United States
In America, there are around 3,500 state and private colleges/universities. According to the Fulbright Foundation in Athens, 1,000 undergraduate and 1,600 postgraduate students from Greece study there every year. There is, clearly, greater interest in postgraduate studies. This is because young Greeks prefer undergraduate study in a European country, as the USA is further away and the cost of living as well as transportation fares are higher. Another important reason is that first-degree courses in American institutes are considered difficult. Greek students in the USA mostly study natural sciences and economics. College and university courses in the USA are four years in length and offer BAs at the end. These may lead to postgraduate programs that bestow MAs and PhDs. In the country there are also technological institutes and technical universities which offer the same academic qualifications. Medical and law schools offer only postgraduate courses and students need to have finished their first degree in preceding subjects that lead to law or medicine. Both state universities (which are subsidized by the state and are more economically feasible) and private colleges offer food and accommodation. The cost of living (accommodation, food and other expenses) ranges from $10,000 to $15,000 yearly. For more information on institutes and prospects for enrollment, those interested can apply to the Fulbright Foundation (6 Vas. Sofias, tel 210.724.1811, 210.724.1812) and look up the website www.fulbright.gr.
