These are early impressions of a rather new program, so issues described here may be fixed in later semesters or years.
This is a review of the English language program in archaeology for international students. It is slightly different than advertised—not very intensive, with classes only once a week. Class sizes are extremely small (less than 40 per grade) but that does not mean that you get individual attention. It seems slightly better suited to students who want to improve their English skills (from a B1/B2 level or higher) than native English speakers, who may find it slow paced.
This is not at all similar to an Erasmus experience—no ESN card is received, and though both domestic and Erasmus students eat at the school canteen for free, students in this program do not (they get a 1 euro discount). It is very separated from the rest of the EKPA university and therefore difficult to make connections outside the program. Many of the bureaucratic processes to begin the program and properly live in Athens take longer than they should. They person they have in charge of student affairs is hardworking and sweet but constantly swamped, so getting anything done on time is extremely difficult.
There are some significant perks, like free Modern Greek language classes for one year, and the language center building is new, clean, modern, and quite beautiful. The interaction with the city is good (in the first semester we have already had two classes in nearby museums or sites), and the professors are all accommodating, understanding, extremely organized, and passionate experts in their subjects (which leads me to believe that the slowness of pace is entirely due to the structure of the program).
The program is suited to two kinds of people: extremely independent and self-motivated types who do most of their learning outside of school, and apathetic types who want to be able to skip class and easily pass. If you are a native English speaker looking for a program to truly push you to your academic best, look elsewhere.
(Ps the campus is Zografou, not Barcelona Spain, I don’t know why this site only gives that option)
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