The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens welcomed the new intake of Erasmus+, CIVIS, and international mobility incoming students during an event hosted at the Great Hall of the NKUA’s main building on Monday, 19 February 2024. The event sought to help students from abroad adjust to the University community, as well as to Greek culture and society.
In her opening remarks, the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, International Relations, and Extroversion, Professor Sophia Papaioannou, greeted the newcomers and gave them an overview of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Next came a speech by Professor at the NKUA’s Department of Theatre Studies, Anna Karakatsouli, on the elective course ‘Contemporary Greece: History, Arts, and Letters’. To familiarize them with Greek culture, the Department of Theatre Studies offers this English-taught course to all incoming students, regardless of their host Department or field of study. Then, Ms Anastasia Mangana from the Modern Greek Language Teaching Centre gave a brief presentation of the Centre, Ms Katina-Evangelia Kyriakou from the Directorate of Student Welfare/Sports Activities Office spoke about issues related to student welfare and the University Gym and Sports Centre, and Ms Giovana Theodosopoulou, a student at the NKUA’s School of Law and member of the Photography Section of the Students’ Cultural Club of NKUA (POFPA), presented the opportunities for creative expression offered by POFPA to the students. Finally, Ms Lamprini Papagianni, a student at the NKUA’s Department of History and Archaeology and Vice-President of Erasmus Student Network (ESN) KAPA Athens, discussed the Network and the chances it provides to international students for cultural awareness, entertainment, and socialization.
The Department of European and International Relations of the NKUA’s Directorate of Public Relations and History was in charge of planning the event. Participating on behalf of the Department were the Head, Ms Fotini Fryda, the Erasmus+ incoming students coordinator, Mr Spyridon-Antonios Kloudas, and the CIVIS incoming students coordinator, Ms Georgia Exintaveloni.
