Where will they stay? students if they come to Hellas; Are scholarships awarded? How tedious and time-consuming is the visa process? How will they get medical care if they need it? These are the most common questions his people get Study in Greecewhen they go abroad – to international exhibitions, to embassies, universities – to promote their studies at Greek universities.

“For the huge internationalization efforts Greek Universities in a highly competitive global educational environment, in addition to the high quality and thematic diversity of university programs, some very important issues need to be taken care of.” emphasizes “K” Mr. Christos Michalakelis, Professor at Harokopion University and President of Study in Greece. It is a civil non-profit company, created in accordance with law 4957/22 on the international promotion of universities, which includes representatives of all 24 public universities in Greece. Efforts have already begun, given that now is a good preparation period for 18-year-olds, as well as recent students, to choose any Studying abroad.

Among the first questions that foreigners ask Greeks about is the accommodation of students in our country and the provision scholarships. “Accommodation is an important issue for both students and their families, as students who come literally from the other side of the world, before choosing Greece, want to know where they will stay, the cost of living and the services provided. It is characteristic that at every educational exhibition in which we participate, we are asked to show them photographs not only of classrooms and university facilities, but also of the infrastructure of their housing and the services provided (gyms, libraries, etc.).” , says Mr. Michalakelis. The housing problem for foreigners is becoming even more acute, since there are no more places for Greeks in student dormitories.

The provision of scholarships is another important issue that we must take seriously for the success of internationalization, as it is a competitive advantage over the rest, European and non-European countries.

Important issues that need to be addressed in order to succeed in the internationalization of Greek universities.

For example, in neighboring Turkey, by implementing a scholarship policy, it was possible to increase the number of foreign students from 30,000 to 230,000 in a decade, from 2012 to 2022. The same happens with European destinations such as Italy or the Balkans. “The availability of scholarships is another important factor in choosing a Greek university for international students and another “popular” question that we receive every time we participate in promotions. Support for agencies such as National Scholarship Fundbut also institutions, organizations and other potential supporters in order to develop and coordinate a mechanism for financial support for students,” the representative of the university notes.

The process of integrating foreign students both into the academic environment and into everyday life is also important. In countries where internationalization is a priority, both universities and Study in Greece partners in almost every country organize welcome events, excursions, etc. for international students, as well as psychological support and integration services in society.

“It is enough to consider what kind of support an 18-year-old child who has traveled half the globe to get to Greece has, and how vulnerable he is in an unfamiliar, new environment,” says Mr. Michalakelis.

In addition to the above, it is necessary to recognize and resolve coordinated and horizontal issues regarding the internal organization of internationalization, such as the completion of the institutional structure, where necessary, such as the signing of memorandums of cooperation between Greek and foreign universities, or even Greece and other countries, as well as agreements on issuance of visas, VAT, AMKA, etc., as well as simplification of procedures for the convenience of students.

Finally, it is important to develop a roadmap that encompasses how extraversion programs and activities are planned and implemented. As Mr. Michalakelis points out, “Because Greece has only recently embarked on the path of internationalization, there are problems and difficulties that have not yet been recognized. The experience accumulated over the years shows that many universities face the same problems, but they are not brought to the attention of the relevant ministries. For this reason, the critical issue is the coordination of the parties involved to identify and address deficiencies and gaps in procedures.”