Greece

Γεια σας! (Ya sas!)

Greece, officially known as the Hellenic Republic, is a Mediterranean nation most famously known for its rich mythology and as the cradle of western civilization. Its capital is the famous city of Athens.

Greece has a universal health system comprised of both national and private health sector. It is provided by the National Healthcare Service, known as ΕΣΥ (Εθνικό Σύστημα Υγείας). In the past, the nation is well-known with its medical achievements. Both Galen and Hippocrates (whom oath we repeated when we Vow for our profession) were Greek, and in 2000 the nation was ranked 14^th worldwide in overall healthcare assessment by WHO.

Post economic crisis, however, the nation is struggling to maintain its health sector. Health expenditure in 2015 was 8.4% of Greek GDP. In 2011, changes were made to the universal health insurance in which unemployed Greek would no longer received national health insurance after a year without job. There are also plenty of unevenness between urban infrastructure and rural infrastructure in regards of healthcare.

Greek people use Euro for their currency. The current value of one euro is equal to around eighteen thousand rupiah and roughly equal to one dollar (1.00 EUR = 18,010.77 IDR = 1.1029 USD). For reference, living in Athens would cost €10.50 on average for a lunch in inexpensive restaurant.

Greek cuisine is a Mediterranean cuisine, and uses plenty of olive oil, fishes, bread, yoghurt and lemon juice. They also use a variety of herbs, mainly basil but also oregano, mint, dill and bay leaves. Some food might be similar to Middle Eastern food due to influence from the Ottoman Empire who used to rule over the area. Most dish is often served with Tzatziki, a yoghurt dip made of Greek yoghurt, olive oil, garlic, and fresh dill. Some recommended Greek food are:

1. Dolmadakia: Rice and ground meat (either beef, lamb, or both) wrapped inside grape leaves. Usually served as appetizer with lemon wedges.
2. Tomatokeftedes: Tomato fritters with bits of mints and onions.
3. Spanakopita: Layered pastry filled with spinach and feta cheese and flavored with dill leaves.
4. Moussaka: Layers of fried aubergine, minced meat, and potatoes, topped with bechamel sauce before baked golden brown
5. Souvlaki-Gyros: Both are grilled meat and are similar to each other. The different is Souvlaki is served on skewer (like our own satay) while Gyros is cooked in a rotating rotisserie (much like döner kebab)

(Did the writer tried this food when he said this is recommended or did he just copy it from an internet list? Lucky for you, the writer did try most of these dishes himself and agree that the list is in fact, recommendable.)

Transportations within city in Greek is mostly done with either buses or trains. Students in Greek can have discounts on some form on travels which are:

• 50% of the normal fare on all routes of the cities where the Faculty is based, mainly lines and routes that are served by intercity buses AE or buses.
• 50% of the normal fare on road intercity routes between their place of residence and their city-based faculty and vice versa.
• a 25% discount of the normal ticket price in all other local and long-distance transport of the country
• a 25% discount if they want to travel by train (OSE).
• At least 25% discount on ferry tickets (on the normal price).
• the known reduced ticket. If you live in Athens or you are a student from the province in Athens, then you have the right to use this type of ticket in all the public transport of Athens. The cost is € 0.60. More on the OASA website.
• Free or reduced cost in museums and archeological sites in Greek

To apply for an exchange with IFMSA to Greek, there are followings requirement that has to be made which are:

1. Excellent English skill, proven by an official language certificate (TOEFL of at least 72, IELTS of at least 6, or at least CEFR B2 Level)
   1. If one is enrolled in English speaking medical school, a proof of enrolment is enough
   2. Informal certificate (i.e. by unrecognized institutions) will be considered invalid
2. Tourist Visa
3. Unilateral Fee of 350 EUR
4. Photo
5. Photocopy of Passport
6. CV
7. Proof of Enrolment
8. Motivation Letter
9. Healthcare Insurance
10. Vaccination and Immunisation Card
11. For SCOPE:
    1. Student record
    2. Must have attended successfully at least 1 subject including clinical course in their university and must be enrolled as medical students. LC Heraklion only accepts medical students who have finished their 4^th year of studies
    3. Graduated students are not allowed
    4. Students required to bring white coats, stethoscope, and surgical scrub
    5. Students are supposed to arrive to Greece on or after the date that clerkship starts, due to complications with lodging if they arrive earlier. Also, the student is required to arrive within 4 days from the start of the clerkship.
12. For SCORE:
    1. Recommendation Letter
    2. Students required to bring white coats and logbook
13. Exchange last for 4 weeks, 5 days a week, 6 hours a day

Sources:

https://exchange.ifmsa.org/exchange/explore/nmo/1083#health

https://studyingreece.edu.gr/

https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/market-data/currencies/EUR=X/EUR-USD

https://www.bi.go.id/id/moneter/informasi-kurs/transaksi-bi/Default.aspx

http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/373695/hit-greece-eng.pdf?ua=1

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/01/patients-dying-greece-public-health-meltdown

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greece

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthcare_in_Greece