Official School of Record Caregiving, Chronic Illness and Community Health
An interdisciplinary field-based course exploring long-term illness, caregiving, and community health systems in Athens, Greece. Offered by the Hellenic Center for Interdisciplinary Studies and Research (HCISR) — School of Record: Arcadia Abroad.
Why This Course and Why Now?
Greece is among the European countries experiencing significant population ageing, alongside increasing rates of chronic illness and neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia. These shifts are placing new and sustained demands on families, communities, and health services alike.
Caregiving and community health systems play a central role in supporting individuals living with chronic illness — yet no single actor can manage long-term illness alone. Only families, communities, and health services working together can provide the sustained support that chronic illness requires. This course uses Greece as a contemporary public health and social care context to examine these dynamics from the ground up.
3
Credits
Undergraduate academic credits awarded through Arcadia Abroad
27
Days On-Site
Full immersive program in Athens, Greece (May 24 – June 19, 2027)
12
Sessions
Structured academic sessions across 3 thematic modules
Learning Outcomes
Guided by expert faculty in rehabilitation medicine and clinical nutrition, students will develop a deep understanding of caregiving, chronic illness, and community health systems — through seminars, guest lectures, field visits, and case-based learning.
Analyze Chronic Illness & Ageing
Examine the social and health system challenges associated with chronic illness and ageing populations.
Examine Caregiving Roles
Understand the roles of caregivers, healthcare professionals, and community health services in supporting individuals with chronic illness.
Interpret Field-Based Practices
Connect classroom concepts with caregiving practices and long-term care structures observed during site visits.
Apply Course Concepts
Analyze caregiving situations and identify key care needs in community health contexts through case analysis.
Who Is This Course For?
No specific prerequisites are required. The course is suitable for undergraduate students from fields such as public health, health sciences, psychology, social sciences, or related fields.
Public Health & Health Sciences Students
Seeking hands-on experience with chronic illness management, caregiving systems, and community health in a real-world context.
Psychology & Social Sciences Students
Interested in the human dimensions of caregiving, ageing, and long-term illness across families and communities.
Study Abroad Participants
Looking to combine academic coursework with immersive experiential learning in Athens, Greece.
Future Health & Social Care Professionals
Preparing for careers in healthcare, social work, rehabilitation, or community health services.
Curriculum: 3 Modules, 12 Sessions
The course is organized into three thematic modules, moving from the foundations of ageing and chronic disease, through care systems and community support, to applied learning and field-based synthesis.
Module 1 · Sessions 1–5
Ageing and Chronic Disease
Introduction to ageing populations, chronic illness, dementia, caregiver burden, and community dementia support.
Module 2 · Sessions 6–9
Care Systems and Community Support
Residential care environments, long-term care models, family caregiving networks, and ethics of care.
Module 3 · Sessions 10–12
Applied Learning
Rehabilitation and mobility, nutrition and healthy ageing, and final course synthesis.
Assignments & Grading
Assessment is designed to build progressively — from active participation and field-based reflection to written case analysis and a final synthesis.
Participation & Engagement
Active participation in seminars, guest lectures, and field-based learning activities, including preparation and contributions to class discussions.
Case Study Analysis
Short written analysis of a case involving chronic illness and caregiving — identifying care needs and analyzing the roles of caregivers, professionals, and community services.
Reflective Field-Based Assignment
Short reflection connecting classroom concepts with caregiving practices and community health structures observed during field visits.
Final Case Analysis
Written case analysis applying course concepts to identify caregiving challenges and examine the roles of family support, healthcare professionals, and community health services.
Program Experience
A rich, multi-format learning environment combining classroom instruction, guest lectures, and structured field visits across Athens and nearby regions of Greece.
Faculty-Led Seminars
12 structured academic sessions covering ageing, dementia, caregiving, ethics, rehabilitation, and nutrition.
Field Visit: Chalkida
Visit to the Chalkida Dementia Support Initiative — direct engagement with community dementia care programs.
Field Visit: Megara
Visit to a long-term care facility in Megara, with a rail bike experience and lunch at Kineta beach.
2-Day Trip: Aegina
Pistachio orchard visit, Mediterranean lifestyle discussion, intergenerational community activity, and lunch at a local taverna.
Guest Lectures
Specialist guest lectures from a neurologist, psychiatrist, and social worker integrated throughout the program.
Orientation & Welcome
Arrival, airport pickup, orientation at T16 Athens, Athens food walk, and welcome dinner on Day 1–2.
Meet the Faculty
Learn from experienced practitioners in rehabilitation medicine and clinical nutrition, embedded in the Greek health and academic landscape.
Dr. Yannis E. Dionyssiotis, MD, PhD
Faculty — Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine
Specialist in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine; Fellow of the European Board of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine. PhD from the University of Athens. Former Scientific Director of KAFKA rehabilitation center. Board member (×3) of the International Society of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions (ISMNI). Author of 4 books on osteoporosis and body composition.
Theano Talamagka, MSc
Faculty — Clinical Dietitian & PhD Candidate
Licensed Clinical Dietitian–Nutritionist and PhD Candidate with 10+ years of experience in clinical nutrition, chronic disease prevention, and community health. MSc in Metabolic Bone Diseases, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Expert in Mediterranean diet, healthy ageing, and nutrition for vulnerable populations. Teaching experience at IEK Alfa.
Course Details
- Course Code: HCISR_HSCI360_01012026
- Course Title: Caregiving, Chronic Illness and Community Health
- Subject: Health Sciences, Public Health, Community Health
- Credits: 3 undergraduate credits
- Term: Summer 2027
- Dates: May 24 – June 19, 2027
- Location: Athens, Greece
- Format: On-site, field-based
- School of Record: Arcadia Abroad (Arcadia University | The College of Global Studies)
- On-site Provider: HCISR — Hellenic Center for Interdisciplinary Studies and Research
Contact & Apply
This program is offered in partnership with Arcadia Abroad, the official School of Record, to support undergraduate students studying abroad in Athens.
HCISR | ASCLE+ ATHENS EXPERIENCE — SUMMER 2027
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