My Erasmus Experience in Thessaloniki, Greece - by Maria Dolores

Why did you choose to go to Thessaloniki, Greece?

I thought Greek culture would be similar to Spanish culture.

How long did your scholarship last? How much were you paid?

9 months, and I received 600 euros per month.

What´s the student life like in Thessaloniki?

There's a great student atmosphere there since it's a university city.

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

100% yes - in my opinion, it's the best city to do your Erasmus exchange in.

What´s the food like in Thessaloniki?

The food is Mediterranean, so it's all very tasty and there are delicious dishes like Greek salad or mousaka.

Did you find it hard to find somewhere to live in Thessaloniki?

It only took me a day since I was helped by volunteers from the university.

How expensive is everyday life in Thessaloniki?

If you want a nice flat, you'll pay about 250 euros a month, like I did. Light and water bills aren't usually that expensive, just like in Spain. What's a bit more expensive is food, plus hygiene and cleaning products. There are the supermarkets Día and Carrefour though, where you can buy everything at the most reasonable price.

How are you finding the language? Have you signed up to a language course at the university?

I didn't use the language very much, since English worked perfectly well both at university and outside of it. I went to a Greek language course at the university and it was really interesting.

What´s the cheapest way of getting to Thessaloniki from your home city?

From Córdoba, I would travel to Málaga and from there fly to London. After a 6 six hour wait, I then got a flight from London to Thessaloniki. There are direct flights from Madrid, but they're also more expensive.

What are the best places for partying in Thessaloniki?

For student parties, the best place is Politeknio, and there are lots of pubs in Ladadika. Around Artistotelus Square there are lots of bars too, but they tend to be a bit more expensive.

What about eating out in Thessaloniki? What are your favourite places?

For trying out typical Greek food, there are plenty of places in the city. A place I recommend is Pizza Golden, where they sell pizza slices for 80 cents which are super tasty! It's also the best place to eat the famous gyro pitta bread in the Egnatia area.

What does Thessaloniki have to offer in terms of culture?

Visit the castle, the numerous orthodox churches and the city museums.

Do you have any advice for future students coming to Thessaloniki?

It's a city which has a lot to offer, and if you get the opportunity to go there, enjoy every minute. It's a very charming city. :)