build your cultural intelligence?
This internship emphasized the value of cultural awareness in both local and global contexts and taught me to appreciate cultural differences, promoting a more inclusive and successful healthcare practice. For example, serving patients from a variety of backgrounds and collaborating with a multicultural healthcare team, I fully immersed myself in a multicultural atmosphere during my internship in Greece. This experience made cultural competency even more important since I saw how experts respectfully and empathetically modified therapies to fit the specific needs of each patient.
This experience also highlighted my ability to be flexible, open-minded, and culturally sensitive. My positive attitude towards diversity and continuous learning from different perspectives enhanced my professional skills, demonstrating my strong cultural competence. I adapted to new cultural norms and healthcare practices, learned basic Greek phrases to improve communication, and tailored my patient interactions with empathy and respect for their cultural contexts.
How did this Physical Therapy internship benefit you overall?
My experience shadowing an orthopedic surgeon has been pivotal in pursuing my dream of a career in orthopedics. Observing complex surgeries has deepened my understanding of orthopedic techniques and patient care, while time in the PT clinic has enhanced my appreciation for comprehensive rehabilitation processes.
It has also encouraged me to think about other options for a future in medicine. My interest in positions like OR nursing has been piqued by witnessing the surgical team’s cooperative efforts and the precision needed in the operating room. My knowledge of orthopedic treatment has increased as a result of these encounters, which have also given me more confidence and the ability to explore other career paths in the medical field.
Interacting with diverse patients and healthcare professionals has honed my communication and empathy skills, vital for my future role. This international experience has also improved my adaptability and cross-cultural competence, directly contributing to my long-term goal of becoming an accomplished orthopedic specialist.
I would like to highlight how incredible it was to see the full picture in watching injuries pre-surgery, during surgery, and post-surgery in rehabilitation. This experience definitely gave me a whole new perspective on the recovery process as I have only seen post-surgery rehabilitation through physical therapy. My interest in Physical Therapy has been further sparked by my personal observation of orthopedic procedures, which has given me a fresh perspective that goes beyond rehabilitation. My admiration for orthopedics has grown as a result of witnessing the complex surgeries and the life-changing effects they have on patients.
After this internship in Greece, what’s the next step for you?
I can’t wait to keep growing after this program is over, both personally and professionally. Using my newly discovered passion in the medical industry and the abilities I’ve gained from my internship, I’m thinking about going into a position as a medical scribe or assistant alongside my last year in undergraduate school.
As an alternative, I want to increase my practical experience by looking for chances to observe medical staff in a nearby hospital, which will help me gain a deeper grasp of patient care and medical procedures. My long-term objective is to work in the healthcare industry whether that is physical therapy or nursing, and these activities will help me grow and develop in that profession.
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