Study Abroad in Athens
Athens is more than just a city. It is the birthplace of modern civilization, the beginning of the creation of the west, and the start of democracy and rule. The capital of Greece and a major metropolitan with 3.7 million citizens, this city has a lot to offer to college students looking to study abroad. With a gorgeous skyline, many old and beautiful buildings, and ruins that date back to B.C. it is a really amazing place for anyone to visit, especially to live in for a few months. It’s a great way to get the full feeling of Athens and to see it through the lens of the locals.
Athens Pictures
Things to do in Athens
The main highlights of Athens revolve around the ancient ruins and temples and buildings. The acropolis is the most notable of these sights and a world famous landmark. The 2004 Olympics site is still intact and a great place to visit. The Temple of Olympian Zeus, Ancient Agora, Kerameikos, and Syntagma Square where the Parliament resides are located in Athens. The best way to see these incredible sights is to get out and walk around. Take a group tour or grab a map. Either way this city has so much to offer. There are many museums here, including the great New Acropolis Museum. If you are interested in more active things to do, there are bike tours of the city and boat cruises that can take you to the various islands nearby.
Nightlife in Athens
The earliest you will find people in Athens going to dinner is 8pm. Usually you won’t find the crowds starting to form until 9pm. Long dinners are the norm here, so get ready for a good time with lots of wine. The clubs don’t open up until around midnight, which leaves plenty of time to enjoy a long, luxurious dinner. The clubbing here is crazy. The city comes alive when the sun goes down and doesn’t stop bumping until the wee hours of the morning. The coastal zone of the city becomes the club zone at night, especially on weekends. This is where college students can be found any night of the week dancing or grabbing a beer at a bar. Frappé is a cool drink served in Greece with cold coffee and usually Baileys–it’s very delicious. Also, try some of the excellent wine selections from the country. Greece is specifically known for great white wine.
Colleges and Classes in Athens
A few classes that are popular among abroad students in Athens are Greek language classes, Athens history and Ancient Greece classes, Art History, and archeologist classes. There are also some excellent Greek cooking and wine tasting classes that let students enjoy some of the greatest pass-times of the city. There are a lot of schools in the area and in the city. Depending on your home university, you will either be assigned a school so credits will transfer over, or you may be able to choose a school that applies to your major.
Travel From Athens
The travel options from Athens are endless. In Greece there are some great cities that must be explored while studying here. The islands surrounding the area are Cyclades and Dodecanese islands. Both are great clusters of exotic and interesting islands. They are all easily accessible by boat directly from Athens and make great weekend getaways. Corinth, Corfu, and Mt. Olympus are also hot spots for students to get away for a couple of days. Looking for a longer trip? Crete, which is still part of Greece is one of the most sought out vacation destinations in the Mediterranean. It is an excellent spring break idea. Turkey and Italy are close by. Take a flight with studentuniverse.com and save some money. See what these amazing countries have to offer you and make the most of your time abroad.
Athens Study Abroad Tips
- Currency in Athens is the euro.
- The language in Athens is Greek, although many people in the city speak English as well.
- It is disrespectful to enter churches with uncovered shoulders or showing mid-drifts, so make sure to consider this and show respect.
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