If Greece is your preferred study destination, you have made a good decision. Now, your next step is to pass the study visa interview and move to Greece. The interview can be intimidating if you are not prepared. So, in this post, I’ll talk about Greece student visa interview questions and answers to help you succeed.
Don’t panic—the Greek student visa success rate is more than 95%, and up to 99% for some countries. So, the rejection rate is really low. Even with that, you still have to be really prepared. I’m going to walk you through common questions that will help you get ready for your interview. This post is going to be super interesting and full of good information because I’ll cover both the likely questions you’ll face and the answers to them. I’ve written down all the questions, especially the most frequently asked ones in interviews, and I’m ready to share them with you.
Greece Student Visa Interview Questions
You have to approach this interview naturally and be genuine. A lot of people pass the study visa interview as long as the application is genuine. So, if your responses sound scripted or rehearsed, the consular officer will conclude that your application has ulterior motives and will reject the application. So, just be honest and everything will go well. That said, let’s get into the common questions to expect.
1. What is your name?
So, the first question you are going to be asked is about your name. You can just say ‘My name is [Your Name],’ and the person interviewing you or the consular advisor will want just a simple, one-line response. There’s no need to go into a long explanation. Just answer straight to the point. You’ll also be asked other personal information which is just a way to introduce yourself.
2. What is the name of your college and why did you choose this college?
As part of the Greece student visa interview questions, next, your college name will be required. You should already know the name of your college at this point and be ready to discuss it in detail. You can talk about the university’s reputation if asked. If you have received confirmation from your college, such as a receipt, it shows you are officially enrolled and aware of the specific requirements and status of your educational institution.
Now, regarding the reason for choosing this college or university, you should be talking about the characteristics that you love about the school and Greece as a whole. You can say that this school is the only one you found in this region that offers your preferred course. It could also be because this school ranks highly in the world.
Greece is actually home to some of the best schools in the world. For example, Greek universities rank in the top 600 in the world, according to Times Higher Education. Some top Greek universities in the world are the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the University of Crete, the Harokopio University of Athens, the National Technical University of Athens, and the University of the Aegean.
3. What is your course of study?
You’ll be asked about the course of study you picked. When it comes to your studies, be well-informed about your preferred course. For instance, if you are applying for an MBA, you should be able to speak confidently about it. If your field is in the Natural Sciences, you can say, ‘I am completing my final degree in [name of course].’ The visa officer can also ask you other questions concerning the course that you have chosen to study in Greece.
4. Why did you choose this course?
Know the characteristics of your MBA or any other course you are pursuing, including the academic environment in Europe.
Whether you are pursuing Hotel Management, Computer Science, or Graphics Design, understand why you have selected this specific field. You can even say that you chose this field because you want to become a successful businessman like your parent, who owns a business to your course. If you want a career in a specific company, or if you are interested in IT or any other area, you should be able to explain why you have chosen your course. This decision should be informed and deliberate. You want the visa officer to know that you have an understanding of your goals and interests.
5. Do you have any relatives or friends in Greece?
If you do have friends or family members in any location in Greece, you can mention them and your relationship with them. Some people think that saying you have someone in Greece will make it seem like you have close connections there. Therefore, it will be suspected that your study visa could turn into a permanent stay. No, this is not correct. You have to be truthful to the visa officer.
6. What is the address of your university?
The next question you may be asked is about the address of your university. Make sure that you jot this down. Know your college’s location, including its postal address and website. The officer expects you to know this information even though it is already on the documents you submitted. You can find this information written on official documents or by searching your university on Google. It’s a piece of information you should be familiar with for this interview.
7. Can you describe your financial status?
As part of the Greek student visa interview questions, you will be asked about funding. When asked, “Tell me about your financial status,” you should be prepared to discuss who is sponsoring your education. If your parents are your sponsors, you will need to provide documents such as bank statements. In cases where there are specific circumstances, like needing to mention a pension status or attaching documents related to medical treatments, ensure you have all the necessary paperwork ready. You can always highlight a few key points about your financial situation to give a clear picture of your status.
You will be asked about your sponsor, to which you should respond that either your father, your mother, or both parents will sponsor you and cover all your expenses.
8. What are your future plans?
So, when addressing this, a good response would be, ‘I don’t have plans to stay permanently after my education.’ This is one of the important Greece student visa interview questions to prepare for because a lot of students usually get rejected due to bad answers. Whatever you say, it should not give the impression that your future plan is to stay back and look for opportunities in Greece. You’ll be illegally struggling for job opportunities with Greeks, which is not supported by a work visa. If your genuine interest is to work in Greece, what you need is a work visa.
Nonetheless, in Greece, a student is allowed to work up to 20 hours during the study period. During the vacation period, you can work up to 40 Hours in a week.
When asked a question to talk about your future plans, it’s an opportunity to share your aspirations. For instance, if you are planning to join your family business after completing your education. This is the time to mention it. Share your intentions to contribute to your family’s enterprise or any other career path you wish to pursue after your studies are relevant here.
9. What are your main reasons for coming to Greece for your studies?
You should be prepared to highlight some key aspects of Greece: its rich historical significance, its status as a beautiful tourist destination, the appealing European culture, and the relatively low college fees and living expenses compared to countries like Italy, Germany, and France.
Your main reason for studying abroad should be to improve your skills in Greece. It is not just about completing your studies; it should reflect a deeper purpose, whether it is to gain specific skills, knowledge, or experience that aligns with your career goals. If you are considering part-time work during your studies, it is understandable given the financial challenges. However, do not mention immigration intentions as your primary reason for studying in Greece. Your motivation should be centered on academic and professional development.
10. Will you return to your home country after your studies, or will you stay in Greece?
This is another significant question. After completing your studies, do you plan to return to your home country or seek employment in Greece? Your answer should show that you plan to return to your home country. You can also talk about your long-term goals and how your education in Greece will contribute to achieving them.
Conclusion
So, we have been able to look at the common Greece student visa interview questions and answers. Now, when answering questions during this study interview, keep your responses concise and to the point. If asked for your name or any specific detail, provide just that without adding unnecessary information. Also, the intention of your answers must never show that you plan to work in Greece. Remember that this is a study visa and not a work visa. Your interview should last between 10 to 20 minutes if you answer the questions appropriately.
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