x

Letter to Editor

D. Behrakis to TNH: We Need More Greek Diaspora Students in Greece

To the Editor:

News from Greece Minister of Education, Niki Kerameus, may not make front page news stateside, but the potential impact will be felt imminently. Minister Kerameus announced the government’s plan to lure thousands of foreign students to study in Greece. By definition this involves collaboration with leading universities nationwide.

According to the Institute of International Education, presently, 5,200+ American college students study abroad in Greece. This number does not likely factor in the number of American students in high school, faith-based programs such as the Greek Orthodox Church’s Ionian Village Camp program, and college immersion programs such as the National Hellenic Society’s Heritage Greece Program which has sponsored 500+ students.

The fact is that 90% of the students involved in study abroad programs in Greece are not of Hellenic descent. This is further substantiated through my own observations in my capacity as a Trustee of Boston College and our own program that involves over 1,200 students abroad including those partaking in study abroad experiences in Greece.

I often hear that the annual trip to Greece with the family is the panacea that ensures Hellenic heritage’s survival. Imprinting the stamp of culture, identity and heritage is more than days spent on a beautiful Greek beach and dinners at the taverna. Our own studies of our Heritage Greece Program demonstrate that study abroad shared experiences, especially with students from Greece is a game and life changer.
We are at a critical juncture and crossroads and need to mirror Minister Kerameus’ bold program with a rallying cry to encourage Greek American youth to take advantage of the opportunity to get involved with educational and cultural immersive programs in Greece.

The Greek government should be applauded for realizing the importance of the Greeks in the diaspora and should provide additional funding to promote such efforts. The return on the investment is exponential. Augmenting these efforts with online resources is yet another means to a common end: sustaining Hellenic heritage in the Diaspora for the long term. This needs to be a national priority for us as a community.

Next topic: The Greek language!

Drake G Behrakis
Chair
National Hellenic Society

RELATED

To the Editor:   I have subscribed to The National Herald for many years.

Top Stories

Columnists

A pregnant woman was driving in the HOV lane near Dallas.

General News

FALMOUTH, MA – The police in Falmouth have identified the victim in an accident involving a car plunging into the ocean on February 20, NBC10 Boston reported.

Video

Mitsotakis’ Greeting at Event on Seferis Office and Roderick Beaton Reading Room in London

LONDON - "I am excited to visit this place and I can't wait for it to be officially opened," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Tuesday in his greeting at an event held by the Embassy of Greece in London to mark the creation of the "Seferis Office" and the "Roderick Beaton Reading Room".

ATHENS - You wouldn’t imagine it from the busy streets of Athens and Greek cities buzzing with activity, people out dining, having coffee and socializing but large numbers of elderly in the country spend their days alone in remote areas.

ATLANTA — Rosalynn Carter will be memorialized Tuesday with classical music and beloved hymns, some of her favorite Biblical passages, and a rare gathering of all living U.

ATHENS - Outstripping even Germany - the European Union’s biggest economy - in an accelerating recovery, Greece will use growing revenues to make an early repayment of 5.

NICOSIA - Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides met with Pope Francis  at the Vatican where they talked about issues concerning migrants, many coming to the island, and also Israel’s war with Hamas terrorists.

Enter your email address to subscribe

Provide your email address to subscribe. For e.g. [email protected]

You may unsubscribe at any time using the link in our newsletter.