Five Challenges that Expat Students May Face While Studying in Greece and Ways to Cope

Studying abroad can be an exciting and enriching experience, but it can also come with a host of challenges, particularly for expat students. Living in a new country, away from family and friends, can be stressful and overwhelming, and adjusting to a new culture, academic system, and language can be difficult. In this article, we'll explore some of the challenges that expat students might face and strategies they can use to help themselves overcome these challenges and thrive in their new environment.

1) The Language barrier

One of the most significant challenges that foreign students in Greece face is the language barrier. While many Greeks speak English, the official language is Greek, which can make it difficult for students to communicate and feel included.

Strategy: Learn the local language

To overcome the language barrier, students can take Greek language classes, practice with locals, and engage in activities that promote language learning, such as watching Greek TV shows or movies with subtitles or listening to Greek music. There are plenty of language learning apps such as Duolingo which makes learning much more fun than traditional ways of learning words by heart. Another app that might help is HelloTalk, a free app that connects people who want to exchange their native languages: https://www.hellotalk.com/?lang=en.

There are also groups on Facebook with plenty of Greeks who would love to do language exchange activities such as The Language Exchange Club in Athens: https://www.facebook.com/groups/languageexchangeclubathens/ .

You can find plenty of free Greek movies on YouTube to watch, but also on the free streaming service called Ertflix: https://www.ertflix.gr/en/ .

2) Culture shock

One of the most common challenges that expat students face is culture shock. Culture shock refers to the disorientation and discomfort that people experience when they are exposed to a new culture, particularly one that is significantly different from their own. Symptoms of culture shock can include homesickness, anxiety, depression, and difficulty adjusting to social norms and expectations. You may find yourself suddenly missing your country's music, food, entertainment, and even going to the super market to buy some groceries might seem like an uncomfortable experience.

Strategy: Research, prepare, try out!

One way to help expat students overcome culture shock is to encourage doing their own research and prepare for their new environment. This might include learning about the language, customs, and social norms of your host country, as well as familiarizing yourself with the academic system and expectations of your program. By doing your homework before you leave, you can reduce your anxiety and feel more prepared for the challenges you may face.

To adapt to Greek culture, you can try to immerse yourself in the local community by attending cultural events, joining clubs or organizations, and making an effort to try new foods and activities. Be open to try new tastes, listen to strange new music, and do some things a bit differently than your home country. Imagine all the exciting stories you can tell when you go back home!

3) Homesickness

Homesickness is another common challenge that expat students face. Being away from family and friends for an extended period can be lonely and isolating, and it can be difficult to adjust to a new social environment. This can be particularly challenging during holidays or special occasions.

Strategy: Connect with others

Building connections with other students, locals, and expats can help alleviate feelings of homesickness and isolation. You can join clubs, groups, or volunteer in the community to meet new people and build a support network. Additionally, prioritise staying in touch with friends and family back home through video calls or social media.

You can also create new traditions and celebrate holidays with local friends: sharing your own culture in Greece can help maintain your sense of identity and create more opportunities to connect with locals by also providing them with new experiences!

4) Academic stress

Academic stress is another challenge that many expat students face. Adjusting to a new academic system and coursework can be challenging, and you may feel pressure to perform well.

Strategy: Seek out academic support

Expat students can seek out academic support from professors, tutors, or academic advisors to help them succeed in their coursework. Additionally, they can take advantage of resources available on campus, such as writing centres, libraries, or study groups, to help them prepare for exams and assignments.

5) Financial strain

Living in a new country can be expensive, and expat students may face financial strain as they adjust to their new environment. This can include the cost of living, transportation, and academic expenses. Tuition, housing, and living expenses can quickly add up, and it can be challenging to find part-time work as a non-Greek speaker.

Strategy: Budget and plan

You can reduce your financial stress by creating a budget and sticking to it. This might include planning for expenses such as rent, food, transportation, and academic supplies, and looking for ways to save money, such as cooking meals at home or using public transportation. You can look for part-time work opportunities that do not require fluency in Greek, such as tutoring or freelance writing.

In conclusion, studying abroad can be a challenging but rewarding experience for expat students. By being aware of the challenges you may face and implementing strategies to overcome them, you can thrive in your new environment, build resilience, and gain a unique and enriching perspective on living abroad!