Academic System

The bus network in Germany is also excellent but it is not spread nation-wide. It is a secondary means of transport & Germans do not use it very frequently. Many buses are operated by BahnBus & are often used by commuters during midday & on Saturday & Sunday, when rail services are slow.

Higher education institutions in Greece are divided into Universities, Technical Universities, Technological Education Institutions, Schools of Fine Arts, Teacher Training Colleges and a Military Academy. There are 21 Universities & 14 Technological Institutions that provide a high quality education to international students.

Greek universities & institutions follow a semester system and the subjects taught are counted in credits. The language of instruction is Greek. All Universities & Institutions are under state regulation except the Military Academy which is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defence.

Accomodation

Finding accommodation in Greece is an easy process. Universities provide cheap & affordable accommodation in the halls of residence. It is estimated that around 2400 rooms are available in each university. All rooms are well-furnished, clean & equipped with the basic facilities. Private accommodation options include flat sharing with other students, studio & single room apartments and paying guest accommodation. Private accommodation is reasonably priced. For those students, who wish to stay in private accommodation, the accommodation offices in universities offer a free & friendly service that helps them to find a suitable place to live in. Information for private accommodation can also be found in the Daily Vacancy list or on the students’ notice board.

Climate

Greece has a typically Mediterranean climate. Summers are hot, long & dry while winters are mild & rainy. Rainfall varies according to the region. The northern part of Greece has hot & humid summers. A strong northerly wind, the Meltemi blows in the months of July & August. Winters are cold & temperatures can fall below freezing point. Precipitation is very high & leads to snowfall in winters. In southern Greece, the weather is sunny & summers lasts for a longer period. Rainfall starts in the month of October & the weather stays cool & wet till February. Winters are short & accompanied by days of sunshine & clear blue skies.

Visa Regulations

Nationals of Australia, all EU countries, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland & USA can study in Greece without any visa for a period of 90 days. A visa is mandatory for students who belong to other countries. Students must renew their residence permit every year till their studies are completed or otherwise leave the country without completing their studies. In Greece, only EU students can get a work permit. Non-EU students usually do not get a work permit unless they are candidates for a very specialized position.

Public Transport

Greece has a very well organized public transport system. Airways are new & modern and have direct connections to most countries in Europe. Train is another common form of travel in Greece. Greece has an electrified rail network in some areas. The train network reaches almost every part of the country. The Metro in Athens is a modern & reliable means of transport. As Greece is a mountainous country, buses are an important and cost-effective means of transport. There are two categories of buses: Blue City buses & Long Distance Green buses. Blue City buses provide services even within small Greek cities. The Long Distance Green buses are used to travel throughout Greece and cover even remote areas. These buses are considered to be the best means of transport. Taxis are available for short distance commutes.

National holidays