INCOMING ERASMUS STUDENTS 2017-2018 FALL SEMESTER MOBILITY SUPPORT OFFICE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS SERVICE WELCOME MEETING ST FRIDAY 1 SEPTEMBER 2017 MOBILITY SUPPORT OFFICE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS SERVICE 2 143 INCOMING STUDENTS THIS SEMESTER!!!!! ARMENIA, AUSTRIA, BELGIUM, CZECH REPUBLIC, FINLAND, FRANCE, GERMANY, GREECE, HUNGARY, IRELAND, ISRAEL, ITALY, JORDAN, LATVIA, LITHUANIA, POLAND, PORTUGAL, RUSSIA, SLOVENIA, SPAIN, UNITED KINGDOM 3 MOBILITY SUPPORT OFFICE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS SERVICE WHO ARE WE? EMMA ZENIOU, UNIVERSITY OFFICER IN CHARGE MARIA HADJIMATHEOU, CHARIKLIA CHARALAMBOUS, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, OUTGOING STUDENTS INCOMING STUDENTS GEORGE THEOFILOU, ERASMUS STUDENT PLACEMENTS 4 CYPRUS – THE MAP E 5 CYPRUS – KEY FIGURES TheE third largest island in the Mediterranean sea after Sicily and Sardinia A country with long history, first inhabitants in 10000 BC, the Paleolithic period Independent country since 1960 Capital city is Nicosia, Lefkosia in Greek Population just over 1m (848,300 in 2015) Half of the island occupied by Turkey since 1974 after Turkey invaded the country Member of the European Union since 2004 Member of the Eurozone since 2008, currency EURO The most southeastern country of Europe Native language is Greek, local dialect Cypriot 6 CYPRUS THE CYPRUS PROBLEM Cyprus is an independent country since 1960. There were two communities on the island, the Greek Cypriots (majority) and the Turkish Cypriots (minority) who lived for many years on the island In 1963 there was a conflict between the two communities led by fanatic nationalist groups On the 15th of July of 1974, a coup led by some Greek Cypriots with the help of the Dictatorial Government of Greece at the time overthrew the legal president of Cyprus, Makarios Five days later on the 20th of July of 1974 Turkish troops invaded the island As a result Turkey took over the 38% of the island. This part is still occupied. 7 CYPRUS 200 thousand Greek Cypriots had to leave by force their homes and come to the southern areas as refugees, thousands of people were killed and a number of people also still missing. THE In CYPRUS 1985 the PROBLEM occupied areas were declared as independent forming the so called “Northern Republic of Cyprus” which is recognized by Turkey but not recognized by the United Nations, or any other country in the world Only since 2004 Greek Cypriots are allowed to “visit” their home-land, under conditions, e.g. showing a passport. Other country nationals can also visit the occupied area by showing a valid passport In case you decide to visit the occupied area do not accept to have a stamp on your passport, ask the guards at the crossing point to stamp you a blank piece of paper. The other part is not recognized as a different country. Make sure you cross the border through legal points. Unfortunately a solution to the problem has not yet been achieved although talks are being held over the years 8 SOME USEFUL WORDS IN GREEK – ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ (ELLINIKA) ΓΕΙΑ ΣΟΥ YIA SOU - HELLO ΤΙ ΚΑΝΕΙΣ; TI KANIS? - HOW ARE YOU? EIMAI ΚΑΛΑ IME KALA - I AM OK ΕΥΧΑΡΙΣΤΩ EFXARISTO - THANK YOU ΠΑΡΑΚΑΛΩ PARAKALO - YOU ARE WELCOME ΚΑΛΗΜΕΡΑ KALIMERA - GOOD MORNING ΚΑΛΗΝΥΧΤΑ KALINIXTA - GOOD NIGHT 9 SOME TYPICAL CYPRIOT FOOD & DRINK YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY TRY CYPRIOT MEZE –means “little delicacies”, could consist of as many as 30 small plates of savory dips and vegetables and a wide range of fish and meat dishes cooked in several different ways ZIVANIA: The Cypriot aperitif Zivania, with its strong aniseed flavor, is refreshing in warm weather. COMMANDARIA: Commandaria, a sweet, fortified, dessert wine is unique to Cyprus . It was originally produced by the Knights of St. John at Kolossi in the Middle Ages and is reminiscent of medieval wine. 10 SOME TYPICAL CYPRIOT FOOD YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY TRY Loukanika: Pork sausages soaked in red wine and smoked seasoned with coriander and red pepper. Koupepia: (Also known as Dolmades) Grape leaves stuffed with minced meat and rice seasoned with mint, onions and spices. Lountza: smoked pork soaked in red wine. Halloumi: White soft cheese (usually grilled when served as part of a Meze) made from either goat or sheep milk and sometimes spiced with peppermint. Souvlaki: Cypriot Kebabs. Served either as succulent lamb cutlets, pork fillets, grilled chicken or as a combination of any or all of these. Sheftalia: Grilled fresh sausage made of minced pork, chopped onions, bread crumbs, chopped parsley, white pepper and salt. Keftedes : Deep fried crispy & spicy meatballs cooked in olive oil. Afelia: Pork cubes marinated in wine and coriander. Moussaka: Popular dish made of layers of sliced aubergines, courgettes, potatoes and minced meat topped with creamy bechamel sauce, baked in the oven. Stiphado: Beef or rabbit stew casseroled with wine, vinegar, onions and spices. Ofto kleftiko: Chunks of lamb cooked in a sealed clay oven and seasoned with pepper and bay leaves. Tiganita kolokithakia: Fried zucchini, mixed with scrambled eggs and fresh parsley. Tiganites melintzanes: Fried eggplants dipped in flour, fried and served hot. Xoriatiki salata: Village salad, includes cabbage, lettuce, rucola, coriander, celery, spring onions, cucumbers, capers, olives, green peppers and feta cheese with a dressing made of olive oil lemon juice and salt. 11 SOME TYPICAL CYPRIOT FOOD YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY TRY 12 CYPRUS, NICOSIA – THE CAPITAL CITY LEFKOSIA Nicosia is the capital city of Cyprus! It is the last divided capital in Europe! Visit Ledras Street, Onasagorou Street in the old city within the walls Full of cafes and nice taverns/restaurants You may visit the Venetian Walls and the Famagusta Gate Events: Septemberfest (29/08-4/09) Nicosia Beer Fun Festival, Academy Park, Aglantzia , Nicosia Faneromeni Arts Festival: https://www.boccf.org/events/Events- 2017/Faneromeni-17-Arts-Festival/ 13 CYPRUS, NICOSIA – THE CAPITAL CITY LEFKOSIA Eleftheria square, is the main square in central Nicosia, Cyprus. It forms the intersection of Ledra and Onasagorou streets with Stasinou, Omirou, Kostaki Pantelidi, Konstandinou Palaiologou and Evagorou avenues. Masterplan created by Zaha Hadid Architects 14 CYPRUS, LARNACA, THE AIRPORT CITY Famous for the Phinikoudes avenue near the sea Visit Mackenzie beach with lots of beach bars and restaurants Sightseeing in the area: Agios Lazaros Church Angeloktisti Church in Kiti The Fort of Larnaka Salt lake Hala Sultan Tekke 15 CYPRUS, LIMASSOL, THE CITY OF FUN LEMESOS Nice beaches, beautiful seafront to walk Lots of cafes, restaurants and beach bars Limassol Marina with cafes and restaurants Events: Wine Festival of Limassol Other Sightseeing: Colossi Castle Medieval Castle Kourion Theatre Ancient town of Amathus 16 CYPRUS, PAPHOS, THE ANCIENT CITY Has great archaeological background An airport city as well, Rynair flies from this airport Sightseeing Petra tou Romiou, .......the birthplace of Venus Akamas Peninsula Baths of Aphrodite Tombs of the Kings Pafos Medieval Castle EVENTS: Pafos 2017, European Capital of Culture together with Aarhus in Denmark 17 CYPRUS, AYIA NAPA , PROTARAS AND PARALIMNI, FAMAGUSTA AREA Famous for the nightlife and the sandy beaches mostly in the summer! Recommended to visit also in the area: Nissi Beach, Konnos beach – natural trail Ayia Napa Monastery Cape Greco Small villages in the area Liopetri river 18 PRACTICAL ISSUES FOR YOUR FIRST DAYS IN CYPRUS AND THE UNIVERSITY ACCOMMODATION Students seeking accommodation are advised to EITHER follow the link prepared by our Housing Office for a list of private houses/apartments /rooms for rent http://www.ucy.ac.cy/fmweb/en/announcements This list is issued weekly by the Housing Office, and is updated every Friday with new advertisements. OR contact us OR join our Facebook group OR after our meeting today please get in touch with each other to sort out accommodation in shared flats etc FACEBOOK GROUP Visit our Facebook group for the incoming students called UNIVERSITY OF CYPRUS OFFICIAL GROUP OF ERASMUS INCOMING 19 PRACTICAL ISSUES FOR YOUR FIRST DAYS IN CYPRUS AND THE UNIVERSITY Steps for Registration to the banner web PLEASE NOTE THAT AT THIS STAGE YOU HAVE NO ACCESS TO THE SYSTEM. IT WILL BE DONE MANUALLY FOR YOU Step1 - Fill in the Student Registration form (for undergraduate or postgraduate studies) You must have already completed your student registration forms and sent them to Chariklia by e-mail with copies of passports and 1st degrees in case of master students – YOU MUST HAVE ALL DONE THAT BY NOW 20 PRACTICAL ISSUES FOR YOUR FIRST DAYS IN CYPRUS AND THE UNIVERSITY Steps for Registration – PLEASE NOTE THAT AT THIS STAGE YOU HAVE NO ACCESS TO THE SYSTEM. IT WILL BE DONE MANUALLY FOR YOU Step 2 - Fill in the Course Registration form (for undergraduate or postgraduate studies) with the courses you have on your original SIGNED learning agreements and take them to your department for the signature of the Erasmus Coordinator. Submit the signed forms to us (Chariklia) starting from MONDAY 04/09/2017 to the latest BY WEDNESDAY 06/09/2017. After submitting the forms to us (Chariklia) we will complete manually your registration and your access to the banner web (our electronic registration system) 21 PRACTICAL ISSUES FOR YOUR FIRST DAYS IN CYPRUS AND THE UNIVERSITY Steps for Registration – PLEASE NOTE THAT AT THIS STAGE YOU HAVE NO ACCESS TO THE SYSTEM. IT WILL BE DONE MANUALLY FOR YOU Step 3 – In the case you need to make changes to your original selection of courses you will need to check the timetable of