Practical Information

Webster Athens is located in downtown Athens, next to the old, historic area known as Plaka, at the foothill of the Acropolis. The University apartments are located right next to the main building on Ipitou Street and on neighboring streets, only a minute walk away.

Students from all over the United States, with a variety of majors, have participated in the WINS-Odyssey in Athens program. A student does not need to be enrolled at Webster University to participate. Academic credits are transferred to each student via a transcript.

All courses at Webster Athens are taught in English, with the exception of the Elementary Greek language courses. Since the University is located in the Plaka area, which is touristy, the majority of people speak English. It is not necessary to know the Greek language to participate. It is highly recommended, however, to take the Greek language course. 

Athens is a very safe city. It is safer than most U.S. cities, and many people walk around at all hours of the day or night without any problems. There are some areas where students are instructed to avoid, and we focus on how to be “street smart” during the orientation and throughout the semester. Students are given information regarding demonstrations, rallies or strikes and are told what areas to avoid during a demonstration.

The sun shines the majority of time in Greece. The weather is not tropical though. In the winter it does get cold, and students will need a winter jacket, gloves, hat, boots, etc. The temperatures can get down to the upper 30s in the winter, and can get over 100 in the summer months. The weather in fall and spring is great - mild, around the 70s and pleasant.

The amount of money you will need will depend on what you want to do here. Most students say they spend about $150–$200 U.S. dollars a week on everything from groceries, supplies and personal travel, to entertainment, etc.

Most students do not bring large amounts of cash. They bring ATM cards and are able to take out money with no problem. We tell students to inform their banks ahead of time that they will be abroad for a few months and will be taking out money from a foreign location. The U.S. banks charge a fee for taking out money from another bank, so we inform students to make sure to ask about this.

Most credit cards are accepted in Greece, like Visa and Mastercard. American Express is not widely accepted.

Heath insurance works on a reimbursement method. If you get sick, we can call a doctor to come and see you. You pay for the services you receive, get a receipt and submit it to your insurance carrier to get reimbursed.

After all your obligations are met, you are free to explore Greece or other countries. Travel around Europe is easy and reasonably affordable. Many students travel to other destinations while studying abroad with Odyssey in Athens. Some of the other countries visited have been France, Spain, Portugal, England, Ireland, Denmark, Switzerland, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria and Belgium, to name a few.

Each apartment is equipped with a full kitchen and is supplied with utensils, pots and pans, refrigerator and stove. Students are able to cook on their own. During the orientation, students are shown where the closest grocery store is located. There are three grocery stores within a 5-minute walk from the University facilities and housing. Also, during the term, we arrange Greek cooking classes, in which the students get a chance to learn how to prepare some of their local favorites.

You can find many products in the grocery store here in Athens. Also, there are fresh fruit and vegetable stands close to the University and an open market about a 15-minute walk away. There is also a fresh meat market and fish market with cheaper prices about a 15- minute walk from the University.

It is very easy to maintain your vegetarian diet in Greece. Many dishes are prepared with just vegetables. Also, there is a health food grocery store a block away from the University where students with special dietary needs can find food items.

If you take medication for any reason, you must indicate so on your application. It is best to bring a supply of the medication you use for the entire time you will be here. There are many brands of medication, and you may not find the same one you use in the U.S.

Students receive lots of mail from home while they are abroad. In the Office of Students Affairs are mailbox slots for the students, and mail is distributed there. Students are also able to receive care packages with no problem, however, we tell students to avoid having items of significant value sent over, as they may get stuck with a high customs charge.

There are several hotels and hostels around the University facilities where parents and guests can stay when they come for a visit.

It is easy to get around Athens via public transportation, and it's relatively cheap. There are metro lines, buses, trolleys, trams and taxis that can take you to where you want to go around the city. During the orientation week, students will learn how to use the public transportation system.

The local beaches are not far at all. Students can take the bus or tram and get to the closest beach within a half hour. Students take full advantage of this.

For the fall and spring term/semester: students need to prepare for colder weather towards the end of their stay in the fall and in the beginning the spring. For the summer sessions, students need to be prepared for hot weather and bring the appropriate clothes for this climate. Students are given a pre-departure list when they receive their acceptance letter and in this they are given a guide of what clothing to bring. Comfortable walking shoes is a must as there is a lot of walking around the city and during excursions and field trips.