Erasmus Experience in Thessaloniki, Greece, by Gio

Why did you choose to go to Thessaloniki, Greece?

I'm attending at the University of Padua in the Languages department! I chose Thessaloniki because i love all the culture and the language...

How long is the scholarship? How much money do you receive to help you with living costs?

The scholarship is about 6 months but i arrived in thessaloniki 2 weeks before just to check how the city is... After all i decided to move difinitely here.... If you are Italian, the University usually give you 230 euro per month, that are enough to rent a single room also in the center of the city.

What is the student lifestyle like in Thessaloniki?

Amazing... You can have party everyday in Thessaloniki also in winter! The Canteen for Erasmus students, as main students, is free. lso you have discount everywhere with your "Paso" (University's badge)... By the way the life is so cheap: 1 pint of beer 1 euro (c'mon).

Would you recommend the city and the University of Thessaloniki to other students?

I have to say... It will be the best choise of your life!

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What is the food like?

I'm italian... But at least the typical food is ok. You can eat in a Taverna for just 10 euro with wine and a lot of food...

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Thessaloniki?

All the house are in the hands of the estate agencies, if u don't speak greek, it's kind difficult to approach with them, but also there a lot of people who speak italian, german, and so on. For my big flat, where i have a big bedroom and we live just in 2 people, I pay just 175 euros per month plus 50 euro for the bills.

How much does it cost to live in Thessaloniki?

As i told before, here you will fell as a rich person... Most of the time the prices are so cheap (hot dog: 50cent, coffee: 1 euro, slice of pizza: 1 euro, bottle of water: 30 cent, and so on... ).

Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available at the University?

As student of modern greek the language at the first impact is awful..., but then if u follow some intensive courses at university and also there some courses for free around the city, you will be very glad to ask whatever you want at the bar... You need just the basic, most of the time everybody speak english...

What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Thessaloniki from your city?

From Italy the flights to Thessaloniki are just from Bergamo and Rome... For a ticket just to go i paid 19,99 euro...

Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Thessaloniki?

Thessaloniki by night is amazing... It's a big city but has the size for student... Also you can rent bicycle or buy it. By the way the buses are always in time..., also during the night..

And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Thessaloniki?

There aren't restaurants in Thessaloniki... If you want to eat out you have to go in a "Taverna"... You will love it.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

C'mon... Greece is the cradle of the culture... Wherever you turn your head you can see culture...

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Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Thessaloniki in the future?

Just enjoy Thessaloniki... You will love it, as i did and i do and i will do.

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