"Greece chose me" or "How to move to an amazing country"?
Marina Smirnova is the coordinator of the cultural center KORNI RIZES, teacher of Russian as a foreign language, editor-in-chief of the Russian-language information and educational portal of Thessaloniki in Greece korni.today.
How long have you left Russia?
I left Russia in 2019. Although Greece I started visiting much earlier, in 2015. At the age of 33, I made my first passport, went on vacation, and this vacation was fateful.
Why did you choose Greece or did Greece choose you?
You could say Greece chose me. I went on vacation and met a young man, a Greek. We started chatting, then texting on Facebook, and then he invited me to move in.
3 years I lived between Russia and Greece, because the tourist visa did not allow to stay in the country for more than 3 months (marriage registration is not yet possible due to bureaucratic delays).
And then we found a way out – I entered the University of Macedonia in Thessaloniki and now I am in Greece as a student.
Tell us more about the advantages of entering a Greek university as a way to obtain a residence permit and emigrate to Europe.
• Studying at a Greek university is free: you do not pay for any courses or educational materials - all students are given a free set of textbooks.
• You can study regardless of age, that is, immediately after graduation or at a sufficiently mature age.
Citizens of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Cyprus enter on the basis of their school certificate, entrance exams are not required. Based on the average score of the certificate, you can choose the faculty you want to apply for (there is an opportunity to change it during the year).
• Greek education has high quotations for European countries, that is, studying at the University of Greece gives almost 100% confidence in employment not only in Greece, but also in all European countries.
• With a student residence permit, you can work 20 hours a week and travel around Europe without obtaining any visas.
How did you prepare for the trip? What were the difficulties and what was easy?
On the psychological side of the matter, I had no problem. I loved someone and decided to be with them.
Difficulties were in collecting documents for admission to the university, obtaining a visa and then issuing a residence permit. But these difficulties can hardly even be called “complexities”, because it is just a collection of documents that must be passed. I can say that there was no difficulty.
It was difficult to leave family and friends at home, but in the modern world, with the Internet in every kettle, it is psychologically easier to leave, because you can always get in touch with loved ones. After some time there was a wonderful girl who began to rent an apartment in my hometown, so there was another problem. Everything is resolved with time and gradually.
Your Life in Greece: What Do You Do and Where Do You Work?
Now I am a university student, but I do not have enough time to study because I got an official job: in the Russian-language cultural center “Roots” of Thessaloniki. Our center is engaged in the promotion of multiculturalism, holds exhibitions and events, helps newcomers and moving on all issues related to emigration.
How is your life in Greece? How is life different in two countries, Russia and Greece?
I live with my future husband and two dogs. We live in a rented apartment in one of the districts of Thessaloniki. There are many Russian-speaking people in this city, so you can easily find friends with whom you can communicate in your native language. I also have many friends from other countries, not just Greece. For example, from Serbia, Ukraine, Belarus, Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania, Albania. I love it because I learn something new from other cultures.
I would say that most people in Greece have a higher standard of living than most people in Russia. As long as there are more social guarantees, a person is more protected from poverty, hunger, difficult life situations.
And, of course, the presence of the sea and the sun affects the character of people and their mood. It’s getting more and more exciting, if I may say so.
What surprised and surprised you in Greece?
Friendship of people, their openness. On the other hand, there is bureaucracy.
Tell me about the Greeks. The main features of mentality, character, how do they differ from the Russians?
They're sunny people. They are in a good mood, despite all the difficulties and problems they have endured throughout the history of wars and the Turkish yoke. These are people who work hard, love to work, love their land, their homeland, are proud of their origin. They are friendly and open, but a little superficial. I have lived all my life in the Urals, the inhabitants of my homeland are serious for the most part, with deeply hidden emotions, but at the same time deep and sincere.
What amazes and surprises the Greeks in the Russian people?
"Cold-blooded." Yeah, that's what they say. But that’s not what we mean by that word. They are amazed at our "unemotionality", execution, measuredness, accuracy. But as soon as they get acquainted with Russian people, they fall in love with them with all their heart.
How often do you come to Russia? What do you miss about Russian in Greece?
I came about 2 times a year. It is now my second year that I cannot go home because of the pandemic, but I hope that by the summer the situation will improve and I will be able to visit my family and friends.
In Greece, I miss my company, I miss Russian rock, I miss like-minded people with whom you can dance a hustle, sing “Chyfe” or “Chizha” to the guitar, I miss my field of communication.
The interview was prepared by Pauline M.
Photo: from the personal archive of Marina Smirnova
P.S. On emigration and admission to Greek universities, you can contact Marina Smirnova, her contacts are in the editorial office of the travel portal "Personal Guide", mail: 6@personalguide.ru.
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