Experience in Athens, Greece by Ilias

What is it like to live in Athens? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

It's not bad!... Despite the economic crisis, we can still make it. If you are a foreigner, you will find things rather cheap.
Athens is not a very nice city. Once you have left the center and the "shining lights" of the city, the residing neighbourhoods are crowded with high blocks of flats, not allowing air and sunlight go through, with no free places to let you breath, no trees, no greenery. But it's my city. And I love it as it is.

What is the student lifestyle like in Athens?

Very cool indeed! The majority of students are still fully supported by their families, as family is still a very strong and binding relationship in Greece, so we have no worries except our schools. We form large companies and go out not only on weekends but on weekdays too. The Univerisities have very good teachers but due to lack of funds, they are not properly maintained and you might be disappointed by their looks. Friendly advice: avoid to mess with political parties youths. Study, make friends at a snap of the fingers and enjoy the nice weather!

How much does it cost to live in Athens?

As the University dorms are very few, you should bear in mind that the rent for a fully furnished 45 s.m. apartment, is around 250 Euros/month; this amount is only the rental of the apt itself. Electricity, telephone-internet, heating, water and cleaning-maintenance expenses are paid separately. You should expect another 150 Euros/month. As far as lunch is concerned, most Universities offer free lunch in their restaurants once you have a student pass. Entertainment starts from 3 Euros for a simple coffee and 5 Euros for a beer in a nice pub. Sky is the limit!

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Athens? Is there any advice you can give?

Due to the economical crisis, it is very easy to find decent accommodation in Athens; however, you should be careful about the neighbourhood as the flood of legal but mostly illegal immigrants have turned some places really avoidable.
You can refer to some sites like www.spitogatos.gr, www.tospitimou.gr, www.spiti24.gr which are available also in English and bargain yourself a nice apartment. Always ask for "fresh" photographs illustrating every single room with details, to avoid any unpleasant surprises. It is a good idea to search accommodation based on the postal code of the University you are going to attend and before booking an accommodation, make sure there is frequent public transportation as traffic jams are a major problem in Athens and your usual bus might not be appearing...

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

You can find everything, all snacks, fast food and traditional kitchen! Speaking of fast food, there are little shops almost on every corner, selling freshly baked pies (with fillings such as cheese, minced meat, ham etc), sandwitches with mouth watering combination of ingredients (fresh salads and vegetables, ham, cheese, salami etc), pizza and rolls of all kinds, coffees, juices and many other...
The Greek fast food is "souvlaki" which is a flat round pastry rolled around fresh meat (pork, veal or chicken) cooked in different ways (grilled, chopped from the spit, on the charcoal...) with tomato, tzatziki (youghurt sauce with garlic and cucumber), french potatoes and lettuce.
Of course, one can find any kind of fast food like Club Sandwitches and their variations, all kinds of burgers and many styles of french potatoes.
As far as traditional and international cuisines are concerned, one can find Greek traditional tavernas (at very reasonable prices) and international cuisine like Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Lebanese, Russian, Indian...
I, personally adore spaghetti with carbonara sauce baked in the oven.

What places would you recommend visiting in Athens?

It depends on your taste...
Athens is world-wide renowned for the Acropolis, the Museums and all the antiquities within a range of 60 kms. There are plenty of places to visit on a one-day trip like the islands of Aegina, Agistri, Salamina, Hydra and Spetses and lots of beaches to go for a nice swim and a tanning sun bath.
If you are a fan of old times, the Plaka (old city of Athens) is the best place to roam. copmbine it with a visit of the National Garden at Syntagma (Constitution) Square.
Piraeus is not far and is the largest port of Greece; it's really worth paying a visit and stroll along the coast, walking next to the ancient walls constructed by Themistoklis almost 2.500 years ago. Wonderful fish tavernas by the sea!!! (From cheap to very expensive).

Is it good to eat out in Athens? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Like in all places around the world, it is good, as long as you know where you are going to eat...
I have no favourite spots, I eat wherever I am, whatever I find. It is usually good.

Is the nightlife good in Athens? Where is good to go?

Nightlife is the other name for Athens. All bars, clubs, pubs, dancing bars are open almost 7/24 but it has to be at least 23.00 before the big fuss starts! And it ends at sun rise or even later! You have to have extra strength to make it!!!

What advice would you give future students heading to Athens?

Greece is a very vivid and welcoming place where you can make friends who will invite you to their homes right away and their mothers will try to feed you everything that is in the fridge and then you will be taken out, "just for a coffee"; this ..."coffee" may last overnight. Do not be carried away and forget your studies!!! Greek Universities have a good reputation and the teaching staff is of high standard, all of them speaking at least two foreign languages and being able to teach in three (don't forget that their native language is Greek). Be focused to your studies during the week and burst out on the week end, in order to have a memorable Erasmus stay in Greece!