Learning Abroad Center
A group of students pose for a photo in an ancient ampitheater in Greece

Modern Medicine through History in Greece

Europe
LAC Program

Explore the role history plays in shaping modern medicine through the cultural and historical context of Greece.

Program Details

Location
Location
Athens, Greece
Term
Term
May Session (Spring semester on campus)
Housing
Housing
Hotel
Languages Taught In
Languages Taught In
English

Program Eligibility

Student Type
Student Type
UofM Students
Student Year
Student Year
Freshmen
Sophomores
Juniors
Seniors
GPA
GPA
2.5

About

Greece, often referred to as the birthplace of Western civilization, holds a prominent place in history due to its influence on philosophy, democracy, art, and architecture, as well as medicine. In this course, you will visit historical sites and museums to understand modern medicine in the context of Greek history. You will learn about the role of gender in ancient and modern medicine by discussing gender roles and fertility in ancient Greece. You will also study how the Greek health care system responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges that it’s faced in recent years.

Program Model

Embedded
Instructor-Led

Housing & Meals

Live in shared housing for the duration of the program. Some meals will be provided.

Excursions

Excursions in Greece may include:

  • Aegina Island
  • Aphaia Temple
  • Parthenon
  • Acropolis
  • Asklepios Sanctuary

Flight

All program participants will take the coordinated group flight to and from the program site. The cost of the group flight is included in the program fee that will be posted to your student account. Do not book your own flight; you will receive information from the Learning Abroad Center about your seat on the group flight once your participation has been confirmed.

Faculty & Staff

This program is led by Tricia Todd, MPH, director of PHSRC, and Karin Hamilton, DVM, MPH, coordinator and instructor, Global Programs, Pre-Health Student Resource Center.

Tricia Todd is the Director with the Pre-Health Student Resource Center at the University of Minnesota and an instructor in the Public Health Practice major in the School of Public Health. She has been the co-leader of the Thailand, India, Panama, Ecuador, and France programs.

Dr. Karin Hamilton is a public health veterinarian. She has been a co-leader of the Thailand, India, Panama, and France programs. She is passionate about global health, intercultural development, and leading study abroad programs.

Program Structure

Program Level
3000 level coursework
Courseload

One 3-credit course

Course Schedule

This is an embedded spring semester course, with the abroad portion in Greece taking place over May session at the end of the semester. On-campus classes take place in the second half of the spring semester.

On-campus Spring semester 2025 course meets: Mondays from 1:25–2:15 p.m., March 24–May 5, 2025, East Bank

Abroad term: mid-late May 2025

Students from other UofM campuses

There is an option to participate in the on-campus portion remotely. Reach out to the program leaders to confirm. You will need to work with your academic adviser and campus enrollment office and do a Multi-I enrollment for this program. There may be additional or different tuition owed as part of the program fee.

Coursework

Coursework will include graded reflections, participation in class discussions and activities, and a final team project focusing on one of the sustainable development goals.

Receive credit for: Approved for AHS 3005

Sustainability

The Learning Abroad Center is committed to sustainability and incorporating this into its programs. This course can be tied to Sustainable Development Goals through course content and program activities including:

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being—Learn about what Greece is doing to increase access to affordable and quality health care services.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities—Through interaction with guest speakers, gain an understanding of how Greece is creating sustainable, resilient cities and communities and how modern health care plays a role in this change.

Dates Details

Submit the online application and complete the assigned application checklist according to the appropriate deadline:

Program TermProgram DatesApplication Deadline
May Session 2025May 16–May 31, 2025January 15, 2025

Program dates are subject to change.

If the deadline falls on a weekend, submit your materials on the following business day.

 

Important Note: Enrollment on this program is limited to 25 students. Admission is granted on a rolling basis and applications are reviewed in the order they are completed. Some programs may fill to capacity prior to the application deadline, therefore applying early is recommended. Additionally, applying early will allow for more time to plan ahead and prepare for the program.

Information Sessions

Join in-person or over Zoom. Register and learn more about this and other events on our events page.

DateTimeLocation
Thursday, Dec. 12th12:00 p.m.

Hybrid

Zoom & Heller Hall 230C

Monday, Dec. 16th12:00 p.m.Zoom only

On Campus Dates

Mondays, 1:25–2:15 p.m., March 24–May 5, 2025, East Bank

Orientation Dates & Locations

The Learning Abroad Center facilitates a pre-departure orientation in collaboration with your program leader(s) in addition to any additional orientation sessions scheduled by your program leader(s). It is your responsibility to know the information shared at these orientations.

Orientation consists of several sessions, all of which are created to support your preparation to go abroad:

  • Online Health & Safety Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory. 
  • LAC Seminar Pre-departure Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory. The discussion post is due before your LAC Program Orientation meeting.
  • LAC Program Orientation: Program details and important UofM information will be covered (finances, health & safety, policies, insurance, etc.). This will be scheduled in collaboration with your program leader(s). Details will be sent to you via email from the LAC and/or your program leader(s). This is a mandatory meeting. **For embedded programs, this will likely be one of your class dates prior to departure.**
  • Program Leader Orientation(s): Your program leader(s) will schedule 1–3 additional orientation sessions prior to departure. These will cover academic requirements and preparation, final travel and program logistics, cultural knowledge, and more. Details will be sent to you via email from your program leader(s). These are mandatory meetings. **For embedded programs, these will likely be included in your class dates prior to departure.**

The Learning Abroad Center also offers 2 optional orientations:

Priority Deadline

If you apply by the priority deadline and confirm within the allotted time you will receive the published program fee. Applying after the priority deadline and/or not confirming within the allotted time means you may be subject to an airfare increase.

Fees

May 2025 Cost of Participation forthcoming

The cost of participation includes educational costs, group flight airfare, program administration, housing, most meals, international health insurance, entrances to course-related excursions and site visits, and local transportation. Generally, program fees range between $8,600–$8,900. Program fees can vary widely due to location, cost of living, airfare, and program inclusions. You must also budget for visa, passport and passport photos, meals not included, spending money, and miscellaneous living expenses.

Recent increases in international airfare and accommodation costs have impacted all instructor-led program fees. The LAC strives to follow best practices to provide the lowest cost program while ensuring a quality academic experience.

If you do not see a budget estimate for the term you intend to go abroad, the fee has not yet been finalized. We strive to post fees for this program at least 30 days prior to the application deadline. The Learning Abroad Center will delay the posting of some fees until enrollments, inflation and exchange rates are determined. Note the average increase in fees will be 3–10%. Program fees are based on estimates and may change depending on international economic factors.

If you are registered for less than 13 credits, you will be charged tuition for this course in addition to the program fee.

Billing & Payments

Visit Billing for information about the billing process for application fees, deposits, and program fees.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Visit Financial Information for information on using financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.

This program is considered part of spring enrollment for the purposes of registration and financial aid.

Bridging Loan

Bridging Loan, a no-interest/no-fees loan that funds the confirmation deposit and/or flights cost, is available for this program for eligible students going abroad during an eligible term.

Cancellation Policy

Before you apply to or confirm your participation on this program, review the Learning Abroad Center's Cancellation Policy to inform yourself of the timeline and financial obligations for canceling.

Prepare

Complete pre-application advising.

Apply

The COVID-19 vaccine series is strongly recommended, pursuant to CDC guidelines, but not required for participation in this program.

You will be charged a $50 application fee for each application you submit.

Apply Now

Complete

After you submit your application, you will receive an email notification confirming that your application was received. Submitted applications are assigned an application checklist, which will include the following items:

  • Application Essay

Detailed descriptions and instructions for submitting each checklist item are included on the application checklist assigned to you.

Next Steps

  1. After you complete all required application checklist items, you will receive an automated email message indicating your application is ready to be reviewed.
  2. Your completed application will be reviewed by the Learning Abroad Center.
  3. If admitted, the Confirmation & Payment Agreement form will be added to your checklist. Complete this form to secure your spot on the program. By submitting the form, you also give your approval for the program deposit to be billed to your UofM student account.
  4. Complete the confirmation checklist, which include the following items in additional to program-specific forms:
    • Passport Information
    • Emergency Contacts
    • Health Information Form
    • Online Health & Safety Orientation
    • Release & Waiver
  5. You will receive information about additional steps from the sponsoring college/department.

Register for On-Campus Course

Your participation on this program is secured by applying and confirming through the Learning Abroad Center application process first.

Once confirmed, you will also need to register for the on-campus course AHS 3005. You will receive a permission code in order to register for the course. Registering for the course, but not confirming through the Learning Abroad Center, will not hold your spot in the program.

Note: Register for Multi-I enrollment if you are a student from another UofM campus. You will need to work with your academic adviser on the registration process.

After You Apply

Before your program begins, review these resources.

Health & Safety

Learn more about staying healthy and safe abroad, including mental health and wellness, international travel insurance, and safety precautions.

Power of Attorney

Consider designating someone as your power of attorney to act as your legal representative while you’re abroad.

Student Identity

Consult our resources on student identities as you prepare for your abroad experience.

Travel Resources

Ready to go abroad? Our travel resources will help you pack and learn what to expect.

Program Contact

For further information or questions about this program, send an email to

Jemma Lund at [email protected], or call at 612.625.8827