Erasmus Experience in Thessaloniki, Greece by Terezia

Why did you choose to go to Thessaloniki, Greece?

I have visited the city and the country few times before and it left very good impression on me so I wanted to visit it again and experience more.

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

I received scholarship for my whole stay which was 1 semester. The amount of the scholarship was 340 EUR/month but I needed some other funds to be ok with living in Thessaloniki. In average, I spend approx. 500 EUR monthly for all common and extra expenses.

What is the student lifestyle like in Thessaloniki?

Student life of an erasmus student in Thessaloniki is very good. ESN organization takes care of all introductory events, parties and trips around the country. Erasmus students are always inventing new ways how to enjoy their stay in the city... and the city can offer a lot in this area.

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

Yes, sure! I would recommend to experience the same erasmus life as I used to have to everybody. When thinking about erasmus, Thessaloniki is great place to choose!

What is the food like?

You can find all kinds of traditional greek food everywhere you go. There are many taverns where they serve very delicious greek specialities. On the way to school, students usually take away some frappe and sandwich or donut. Or you just buy some gyros or krepa (pancake). But most of the students eat in the student cantine for free. :)

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Thessaloniki?

I found my accomodation on the list of properies adverts from school. There is a possibility to be accommodated at one of the dormitories but most of the students prefer to live in flats because it is cheaper and more comfortable.

How much does it cost to live in Thessaloniki?

As I mentioned... I calculated my common and extra costs to 500 EUR montly. For the accommodation you will pay 200-250 EUR monthly.

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

The language is very different from any other but slowly slowly you will get used to the basic phrases. Yes, university offers a quick course of greek language.

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

I used lowcost airline to travel from home to Thessaloniki but there is also an opportunity to use direct bus.

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

There are some erasmus parties organized by ESN once in a week. If you want to experience a little bit more, I would recommend you to go to the area of Ladadika or street Valaoritou and you can choose from variety of clubs playing different styles of music.

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

The ,most common restaurants in Greece are called taverns and they basically serve the same food for comparable prices. Most of them are located in the centre of the city. But for students the best is to eat in the student cantine in the university campus as the food there is for free.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

You have to go to the upper part of the city called Ano Poli. There is very nice view from up there. ANother suggestion is to go for a trip to Athens and some islands.

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

Try to contact some previous erasmus students or directly ESN organization - people there are very helpful. Be aware of many trikes taking place in Greece but don't worry... they are not so serious ;). And the last thing I learned there - everything is possible in Greece! :) So good luck!