Useful Info and Links

ABOUT ESN

1. What is ESN?

ESN (=Erasmus Student Network) is a non-profitable organization trying to help exchange students “survive” during their erasmus period and get knowing each other.

2. Why should I have an ESN card?

ESN card includes discounts for ESN events but also for other activities and facilities in Athens and Europe. It is valid for 1 year.

3. How can I contact ESN Kapa Athens?

ESN official page: http://esnkapa.org/athens/, where you can register and either use the contact form or send e-mail,

ESN facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/ESN-Kapa-Athens/91663481753?ref=ts, where you can also contact us and mostly learn about our events and useful info!

ABOUT UNIVERSITY

4. Does the University provide Greek language courses?

http://www.nglt.uoa.gr/index_en.html

5. Does the University have a restaurant for the students?

There is a Student Restaurant at: 
-School of Philosophy, in Campus
-Faculty of Medicine (where the Laboratories are), in Goudi
-Arahovis 44, downtown
-Department of Physical Education & Sport Science (TEFAA) in Dafni.
They provide breakfast, lunch (12.00-16.00)and dinner (18.00-21.00)

6. Is it possible to provide me the academic calendar of University of Athens?

 The academic year begins on the 1st of September and ends on the 31st  of August of next calendar year. The educational work of each academic year is structured in two half-year periods of study, in winter and spring semester, each one of which  consists of 13 weeks of teaching and two or three weeks of exams.

* The winter semester starts the last week of September and ends in the beginning of the last 10 days of January. Then there is the first examining period of the winter semester.

* The spring semester starts in the mid-February and ends in the end of May. Then there is the first examining period of the spring semester.

The precise dates are determined by the senate of the university. However, in special cases,after the proposal of senate, the Minister of education regulates the beginning and the end of the two semesters other than the regular dates, so that the essential number of weeks of teachingis supplemented.

Each semester has two examining periods:

* The courses of winter semester are examined at the period of January -February and again at the period of September.

* The courses of spring semester are examined at the period of June and again at the period of September.

The examining periods of January, February and September last three weeks, while the examining period of June lasts, according to the law, two weeks, all of them however usually are extended in bigger time interval.

HOLIDAYS
In July and mainly in August there are no courses or examinations and are considered months of summer holidays. 
There are also the following holidays:
* The holidays of Christmas: From 24 December until 7 January.
* The holidays of Easter: 15-days spring break (Greek Orthodox Easter).
 
FEASTS and HOLIDAYS
 *  28 October: national holiday
*  17 November: anniversary of the Athens Polytechnic uprising against the military regime in 1973
*  30 January: holiday for educational institutes (Greek Orthodox celebration of Three Holy Hierarchs)
*  25 March: national holiday
* Clean Monday: mobile holiday
*  1 May:  labour day-May day
* Celebration of Holy Spirit: mobile religious feast

7. How many exchange students does your University receive per year?

There is an increase during recent years.. They are approximately 200-250.

8. Which is the grading system of your University?

0,1,2,3,4=fail
5=passable
6=fair
7= satisfactory
8=good
9=very good
10=excellent

ABOUT HOUSING

9. How can I find accommodation in Athens?

ESN provides you a google map and a list with houses available for exchange students.

10. Is it better to find a house close to the University or in the centre?

Well.. it depends on your programme.. If you have to attend many courses and specially laboratories maybe it's better to find a house close to your School, so you won't get easily bored of going there after your night life On the other hand, if you think that taking the bus once a day in order to go to the University is not a big deal and if you prefer living in/near the centre where there is almost everything, then you should find a house there! 

ABOUT TRANSPORTATION

11. Is it possible to find some links about the Public Transit System of Athens?

You can find info about Bus (ETHEL), Trolley (ILPAP), Tram, Metro, Electric and Suburban Railway (Proastiakos) here: www.oasa.gr/?id=ind3ex&;ang=en

12. How can I reach the Univesirty Campus in Zografou?

There are some buses going to Campus, such as: 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 230, 235, 250, 608, E90
If you want to use the Metro, you can either get off at Panepistimio Station, which is very near to Akadimias str, where most of the buses pass by, or at Evangelismos Station, which is very near to the bus station “Nosokomio Evangelismos”. There is no metro station at Campus, or near it. You can check the lines and the stations at: OASA website and decide which suits you depending on where you live and where your School is inside the Campus.

GENERAL

13. Is it safe to walk around at night? Areas to avoid?

In general, you shouldn’t be very afraid...just keep an eye on people. You should be very careful of stealing, which is unfortunately a quite frequent phenomenon, and be aware of your personal stuff (bags, wallets, etc). It’s better to avoid some areas such as Omonia and Victoria and the ones without much lighting and traffic. Also, it’s safer walking with company than alone during nights.

14. Could you give me some information about the weather in Athens?

Well.. it is mostly sunny! During autumn there are quite many rainy days, but when there is sun you can go swimming even in October!!! Our winter is not soooo cold, but surely you re gonna need some warm clothes and shoes..and if we are lucky, we can wish for some snow  Spring is not very cold, but not so hot too  andsummer.. what more can we say about Greek summer than 30-40 degrees with humidity? You re gonna need lots of water and shady places! 

15. Useful links

http://maps.google.com/
http://livingingreece.gr/