Exchange Report

The application process is primarily based on your GPA and an online interview. It is advisable to prepare thoroughly for the interview, especially for your top-choice university. Be ready to clearly communicate your motivation and explain why you are a strong fit for the program. For travelling, I would recommend going by plane, since the flight from Vienna takes less than two hours and is particularly convenient if you are travelling with a large amount of luggage. I would also recommend organizing transportation from the airport in advance (e.g., booking an Uber), as it can sometimes be difficult to arrange upon arrival. Alternatively, there is a Metro and Bus X95 going to Syntagma (city center), but public transport in Greece may be somewhat challenging to navigate at first, so planning ahead is advised.

I found my accommodation on Housing Anywhere, which was not ideal, since it had additional fees compared to when you book it directly on the landlord's site. Personally, I did not have any trouble with my landlord, but some had difficulties and you never really know, so it might be good to have the Housing Anywhere protection the first few days. Just make sure you tell them the correct dates of your arrival. My landlord was Errathens, who owns several student residences, and the room was Ionian 3. You can also book directly on their website. Usually, the landlord wants you to come in and pay cash at the beginning of each month, or pay the total sum at the beginning of your stay, but if you ask them kindly, you can also transfer the money. Overall, I was very satisfied with my accommodation. The room was spacious, relatively clean, and furnished in a modern style. The apartment housed six people and included two bathrooms, which proved to be sufficient. I particularly enjoyed the shared living experience and would recommend this option. I paid 420€ per month plus 10€ p.m. for the cleaning lady and additional fees for towels and linens. In terms of location, I lived in Kypseli, which I can highly recommend. It is a lively and well-connected area with good access to public transport. My apartment was approximately a 20-minute walk from the university, which was slightly further than some other options, but the overall quality of the living environment made it worthwhile. Other areas popular among students include Victoria and Exarchia, both of which are located close to the university. While proximity can be convenient, it is important to also consider safety and the general atmosphere of the neighborhood. Additional accommodation I could recommend are Archanon 101 (very spacious, though located in a kind of sketchy area), the other Ionian rooms and accommodations in Kypseli, which are generally well-located and lively. However, apartment quality can vary significantly, so it is advisable to check details carefully before booking.

The campus looks quite nice from the outside, but the interior is rather outdated and sometimes not very clean. There are also limited spaces to sit and spend time outside of classrooms. However, there is a newer and much nicer building within a five-minute walk. One major advantage is the cafeteria, which offers three free meals a day, including vegetarian and vegan options. This made campus life very convenient and affordable, and we spent a lot of time there. Also, the university contains a library, where we always went to study. The academic culture felt more laid-back compared to WU Vienna. While the professors were clearly experts in their fields, some had difficulties conveying the content in an engaging or structured way. Courses I can recommend: Conflict Management and Negotiations: no final exam, only assignments and a presentation Advertising and Communication Management: presentation and a fair final exam Financial Management: very friendly professor, final exam and optional paper Mixed experience, but would recommend: Retail Sales Promotions: no mandatory attendance and multiple-choice exam, but the final was unnecessarily complicated Modern Enterprise Systems: No exam, only SAP and online assignments, but very intransparent considering deadlines, grades, course overview, etc. Courses I would not recommend: Public Economics: intransparent, confusing structure, very difficult final exam Greek Language Course: did not take it, but it is known to be demanding and scheduled on Friday evenings (might still be valuable for your CV)

Everyday life in the host country was a great mix of routine and social activities. A typical day started with morning lectures, followed by lunch at the cafeteria, grabbing a coffee or snack, and then either going to the gym or strolling through the shops near campus. In the evenings, we often met again for dinner at the cafeteria and spent time together afterwards, either at someone’s apartment, bowling, or just hanging out. Everything around the university was within walking distance, so I rarely used public transport during the week. Also, I did not have a public transport ticket, so I tried to avoid it as much as I could, because you had to pay each time you used it. I mainly used it for trips to the city center, shopping malls, ESN events, sports like padel tennis, or when going to the port or airport. Late at night we mostly took Ubers, since it is quite affordable there and safer than walking home. Also, public transport, especially busses, are not 100% reliable, and there are also a lot of strikes happening on a regular. In terms of safety, I generally felt comfortable in most areas, especially when staying in groups and using common sense precautions. As in any large city, it is advisable to remain aware of your surroundings, particularly at night. Sports and leisure activities were easily accessible and affordable. The gym, for example, costs around €13 per month and was very popular among students, making it easy to go together with friends. It also offered classes such as Pilates and Yoga. Additionally, there was a park located directly behind the university, which was ideal for walking or running. During the winter season, it even hosted a Christmas market, adding to the overall atmosphere. Weekends I often spent traveling. From the Port of Piraeus, it is possible to reach many Greek islands, including Crete, Mykonos, and Santorini, as well as smaller nearby islands that are well worth exploring. In addition, Athens is well connected by air, making it easy and affordable to travel to destinations such as Istanbul or Cyprus and other surrounding countries.

My exchange was a good balance between everyday student life and exploring new places. I especially enjoyed traveling, spending time at the beach and visiting nearby islands, while simple routines like going to the gym or meeting friends at the cafeteria made it feel like a second home. The international environment and the connections with other Erasmus students made the experience memorable. Overall, it was this unique combination of routine, travel, and community that made my exchange truly special.