FutureDocs Abroad

Athens, Greece: June 27th - July 11th, 2026

Code of Conduct


As a reminder, you signed the following Code of Conduct Agreement as part of your enrollment:

As a student enrolled in FutureDocs Abroad, I agree to the following expectations with regard to safety and conduct.

I agree to complete to the best of my ability all aspects of the FutureDocs Abroad Program and successfully participate both as an individual and a representative of The National Leadership Academies. I agree to conduct myself in such a way that supports my own learning, and supports the learning of my peers, the teaching of physicians, and the guidance of the chaperones.

FutureDocs Abroad is an alcohol-, smoking-, and substance-abuse-free experience. I agree to refrain from use of these substances as well as any illegal substances.

I agree to not engage in any behaviors that will put my health or life at risk, such as but not limited to departing from the scheduled itinerary and tour, entering restricted areas of host medical school and medical centers, entering financial agreements with locals, inviting strangers into the program or hotel, and providing locals with personal information such as passport information, credit/debit card information (other than secure bank/vendor), home addresses, and phone numbers.

I agree to remain in the assigned hotel or dormitory room as indicated by staff. Any changes or breach of this security precaution could lead to expulsion from the program.

I agree to not solicit any FutureDocs Abroad or host university or institution’s students or staff for my own personal financial benefit.

I agree to maintain all required dress code standards as set forth by FutureDocs Abroad staff or requested by participating medical school/medical center policies. I also agree to remain with my assigned mentors, physicians, or other assigned staff at all site visit locations.

I agree to abide by the host university or institution’s standards and requirements.

I understand not complying with the above-mentioned expectations may result in dismissal from the program and return to the United States at my and my parent’s or guardian’s expense.

I agree to make FutureDocs Abroad administrators and staff aware as soon as possible of any difficulties I may encounter regarding my health, safety, finances, or any other issue that I consider serious or should be disclosed.

Immunizations


ROUTINE

You must be up-to-date on all routine immunizations outlined by the CDC, including:

  • DTAP
  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Meningococcal
  • MMR
  • Varicella (Chickenpox)

As a reminder, a copy of your immunization record is due by March 1st, 2026. Please reach out to your primary care physician as soon as possible to begin the process of obtaining your records.

Passport Information


GETTING OR RENEWING YOUR PASSPORT

Your passport will need to be valid through October 11th, 2026, in order to enter Greece. Greek immigration requires all passports to have at least 3 months’ validity beyond our departure date from Greece. Check the expiration date on your passport.  

This is a VERY IMPORTANT STEP AND TIME SENSITIVE as you will need a valid passport through October 11th, 2026 in order for us to secure your international flight.

If your passport is VALID through October 11th, 2026, take a picture of the photo page of your passport and upload it in the onboarding section as soon as possible. 

If your passport is NOT VALID through October 11th, 2026, visit the State Department website for instructions on how to renew your passport.

 If you DO NOT HAVE A PASSPORT, please visit the State Department website for instructions on how to apply for a passport immediately.

NOTE: Passports can take up to four weeks to arrive, so please make sure you apply immediately to avoid delays. All students are required to have a valid passport book to travel to Greece. Passport cards are not valid for international travel to Greece. 

Additionally, confirm that you have signed your passport on the page opposite the photo page. A U.S. passport is only valid once it is signed! If you have NOT signed your passport, use a non-ballpoint pen and make sure the ink is dry before closing your passport. We recommend that you add your contact information in pencil on the Personal Data and Contact Information page as well. If you lose your passport, this will give you the best chance of getting it back.

You must upload a copy of your passport as part of your required documents here by March 1st, 2026.

Please inform the Admissions Team of any possible delays in obtaining your passport by emailing admissions@allaccessmed.com, or by calling us at (888) 986-6563.

 


DO YOU HAVE A FOREIGN PASSPORT? 

This process may differ for students who hold a passport from any country other than the United States. Our Admissions Team will reach out to you directly to discuss details relevant to that process as needed. Please note that additional documentation may be requested to ensure that students are able to re-enter the US after the program.

 


SUBMITTING YOUR PASSPORT

As a reminder, we need your passport information in order to attain your ticket for your international flight to enter Greece. The photocopy of your passport ID page is provided to the Greek Immigration Department and must meet the following requirements:

  • Shows your passport as being valid for at least 3 months beyond our departure date from Greece: October 11th, 2026
  • All of the details on your passport must be clearly legible and free from obstructions (fingers, light glares, shadows, etc…)
  • All four corners of your passport ID page must be within the frame of the photo
  • Your passport must be lying flat on a neutral surface
  • NOTE: Scanned copies of your passport must be in color

We will reach out to you directly if your passport does NOT meet the following requirements. These are time sensitive requests and should be handled in a timely manner. If we do not receive your passport by the deadline, or if we do not hear back from you, you will risk enrollment cancellation.

Domestic Travel Information


BOOKING YOUR DOMESTIC FLIGHTS

Please book your domestic flight to and from JFK yourself. You may provide us with a copy of your trip itinerary via email so that we know when to expect you. Plan your travel so that you arrive at JFK between 10:00 AM -3:00 PM EST on June 27th, 2026. If given the choice, we highly encourage families to opt for an earlier flight to avoid potential delays impacting one’s ability to attend the program. 

We recommend that domestic flights leave between 2:00 PM-9:00 PM EST on July 11th, 2026 to ensure that students have enough time to navigate through immigration, collect their luggage at baggage claim, and check-in for their flights without fear of missing their flight. Our Admissions Team is happy to help weigh in on potential itineraries as needed – please feel free to reach out. 


ARRIVAL TO JFK – JUNE 27TH

There will be FutureDocs Abroad staff on the ground at JFK waiting for you in Terminal 4. It is crucial that you check in with the FutureDocs Abroad team upon arriving at JFK because you CANNOT check-in for our international flight without the group. Specific instructions for navigating to the group check-in area will be provided to students using our WhatsApp group chat the day before travel.

An interactive map of the JFK Airport can be found HERE.

After you have picked up your luggage from baggage claim, you will need to follow the signs to the air train which will take you to Terminal 4. Upon arrival into Terminal 4, follow the signs to international check in. Please check-in with a FutureDocs Abroad team member and await further instruction.

If you are unable to find the group meeting point after exiting your domestic flight, please send a message in the WhatsApp group chat notifying staff members that you have arrived and are having trouble finding the group. A member of our staff team will call you and meet you where you are in the airport.

You will be provided with a neck wallet/name badge and a copy of your flight itinerary upon checking in with FutureDocs Abroad staff. Note that your name badge must be worn at ALL TIMES throughout the program. Depending on what time your domestic flight lands, you may be waiting outside of security for awhile. This serves as an opportunity to get to know your chaperones and peers! If you are driving into JFK, follow signs to Terminal 4 – International Departures. Drop off between 10:00 AM -3:00 PM EST.

Our group will begin moving through the check-in line at approximately 4:00 PM on June 27th.  NOTE: The group will not wait for individuals unless we are aware of delays. 

Special notes to remember for flying to JFK:

  • The night before you travel, check online flight departures for any delays on your domestic travel from your hometown.
  • The morning of your flight, check again for any delays. Websites like flightaware.com can be used to check delays or you can type your airline and flight number into Google.
  • If you have any issues at all with your travel plans or disruptions, please call us immediately so we can put the appropriate measures in place ahead of time. (We will provide you with the emergency number closer to program lift-off)
  • Once you arrive at JFK remember to pick up all of your luggage at the baggage claim before heading to the group meeting point! 
  • If your baggage is lost or delayed upon arrival into JFK airport, please call the Admissions Team to inform us. We will give you instructions based on connection time for our international flight.

 


FDA POLICY ON MISSED CONNECTIONS

FDA will assign one staff member to oversee your wellbeing and ensure you make your rescheduled flight if you miss your connection. If you miss your international flight on departure day, you will be rescheduled on the next available flight to the host country. If you miss your domestic flight home on arrivals day, or if your flight is canceled, you are responsible for organizing your travel arrangements home.

You will be responsible for all expenses incurred as a contingency, including:

  • Additional airline fees, change fees, agent fees, and baggage fees for yourself
  • Meals for yourself
  • Overnight accommodations for yourself, if necessary
  • Transportation costs, if necessary

We strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance for peace of mind and to safeguard against unexpected trip interruptions.

International Travel Information


INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT DETAILS

The group flight to Greece is scheduled to depart from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York on June 27th. The group will fly overnight from John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) to Athens International Airport (ATH).

Further information on the outbound flight is coming soon.

On our return, the group will be flying from Athens to New York. The inbound flight will return to the United States on July 11th.

Further information on the return flight is coming soon.

 


AIRLINE BAGGAGE POLICY

Included in your ticket is one checked bag (not to exceed 50 Lbs), one carry on bag, and one personal item (such as a backpack).

NOTE: All students will be traveling in economy class. Checked baggage in excess of the airline’s free checked baggage allowance, and any domestic airline baggage fees, are not included in the program tuition cost and are the responsibility of the student. It is advisable to bring only 1 carry-on bag and 1 checked bag. The savvy traveler will restrict luggage to one carry-on bag and one checked bag to limit the possibility of lost items.

 


PASSPORT CONTROL AND IMMIGRATION

The information below is to prepare you for the arrival process into Athens, Greece. Be sure to read through this very carefully.

In preparation to go through Passport Control, make sure you have:

  • Your passport in hand
  • Your boarding pass (handed to you at JFK)

There are two different types of entry. One is strictly for Local Passport Holders and the second is for All Passport Holders. Please make sure you queue in a line for All Passport Holders alongside your chaperone

The immigration officer will stamp your passport and hand it back to you. Keep your passport in your travel wallet for safekeeping.

Once through Passport Control, you will be directed by your chaperone to the baggage claim hall.

 


BAGGAGE CLAIM

A chaperone will guide students to the correct baggage carousel, where you will need to watch for your luggage to arrive. 

It is strongly advised that you place an easily identifiable ribbon or luggage strap/tag on your luggage so you recognize your luggage as it arrives on the carousel. Most importantly the luggage tag should have your name and address clearly written on it. Another slick trick for travelers is to place a label on top of all your belongings inside your bag should the luggage tag fall off in transit. 

Once all students have collected their luggage, we will walk to the Customs area together.

 


CUSTOMS

Each person will go through Customs individually with their own luggage. When you pass through Customs, individuals will be chosen at random to place their luggage onto the scanner belt to be screened. 

A customs officer may ask to inspect your luggage and ask if you have firearms, drugs, certain electronics, and other items that are not allowed or cannot be imported duty-free. 

If you are selected for the inspection, don’t worry. The additional screening is a simple procedure and designed to keep everyone safe. Just be ready to answer a few questions and run through a brief inspection. 

A chaperone will be on hand at all times should any student need assistance. 

A few notes on Greek Customs and Immigration to prepare you before travel:

  • All prescription medications in your luggage must be labeled in it’s original bottle and packed in a clear plastic bag.
  • Liquids in your carry-on bag must be under 3.4 oz per container.

Clothing


PACKING LIST

Shared below is a basic packing list for FutureDocs Abroad. Keep in mind this list is intended to provide basic guidance for essentials. This does not necessarily include every item that you may personally require.

 

Carry-On Items:

  • Phone charger and chargers for any other electronics
  • Pen(s)
  • Small notebook that fits in your lab coat pocket
  • Entertainment for the plane ride (headphones, phone, playing cards, book, etc…)
  • Empty 32 ounce reusable water bottle (you’ll need to fill it up after you get through airport security)
  • Adaptor and power converter (See Electronics tab)
  • A change of clothes for 2-3 days – It is very important to include a change of clothes that will be appropriate for Orientation and the Opening Ceremony (refer to Dress Code section) in your carry-on. In the event that your hold luggage is lost in transit, you will need to be prepared for the first couple of days of the program. Lost luggage normally takes between 1 to 3 days to be returned.
  • Prescription medications**

 

Clothing Items:

  • 5-6 sets of scrubs for rotations. Packing 5-6 sets of scrubs (and planning to do laundry once or twice) should cover the trip
  • 1-2 white full-length lab jacket(s). Short sleeved lab jackets are acceptable
  • 2 business casual outfits and appropriate footwear for orientation and the closing ceremony at the university.
    • MEN: Trousers/khakis and collared shirts
    • WOMEN: Knee-length dresses or skirts, trousers, collared shirts, blouses 
    • NOTE: No jeans, shorts, or athletic wear
  • Clean, comfortable, closed-toe shoes for rotations (sneakers are fine as long as they are clean)
  • Clothing for cultural tour – Please refer to Dress Code section below for appropriate guidelines
  • Pajamas/sweats for your overnight accommodations
  • Travel outfits (2-3 recommended)
  • Compression socks for travel. NOTE: Many students and staff experience swelling in their legs/ankles/feet while traveling to and from Greece. It is highly recommended that you wear compression socks, drink lots of water, and stretch throughout the airplane ride
  • Socks and undergarments
  • Bathing suit if you wish to use the hotel’s pool

 

Toiletries: 

  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Deodorant
  • Brush/comb
  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Body wash or soap
  • Sunscreen
  • Small first aid kit
  • If needed, glasses/contacts, contact case and solution
  • Surgical masks (2 week supply)
  • Facial tissues (travel sized, 2-3 packs)
  • Battery-powered handheld fan
  • Ladies, please be mindful that feminine hygiene items are difficult to come by in brands and styles you might be comfortable with. Be sure to pack these items with you, it’s better to be overprepared!
  • Advil, Midol, Imodium, Vitamin C, Electrolyte tablets/packs ….to name a few of the most common items

 


DRESS CODE

Below you will find a breakdown of our various activities and the dress code for each. It is important to keep in mind when packing to maintain a crisp, professional look. The only time when this note is not applicable is on travel days, and our mid-program rest day.

Travel to and from Greece:

Ultimately, comfort plays a large part in making long-haul flights pleasurable. Always wear comfortable clothes, and this includes your travel shoes.

  • Wear layers – You will need pieces that you can easily take off or put on to help you combat the varying temperatures you encounter throughout your journey
  • Wear clothes that don’t restrict you
  • Wear natural, breathable fabrics
  • Wear socks and comfortable footwear
  • Bring a neck pillow, eye mask, and earplugs

 

Opening and Closing Ceremonies:

This will be your first and last impression when greeting and saying goodbye to your Greek hosts at our clinical facilities. Dress to impress with a business casual outfit

Ladies: Plan on wearing dresses/trousers/knee-length skirts and shirts with a collar or blouses, and comfortable shoes
Gentlemen: Wear trousers/khakis and collared shirts, and comfortable shoes

NOTE: Absolutely NO athletic wear, NO jeans, NO shorts, and NO headphones/AirPods are allowed outside the hotel. 

 

Rotations: 

Students will be asked to wear scrubs, a long white lab coat, and surgical masks for all sessions at the hospital and medical facilities.

  • Scrubs can be any color/pattern/short sleeve/long sleeve
  • Lab jackets are required for most rotations  (Short sleeve if possible as it is very hot)
  • Comfortable/clean footwear – You will be on your feet for long periods of time so comfortable, closed-toe, clean shoes. Sneakers are permitted for rotations in the hospital but must be clean.

 

Cultural Tour Day:

A full day is planned to explore the fascinating history of Athens. Men and women should keep their shoulders covered and shorts should always be knee length. Another factor to keep in mind is the weather. It will be hot and humid, so light, natural fabrics like cotton are advisable.

  • Wear comfortable/breathable casual clothes (shoulders must be covered and shorts should be knee-length)
  • Wear comfortable shoes (sneakers are a great option)
  • Bring a sunhat
  • Wear sunscreen

 

Rest Day:

You are welcome to kick back and relax in whatever clothes are most comfortable for you. If you plan on spending time at the pool, be sure to pack a swimsuit.

Overnight Accommodations

Coming Soon…

Meals and Water


MEALS

Breakfast and dinner will be provided in the hotel. A large selection of food will be available including authentic Greek fare, and a variety of American classics. It is important to remember that we will be situated in another part of the world for this incredible two-week adventure. Most of our meals will be provided in the hotel, however, it is a huge part of cultural immersion to understand that the culinary delights will be very different from home. It is important to come with an open mind and embrace the culinary diversity of our host country. 

Meals will also be provided on off-campus activity days and will include lunch in a local restaurant.

Meals are not provided during travel with the exception of the meals and snacks the airline provides. Although this may differ from airline to airline or route taken, generally, two meals and soft drinks, water, and coffee will be provided on the flight. If you would like to purchase additional snacks in the departure airport, it is advisable to carry a widely accepted bank card (Visa or Mastercard) to make purchases in the airport easily.

Be sure you have indicated any special dietary requirements on the medical history form so we can be sure to not only prep the hotel ahead of your arrival, but also pre-request any special requirements for meals that may be provided on your long-haul flight to Athens. If you have any concerns, please reach out to the Admissions Team.

 


WATER

The water from the tap of the hotel is safe to brush teeth with. It is not advisable to drink large quantities of the hotel tap water. One bottle of water is provided within the hotel room daily per person. Bottled water is easily accessible in local convenience stores either within the hotel or right across the road. Chaperones will be organizing trips to the local convenience store as needed. 

Electronics


POWERING ELECTRONICS

The voltage and outlet types vary from country to country, so it’s important to understand the power requirements of your destination to ensure you can safely charge and use your devices while abroad.

In Greece, you will need a power adaptor for most electrical devices, as the plugs and sockets differ from those in the United States. Greece uses Type C and Type F outlets.

The standard voltage in Greece is 230 V, and the frequency is 50 Hz. This means that while many modern electronics are compatible with the voltage, some U.S. devices may require a voltage converter in addition to a plug adaptor.

⚠️ Caution: Be especially careful with appliances that involve motors, timers, or heating elements—such as hair dryers, curling irons, electric shavers, and alarm clocks. These devices often are not compatible with European voltage and may be damaged or pose safety risks without a proper voltage converter.

For other electronics like laptops, phones, tablets, cameras, or electric toothbrushes, check the label on the device or charger. If it reads “INPUT: 100-240V, 50/60Hz”, it means the device is dual voltage and can be used safely in Greece with a plug adaptor only.

What You’ll Likely Need:

  • A plug adaptor (Type C or F) for all devices

  • A voltage converter for single-voltage appliances that are not compatible with 230V

Always check your devices in advance to determine if you’ll need a converter, adaptor, or both.

Find voltage converters at WALMART.COM

Find combo plug adapters/converters at AMAZON.COM

 


INTERNATIONAL CELL PHONE USE

In all likelihood, your cell phone plan does not accommodate international texting, calling or data use. If you use these functions while traveling abroad, you will likely rack up a huge roaming bill – possibly in the hundreds of dollars. To ensure this doesn’t happen, be sure to turn off your cellular data and put your phone in airplane mode before we depart on our international flight. You will still be able to connect to Wi-Fi where available while on airplane mode. It’s safest to leave your phone in airplane mode for the duration of the trip, and only use Wi-Fi for internet access, in order to avoid a surprise phone bill when you get back.

Local sim cards are available to purchase from the airport or local convenience stores with unlimited data and free local texts and calling for a 30-day period. Cost depends on the provider, but most local sims range between $5-$15. If you plan to utilize this option, you may want to check your phone is unlocked and available to be used by alternative carriers before you depart from the U.S.

Alternatively, you can explore options with your cell service provider for international travel plans. Most cell service providers offer a daily or monthly plan ranging from $5-$20 per day for international travel. Be sure to explore all the limitations before traveling.

Currency and Payment


Tuition includes all program costs, international airfare, accommodations, local in-country transportation, and meals, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner while on location. Please note that meals are not provided during travel to and from our host destination, with the exception of meals provided by the airline.

Students may want to bring pocket money for their own personal expenses, shopping, personal care items, souvenirs, snacks, etc. ($100-$300 should be more than adequate). In advance of your trip to Greece, we recommend you decide on how you will pay for personal expenses while abroad. You may choose to carry a credit card, withdraw Euros using an ATM card, bring U.S. dollars to exchange in Greece, or some combination of these options.

Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in Greece; Discover and American Express are rarely accepted. If you plan to use a credit card while in Greece, be sure to ask your credit card company about their international transaction fees and alert them of your international travel plans beforehand to avoid security holds. Check the expiration date on your credit/debit cards and make a separate note in a safe place of their numbers and the service number on the back of the card.

NOTE: We highly encourage students to withdraw Euros from a nearby ATM instead of exchanging physical U.S. Dollar bills to avoid high exchange fees.

Insurance


We recommend that all students consider purchasing travel insurance that includes medical coverage. This is the best way to ensure you are financially and medically protected if something unexpected happens.

We’ve partnered with IMG Insurance to offer their iTravelInsured Choice plan, which provides a great safety net and peace of mind. 

It has well-rounded coverage, with the option to expand your coverage in key areas, such as medical.

As a reminder, In the case that a student falls ill, we will escort them to the closest top-tier medical institution in collaboration with our Medical Partners. We do not pay medical bills for students. Be aware that doctors in our program location do not accept U.S. health insurance. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you purchase the iTravelInsured Choice plan, which includes primary coverage for emergency medical and dental expenses while abroad.

EMERGENCY CONTACT INFO


An after-hours emergency number will be available for families when the Admissions Department is outside of regular business hours from June 27th – July 11th.  The emergency number is coming soon… This number should be reserved for emergencies only

After-hours non-urgent calls should go to the Admissions Team at (888) 986-6563, and, should you leave a message, a team member will return your call during regular business hours.

FutureDocs Abroad Shop

Shop scrubs, lab coats, accessories, and more HERE

Recommended Reading:

So… You Have Decided To Become A Physician by Dr. Dimitrios Linos – buy on Amazon HERE

How Doctors Think by Dr. Jerome Groopman – buy on Amazon HERE

Recommended Viewing:

The Doctor starring William Hurt – watch on Amazon HERE

Recommended Activities:

Interested in taking a few language classes? Get 70% off a trial lesson with a native language tutor HERE

Webinar Recording and Transcript


Coming soon…