POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR SUPPORTING FOREIGN STUDENTS IN GREECE: A CASE STUDY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF IOANNINA

Autori

  • Christos Zagkos Associate Professor of Sociology of Education, Department of Philosophy, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
  • Olga Tzafea PhD, Department of Philosophy, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
  • Christina Tziamtzi MA, Preschool Educator, Greece
  • Spyros Aravanis PhD, National Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v13i2.6517

Parole chiave:

international students, higher education, integration, inclusion, intercultural education

Abstract

This study examines how foreign students experience studying at Greek universities and how institutional policies support—or fail to support—their integration. Based on semi-structured interviews, the research explores students’ perceptions of language, cultural adaptation, and institutional practices. The findings reveal that although Greece has introduced policies promoting internationalization, their implementation remains weak. Support for foreign students is fragmented and mostly informal, depending on personal relationships rather than organized structures. Language barriers, bureaucracy, and financial difficulties are major obstacles to academic success and inclusion. The study concludes that Greek universities still operate within a monocultural framework that places the burden of adaptation on students themselves. To achieve genuine inclusion, institutions must provide systematic language support, mentoring, intercultural training, and accessible information services.

 

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Biografie autore

  • Christos Zagkos, Associate Professor of Sociology of Education, Department of Philosophy, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece

    Christos Zagkos (PhD) is currently an Associate Professor of Sociology of Education at the Philosophy Department of the University of Ioannina.

    ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3845-0915

  • Olga Tzafea, PhD, Department of Philosophy, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece

    Dr. Olga Tzafea holds a PhD and has completed a postdoc fellowship in the field of Sociology of Education. Her current research interests include social inequalities, intercultural education, and higher education policy.

    ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6756-7082

  • Christina Tziamtzi, MA, Preschool Educator, Greece

    Christina Tziamtzi is a preschool educator. She holds two MA degrees in Cultural Studies and in New Technologies in education.

    ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0946-0517

  • Spyros Aravanis, PhD, National Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece

    Spyros Aravanis holds a PhD and a Postdoctoral specialization in Intercultural Education from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. His research focuses on refugee and migrant integration in education and training, the theory of Cultural Capital, and bullying in multicultural school environments. He works as a Secondary School Teacher, connecting academic research with everyday educational practice.

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Pubblicato

2026-02-05

Fascicolo

V. 13 N. 2 (2026)

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