Social | International Program in Medicine

University of Crete

Exam season often comes with the feeling that there is always one more chapter to read, one more page to revise, one more hour to stay awake.

In reality, effective studying is not always about spending more time at your desk.
Testing your knowledge, getting enough sleep, discussing difficult concepts with others, and taking purposeful breaks can make a meaningful difference in the way you learn and retain information.

As the examination period continues, here are four reminders that may help you study with greater focus and balance!

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Exam season often comes with the feeling that there is always one more chapter to...

Meet our professor Konstantina Chanoumidou

🔸I hold a BSc in Biology and a PhD in Stem Cell Biology and Neurobiology. I conducted postdoctoral research in Germany and Greece, focusing on pharmacology and translational neuroscience. Since 2026, I have served as Assistant Professor of Pharmacology at the Medical School of the University of Crete.

🔸My goal is to inspire students and spark their interest in medical research, while highlighting the value of solid scientific thinking. I would like to encourage curiosity, critical thinking, team spirit and an evidence-based way of understanding medicine, helping to actively contribute to future scientific progress.

🔸Teaching faculty excellence and small class sizes that allow close interaction between students and faculty, fostering an engaging learning environment.

🔸Traveling, reading and spending time in nature with my daughter help me recharge!

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Meet our professor Konstantina Chanoumidou

🔸I hold a BSc in Biology and a PhD in...

Congrats to our 3rd year student Sirja Koutonen!

Sirja has just presented an abstract of her first paper “Artificial Intelligence in phenotyping/ genotyping COPD patients: current status and future perspectives” at the 6th SHARE Congress in Crete.

Together with her professor, Dr. Nikolaos Siafakas and contributions from Katerina Antoniu and Tobias Hogan, the paper is now being finalised and ready to travel around the world!

Thumbs up, Sirja - keep up the great work!

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Congrats to our 3rd year student Sirja Koutonen!

Sirja has just presented an abstract of...

Did you know that IMED UOC students recently completed certified training in Basic Life Support and Automated External Defibrillation? 🚑

Around 55–60 students from the 2nd and 3rd year participated in the educational seminar, gaining both theoretical knowledge and hands-on training in life-saving techniques.

The seminar was organized by Professor Alexandra Papaioannou, Professor of Anesthesiology at the Medical School of the University of Crete, who also served as the main tutor of the program.

The training included lectures by doctors from different medical specialties, offering students valuable clinical insight and practical experience.

At the end of the program, participants will receive an official certification from the European Resuscitation Council (ERC).

At IMED UOC, medical education goes beyond the classroom, giving students the opportunity to develop practical skills that can truly make a difference.

#uoc #bls #blstraining #studyingreece #crete

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Did you know that IMED UOC students recently completed certified training in Basic Life Support...

Did you know that one of Heraklion’s most popular beaches is just a short drive from IMED UOC? 🌊🌞

Karteros Beach is a favorite spot among students who want to enjoy the Cretan coastline, relax by the sea, or spend time with friends outside the city center.

🏖️Located around 20–25 minutes from campus
🏖️Easily accessible by public transport or car
🏖️Long sandy beach with clear blue waters
🏖️Organized beach spots, cafes, and beach bars nearby
🏖️ Ideal for swimming, sunset walks, and enjoying the island lifestyle

Living and studying in Crete means having the sea close to your everyday life and Karteros is one of the best places to experience it✨

#imed #islandlife #crete

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Did you know that one of Heraklion’s most popular beaches is just a short drive...

Meet our teacher Panos Sapountzis.

🔸I am an Assistant Professor of Physiology and Neurophysiology at the School of Medicine, and a neuroscientist. I am passionate about understanding how the brain works, and I use both experimental and computational methods to explore it (yes, this means a lot of mathematics)!

🔸Understanding how the brain functions is one of the most challenging goals of our time. I like to share with my students my passion for neuroscience and for scientific research in general. Academic teaching often involves transferring textbook knowledge in the form of facts and we often forget the long, painstaking process for arriving at this knowledge or how fascinating the scientific endeavour is.

🔸The strongest part of the UoC’s iMed program is our students! It is their eagerness to learn, interact, and absorb as much as they can. Our small class size makes it easy to interact and have real, personal conversations. Oh, and of course, living in Crete is not bad either!

🔸When I am not lost in neural pathways, you will likely find me diving into a book, listening to Bach, catching up with my kids, or lifting weights.

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Meet our teacher Panos Sapountzis.

🔸I am an Assistant Professor of Physiology and Neurophysiology at...

Why join the University of Crete International Medicine Program?
Here are three main reasons shared by our students, in the years.

🟢 Exceptional faculty
All faculty of the University of Crete have been trained in outstanding Universities and Hospitals around the world - many of them in the US.

🟢 Always hands on
Hands-on clinical training at a leading University Hospital within the campus, is a winner.

🟢 Buzzing research hub
The University of Crete together with the adjacent Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH), is renowned as one of the most vibrant and innovative research centers across Europe.

For more insights about why people join the University of Crete International Medicine Program,
👩🏻‍💻🧑🏻‍💻visit our website https://imed.med.uoc.gr/

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Why join the University of Crete International Medicine Program?
Here are three main reasons shared...

Let’s pool!🏊

The UoC’s sports center and swimming pool are part of our students’ vibrant campus life.

The university’s 25-meter swimming pool is open to staff and students for individual and team training, daily from early in the morning to late evening.

It is located inside the campus at a walking distance from the Medical School building: very often our students go for a quick swim in between classes!

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Let’s pool!🏊

The UoC’s sports center and swimming pool are part of our students’ vibrant...

Meet our teacher Evangelia Akoumianaki.

This is the first of our new series getting to know our team better! Let’s meet them in their own words.

🔸I am Assistant Professor of Intensive Care at the Medical School of the University of Crete and I serve as a Pulmonologist-Intensivist at the University Hospital of Heraklion.
My academic work is driven by a deep fascination with how the respiratory system interacts with the ventilator and with other organ systems and how it influences the outcomes in the most severely critically ill patients. I have been instructing in specialized programs including the respiratory mechanics course at Uppsala University in Sweden.
My work has earned global accolades, including the ESICM Bernhard Dräger Award of “Emerging Investigator” in AJRCCM.

🔸Within the University of Crete, I teach in specialized programs, most notably through the KEDIVIM (Center of Education and Lifelong Learning). Ι also serve as lead instructor for Mechanical Ventilation Schools organized by the University’s Intensive Care Clinic.
I also author and review e-courses for the ESICM Academy. Furthermore, I serve as an instructor for the BASIC (Basic Assessment and Support in Intensive Care) program supported by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation.

🔸By combining my research with hands-on teaching, my goal is to bridge the gap between complex physiological theory and the precise, individualized care required for patients in the ICU.

🔸My core belief, which I aim to pass on to my students, is that the true beauty of Medicine lies in intellectual curiosity, the relentless drive to understand the underlying mechanisms of life.
Τhe ‘why’ and empathy are the 2 elements that lead to the joy of offering truly individualized care. This is one of the reasons why Medicine can never be fully replaced by computers or algorithms; it is a science that constantly surprises and evolves.

…continued in the comments

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Meet our teacher Evangelia Akoumianaki.

This is the first of our new series getting to...

Happy Labor Day! Happy May Day!

Have a bright and colorful 1st of May while remembering the International Labor Day!

In Greece, “Protomayia” is a national holiday where people both honor the labor movement while celebrating spring.

Usually, in big cities, labor unions hold demonstrations and marches.

At the same time, most people plan a short nature gateway to “grab May” (“Πιάνω τον Μάη” - “piano ton Mai”), a Greek expression for collecting wildflowers and making flower wreaths.

May this May fill everyone with smiles and spring vibes.

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Happy Labor Day! Happy May Day!

Have a bright and colorful 1st of May while...

Enjoy the city from above!
Have you noticed that the city of Heraklion is surrounded by the Venetian walls?

A 3km walk runs through the city, on top of the walls’ pedestrianised paths. Recently, the area’s improvement project got completed so you can wander around freely.

🏰 The construction of the Heraklion walls began in 1462 and took over a century to finish.
🏰 It’s one of the largest and best-preserved fortification projects in the Mediterranean.
🏰 The Venetians who were ruling Crete during the period, built the walls to protect the city from the Ottomans.
🏰 Do not miss the Martinengo tower on the southern part of the wall!

There lies the tomb of Nikos Kazantzakis, one of the country’s most important writers. The phrase engraved upon the tombstone reads: “I hope for nothing. I fear nothing. I am free”.

#venetianwallsheraklion #islandlife #crete #studentlife

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Enjoy the city from above!
Have you noticed that the city of Heraklion is surrounded...

Μιλάς Ελληνικά;🌺
Milas ellinika? Do you speak Greek or does it all sound Greek to you?

Here is your chance! The University of Crete’s Centre of Training and Lifelong Learning is now launching the course “First steps into Greek language and culture”.

An experienced teacher will show you the way in order to develop basic Greek language skills (A1 level) and a taste of Greek culture.

👉🏻When: from June 1 to August 7, 2026
👉🏻How: twice a week, 90 minutes per session, in small groups
👉🏻Where: online
👉🏻Why: it’s fun and you will be able to say “Yia mas” with a perfect accent
👉🏻Who: Anyone over 18 is eligible for participation.
Priority to University of Crete incoming students and faculty who participate in Erasmus+ programmes or are enrolled in an English-speaking course at UoC

✨Registration deadline: 15/05/2026
Check out the link in our bio for prices and enrollment.

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Μιλάς Ελληνικά;🌺
Milas ellinika? Do you speak Greek or does it all sound Greek to...

Spring break is still on for a few days, but most of our students are back to their base in Heraklion, Crete🌞✨🌊

We wondered how they spent their holiday, so we asked five of our students to share with us their holiday moments.

That’s what they showed us.

✨Lia: I spent Easter in Lemnos island with my family. In Greece there’s a tradition to walk
the epitaph all through the neighborhood on the night of Good Friday -and we did so!
Then, I watched the fireworks show put on for Easter night. And of course Ι studyed for
the biochemistry exam I have to take when we get back from the break.

✨Ore: My holiday was mostly spent with my family and friends at home, in Manchester,
catching up and enjoying each other’s company. However we did go plane spotting as a
family- as my brother is an enthusiast. We ended the day going round Manchester City
centre, shopping.

✨Mia: I travelled to Sweden to spend time with my family. During my holiday I experienced snow for the first time in my life! I’ve spent most of the time enjoying family
company and having snowball fights :)

✨Solytha Maria: I had a proper tour in Europe.

England: Visited friends I met through running and explored London for the first time!

Netherlands: Explored smaller towns I hadn’t seen before and met up with my friend from high school!

Poland: Toured the city with my childhood friend and saw the culture of Poland and started studying for my exam at cafes!

Belgium: Spent time with my grandparents; perfect mix of family time, studying, and relaxing!

✨Filippos: Two of my classmates from the medicine program joined me in my home country of Australia.
After spending some time in Sydney, we flew to my hometown where I surprised my friends and family!
We spent our days surfing, camping, hiking and
even made a few friends 🦘
We celebrated Easter the Greek way sharing a roast lamb
and a few glasses of raki and playing bouzouki!

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Spring break is still on for a few days, but most of our students are...

Greek Orthodox Easter is here!

Easter is widely celebrated in Greece: it is a great family and friends get together.
It is all about food - roasted lamb being one of Easter’s famous delicacies.
It is all about being outdoors, dancing and singing.
It is all about dying eggs red and then battling them out to crack.

Easter weekend symbolises the light, the regeneration of nature and new life.

Enjoy your spring break, everyone!🌼

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Greek Orthodox Easter is here!

Easter is widely celebrated in Greece: it is a great...

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Thinking about studying medicine abroad?
Here’s why students choose IMED at UoC.

Big news for the University of Crete! 🎉

A few weeks ago, the Medical School of the University of Crete was officially designated as a World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Quality of Care and People-Centred Health Policies.

This is a major international recognition and an important milestone for our university and the wider health community.

Over the next four years, the Centre will work on implementing three main pillars:
supporting people-centered health policies across the Mediterranean region,
promoting compassionate and dignified healthcare
improving the quality of patient-centred health services

Stay tuned for more details!

#UniversityOfCrete #UOC #medicalschool #WHO #globalhealth

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Big news for the University of Crete! 🎉

A few weeks ago, the Medical School...

Proud moment for our International Medicine UoC team! 💙 On Sunday in Heraklion, we took on «Run Greece» together, with our International Program members showing up in full force. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Shoutout to all our students that participated, three members of our admin team and professors for joining the run. A day to remember! ✨

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Proud moment for our International Medicine UoC team! 💙 On Sunday in Heraklion, we took...

25th of March - A big dual public holiday in Greece! 🇬🇷

Today, Greeks are celebrating for two reasons:
‣ the beginning of the 1821 revolution against the Ottoman rule - the Greek Independence Day
‣ the Annunciation of Virgin Mary - the Orthodox Churche’s celebration of the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary that she is pregnant to Jesus

☀️Remember that today super markets, most shops and public services are shut
🇬🇷 You can take a look at the city’s parades - “παρέλαση” in Greek- and the atmosphere of national pride
🎏 We traditionally eat fried cod with a garlic dip (σκορδαλιά)
🎉 The common Greek names Vangelis, Vangelio and Eva are celebrated on the 25th of March!
Enjoy the day - even with the rain 🌧️

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25th of March - A big dual public holiday in Greece! 🇬🇷

Today, Greeks are...

𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐚 𝐰𝐫𝐚𝐩! | Applications closed for the academic year 2026-2027.

🩺This year we received over 300 applications from more than 55 countries around the world.

A big and warm “Thank you” to all applicants, who took the time and effort to apply to our program!

🏛 We hope that you gained an idea of our program’s high standards and the University of Crete’s vibrant student life.

We are excited to begin the evaluation process and get to know you better.

Good luck to everyone!

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𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐚 𝐰𝐫𝐚𝐩! | Applications closed for the academic year 2026-2027.

🩺This year we received...

🌎 Happy Spring Equinox, “Εαρινή Ισημερία” in Greek!

Today, March 20, 2026, at exactly 16:46, marks the Spring Equinox in Greece.

The word “equinox” comes from Latin, equi meaning “equal” and nox meaning “night.” Today, daylight and darkness are nearly equal, with about 12 hours each.

This moment occurs simultaneously all over the world and signals the official beginning of astronomical spring.

🌸 Wishing everyone a joyful Spring Equinox!
🌞 Here’s to brighter days, warmer weather, and the beautiful blooming landscapes of Crete.

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🌎 Happy Spring Equinox, “Εαρινή Ισημερία” in Greek!

Today, March 20, 2026, at exactly 16:46,...