Community Living
All you need to know about living in Greece and other countries that are part of our programs.
About Greece
The birthplace of Western civilization, the small country of Greece has had a long and eventful history. At one time, a major center of science, philosophy, and art, it is today a country with political and economic challenges. During the 20th century, wars and frequent changes of government have contributed to the political instability of the country. In spite of these problems, modern Greece and its people have achieved much, particularly in the area of commerce.
Greece-General Information
Athens
Greece
History
The birthplace of Western civilization, the small country of Greece has had a long and eventful history. At one time, a major center of science, philosophy, and art, it is today a country with political and economic challenges. These problems exist in part because of the mountainous nature of its land, poor soil, and few natural resources and in part from the four centuries of foreign rule that resulted in little economic development. During the 20th century, wars and frequent changes of government have contributed to the political instability of the country. In spite of these problems, modern Greece and its people have achieved much, particularly in the area of commerce. Official Name: Hellenic Republic. Capital: Athens. Greece: From Graeci, the Latin name of a Boeotian tribe (Graioi) that settled in Italy in the 8th century BC. The name was later applied to the Hellenic people as a whole. State Arms: Adopted in 1975. Cross symbolizes Greek religious faith; the blue represents the sky and sea; the wreath is of laurel leaves. Anthem: 'Imnos eis tin Eleftherian' (Hymn to Freedom). Mountain Range: Pindus. Highest Peaks: Olympus, 9,570 feet (2,917 meters); Smolikas, 8,652 feet (2,637 meters); Voras, 8,281 feet (2,524 meters); Grammos, 8,268 feet (2,520 meters). Largest Lake: Trikhonis. Major Rivers: Aliakmon, Pinios, Sperkhios. Climate: Mediterranean on the coasts and the islands; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers. Rainfall heaviest during winter months. Continental conditions in the northern mountainous areas; more severe winters with heavy snow; hot summers.
People
Greece’s population is more than 10 million (estimated at 10,400,000 in 2024), of which more than 98 percent is Greek. The only minority groups of note are Turks, Macedonians, Albanians, Pomaks, Vlachs, and Armenians. The Pomaks are Slavic Muslims, while the Vlachs are nomadic mountain herders. All these groups are small in size and receive little recognition from the Greek government. Most of them speak Greek as well as their native language. Apart from the small group of Muslims, the majority of the population belong to the Greek Orthodox Church. There are very few Christians of other denominations or Jews. The Greek language comes directly from that of the ancient Greeks. In particular, the modern literary language has kept many features of ancient Greek, but the spoken language includes words and grammar borrowed from other languages. At present the spoken form of the language is recognized as the official form for government and education. The Greeks have a typical Mediterranean way of life. In both towns and villages the taverna, which generally has a terrace or seats on the sidewalk, is the focus of male activities. There the men meet to talk about various topics, of which politics is the most important and the most fervently discussed. Although women in cities go to tavernas, those in rural areas rarely do. In general, Greek society is dominated by men. Because of people leaving the country, especially after the two World Wars, there are large communities of Greeks living abroad. Many are in other eastern Mediterranean areas such as Cyprus, Egypt, Lebanon, and other Middle Eastern countries. Some have settled in Africa, especially South Africa. Others have established communities in the United States and Canada. Most of these groups center their activities around the Orthodox church and maintain their customs and language to a greater degree than many other immigrant groups. They still retain their love for their homeland, and in times of crisis many Greeks abroad have returned to fight in the Greek Army. About 70 percent of the population of Greece lives in cities. The largest city by far is the capital, Athens. With its suburbs the city has about 4 million inhabitants, or about 40 percent of the total population of Greece. Athens has grown at a rapid rate since 1950. Most of the present population are country people who migrated to the capital for work. Population (2024 estimate): 10,400,000; About 203.8 persons per square mile (78.7 persons per square kilometer); 70 percent urban, 30 percent rural. Origin: Chiefly Greek. Major Religion: Greek Orthodoxy, about 90%. Major Language: Greek. Literacy: 90 percent.
Culture
Modern Greek art has developed along European lines rather than following the classical model. It is as writers and poets, however, that the Greeks have excelled. In 1888 Ioannis Psycharis first used the spoken language in a novel. Greek popular music has roots in the past and has been influenced by Turkish music. The most popular folk instrument is the bouzouki. Bouzouki music has become internationally known through the composers Manos Hadjidakis and Mikis Theodorakis, who also has set modern Greek poetry to music. The singer Nana Mouskouri has achieved fame abroad by her renditions of Greek songs. The revival of ancient Greek drama after World War I resulted in its wide popularity and its presentation at international festivals by Greek companies. The most famous Greek stage and screen actresses are Irene Pappas and Melina Mercouri, who became minister of culture and sciences under the socialist regime.
Economy
Tourism is a very important source of foreign currency. Its good climate, beautiful scenery, and long coastline make Greece an ideal country for vacationers. More than 22 million tourists arrived in 2022, about three quarters from other European countries. New hotels and other facilities have been built recently, but the large number of tourists equaling about half the total population each year places a great strain on facilities and often results in overcrowding. The Greek islands including Rhodes, Crete, and Corfu are particularly popular, though the classical ruins of Athens, Corinth, and other places attract many to the mainland. Cruises among the islands are organized for tourists. In 1981 Greece was admitted as a member to the European Economic Community. Greek farm products thus have free access to the West European market, but they face considerable competition from similar products from Italy, Spain, Portugal, and France. Because of its agricultural and other economic problems, Greece receives much financial help from the community. Further Greek demands for special treatment have not been favorably received by the community, but it is unlikely that Greece will withdraw its membership. With a high level of inflation and serious trade problems, Greece faces an uncertain economic future. Chief Agricultural Products: Crops including barley, citrus fruits, corn, cotton, grapes, olives, sugar beets, tobacco, tomatoes, wheat. Livestock including goats, sheep, cattle, chickens, pigs. Chief Mined Products: Bauxite, asbestos, gypsum, magnesite, chromite, manganese, lead, zinc, copper, uranium, iron ore. Chief Manufactured Products: Cotton textiles, clothing and footwear, food and tobacco, chemicals. Monetary unit: Euro 1.00=100 cents.
Fun Facts
Greece Has Over 6,000 Islands. Crete Is the largest Greek island. The entire island is 3218.548 square miles (8836 square kilometers) and has a population of over 630,000 people. Santorini is an active volcano. The island of Santorini actually remains an active volcano to this day (though in a dormant state). Greece's capital, Athens, is also one of the oldest cities in the world. The Ancient Greeks gave us the first Olympics! The first ancient Olympics were held in 776 BC, and lasted until 393 AC and did not return until the first Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, in 1896. Greece is home to 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including world-famous sites like the Acropolis of Athens, the Temple of Apollo, Meteora, and the Old Town of Corfu. The country also has more archeological museums than any country in the world. No place in Greece is over 85 miles (157 km) from the sea, and has an impressive coastline of more than 9,942 miles (16,000 km). More than 30 million people visit the country every year, that is three times the population of the country! With 148 theatrical stages, Athens has the most theatres of any city in the world. No wonder, Athens is also the birthplace of the theatre.
Holidays
New Year’s Day – 1 January Epiphany – 6 January Clean Monday(First day of Lent) – movable Independence Day and The Annunciation– 25 March Good Friday– movable Orthodox Easter Sunday – movable Orthodox Easter Monday – movable Labor Day/May Day – 1 May Holy Spirit Monday – movable Dormition of the Holy Virgin – 15 August WWII Day / “OHI (no) Day”– 28 October Christmas Day– 25 December Saint Stephen’s– 26 December
Gateway Training Center Important Information
Passports & Visas
A valid passport is needed for any non-EU citizen traveling to Greece (as part of the Schengen area); the passport must have been issued within the last 10 years and be valid for at least 3 months after you have left Greece and the EU. EU citizens do not need to have a passport to travel to Greece, only a valid ID card. There are several non-EU countries that are exempt from visa requirements to enter the Schengen area for 90 days or less, including the USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. See the full list of countries and territories exempt from visas at the link below. While a visa is not required for these countries, the EU is planning to implement the ETIAS Travel Authorization sometime during 2025/26. This authorization will be mandatory for all visa-exempt nationals. More information is available from the official ETIAS webpage. For those who do not qualify to travel visa-exempt to Greece, a valid visa is required. You would need to apply for a short-term Schengen visa at a Greek embassy or consulate. Please find the information for the application on the Schengen visa webpage. If you plan to partake in one of our programs, we recommend you make several printed copies of your passport and visa (if applicable) before you travel to Greece. Store the digital copies in a secure place and put the physical copies in both your check-in and hand luggage in case you lose your travel documents. Also, leave a copy with a relative or friend at home in case of an emergency. Please see the links below for more information.
Food
Greek food, as a Mediterranean cuisine, is renowned for being healthy, tasty and fresh. Greek chefs take great satisfaction in using only the finest ingredients, and many different herbs, including oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme, and sage, are indigenous to Greece. In ancient Greece, the cuisine was built around the ‘Mediterranean triad’; wheat, wine, and olive oil. Meat was not consumed as much as seafood. Greeks consume a lot of fruit, vegetables, and seafood, which helps them get their recommended daily intake of vitamins. Appetizers and meals today emphasize vegetables, just like in Ancient Greece. Traditionally, meat (such as beef, pork, or chicken) is considered a side dish to the main course. Even while modern Greek cuisine includes more dishes with meat, the primary sources of protein are beans and other legumes, shellfish, and, of course, lamb. For those who have allergies and dietary restrictions, please note that although there are alternatives available (i.e. gluten-free products), it is easier to cook for persons with allergies and dietary restrictions than to order food at restaurants. Organic supermarkets and even some local supermarkets have alternatives available, and fresh fruit, vegetables and meats are easy to acquire. It is important that you communicate your dietary needs to the Gateway Training Center as soon as possible in order to make sure that we can assist you in your diet. It is also important that you know what foods you can eat and what not. Most meals will be eaten at your accommodation and at the Training Center, but some meals you will have to buy at a restaurant or snack bar. We will try to work with you in navigating this process.
Climate
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Health & Insurance
There are not any required shots for visiting Greece. It is recommended that you are up-to-date on routine vaccines. These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot. For more details, please click on the following link for for the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If your health insurance does not cover these, check your local health department for inexpensive vaccinations. Please check with your health insurance to make sure they will cover you overseas should you need medical attention. If not, there are travel health/travel insurance companies online that offer insurance. Make sure that the travel insurance includes health insurance, and not just travel insurance because of flight delays/evacuations, etc. You will need to bring a copy of this with you and provide a digital copy to us. It is mandatory to have medical/health insurance for your entire stay during your program. If you have a medical condition requiring that you take prescription medications, please note bring your medication together with your prescription in your carry-on luggage. If you intend to travel with over-the-counter medication and supplements, please make sure that it is not restricted in Greece. The link to Restricted Medication in Greece gives some information, but the best would be to get the most up to date from the Greek embassy/consulate nearest to you. The best option may be to get these over-the-counter medications in Greece, rather than bringing it with you. Also, follow the travel advice from your country’s government website. For those who wear prescription glasses or contact lenses, please make sure that you bring a copy of your prescription with you, otherwise you may have to pay for an appointment with an optometrist.
Money
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Communications
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Accommodation
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Transportation
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