Preparation of your study abroad period

Studying at the host university

Studying at the University of AUTH is well-organized and runs smoothly. The atmosphere is relaxed, and both students and staff contribute to a supportive environment. Students are very friendly and always willing to help, and professors typically respond to emails within a few days.

You can usually request extensions for papers and projects if needed, which adds flexibility to the academic experience.

On campus, there is one main library dedicated to studying, as well as individual faculty libraries that provide access to essential books. The main library is open every day of the week until 2 a.m., while faculty libraries are open on weekdays until 4 p.m.

In addition to the campus facilities, there are many cafés near the campus and in the city center that are great for studying. One popular example is Café Tabya.

Contact with local and international students

Getting in contact with locals can be a bit challenging, especially for those who are shy or introverted. However, it's possible to meet local students through ESN events. On the other hand, meeting international students is quite easy—you’ll come across them during university classes, at ESN events, or through meet-ups organized via a dedicated WhatsApp group for Erasmus students. There are also great opportunities to connect with both local and international students by participating in sports or dance courses offered at the university gym. Examples include Salsa, Bachata, and Traditional Greek dance classes.          

Language proficiency before and after study abroad period

My Greek language proficiency improved immensely throughout my stay in the country. However, during the second semester, I was unable to attend language courses at the university. The courses are only funded for the first semester. In the second semester, the cost is over €300, and the B2-level classes are only offered in the mornings, which doesn’t align with my university schedule. But I recommend trying the Tandem app for practicing language use with the locals.

Housing and living situation

Erasmus students cannot apply for accommodation in the university dormitories, so they need to find housing on their own. The most popular website for this is spitogatos.gr, or the Facebook group Thessaloniki - Rentals and Roommates - Σπίτι, Δωμάτιο, Συγκάτοικο.

The price for a room in a shared apartment typically ranges from €300 to €500. A studio apartment starts at around 450 €.

Public transportation in Thessaloniki is very affordable. A monthly student bus pass costs     8 €, as does a metro subscription. A single student bus ticket costs 30 cents, while a          70-minute metro ticket costs 60 cents.

Food prices are similar to, or slightly higher than, those in Germany. However, for fresh fruits and vegetables, I recommend visiting the weekly farmers’ markets (λαϊκή) held in different neighborhoods on different days of the week.

For leisure, I recommend checking out local cinemas. At Odeon Πλατεία, every Tuesday one ticket costs just 4 €. In autumn (typically until November), open-air cinemas are also available. They are relatively inexpensive, around 5 € per ticket, and usually show films in English with Greek subtitles.

For yoga enthusiasts, I recommend the Instagram account @zensesyoga, run by an Austrian instructor who offers classes in a studio in the city center. A 1.5-hour class costs 10 €.