John Bonnici, a 21-year-old exchange student living in Athens, has taken advantage of the violent riots in Athens to stay indoors and study for his upcoming exams.

But he still follows the unfolding mayhem and over the last four days he saw a girl escape death after a home-made petrol bomb landed at her feet but did not explode.

The apartment of some of his fellow students caught fire and the McDonalds outlet opposite his building was torn apart just a couple of hours after he had been there to grab a quick burger.

The protests started in Athens on Saturday evening following the death of a 15-year-old boy who was allegedly shot by the police. Contrary to eyewitness reports, the police said the bullet had ricocheted after a warning shot was fired. Two police officers have since been charged.

Speaking to The Times about his five-month exchange, which has suddenly taken a scary twist, Mr Bonnici said that there is a sense of frustration in the country and the anarchists are using this as an excuse to wreak havoc.

He lives on the fifth floor of an apartment block in the main road of Athens, known as Patission Street. From his balcony he has witnessed protesters looting shops and throwing bottles and stones at the police. He also saw hundreds of plastic garbage skips burnt in the middle of the roads and banks and clothes shops destroyed.

"It's not exactly like a war zone but it's definitely something I only ever expected to see on television."

Mr Bonnici said things were calmer yesterday compared to the previous four days.

"The protesters are normal people, mostly students, but even adults coming from different backgrounds. Some of them go to the same University as I do. But most of the Greek friends I have made are angry at them and say they're trying to destroy the country," Mr Bonnici said.

When the rioting broke out on Saturday evening, he was in his apartment and dismissed the bangs he had heard thinking they were the result of a small brawl. The next day he woke up to see his whole road had been ravaged.

The University he attends has been closed since Monday but is expected to reopen today if the situation calmed down. He explained that since 1973, it has been illegal for the police to enter the University, so student protesters are using it as a safe base.

Being so close to his apartment, the commotion keeps him up at night but since he tends to sleep late this has not affected him much.

"The violence tends to escalate between 6 p.m. and 1 a.m., so it is relatively safe during the day. But it's still dangerous if you get caught in the crossfire."

Mr Bonnici is keeping in touch with his family and friends and is using the internet to share the photos and videos he has taken of the scenes that unravelled before him.

"My mother is phoning me frequently. Everyone's telling me not to go out unless I need to." But, with a streetwise tone in his voice, he assures everyone he is safe.

"I was out nearly every day since it started, watching what was going on. But at night, when I see the situation worsening, I just go back home and use it as an excuse to study."

The rioters attacked Parliament, the US Embassy and several American franchises such as McDonalds and Starbucks but, thankfully, they are not attacking other civilians and in Mr Bonnici's words "they are just trying to make a point".

Mr Bonnici's trip began in September and will end at the beginning of February. He is considering extending his stay because the experience has been unforgettable. When asked whether the recent events will have any impact on his decision he quickly said: "Not at all".