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At an animal shelter for abandoned animals in Athens, Greece, together with a team of professional veterinarians, an internship in treating and caring for abandoned animalsPlease join us to help abandoned animals in need regain their health and be adopted into new homes.
Countless dogs and cats around the world are abandoned by people and live on the streets. What animals suffering from hunger and disease on the streets need is not mere pity but practical treatment and ongoing protection. The organization rescues and treats injured and sick abandoned dogs and cats, and, once they have regained their health, helps them meet new families and live happily.The organization's staff, interns, and volunteers live with the abandoned cats and dogs and share all daily routines such as feeding, cleanliness, vaccinations, and socialization training. Interact freely with the wounded animals and give them warm attention and love. Watching the animals run toward you, you will go to give love and instead experience moments when you receive even greater love.
This project is an internship where you can gain various practical experiences in veterinary-related fields. Together with a team of professional veterinarians in Europe, you will manage the health of shelter animals through vaccinations, examinations, and medication administration, and participate in surgical procedures for injured or sick animals to gain direct practical experience in anesthesia, neutering, and surgical operations.In addition, you will collaborate with experts in various fields such as rehabilitation therapists and animal behavior specialists to broaden your knowledge and skills in related areas.
By experiencing animal treatment and rehabilitation settings in Europe firsthand, the process of learning practical knowledge and skills and growingcan become a unique career different from others. Don't miss this special opportunity to build a global career and develop your own differentiated competitiveness through expertise!
In Greece you can find a relaxed daily life full of rest for your body and mind. After the day's work ends, travel around charming Athens—from emerald beaches to historic sites—where you can recharge with new energy and enjoy healing time. On holidays, enjoy activities like water sports and hiking with fellow interns and volunteers and travel around Greece. In this place where sunny skies and sparkling seas permeate daily life, being with warm people from around the world who love animalswill be an unforgettable memory.
12.7 Week
Based on past participants’ experiences, we’ve organized the common themes of learning, reflection, and growth by time period.
What makes this project special
Grow
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This project is an internship that treats and cares for cats and dogs that have been injured orsick.Interns work with the organization's professional veterinary team to manage two shelters near Athens and oversee overall health care for stray animals, including vaccinations, surgeries, and rehabilitation.
■ Project activities
Main activities
Example daily routine
- Interns generallywork 4–5 hours per day, five days a week.They will participate in activities. In consultation with the organization,they may work alternating morning and afternoon shifts.Schedules are planned and managed in discussion with the organization's staff.
Example morning schedule
| Time | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Saturday | Sunday |
| ~ 9:00 | Move to the veterinary office after breakfast | Free time | |||||
| 09:00 ~ 12:00 | Health checks and medical assistance for stray animals | ||||||
| 12:00 ~ 13:00 | Lunch | ||||||
| 13:00 ~ 14:00 | Rehabilitation support and surgical assistance for stray animals | ||||||
| 14:00 ~ | Free time and rest after moving to the shelter | ||||||
*Afternoon schedule example
| Time | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
| ~ 15:00 | Move to the veterinary office after lunch | Free time | |||||
| 15:00 ~ 18:00 | Vaccinations, medical care, and surgical support for stray animals | ||||||
| 18:00 ~ 19:00 | Move to the shelter after dinner | ||||||
| 19:00 ~ 20:00 | Shelter cleaning and animal health check | ||||||
| 20:00 onwards | Free time and rest after returning to the shelter | ||||||
*The above schedule and activities are examples and may change depending on the organization's circumstances.
*Some activities such as surgeries and clinical treatments may be restricted depending on the participant's veterinary-related experience.
Additional Information
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English requirement: ★★★☆☆
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■ Participant Reviews
Detailed support items
Detailed Support
■Accommodation and meals
■Project activities
■Care services
■Certificates and Recommendation Letters
* Certificates and recommendation letters from local organizations are issued upon request by the participant after the project ends. Also, the format and issuance conditions of local organization certificates and recommendation letters may vary depending on the local organization.
* Certificates and recommendation letters are issued after the project is properly completed and a review is submitted.
Exclusions
* Please book flights and transportation only after your participation is confirmed and you receive the final departure schedule.
About the Organization
The organization running the project is a global animal welfare charity headquartered in the United States. Since 2007, it has registered an entity in Greece and has worked to raise awareness of animal rights and welfare, aiming to educate and inform people about the importance of animals. The organization acts in ways tailored to local communities while striving to think globally; it supports special projects around the world and works for global animal welfare. It helps animals in distress, treats all animals kindly, and does not tolerate animal abuse.
A Word from the Director
“We invite you to join our community and work together to create a better world for these amazing animals. Thank you to everyone who supports us.”
- Kelly -
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Shared room / Shared bathroom / Kitchen fully stocked with ingredients / Shared washer and dryer / Free Wi-Fi |
During the project, participants will stay in a communal house where they live with international volunteers and abandoned cats and dogs. You can enjoy communal living with friends from various nationalities.
The accommodation is a spacious and comfortable two-story house with a yard where abandoned cats and dogs are cared for and managed. The first floor has a large living room, kitchen, terrace, and shared bathroom, while the upper floor has rooms for at least 2 and up to 4 people to stay with cats. Mountain bikes are available for those who want to explore the surrounding area.
For meals, the kitchen ingredients and utensils are shared by everyone; you can cook together with the friends you live with or go into town with fellow volunteers to eat out. Volunteers cooperate with each other to cook meals, clean, and live together during their stay.
*Vegetarian/plant-based options are also available.
- Up to 2 people share gender-separated rooms, and each room is equipped with basic furniture (wardrobe, reading lamp, curtains, etc.)
- Groceries and food ingredients are provided so volunteers can prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner themselves.
- Basic bedding, towels, blankets, and beach towels are provided.
Region:Greece, Athens
Greece, a land of history and myth, lies at the crossroads of the southeastern Balkans and combines both European and Mediterranean characteristics. Greece has many jewel-like islands, including Santorini, Crete, Zakynthos, and Kefalonia. Santorini is often cited as a must-see destination.
In the capital city of Athens you can find historical sites that reflect the birthplace of world civilization, including the Parthenon on the Acropolis. The climate is typically Mediterranean: hot and dry in summer but rainy in winter. The project site is located on a quiet seaside about 13 km from downtown Athens.
Recommended destinations
1. Santorini Island
A place of white houses with blue roofs lined up on hills against the backdrop of the sea and a blue sky—that is Santorini. Like Jeju Island, Santorini was formed by volcanic eruptions and features many cliffs. An interesting feature is that the roof of the house below can serve as the terrace of the house above. We recommend watching the sunset over the Aegean Sea from a Santorini terrace or an outdoor café!
2. Acropolis
Athens' Acropolis is a foundation of Western history and attracts many visitors. The Acropolis, the center of Athens, literally means 'a city built on a high hill.' There you can admire the wonder of the Parthenon, the most famous and magnificent temple, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Don't forget to climb the Acropolis and take in the panoramic view of Athens!
3. Mykonos Island
Mykonos offers another facet of Greece's charm. White houses and windmills are symbols of the island. If Santorini has a grand, masculine appeal, Mykonos feels more quaint and feminine. The island's famous resident is the pelican, which often travels in flocks and helps increase the island's bird population. While staying in Mykonos, meet the pelicans that mingle with locals and immerse yourself in the island's picture-perfect scenery!
■ This project can start on any desired weekday.
■ The minimum participation period for this project is 2 weeks.
■ The cost for this project is at the top of the current pagewhere you can easily check detailed amounts by duration and options.
Eligibility and Qualifications
- Able to communicate in basic English
- Adults aged 18 or older
- People majoring in veterinary medicine or veterinary nursing, or with related experience
- People who love animals and are comfortable handling them
- People who want to build a global career in animal treatment, rehabilitation, and protection
- People who value teamwork and have a positive attitude
■Installment payment information
If you cannot pay in full, you can prepay a registration fee of KRW 500,000 and pay the remaining balance within 2 weeks. Based on the date the registration fee is paid, we will start the process to confirm your participation and check availability and openings (TO). To secure your desired dates and period, it is important to reserve your spot quickly! (No refunds once participation is confirmed)
* However, if the start date is imminent, the schedule for paying the remaining balance may vary depending on the situation.
■Early bird discount and urgent application information
We recommend applying for all Gap Year projects at least 3 months before the project start date to allow for normal processing and preparation; as a rule, applications should be submitted no later than 2 months before the start date. However, if unavoidable circumstances arise or you urgently need to join a project, you can pay an additional fee for an expedited application service to help speed up the process as much as possible.
* We assist with the fastest possible processing, but there is a basic amount of time required for communication with local organizations and for confirming participation, and because all procedures proceed the same as for regular participants, participants using the expedited application service must actively cooperatewith the Korea Gap Year operations team.
** Those who apply at least 180 days before the start date will receive an early bird discount.
*** The urgent application service can be selected from the options above. For inquiries about the urgent application service, please contact koreagapyear@gmail.com.
- Provided: Automatic registration for gap year missions and notes / OT materials provided in full immediately upon participant confirmation / additional placement of urgent personnel / support in preparing documents if needed, etc.
* If you have difficulty calculating dates, please refer to the Naver date calculator >>Naver Date Calculator - Direct link
** Note: For super-urgent applications, there may be no available slots due to local conditions, and subsequent procedures will proceed according to the Gap Year refund policy. Additionally, any problems caused by participant non-cooperation are the responsibility of the participant.
