The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens - A short guide to the student life

Continuing my “Promoting Erasmus and studying abroad” pages, I now introduce you to the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens! Let’s suppose that you are an Erasmus student or in general a student planning to study abroad for a semester or so. What are the factors that you would take into consideration before choosing your next destination and university? How would you organize your background research? What are the things that you’d love to know about your university in advance? Here’s a short research I did about one of the biggest universities in Greece that welcomes thousands of Erasmus students every year.

Background info; the university; The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens is the largest state institution of higher learning in Greece, and among the largest universities in Europe. As all other Greek universities, it is a self-governed legal entity of public law and all major policy issues are determined by the Ministry of National Education and Religion. Retaining its academic autonomy, it fully respects the constitutionally secured right to everyone for a free education. This is possible because it is funded by the state. Moreover, It is progressively succeeding to benefit from its property and legacies, as well as from the funding of research projects with national and international partners. All funds are invested into the management and operation of educational, research and cultural programmes, into student and staff services and grants.

Location; the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens is situated literally in the heart of downtown Athens. The exact address is Panepistimiou Avenue 30, and it’s easily accessible with the public transportation (Metro station: ‘Panepistimio’ – Red line).

The library; The Library Directorate was legislated in October, 1998, while in October 2005 a Unified Central Library was founded as an independent and decentralized Directorate Unit, under the name of "Library and Information Center (LIC)" of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA). Its line of work comprises the functional coordination of the University's Libraries. The Library Directorate consists of the eight Libraries of the University's Schools plus the Libraries Computer Center.

Wanna learn Greek and get exposed to various facets of the Greek culture?

Pay a visit to the Modern Greek Language Teaching Centre! The Modern Greek Language Teaching Centre of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens has been functioning since the 1950s, initially with a very limited number of students. In the decades that followed the number of students increased exponentially. The Modern Greek Teaching Centre is the largest of its kind in the world. Many of its graduates are today teachers of Modern Greek and Philology at Universities throughout the world, members of the diplomatic corps in their own countries, church leaders, renowned scientists, company managers, respected artists and business professionals.

The life in the city; As a student there are a lot of things you can do in Athens! In your free time you can visit some of the almost 50 museums and archeological sites, some of the almost 250 (!)theatres... But the favourite habit of local students is the COFFEE & food! We usually spend about 3 hours in a coffee shop! And they are everywhere!! You can enjoy your favourite beverage in countless cafeterias either in the city centre with a view of the Acropolis or in the suburbs. But student lifestyle without parties??? Of course not! The ultimate area for parties is Gazi (neighbourhood in the city centre) where there are numerous clubs. (As for beer, it is everywhere of course! Don't miss the chance to taste some of the greek ones!). Don't miss the chance to visit the city of Piraeus (mikrolimano-pasalimani) too, as well as the cities around it!! And of course if you're lucky enough to arrive during summertime, pay a visit to some of our islands!

Accomodation suggestions!

...and of course do not forget to join the local ESN community!

ESN KAPA Athens is a non-profit student organization for the Erasmus exchange students of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. ESN KAPA Athens is member of ESN Greece and ESN International. Its aim is to help international students adapt to their student life in Athens, while providing opportunities for cultural understanding, entertainment and socialization. Additionally, we provide the prospective outgoing students with useful information concerning their mobility period.

Important info!!!

Average rent- 270euros. Monthly transportation subscription; 30euros. Monthly food cost; 180euros. Average lunch price at a restaurant; 12euros. Average Fitness subscription; 25euros. Beer Price at a bar; 3-4 euros.