Studying in Greece- Any Thoughts?

enigma_AKA · #1 11-12-2004, 03:27 AM

Hey everyone,

I'm in the process of application to go abroad this spring semester or the upcoming fall semester and am planning on going to Greece. My parents tell me that it's gorgeous and that I can gain a lot from the experience, but I was wondering if anyone on GC had gone, or at least had some feedback as to how this would be a great experience, what I should keep in mind or if you just want to offer some advice on studying abroad, period. Thanks in advance for any contributions!

enigma_AKA

PhoenixAzul · #2 11-12-2004, 09:39 AM

I'm in the same boat. I'm in the process of applying to study in Northern Ireland for a year! I'm excited/scared. I hope you get in though!

AKA2D '91 · #3 11-12-2004, 10:50 AM

Good Luck!

enigma_AKA · #4 11-12-2004, 11:17 AM

Thanks!

enigma_AKA

Private I · #5 11-12-2004, 12:17 PM

I've studied abroad before-Costa Rica in 2003 and Russia in 2004-never in Greece though. One thing you have to remember whenever you are in ANY foreign country is to always keep an open mind about the culture-things that may seem commonplace to us may be completely strange to them, and vice versa (for example, in Serbia one greets somebody by kissing them on the cheeks 3x, and when I did this in U.S.A. people mistook me for a lesbian). For Greece I can tell you that it gets VERY hot during the summer months, that they have great food, that they party hard (if you go to a Greek club, you may notice the very upbeat dancing, the throwing of napkins in the air, the breaking of plates, etc), that their food is wonderful, and that the people are friendly (at least in MY experience). PM me if you need some more advice about studying abroad!

enigma_AKA · #6 11-12-2004, 02:43 PM

Yeah, I've heard that Greeks can be very friendly and hospitable. We have to provide our own accomodations, either with a family or hotel/boarding house. I am looking foward to maybe trying that out!!! Thanks for the tips!!!

enigma_AKA

ETA: I said Grecians in my post?!

enigma_AKA · #7 11-20-2004, 12:03 AM

I got in!!!

So, thanks for all the PM's and advice. I will be leaving March '05, and will be there until June. I found some pretty cheap tickets, so now it's a matter of deciding what I'll need, what I should see, etc. etc. I still need some advice/thoughts and stuff, but thanks again for all that you've given!

enigma_AKA

SigmaChiCard · #8 11-20-2004, 08:43 PM

Where are you going to be staying? On the mainland or one of the Islands? I've been to Corfu (the other side) and it was a great time...you ought to go just to stay at the Pink Palace (www.thepinkpalace.com) it's tons of fun...like spring break 38 hours a day.

Many of my friends went to the other side...the Isles and they all loved it...Def get to one of them while you're there...working is really easy too w/o a visa...Greece is notorious for people coming there for that very reason...so get a job for some extra money....it's pretty cheap there

Cory

enigma_AKA · #9 11-20-2004, 11:18 PM

Cory,

I am not sure exactly sure where I will be, but I'll definitely keep those places in mind. Thanks!

Mallori
enigma_AKA

P.S. Thanks for the advice on jobs!!! I definetely need to remember that!

kdonline · #10 11-22-2004, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by enigma_AKA
I got in!!!

So, thanks for all the PM's and advice. I will be leaving March '05, and will be there until June. I found some pretty cheap tickets, so now it's a matter of deciding what I'll need, what I should see, etc. etc. I still need some advice/thoughts and stuff, but thanks again for all that you've given!

Congratulations! Greece is a beautiful country - there's so much to see. It's still rather cold in Greece during the springtime, and many of the islands won't be 100% "open" until June...but you'll find all this out when you get there.

One thing: there is A LOT of anti-American sentiment. I'm sure it hasn't gotten any better, now that Bush was re-elected.

Feel free to PM me!

queequek · #11 11-22-2004, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kdonline

One thing: there is A LOT of anti-American sentiment. I'm sure it hasn't gotten any better, now that Bush was re-elected.

When we were studying abroad in Rome back in 2003, the Iraq war had just begun. We were STRONGLY advised not to flash around the fact that we were American students (i.e. not big USA shirts, no obnoxciously (sp?) speak English too loud, etc).

Our most horrified experience happened in London, in a busy "tube" station, when a Norwegian lady suddenly shouted at us for being Americans, simply because she saw airline tags on our backpacks (it was American Airlines tags). It is unbelievable that the busy platform was quiet all of the sudden, and everybody was looking at us. Then, fortunately, our tube arrived, and we safely retreated to the tube. Talking about almost being crucified in the middle of London!

One thing for sure: do NOT pretend to be Canadian, if you were caught. Be proud to be an American!

Don't forget to visit Tessaloniki and Santorini (one of the southern most island). Gosh, I envy you, Greece is a very beautiful country. Keep us updated!

enigma_AKA · #12 02-19-2005, 01:53 PM

Whew!

So, I did get in the program and leave for Greece in less then 3 weeks!!! I am super excited and look forward to going (I will be there exactly three months and I may do some backpacking afterward--IF I can afford it

). Any final thoughts? Money? Places to stay (I will be traveling, basically, every five days from one city/site to the next, but I have 3 breaks in between sessions)? MUST SEE Tourist Attractions? Travel advice/warnings? I've gotten a lot of information on advisories, etc., but it's always good to get the opinion of others, and especially the good people on GC. Thanks to all those who will try to help a anxiously anticipating super tight budget student!!

enigma_AKA

SigmaChiCard · #13 02-22-2005, 02:27 AM

where will you be located?

beware of the backwoods hills of greece - everyone who goes there comes back walletless

i've only been to corfu - visit the thepinkpalace.com - it's a hostel - it's a party - it's a damn good time - if you visit corfu i recommend hiking out near the island then swimming out - it's awesome out there

you'll be so close to southern italy - go everywhere - and admire the women - they're beautiful - and have the food - it's amazing - try squid's ink pasta!

italian riveria > cinque terre, final ligure

let me live vicariously - so go to turkey for me - that's up & coming on my list of places to see - but act british!

and for a beach - everyone says cyprus is amazing & since they just joined the EU you can go there now w/o any problems - you used to have to fly into turkey then take a ferry in to get past the border.

oh - i need money - and time

moe.ron · #14 02-22-2005, 02:31 AM

queequek, saya kira kamu orang Indo.

enigma_AKA · #15 02-22-2005, 03:18 AM

As to ^^^ , I have no clue as to what that means and I'm scared/not willing to ask.

SGCard: Thanks for the advice, though I hope you realize I am a girl and admiring all the beautiful women per se won't be on my list of things to do, hahahahha.

But getting into Turkey is something I will probably won't try (re: political strife and travel advisories).

For the first week, I'll be situated in Athens, staying first at the Hotel Carolina and then probably at the Theseus or the Orion (I'll keep the Pink Palace in mind, that is, if the prices are right

). From there, it'll be Naupflion, Thessaloniki (sp?), Knossos(Crete), Paros, Olympia, Corinth, Santorini, Mycenae, Sparta (not in that order) and a few more places (when I get the finalized list I'll post it).

If you want to live vicariously through me, you need to give me some vicariously-living money! J/K. But thanks again for the advice. I'll keep y'all updated!

enigma_AKA