“The most significant achievement is that our consistent presence at NAFSA over the past five years has successfully positioned Greece as an international educational destination,” states Dr. Christos Michalakelis, president of Study in Greece, in an interview with protothema.gr regarding Greece’s upcoming participation in the NAFSA Annual Conference and Expo in San Diego, California, from May 27 to 30, 2025.
This year, the participation is once again organized by Study in Greece and supported by the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports, along with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A national delegation of ten public Greek universities will represent Greece, reaffirming the country’s commitment to the internationalization of its higher education system.
The universities included in Greece’s 2025 delegation are:
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
- Athens University of Economics and Business
- University of Crete
- University of Patras
- International Hellenic University
- Hellenic Mediterranean University
- University of Thessaly
- Technical University of Crete
- Hellenic Open University
- Harokopio University
The delegation will be located at booth #635 from May 27 to 30, coordinated by Study in Greece at the NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo, which is the largest international education exhibition in the world. Representatives aim to showcase the landscape of Greek higher education.
The NAFSA Annual Conference & Expo is a major global event in international education, attracting thousands of professionals, including university representatives from all over the world. Greek universities will have the chance to market their institutions, forge new partnerships, and strengthen their internationalization strategies.
Greece made its first appearance at NAFSA in 2021 through Study in Greece. Starting in 2024, this participation became more structured, featuring a coordinated presence of public universities and marking a significant new phase in Greece’s outward-facing strategy in higher education. Last year’s mission to New Orleans showcased Greece’s readiness and collective intent to gain visibility on the global academic stage.
“This year, Greece is participating again, this time with ten different universities. When we combine last year’s and this year’s participants, we have around twenty institutions—essentially, the majority of Greek higher education institutions,” Dr. Michalakelis explains to protothema.gr.
While there are existing collaborations between Greek and foreign universities, Study in Greece promotes a unified and coordinated approach to showcasing the country’s academic presence. “The formation of the organization and the representation of universities by SiG, the national body for the internationalization of Greek universities, is particularly significant. Greece’s sustained presence abroad is solidifying our country as an international education hub. The increasing number of participating universities further indicates that internationalization is becoming a core aspect of our academic culture,” he emphasizes.
Through its participation in NAFSA, the aim is to connect with leading institutions and develop international partnerships by presenting the offerings and services of Greek universities to educational organizations, universities overseas, and recruitment agents.
“The exchange of best practices in academic strategies is another valuable aspect of this interaction,” Dr. Michalakelis adds, underlining that “this effort strengthens the national drive to position Greece as a global education, research, and innovation center—drawing students, academics, and collaborations from around the world.”
Questions Often Asked by Foreigners About Greece
“In addition to academic programs, foreigners typically inquire about accommodations, safety, and scholarship opportunities. Many are surprised by the low tuition fees in Greece. Some express concerns about unrest in the country, to which we explain these are isolated incidents,” concludes the president of Study in Greece.
NAFSA Participants
Study in Greece (SiG) serves as the national body for the internationalization of higher education and the promotion of Greek universities overseas. Its mission is to establish Greece as a leading destination for international students.
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Founded in 1837, this prestigious institution ranks 89th globally and 16th in Europe. It offers 41 undergraduate programs, including 3 in English, and 245 graduate programs. The university boasts a community of over 77,000 students and includes various research centers and libraries.
Programs in English include:
- MA in English Studies: Literature & Culture
- MA in English Language, Linguistics, and Translation
- Latin American and Iberian Studies
- Identity, Education & Competences for Democratic Culture
Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB)
The leading institution for business and economics in Greece, AUEB offers:
- Customizable Study Abroad semesters in Athens for international students.
- International MBA and 8 English-language MSc programs in fields like Shipping, Finance, and Data Science.
- BSc in International Business & Technology.
Harokopio University of Athens
Focusing on health, technology, and environmental studies, Harokopio promotes sustainability through various undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Hellenic Mediterranean University
Located in Crete, the university offers an array of programs and participates in Erasmus+ with many international agreements.
Hellenic Open University
The only open and distance-learning university in Greece, HOU offers a variety of bachelor’s and master’s programs in multiple languages, with a large student enrollment.
International Hellenic University
Unique for its entirely English-taught postgraduate programs, this university is situated in Thessaloniki and extends to several campuses.
Technical University of Crete
Located in Chania, it specializes in engineering and offers several English-language MSc programs focusing on sustainability and technology.
University of Crete
This university features two campuses and is supported by various research facilities and offers a range of medical and cultural programs.
University of Patras
With multiple campuses, it is one of Greece’s largest universities and includes a well-regarded university hospital.
University of Thessaly
Offering a diverse array of academic programs across five cities, it is known for its comprehensive curriculum in various fields.
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