Macedonia

Republic of Macedonia is situated in Southeast Europe. It is bordered by five countries: Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, Albania and Kosovo.

The total area of the Republic of Macedonia is 25.333 km2, it covers 477km2 of water area, and 24.856 km2 of land area, and the total number of inhabitants is 2.022.547.

The capital of the Republic of Macedonia is Skopje, with 506,926 inhabitants according to the 2002 census. Macedonian national currency is denar.

Stip

   Stip is a city in the eastern part of the Republic of Macedonia, in the valley of the river Bregalnica. The city counts 47,796 inhabitants. It is one of the oldest cities in the Republic of Macedonia, and covers an area of 810 km2. It is located at an altitude of 300 meters. The City of Stip, can proudly be called “students’ city”. It offers rich and attractive life for students, well-suited to different tastes and cultural needs of the young people, who have become part of the students’ world at the Goce Delcev University in Stip.

Apart from the rich nightlife that takes place in a wide selection of coffee bars, discos, small concert events, walks in nature; we should mention the “obligatory” student parties as well, that are organized once or twice a week at different locations.

What is more, there are various cultural activities organized by the University Cultural Centre, which include: film and theater experiences, concerts of students and professors from the Faculty of Music, literature and art workshops and other similar cultural activities.

On annual level, Stip is well known for several established festivals, famous both in Macedonia and the region. In June, Stip lives in the spirit of the pop music festival  Makfest, that exists for 26 years, then the festival dedicated to jazz music called  Astibo Jazz Festival  held during the spring months, and DNB festival RUN which is held in several editions during the autumn and is genuinely refreshing, especially for the students of Goce Delcev University.

Furthermore, students and young fans of the hip-hop music can enjoy the unique hip-hop experience during the summer months called Stip Hop Festival.

Finally, all these events make the lives of the students more exciting year by year.

Monthly living expenses

The living expenses will vary according to individual needs, financial potencial and the ability to manage finances. The estimates below are therefore only a very general guide.

• Food and drinks

In case students eat on their own choice, they can visit a range of restaurants or fast food facilities, and a single meal can cost from 1 to 5 euros.

Accommodation

There are several accommodation options available for students – three dormitories, private housing possibilities, and when it comes to shorter stay, a hotel is an option. The hotel offer varies according to rank and price. The price per night in a hotel is between 25 and 100 euros. The dormitory prices (including meals) vary between 50 and 70 euros per month. The cost for renting a room in the private sector together with the overhead expenses is around 125 EUR per month.

• Private Housing

Most of the international students will have to organize accommodation on their own, i.e. look for private rental accommodation. Rents vary greatly according to location, room size, facility etc. Overhead expenses are sometimes included in the price, and most often are paid by the consumer. Payment is usually expected at the beginning of the month, and rarely some landlords request payment for several months in advance.

• Money Matters

Denar (MKD) is the currency in Republic of Macedonia. One EUR equals 61,0 MKD.

• Banks

Banks are generally open to the public between 8 am and 5 pm. You may change foreign currency in MKD at all banks. In money exchange offices, the exchange rate is somewhat more favourable and the service is generally faster. There are many such offices in the town and they are usually open between 8 am and 7 pm. On Saturdays the banks are open between 8 am and 12 noon.

• Useful phone numbers

• Drinking water

Water is drinkable and of a high quality in the public water supply system throughout the country.