Student Report
Name of the University: Athens University of Economic and Business
Exchange semester: Spring, 2014
I. PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Before leaving Norway
We did not receive any particular information from AUEB in advance, except for one e-mail
with some information regarding courses. Most of the paperwork and forms can be filled out
and fixed once you have settled in. However, AUEB´s website provides useful information
regarding courses and other aspects of the school. We did not encounter any problems, any
questions you may have can be addressed to the international office and they will help you.
Applying for a visa
Officially, you need a visa if you stay in Greece for more than three months. However, in
practice this is not enforced, so we did not apply for a visa, and did not encounter any
problems in regard to this either.
Travel
We travelled by airplane to Athens, and booked our ticket home a month in advance. You can
find relatively cheap tickets (900 kr), especially when you fly off-season. When you travel
within Greece the cheapest and most convenient mean of transportation is ferries. The metro
system in Athens is very good, and was upgraded for the Olympics in 2004. This is the
cheapest, and probably the fastest way to get around in the city.
Housing
Housing can be arranged by an organization called “stay in Athens”, in which case they place
you in an apartment with up to 5 other people. The standard varies, but is in general very low.
However it is an easy, cheap and very social way of living. We chose to rent an apartment
through our own findings and was very satisfied with this option throughout our stay. It takes
a bit more research, and is more pricy, but the standard is on an entirely different level. How
people prefer to live is individual, but there are at least different alternatives to choose from.
Costs
Rent
Books
Food
Transport
Other
NOK 3500
NOK NOK 1500
NOK 250
NOK
The school offers a “three meals a day” for the entire semester at the school cafeteria for only
20 euroes. Most of the exchange students who lived in the area aroundt the school ate at this
cafeteria. The quality of the food was okey, typical cafeteria food. However we chose not to
use this offer as we lived in a different area. In addition, food is very cheap compared to the
price level in Norway, therefore we frequently cooked at home or ate out. Take-away food is
extremely cheap and can be found on every corner of every street. While shopping you can
enjoy a gyros or a souvlaki, both typical greek recipies, for only 2 euroes.
Culture and language
The residents of Greece do not speak English very well, as you will notice when going
shopping, buying groceries or using taxies. However the teachers and exchange office at the
school spoke English and we did not encounter any difficulties in that area. The other
exchange students were in general on the same level as us in regard to language skills and we
did not have any difficulities understanding each other.
Greece is known for its rich culture and many islands, and is therefore a perfect destination
for further travelling. ESN organiased several trips throughout the semester, to Thessaloniki
(a major city inbound), and to the well known islands of Crete and Mykanos. Other
organizations organizised trips as well, such as Athensmus. However this is not a not nonprofit organization as ESN is, and AUEB discouraged students from attending these trips.
There is also the possibility of going to islands on own initiative during weekends or the
Eastern holiday which lasts for more than two weeks. The ferries leave form the port of Pireus
(20 min from city centre) to most of the islands, and is relatively cheap as you get 50 %
discount with your student ID card.
II. ABOUT THE SCHOOL
Athens University of business and economics is centrually situated, near the metro station of
Victoria, only 5 minutes from the city centre. The university consist of a huge and classical
building, with an “old-fashioned” look to it. The inside has not been properly maintained and
is in need of a renovation. However, nearly all of the Erasmus courses took place in a building
a couple of blocks next to the university, so we did not spend much time at the university. On
average we had two to three hours of class every day, and in contrast to BI we had homework
or small assignments throughout the semester, that was taken into account in the overall
evaluation of our grades.
Course registration
We first applied for courses at BI before we left. During the first two weeks of the semester in
Athens, exchange students had the opportunity to attend different courses and then change
their learning agreement if nessecary. Due to lack of informtain on some of the courses on
AUEB´s website, we had to change a few courses as they were above our level of competence
or too similar to past or future courses at BI. We had some trouble scheduling our timetable as
there were only a limited number of courses offered that both fit the timetable and was
approved by BI. Luckily it worked out, and we ended up with these courses: “Tourism
marketing”, “Economic Sociology”, “Greek language course”, “Green Supply Chain
Management” and “Ethics and Corporate Governance”.
Academic calendar
Arrival date:
First day of the semester:
Last day of classes:
Examination period:
Any special events/holidays:
Other:
10.02.14
17.02.14
30.05.14
01.06.14 – 27.06.14
Easter 12.04.14 – 27.04.14
Arrival
The introduction week was a well organised set of activities by ESN (Erasmus Student
Network). The activities took place the first week before the school started, so therefore when
buying plane tickets to Athens, go at least a week in advance of the semester start. Some of
the student were not aware of this and missed the entire introduction week. During the week
we got more familiar with the city, we visited several historical and cultural attractions and
most importantly it was a great opportunity to make friends with the new class mates. We
strongly advise exchange students to participate in as much as possible. ESN is a non-profit
organisation, therefore most of the activities were free, the few activities that did required a
pay was fairly cheap compared to what you received.
The International Office
There was an information meeting with represesentatives from the international office. During
this meeting we got information on courses, the school, and some advice about Athens. If we
had any questions, we could always go to their office and ask. They are extremely nice and
helpful, and will give you the information you need.
Promoting BI and Norway
We were not asked or encouraged to get involved in any specific activity promoting exchange
to Norway at AUEB.
Social activities
There is an organization called ESN that fix social activities for the exchange students. Each
student gets a buddy, a Greek student. You can ask him/her if you have any questions, they
will help you. You can also meet and have some social activities, for instance we went
shopping and made cupcakes with my buddy.
ESN organised social activities twice a month, roughly, giving plenty of opportunities for us
to bond and make friends. In these events there were only Erasmus people allowed enrance,
and greek students who were part of ESN.
III. ACADEMICS
In the classroom
Most courses relied solely on the use of powerpoints. You could be absent no more than three
times in each course, in order to be allowed to take your exam (although if you have an
explanation for your absence the teachers will most likely accept it)
The level and workload of the courses varied widely from course to course, but on average
clearly less demanding than at BI.
Course materials
We did not have to buy books for any of our courses, which saved us of some expenses.
Instead we had the opportunity to use the computer in the library to download required
reading material from a database at school. This was only neccerasy for two of our courses,
the rest of the required readings were based on the teachers powerpoints, which were
uploaded to the school´s website, a similar platform as “atbi”, or papers handed out by the
professors. The level of the course material varied between the courses, from “very
understandable” to “hard”. However you do get through the semester without spending too
much time at the library.
Exams
The form of evaluation also varied from course to course. In our courses, the grades were
evaluated on the basis of these factors:
 Economic sociology: Class participation (10 %), Oral presentation (10%), Term Paper
(30%) and final exam (40 %)
 Green Supply management: 4 group assignments (45 %), Term Paper (55%)
 Greek Language course: Final exam (100 %)
 Tourism Marketing: Group assignment (20%), final exam (80%)
 Ethics and Corporate Governance: 2 Group presentations (33 % each) and a final
exam (33 %)
Library and technology
The library at the school provides books for reading material, but since we did not require an
books we did not spend much time at the library. The library also has a set of computers
available to students. During the first week each student is given username and password for
the school´s Wi-Fi, which works perfectly, and is free. However if you want to use the printer,
do not forget to bring your own paper!
Description of courses
Course code & name
Master/
Bachelor
Bachelor
Exam form
Ethics and corporate
governance
Economic Sociology
Bachelor
Green Supply Chain
Manaement
Bachelor
1 hour multiple
choice exam
2 hour written
exam
No exam
Tourism Markeitng
Bachelor
Greek Language
course
Bachelor
2 hour written
exam
Prerequisites
Approved
as
Comments
Greek alphabet,
gramatics, very
relevant course if
you want to adapt
to their culture
Reading course: No
tutorial/lectures,
only self-study and
presentations
2 hour written
exam
The courses at AUEB do not have any specific code, only the name of the course. The grade
system is different from the system we use in Norway. You have grades from 1-10, and you
need at least 5 to pass the course.
Living in Athens is as different as it can get from the every day life in Norway, on both good
and bad terms. Once you get used to the fact that everything takes time in Greece, no one is in
a hurry or knows the concept of stressing, you will find that it is a city with a uniqe
atmosphere and friendly environment. Living and studying economics in a country that was
experiencing a financial crisis was both very visible and interesting to observe. In the
academical aspect, we also learned a lot of other cultures, as most class presentations relied
heavily on aspects within the students home countries. Due to an amazing student
organization that made it easier for exchange students across different schools to meet as well
as people from within the same school, they provided opportunitites to widen our social
network to include people from all over Europe, a clear benefit in todays globalised labour
market. To conclude we can state that our stay in Athens was far above both of our
expectations, and has been an incredible experience that has provided both social and personal
benefits that easily outweigh the few disadvantages of living in this city.