Anyone living near Thessaloniki?

[wka]

Hi, I know this is a really old thread but I see there are some expats here who live in the Thessaloniki area! I'm American, no Greek connection, I work in Athens as a researcher but I live in a town very near to Thessaloniki. I have just moved to Greece at the end of June and after an extremely busy summer, things are starting to settle down. I live in Athens during the week and commute to Thessaloniki on the weekends and holidays; after May I will probably be in Thessaloniki more or less permanently.

I don't have a lot of questions really, just wanted to add myself to the "list", I love the area and slowly getting to know more about it, discover more places and things to do

[LGK616]

Hi Jane!

I think we know alot of mutual people since you moved here! I am in Kifisia and would like to meet up sometime! I have an 11 month old daughter and am always looking to see people!! Especially with kids!!

Lesley
xox

[Phlebas]

My wife and I are also thinking of moving to Thessaloniki in 2011 – currently in Germany.

Does anyone know anyone who works/studies at any of the Universities? My wife is a biochemist/plant scientist and it would be great if she could get work in "academia" so to speak. I'm self-employed myself, so that shouldn't be a problem.

Cheers,

Ed

[wka]

Hi Phlegas,
I'm very young to know much about the topic, but as I'm writing my PhD dissertation in Greece right now, I am sort of plugged into the universities and all of that. Is your wife looking for a proper university appointment, or to use research facilities in Thessaloniki? Does she speak Greek? There are a few institutions that might be of interest to her if she wants to do research here. If she doesn't speak Greek, she might look into the American Farm School which is in Thessaloniki and deals with plant science.

[Phlebas]

Kali mera wka!

Interesting question: my wife is really looking for work in pharmacology/pharmacognosy, i.e. a lab or research position. She has a PhD in the subject(s). I guess the American Farm School would be a good start – we are both learning Greek but won't of course be fluent by the time 2011 rolls around. We are fluent in Russian (my wife) and German (me) though.

One simple question, though: it seems to me that the unis (with the exception of the US school) generally employ only native Greeks – does your experience bear this out? On most departmental listings, the people all seem to be Greeks, judging by their names at least.

Thanks for any other info!

Ed

[wka]

How cool My father is a professor of pharmacology too, I wonder if they know each other Anyway, yes, they are usually Greeks, it can be very difficult (impossible?) as a foreigner to get a university appointment in Greece. I am facing this too, since I will be on the job market in the not too distant future, and for this reason I'm mostly focusing on schools like the American Farm School and similar.

The Greek government will recognize the PhD through an entity called ΔΟΑΤΑΠ (previously ΔΙΚΑΤΣΑ). they have a website, I can't post the link but just google it. I'm sure there are lots of people on the forum who have gone through this procedure. Since I haven't completed my terminal degree, I haven't done it yet.

I do think it is necessary to speak Greek fluently to be happy at a Greek university. I'm sure there are those who can get by otherwise, but I can't imagine it personally. It's good that you're already learning the language. Two years isn't a lot of time though!! I highly recommend formal instruction. I don't think it's possible to become "university-level" fluent any other way.

I would recommend spending an extended period of time here if you haven't yet, before you move here. If you have only been to Greece on holiday, for example, you know it's going to be totally different when you move here.

[Jacqueline]

Originally Posted by wka

Hi, I know this is a really old thread but I see there are some expats here who live in the Thessaloniki area! I'm American, no Greek connection, I work in Athens as a researcher but I live in a town very near to Thessaloniki. I have just moved to Greece at the end of June and after an extremely busy summer, things are starting to settle down. I live in Athens during the week and commute to Thessaloniki on the weekends and holidays; after May I will probably be in Thessaloniki more or less permanently.

I don't have a lot of questions really, just wanted to add myself to the "list", I love the area and slowly getting to know more about it, discover more places and things to do

Welcome to Thessaloniki.I am English and have lived here for years

[LGK616]

Originally Posted by Jacqueline

Welcome to Thessaloniki.I am English and have lived here for years

Jacqueline - where do you live in Thessaloniki? I was born in Scotland, raised in Canada and have lived in Thess for almost 7 years now. Don't believe our paths have crossed.

[Jacqueline]

Originally Posted by LGK616

Jacqueline - where do you live in Thessaloniki? I was born in Scotland, raised in Canada and have lived in Thess for almost 7 years now. Don't believe our paths have crossed.

Hi I live in Kalamaria-Kifisia.Where do u live ?

[Napalm]

Hi guys,

I moved to Panorama 3 weeks ago and am living with my Greek Girlfriend and her family. I would love to know if any ex-pats get together and meet up for a coffee or anything.

So far I'm finding life great here and am looking for a job at present.

Nathan