The AHEPAN - Fall 2016 - 13

monasteries of Meteora and the cities of Thessaloniki,
Edessa and Veria (the monument/shrine to Saint Paul
the Apostle at the place thought to be Veria's Vima,
on the western side of the city, where he preached
Christianity around 49-51 A.D.), and Naoussa (school
of Aristotle). They also visited the islands of Aegina,
Hydra and Poros and the Temple of Poseidon in Cape
Sounio.
In addition to the excursions and site visits
around Athens, the students also visited the Hellenic
Parliament building to learn about the political system in Greece and how it functions and operates.
They had the opportunity to witness the parliament in session and afterwards had a briefing at
the Webster Athens campus of what they observed.
They also visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
learned about Greece and United States relations, in
addition to current events.

Program Learnings

JTG Students Advance
Philanthropy in Greece
The AHEPA Journey to Greece program is about more than
earning college credit while studying in beautiful Greece. It's
also about giving back and learning the value of philanthropy.
The JTG students assisted with the packaging and distribution of food to needy families in Greece under the administration of the Hellenic Relief Foundation in Athens, Greece,
July 14. The students volunteered their time and services
while attending Webster University for the Journey to Greece
program. Tom Mazarakis and Dina Skias supervised the day's
operation.
Founded December 2011, the Hellenic Relief Foundation
provides food to more than 800 needy families each month
throughout various parts of Greece. Past Supreme Governor
Phil Vogis is a founding member of the foundation and serves
on its Board of Directors.

The First Secretary, Political Section of the United
States Embassy in Greece, spoke to the students
about U.S.-Greece relations and what services the
U.S. Embassy provides to American citizens who are
abroad. The students were interactive in all the visits
and asked several questions.
"I felt the program was excellent," said Harry
Theodore, a finance student from Boston College. "It
gave me a unique opportunity to learn more about
my ancestors. The museum visits and Greek culture
classes contributed greatly to my growth as an individual and I highly recommend this program."
Arianna Stasioulias, a marketing student at Drake
University, "This experience has been one of the best
in my life. I learned more about my own culture
and other aspects of Greece I did not know before.
Every student on this trip bonded so much, and I can
honestly say that all of us will be lifelong friends... I
am extremely grateful to have been given this opportunity."
The original AHEPA Journey to Greece program
began in 1968, and after a hiatus, re-launched in
2006. Tom Mazarakis, Webster University Athens
Campus, is the AHEPA Journey to Greece Coordinator
and Past Supreme Governor Philip Vogis served as an
Adult Advisor.

www.ahepa.org

Fall 2016 · THE AHEPAN

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