Living in Heraklion
Greek Language
Although Greek is the official language of the country, it is relatively easy for a foreigner to communicate since most natives speak English, and quite a few German and French, due to the fact that Greece and Crete in particular is a popular tourist destination. Greeks are well-known for their hospitality, therefore in general it is not too difficult to live in Greece.
The University of Crete offers, free of charge, Greek language courses to foreign students and researchers who study and/or work at the University and want to familiarize with the Greek language, Greece and its culture. Beginner and intermediate courses are offered. Each course lasts 13 weeks, specifically with two-hourly sessions per week (4 hours in total per week).
To get around in Heraklion, buses and most streets contain signs in English and you wouldn't be too confused to find your destination. Needless to say, most scholars are familiar with the Greek script, so with a bit of training can also read Greek inscriptions. Most restaurants have their menu in English so you can order easily your dish. For more difficult tasks, such as applying for a residence permit at the Foreigner’s Office, opening a bank account, and registering at the Tax Office or the Health Insurance Office, the University provides an employee to come along and help through the administrative procedures.
Telephone
To call Greece from another country, first dial the International Dialing Prefix (IDD) (typically “00” or + in most cases), then the country code which is “30”, and then the number. For instance, calling Heraklion city from abroad you dial: 0030 2810 394 262. When you are calling from Greece, just omit the IDD number and the country code: 2810 394262. For information on area dialing codes for Greece, look on http://countrycode.org/greece
Cell phone numbers start with 69.
If you are calling from inside the university to a place outside, you should first dial “9” and then the number. To call internal phone numbers you just dial the four last digits of the office phone number.
In order to obtain a fixed phone line in your apartment you should address yourself to one of the following phone companies: OTE (which is the former state monopoly), Forthnet (the formerly local company created at the University of Crete, although today it serves the whole country), CYTA, Tellas and Vodafone. All these companies also provide internet services. To obtain a cell phone you have two options: either obtaining a card phone (pre-paid time) or one with a monthly contract. Both options presume that you have a valid Greek address.
Other useful numbers are:
- Police: 100
- Fire Department: 199
- Ambulance: 166
Driving
In Greece, they drive on the right side of the road, while the drivers’ seat is on the left. Traffic lights cycle from Green to Red and back. It is important to wear your seat belt or your helmet when driving a motorcycle and to be sober. Police can stop your car at roadside and ask you to take a breath-analyzer test, which you cannot refuse. The minimum acceptable alcohol consumption limit is 0.50 gr. per blood litter. Depending on the alcohol that has been detected in your blood, the penalties vary from paying a fine to losing your drivers' license and being sent to jail.
To drive in Greece you need a valid International Driver’s Permit, the cover of which is written in all European languages. The permit is an official driving document that can be used in most countries and is issued by certified travel associations. Always accompany the International Driver’s Permit with your regular driver’s license. Tourists and short term visitors are allowed to drive in Greece with their International Driver’s Permit for up to three months after entering the country. Foreigners, who intend to stay longer, should convert their driving license into a Greek one if it was originally issued by an EU Member State. This can be done without taking a written or practical exam. The procedure includes:
- 1. An application been submitted to the Transport and Communications Department of the applicant’s place of residence. http://www.nah.gr/prefecture/transport-service/transportation-direction.html
- 2. The foreign driving license will be returned to the issuing country’s relevant authority by the competent Transport and Communications Department.
- 3. Paying a fee.
More information can be found at the Ministry of Infrastructure, Transport and Networks website.
If your license is issued from USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Africa and South Korea you still need to convert it into the corresponding Greek license. Documentations needed for this can be found at this website.
Licenses issued by countries other than the above are not valid in the Greek state. In that case you need to take a written and practical exam in order to obtain a Greek driving license.
Hospitals
There are two public hospitals in Heraklion and several other private clinics. The university (public) hospital near the University campus is called PAGNI (http://www.pagni.gr), while the other public hospital is found at the other side of the city and is called Venizelio (http://www.venizeleio.gr ). Before visiting one of the two, you need to check first which one is on duty that particular day. Check at http://www.heraklion.gr/en/city/on-duty-services/on-duty.html .
Normally, receptionists in hospitals speak English, but in case you need help with the translation, contact the ELKE Office1. Make sure that you take your health insurance book and passport whenever visiting them.
Schools
Education in Greece is compulsory for all children from 6-15 years old. It includes Primary (Dimotiko) and Lower Secondary (Gymnasio) Education. The school life of the students, however, can start from the age of 2.5 years (pre-school education) in institutions (private and public) called "Vrefonipiakoi Paidikoi Stathmi" (creches). In some Vrefonipiakoi Stathmoi there are also Nipiaka Tmimata (nursery classes) which operate along with the Nipiagogeia (kindergartens).
Attendance in Primary Education (Dimotiko) lasts six years, and children are admitted at the age of 7. Along with the regular kindergartens (Nipiagogeia) and the Dimotika, there are now all-day primary schools in operation, with an extended timetable and an enriched Curriculum.
Post-compulsory Secondary Education consists of two school types: Eniaia Lykeia (Unified Upper Secondary Schools) and the Technical Vocational Educational Schools (EPAL/TEE). The duration of studies in Eniaia Lykeia (EL) is three years and two years (a' level) or three years (b' level) in the Technical Vocational Educational Schools. Mutual student transfer from one type of school to the other is possible.
Along with the mainstream schools of Primary and Secondary Education, Special Nipagogeia (kindergartens), Dimotika, Gymnasia, Lykeia and upper secondary classes are in operation, which admit students with special educational needs. Musical, Ecclesiastical and Physical Education Gymnasia and Lykeia are also in operation.
Post-compulsory Secondary Education also includes the Vocational Training Institutes (IEK), which provide formal but unclassified level of education. These Institutes are not classified as an educational level, because they accept both Gymnasio (lower secondary school) and Lykeio upper secondary school)graduates according to the relevant specializations they provide. Their level is typically low.
Public higher education is divided into Universities and Technological Education Institutes (TEI). Students are admitted to these Institutes according to their performance at national level examinations taking place at the second and third grade of Lykeio. Additionally, students are admitted to the Hellenic Open University upon the completion of the 22 year of age by drawing lots.
All courses in primary and secondary education are taught in the Greek language. This is also the case for undergraduate studies except in special cases when there are Erasmus students present.
n Heraklion city there is also the School of European Education (S.E.E.), in which there are two language sections, Greek and English. At present, all years in the Greek and English Section of Primary Education, as well as the first two years of Secondary Education in the Greek Section operate.
Children who fall into one of the categories listed below are admitted into the language sections of the Nursery and Primary cycles of the S. E. E.:
- Children of the employees of the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA) or any other institution of the European Union.
- Children of the employees of International Organizations and Diplomatic services that are based in Heraklion, Crete.
- Children whose parents (at least one of them) are nationals of an EU member state except Greece.
For more information concerning S.E.E. you can visit its website at: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/sefcovic/administration/euschools/index_en.htm .