WASHINGTON, DC – The American Hellenic Institute Foundation (AHIF) is accepting applications for its leading travel abroad program the AHIF College Student Foreign Policy Study Trip to Greece and Cyprus aimed to help Greek and Cypriot-American college students better understand the core foreign policy issues important to the Greek American community. Barring any health concerns due to COVID-19, the trip is scheduled for June 22-July 9.

During the two-week trip, the students will have the opportunity to experience first-hand foreign policy issues affecting Greece and Cyprus, and the interests of the U.S. in the region. Prior to their departure, students will meet in Washington, DC where they will attend meetings and briefings with officials at Greek and Cypriot embassies, the State Department, Congress and think-tanks.

While in Greece and Cyprus the students will attend briefings with officials at the American embassies; various ministries, including Foreign Affairs; military; members of Parliament; religious leaders; think-tanks, and members of academia and the private sector. As an example of some of the meetings and activities you will be participating in, please see the attached itinerary from the 2019 trip.

AHI President Nick Larigakis will lead the group to Greece and Cyprus. “Since its inception AHIF has promoted a better understanding of Hellenic issues and strived to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and the United States and Cyprus,” he said. “Over the years we have held conferences on the future of Hellenism in America, and seminars pertaining to our issues and for the purpose of educating and informing U.S. policy makers. Through the College Student Foreign Policy Study Trip to Greece and Cyprus we are now able to offer a hands-on experience aimed giving college students a better understanding and connection of the issues that affect our community and better prepare them to be responsible leaders of the Greek American community.”

Academic Credit

Although the AHIF does not have the capacity to provide academic credit, students can enhance their degree by doing so independently through their universities. Past trip participants have met with their academic advisors to obtain course equivalency approvals for major, minor, general education or other degree requirements as well as scholarships or funding possibilities provided through the university. AHIF will be happy to assist you with this process.

Eligibility

The program is open to undergraduate students (rising sophomores) and to graduate students with a full-time enrollment status and a minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA. Students with a keen interest in U.S. Foreign Policy as it relates to Greece and Cyprus and the eastern Mediterranean will benefit from this program. Program size is limited, and participation is contingent upon acceptance by the program review committee. The program operates on a rolling admission basis beginning in January. application reviews are on a rolling basis and begin in January; applications received after April 16 will be reviewed on a space-available basis. All applicants must submit the following items together in one email/package by April 16.

Cost and Accommodations:

All participants need to make individual plans to arrive in Washington, DC by 3 PM on June 22.The students depart Washington, DC for Cyprus on June 25 and depart Cyprus for Greece on July 2. The program will conclude officially at midnight on July 9 and students can depart for the U.S. on July 9.

Hotel accommodations as well as most meals in Washington, DC, Greece, and Cyprus and transportation to and from the hotels, airport, excursions and meetings will be covered by the AHIF. Upon acceptance to the program, students will be responsible for purchasing their airline tickets. The approximate cost for all airline tickets, including: Washington, DC, to Cyprus, to Greece and return to the U.S. is $2,400. All airline tickets must be purchased through a travel agency secured by AHIF. Those who wish to extend their stay in Greece should note that the cost for an extended trip may be higher. To avoid additional fees, we recommend that you contact the travel agent as soon as possible with your return date to reserve your seats. Any changes after booking have the potential to incur airline change fees and any additional fare difference.

Application Process

Application reviews are on a rolling basis and begin in January; applications received after April 16 will be reviewed on a space-available basis. All applicants must submit the following items together in one email/package by April 16:

Completed application form;

A $600 payment. A check payable to AHIF or credit card payment is due at the time of application. It will be processed after you have been accepted into the program and you have notified us of your acceptance to secure your place on the program. No refund will be made if you withdraw from the program after May 14. The $600 deposit includes:

APPLICATION FEE: $100 application fee (nonrefundable).

DEPOSIT: $500 refundable deposit. The deposit will be refunded in September after the evaluation form and essay have been finalized.

Resume;

Official college transcript;

Two letters of recommendation;

A recent high-resolution color headshot; and

A photocopy of your health insurance card (front and back).

Submitting the application:

E-mail: In a single e-mail, attach ALL documents MSWord (.doc) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) files to Yola Pakhchanian [[email protected]] with the subject line AHIF STUDENT TRIP APPLICANT: [Your Name]. The letters or recommendation and transcripts can be emailed directly with the same subject line.

MAIL ALL papers that need your signature: Application & Extended Stay forms, and check to:

Yola Pakhchanian

AHIF Foreign Policy Study Trip

American Hellenic Institute Foundation

1220 16th Street, NW

Washington, DC 20036

For more information contact Yola Pakhchanian at [email protected]

To read about previous trips and the students’ experiences, visit the AHIF website https://www.ahiworld.org/students/policy-trip.