The National Heraldwww.thenationalherald.com

TH

E NATIONAL HERA

LD

The birthplace of democracy, theatre, Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, Greece is also a fantastic place to study abroad. The sun and seaattract visitors from all over the globe during the summer, but Greece is a lot more than just gorgeous beaches. It’s been a center oflearning for millennia. Follow in the footsteps of ancient medical students who flocked to Kos to learn from the father of medicine,Hippocrates. For those interested in politics, what better place to study abroad than the birthplace of democracy?

For drama students, why not study in the place where Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides wrote their ancient masterpieces and whereThespis the first principal actor in theatre history? For mathematics and science, too, think of Pythagoras with his Pythagorean Theorem,Democritus and his atomic theory of the universe, and Archimedes, the greatest mathematician of his time and one of the greatest of all timefor his remarkable achievements, including his method for determining the volume of irregular shapes through displacement of water. Forpractically every subject there is an ancient root in Greece. With such a rich history, going back thousands of years, Greece is the place to befor those studying archeology, classics, and of course the history, literature, and language of Greece. Byzantine enthusiasts can marvel at thetreasure trove of information and artifacts that can be found nowhere else in the world. Marine biologists can study aquatic life in the crystal,clear waters of the Aegean. Art students will be dazzled by the light in Greece which has inspired countless artists since the dawn of time.

The liberal arts education is also based in the well-rounded educational system of Greece. The enkyklios paideia or "education in a circle" waswell-known in classical antiquity, through the Hellenistic Age, and then spread across the Roman Empire. This system of education preparedthe student for the future, for active participation in the civic life of the city-state and community. The study abroad experience is anincreasingly important part of education. Like the Grand Tour that completed the education of European gentleman from about 1660 to the1840’s when railroads made the trip more accessible to the masses, study abroad teaches invaluable lessons that cannot be taught in astateside classroom. Eventually, young ladies, too, finished their education with a trip abroad, accompanied by a chaperone, like Lucy Honey-church in E.M. Forster’s 1908 novel A Room with a View. Greece is ideal for study abroad especially for those of Greek heritage since they cancombine their studies with total immersion in the language and culture of their parents, grandparents, and ancestors. As descendants of theextraordinary and rich Hellenic tradition, students today should take advantage of the many study abroad programs available in Greece andnot just based in Athens, either. There are programs in Thessaloniki, and on the islands of Crete, Paros, and Samos, just to name a few. Makesure to plan ahead, since many programs are highly sought-after, especially for summer study abroad programs. Imagine spending yoursummer in Greece and getting college credit for it. The legendary hospitality of the Greek people will also impress you if you haven’texperienced it in person already. Did we mention the food? You may never look at a Greek salad or a souvlaki in the US the same way again.Or maybe culinary school in Greece is the study abroad program for you. For every subject and every student, study abroad in Greece willinspire, educate, and enlighten. There is no other place like it.

Eleni Sakellis

Study AbroadIN GREECE

SEPTEMBER 17, 2016

Study Abroad in Greece2 THE NATIONAL HERALD, SEPTEMBER 17, 2016

By EleniSakellis

Study abroad is of-ten the experience of alifetime for students. Learningabout culture and languagefrom the inside is probably thebest way to do it. Meeting newpeople and making newfriends is only just the begin-ning of the journey. If youneed more reasons to studyabroad in Greece, here is alist to help sway your deci-sion. If the list doesn’t con-vince you, always rememberwhat Aristotle said, “You willnever do anything in theworld without courage. It isthe greatest quality of themind next to honor.”

1.Athens is just thebeginning. Onceyou arrive in thecapital city of

Greece and explore all itswonders which could take alifetime in and of itself, thewonders of other regions and cities of Greece willimpress you. From the rugged mountains to thebeautiful seaside villages, there is such a rangeof landscapes to explore you will have a hardtime choosing what part of Greece you love best.The Greek islands including Corfu, Crete, Rhodes,Samos, and Santorini, just to name a few, offerincredible beauty and tremendous history to dis-cover. Choose a study abroad program based inthe islands and enjoy.

2.The History. Where else can you walkin the footsteps of so many giants ofhistory? From Socrates, Plato, Aristotle,Aristophanes, Pericles, Alexander the

Great, to the heroes of the Greek War of Indepen-dence like Kolokotronis, there is so much historyin Greece, there is hardly enough time to evenscratch the surface, but it is definitely worth a try.

3.The food. Isthere aneed to saymore? With

the freshestingredientsand a fewt h o u s a n dyears of expe-rience perfect-

ing the cuisine,Greece is a culi-

nary wonderland forfoodies and non-food-

ies alike. Try the excellent local products madeby artisans to experience the true flavors of Greeceincluding olive oil, cheeses, baked goods, and thelocal honey. The Mediterranean diet was born inGreece, so enjoy it while you study abroad.

4.Philosophy was born in Greece. Wementioned the most well-known philo-sophical minds of antiquity, Socrates,Plato, and Aristotle, but philosophy

started a few hundred years even before them.The first philosopher Thales of Miletus was oneof the Seven Sages of Greece, whose natural phi-losophy tried to define the basis of material ob-jects which he thought was water. He is alsothought of as the first scientist for his ideas inmathematics, astronomy and philosophy.

5.Location, location, location. Thephrase may be about real estate, butin Greece, you are only ever a ferryride away from another memorable

experience and another fantastic view. For theartists and photographers of the world, there arefew places so universally adored as Greece, justfor the natural light and the impressive landscapes

pretty much everywhere. You cannot take a badphotograph in Greece, unless you forget to takethe lens cap off. Throughout history, artists havebeen inspired by Greece. Whether you are apainter, a photographer, or a writer, there is some-thing to see and do which will shape your workand your art in new and exciting ways. Studyabroad in Greece and the Muses will find you.

By Aria Socratous

Dr. Dikaia Loukia Agapis,DVM, MS, was born and raisedin Connecticut, she completedundergraduate and graduateprograms in both Hellenic andU.S. Universities for VeterinaryMedicine (University of Thes-saly), Shelter Medicine (Univer-sity of Florida), and PublicHealth (University of Florida),after being a Paideia studentand studying at the Universityof Aegean through the Univer-sity of Connecticut. She spokewith The National Herald aboutPaideia. The interview follows.TNH: Paideia offers an inten-

sive educational and culturallyimmersive program. Can yougive some more details aboutthe program?DLA: Paideia's Study Abroad

Program in Greece has been suc-cessfully operating for 32 years.It began as a small project ofjust one history course, and isnow a year round program withfall and spring semester courses,summer classes, and a three-week winter intersession pro-gram. Summer classes are alsoopen to motivated high schoolstudents, while an EnrichmentProgram is delivered for K-12Educators. The program incorporates

excursions, so students keeplearning as they are having fun.No matter which session onemay choose, expeditions toarcheological sites, museum vis-its, and various cultural activi-ties are included. For the stu-dent determined to see as muchas possible, we suggest to takeadvantage of our unique StudyTour. This knowledge on the gotransforms Greece's most fa-mous destinations into class-rooms. Furthermore, Paideia isproud to say that it pays atten-tion to each student. For exam-ple, we always make every ef-fort to bring Greek-Americanstudents in contact with theirrelatives in Greece; to visit theirgrandparents' and great grand-parents' villages and homes. Re-gardless of one's cultural back-ground though, every returningstudent truly loves Greece. TNH: What courses of study

are offered?DLA: Paideia understands

each student has specific skillsand needs which is why we aimto provide as many options aspossible to our participants.Over 100 courses are offeredthrough Greece's most presti-gious institutions engaging stu-dents from various areas ofstudy. Additionally, in order toaccommodate all personalities,we have established a diverselearning environment. Our stu-dents may choose to attendclasses in the cities of Thessa-

loniki and Athens at Aristotleand Macedonia Universities inThessaloniki and the Universityof Athens, or enroll at the Uni-versity of Aegean and the Hel-lenic Center for Marine Re-search in Rhodes. All coursesare taught in English, althoughit is mandatory to take ModernGreek. Courses include, but arenot limited to: Hellenic Studies(Ancient, Byzantine, Modern);History/Archaeology; Europeanand Mediterranean Studies; Po-litical Science; Arts and Art His-tory; Business/Economics; Com-munica t ions/Journa l i sm;Psychology; Family Studies; Ma-rine Science/EnvironmentalStudies. A complete list ofcourses is available at Paideia’s

website: hellenicstudies-paideia.org. When available,one may also pursue internshipswithout stipend. With such aversatile program, we are con-fident to say that our kids uponreturning home become betterstudents. Moreover, they be-come better citizens.TNH: Paideia is affiliated

with state Greek Universities.Based on your experience, howwould you estimate the contri-bution of Greek educators com-paring to American educators?DLA: I believe Hellenic edu-

cators are one of Greece's great-est assets, as they are the onesthat are equipped to shape thecountry's future. Just like thegreat minds of Ancient Greecehave influenced so manythrough the years, the greatminds of today's Greece, havemolded me into the person I amtoday along with their predeces-sors. I feel fortunate and hum-bled to have been trained by afew of these scholars, and amcontinuously reminded of theircontributions. On multiple oc-

casions I have seen studies fromGreek universities referenced atNorth American conferences. Asan administrator and an ex-stu-dent for this program, I am fur-ther amazed by the relationshipsthat the Hellenic professors havewith our students. They all havetheir required contact time andoffice hours. However, these in-dividuals carry the Hellenicvalue of philoxenia in theirhearts, and as true kathigites,as daskaloi, they direct our kidsboth inside and outside theclassroom. They are like parentsto our students, and the bondscreated last a lifetime. Thewarmth and generosity of theprofessors has been key to ourprogram's success.

TNH: What value do youbring to the program based onyour own academic passions?DLA: Many study abroad

programs (other countries in-cluded) lack curriculum in thesciences and have very limitedinternship opportunities. I amcurrently working to expand ourcourse offerings to include morestudents with an interest in thesciences, as well as providingnew hands-on experiences forundergraduate and graduatestudents. TNH: What are the academic

entry requirements for this pro-gram? DLA: Students should have

at minimum a 2.5 GPA. How-ever, regardless of their previousacademic achievements, everystudent studying in Greece withPaideia receives a scholarship.By reason of our dedicated pro-fessors, staff, and supporters thisunforgettable odyssey is espe-cially cost efficient. This is theleast expensive study abroadprogram a student can find toGreece.

Dr. Dikaia Loukia Agapis, PaideiaAlumna, Describes the Experience

Paideia Studies in Greece

2017

Eligibility: GPA 2.5

• Semester/Year: Students can study at the Aristotle and Macedonia Universities in Thessaloniki, University of Aegean and Hellenic Center of Marine Research in Rhodes.

• Summer/Winter Intersession students can study in Rhodes,Dion/Aiani, Thessaloniki

• Five study tours per year around Greece.• Dates: Fall/Spring semesters with an optional late class

in Rhodes, Dion, Aiani or other region of Greece with a PAIDEIA partial scholarship.

• Many classes are available with the less expensive program a student can find in Greece.

• Paideia scholarships are available to all!

Contact: Center for Hellenic Studies Paideia, Storrs, CT

Email: Paideia@snest.net

Tel/fax (860)429-8518; (860) 9068458 cell

http://hellenicstudiespaideia.org

Aegean University Campus

The Top 5 Reasons You Should Study Abroad in Greece

Study Abroad in GreeceTHE NATIONAL HERALD, SEPTEMBER 17, 2016 3

Study Abroad in Greece4 THE NATIONAL HERALD, SEPTEMBER 17, 2016

By Erica Gotfredson

CLINTON, S.C. – Nineteen Pres-byterian College (PC) studentshad the opportunity to studyclassical political thought andthe economic crisis in Greecewhile visiting various sitesthroughout this European coun-try. The Maymester trip, offeredby the political science depart-ment, was led by Drs. BookerIngram and Justin Lance.Students took two courses in

preparation for their trip. Thefirst, titled “Political Economyin Practice: The Greek Crisis”and taught by Lance, challengedstudents to examine firsthandthe economic crisis that Greececurrently faces and its impacton the Greek citizenry.

The second, titled “ClassicalPolitical Thought” and taught byIngram, strove to enhance thestudents’ knowledge of the po-litical cultures and circum-stances from which democraticideals first emerged.While in Greece, the group

visited Athens, Delphi, Olympia,Tolon, and the Peloponnese andhad the opportunity to visit sitesalong the way such as theParthenon, the Temple ofApollo, and the grounds of thefirst Olympic Games. Unsurpris-ingly, both professors and stu-dents commented on the beautyof Greece as one of the high-lights of the trip. “It was amazing to stand at

the top of the Parthenon andlook around. The view and his-

tory are truly breathtaking,” saidLance, associate professor of po-litical science. “But the biggest thing that

surprised me was the experienceoutside of Athens. From themountains to the sea, Greece re-ally is an amazing country.”“I absolutely loved visiting

the Parthenon and seeing theamazing work of the ancientGreeks,” said Cassie Kemmerlin. “The Greek people were so

kind and welcoming and had agenuine interest in getting toknow us.”Evan Haney also commented

on the country’s beauty, saying,“I have never experienced any-thing so beautiful as the moun-tains, beaches, and sky ofGreece.

It is hard to describe thesheer beauty of the scenery.”The group also had the op-

portunity to visit two orphan-ages, the SOS Children’s Villagesin Vari as well as the Ark of theWorld in Athens. “One of the most important

moments for me was visiting acouple of orphanages and see-ing firsthand the effects of theeconomic crisis on the most vul-nerable members of society,”said Lance. Overall, the trip epitomized

the benefits that can come fromstudying abroad. “This trip en-hanced my educational growthby allowing us to experience an-other culture firsthand ratherthan in a textbook,” said Haney.“Although we did attend lec-

tures at a university in Greece,it was the small experiences inour day-to-day travels that gaveus the best education abroad.”“I think the trip really ex-

posed students to the realitiesof the world in a way that theywouldn’t otherwise get,” saidLance. “The realities of all the trips

I have led is that studyingabroad exposes students to thedifferences in the world aroundus, but more importantly, ex-poses students to the common-alities of humanity. I think it isimportant for students to realizethat while the world is very di-verse, we all share a commonbond as humans.”Presbyterian College is lo-

cated on a striking 240-acre

campus in Clinton, between Co-lumbia and Greenville, SC. Of-fering challenging academicsand a culture of honor, ethics,and service that prepares stu-dents to be leaders in commu-nities, PC offers its students thebenefit of engaging with an ex-ceptional faculty who take indi-vidual interest in their students’well-being, both personally andin the classroom. The Presbyterian College

School of Pharmacy opened in2010, and is dedicated to theideals of leadership, honor tothe profession, and service tothe community. More informa-tion is available at presby.edu.

Erika Gotfredson, is a graduateof Presbyterian College

Presbyterian College Students in GreeceClassical Thought, Current Crisis

“Presbyterian College students, under the guidance of Dr. Justin Lance and Dr. Booker Ingram,traveled to Greece in May and had the chance to visit many historical Greek sites including theParthenon, the Temple of Apollo, and the site of the first Olympic Games.”

TNH Staff

Anastasia Miliou, Scientific Director of ArchipelagosInstitute of Marine Conservation, based in the EasternAegean islands in Greece, recently spoke with TheNational Herald about the Institute’s mission andcurrent projects.

TNH: Please give us an overview of the Archi-pelagos Institute. Briefly describe, generally, whatyou do.AM: Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conserva-

tion is a nonprofit, non-governmental organizationcommitted to researching and defending the biodi-versity of the Greek seas and islands; as well as theentire eastern Mediterranean Sea. Since 1998, Arch-ipelagos has focused on a combination of multidis-ciplinary scientific research in cooperation with lead-ing universities from all over the world, with uniqueconservation work that local communities play anactive part. This cooperation creates a strategicfoundation that enables and strengthens the con-servation actions of Archipelagos at a local, nationaland European level, which is allowing us to protectaquatic and terrestrial life against the increasinghuman impacts on our natural environment. Archipelagos operates far from city centers and

commercial interests; offering a pure, direct ap-proach to environmental conservation. Our inter-national research team work in various locationsacross the Greek seas throughout the year, beingbased next to the ecosystems that are in need ofprotection. This approach gives our staff and stu-dents a rare and exclusive opportunity in conserva-tion, with primarily field based projects. In this waywe manage to implement significant research andenvironmental conservation activities, thanks to theenthusiasm and dedication of our research team. We Use Our Scientific Knowledge to:• Cooperate with local communities and author-

ities for the development and application of pilotmanagement and conservation projects aimed atprotecting habitats and species.• Work directly to stop destructive human be-

havior, such as illegal fishing practices, explosionsat sea, waste dumping, maritime pollution, erosiveovergrazing, smuggling of wildlife and other threatsto biodiversity.• Launch environmental actions and awareness

campaigns at local, national and international levelsthrough the use of social media, video, animationand printed media in order to inform the public onhow to better preserve and actively protect its nat-ural resources.TNH: From where around the world do your

students come? AM: Archipelagos brings together the expertise

and knowledge of international scientific conserva-tion community, aiming to protect the unique bio-diversity of the Greek seas and islands. We provideopportunities for students, recent graduates and sci-entists from all over the world, to acquire multidis-ciplinary, practical experience through work place-ments and field courses. Since 2001, we have hostedover 2,500 students and scientists from differentparts of the world. At the moment most studentscome from Europe, but we also host many fromNorth America, Australia and Asia. Over the nextfew years we aim to strengthen our links with NorthAmerican universities and organizations, so thatmore students and scientists will become involvedin Archipelagos’ research and conservation efforts.Teams are comprised of people with wide range ofspecialties and skills, related to environmental, ter-restrial and marine sciences, but we also focus oncomplementary fields such as law, multimedia, jour-nalism, documentary production and many more,which are vital in strengthening our conservationefforts. TNH: What are the field courses/ study abroad

programs you offer?AM: Our field courses offer to the students the

chance of gaining practical hands-on experience,working for priority conservation projects. When agroup from a university or school is interested in

joining Archipelagos, we work together with theacademics or teachers to create a course programbased on the interests and scientific backgroundspecifically for that group. In this way, universitiescan design and offer taught modules which can in-clude topics such as marine mammal research, hy-drographic surveys, coastal biodiversity surveys, wa-ter quality assessment, integrated coastal zonemanagement, fisheries research, microplastic re-search, as well as terrestrial fauna research and con-servation. Some study abroad programs can alsofocus on other disciplines such as the application ofcomputer and information technologies for wildlifeconservation, or documentary production and en-vironmental photography. Field Courses that are designed for school stu-

dents, offer them the opportunity to learn aboutenvironmental research and conservation whileworking close to researchers, and getting a first-hand experience in environmental conservation ina wide range of fields while also enjoying the naturalbeauty of the Aegean and learning about the historyand culture.TNH: How do you facilitate immersion into the

Greek culture of foreign students, meaning thosenot living in Greece.AM: In order to help our students and scientists

to better understand the local island culture, theyare given many opportunities for their projects toassociate with various local groups such as with

f i s h e rm e n ,farmers, teach-ers, students or

the local authorities. As wellas these opportunities we alsooffer Greek language lessons,which is very popular as itgives more freedom to engagewith locals outside work. It isa very important part of ourconservation effort to workwith the local communities,which is a vital requirementfor achieving environmentalprotection and creatingawareness of the work we do.Becoming a part of the localcommunity, allows the stu-dents to experience the Greekislands from a very differentperspective. One, that if youonly visit Greece on holiday,

you would never get. TNH: Do you have any students of Greek descent

who do not live in Greece (such as Greek-Americans,Greek-Australians, etc.). AM: Until now we have hosted only few students

of Greek descent from North America, Australia andCanada, but we look forward to hosting more. It isactually one of our aims for the coming years tostrengthen our link with the communities of Greeksliving in the USA. We greatly welcome the partici-pation of students and scientists from the Ameri-can-Greek community, as I believe we share thesame concern in preserving the rare natural heritageof Greek seas.TNH: Please tell us a bit more about your seven

bases. Are they essentially the same but just in dif-ferent locations, or is there a particular quality abouteach one?AM: Archipelagos Institute runs research bases

and stations on seven different islands of theAegean: Samos, Ikaria, Lipsi, Arki, Marathi, Lerosand Oinousses, while our two research boats allowus to extend the reach of our action in many otherparts of the Greek Seas and NE Mediterranean. TheMain Research Base is in Samos island close toPythagorio – the home town of the mathematicianPythagoras. It is a multifunctional facility whichsupports research on marine mammals, coastalecosystems, as well as terrestrial biodiversity. Thelaboratories and lecture hall are located in Samos

town, in a beautiful neoclassical building providedby the University of the Aegean. Our Fisheries &Coastal Ecosystem Research Base is situated in Lipsiisland, where we are currently working to create aunique, first in the world “Marine Life Refuge”. Thissanctuary will also function as a hospital for marinemammals and turtles and will be located in a largepristine natural fjord like bay. Archipelagos is cur-rently in the process of setting up a SustainableAquaculture Research Station in Leros island, whichwill enable us to have a innovative field based pro-ject on a subject of vital importance for the healthof our seas. The Forestry and Agronomy ResearchBase is located in Ikaria island, while the smallerresearch stations on the islands of Oinousses (Chiosarea), and Arki and Marathi (Patmos area) focus on Coastal Biodi-

versity Research. TNH: What makes the wildlife of the Greek seas

and islands so unique?AM: It is hard to believe, that today in the coun-

try of Aristotle where marine research was initiated2300 years ago, we know so littleabout the marine life that we shareour seas with. The Greek seas areinternationally recognized by thescientific community for their largeenvironmental importance. Theysupport some of the most promi-nent populations of whales, dol-phins, seals and turtles in theMediterranean. The presence ofwhales here should be emphasisedas most people are unaware of it.It is really hopeful that in the sameseas where fishermen struggle tomake a living, we record year-round migratory populations ofkeystone species such as the sperm

whales that reach 18m in length and 50 tons inweight. Fortunately, they feed on species that livein the deep waters and are not yet exploited byman! The waters closest to the coast, are also ofgreat importance as they support the highly pro-ductive and protected marine habitats, such as thePosidonia seagrass meadows - the forests of the sea.In deeper waters between 70-150m depth, the bril-liantly vibrant coralligenous reefs are found. Thesebiodiversity hot-spots are critically important forlife in the seas, supporting a rich diversity of over1600 species. With an extremely slow growth rate,coralligenous reefs have been recorded to be over7.700 years old. Therefore, the destruction causedby bottom trawling fisheries causes irreversible dam-age to them. We are now at risk of allowing theirdestruction before we even discover them! The is-lands also have a rare and keystone wildlife whichis as diverse and beautiful as the landscape: terres-trial mammals (jackals, deer), reptiles (chameleons,lizards, snakes), insects, hundreds of resident andmigratory bird species and thousands of species offlora, are here – waiting to be discovered by thecareful observer. This unique wealth is not ours. Itis part of the international natural heritage but alsoof the heritage we ought to leave to future genera-tions. All this life surrounds us, but very few knowof its existence, this is why Archipelagos Instituteworks with the aim to combat the increasing humanimpacts, focusing on education and research as one.

Archipelagos Institute

Exploring the Glorious Depths of the Mediterranean Sea

TNH Staff

The American College ofThessaloniki is the most popularacademic destination in Greecefor American students. Since1997, when Study AbroadProgram began, more than3000 study abroad studentshave studied at ACT.

The American College ofThessaloniki (ACT) is the post-secondary division of AnatoliaCollege, an institution with along and prestigious history thatdates back to 1886. ACT’s com-prehensive undergraduate cur-riculum offers Bachelor degreesin Business (with 4 concentra-tions), Computer Science, Busi-ness Computing, InternationalRelations and English (with 2concentrations). Moreover, the college offers

a Master's in Business Adminis-tration (MBA) with concentra-tions in Banking & Finance, En-trepreneurship, Managementand Marketing in the Digital Era.As of September 2016, ACT of-fers a new MS in Hospitality &Tourism.ACT also offers an extensive

need and merit-based financialaid program (www.act.edu).

TNH: Please give a generaloverview of the American Col-lege of ThessalonikiACT: ACT is a fully accred-

ited US institution offering bach-elor degrees and master degrees.ACT is a non-profit educationalinstitution and is accredited byNEASC, the New England Asso-ciation of Schools and Collegesthrough its Commission on In-stitutions of Higher Education.Additionally, ACT is validated bythe British Open University, pro-viding students with EU recog-nition. ACT also offers 2+2 ed-ucational programs, wherestudents may begin their studiesat ACT and then transfer to acollaborating partner school tocomplete their studies in the US.ACT's has a longstanding dedi-cation to education and a socialcommitment to serving the com-munity.

TNH: From which countriesdo students come to attend? Arethere particular patterns (coun-tries from which a greater num-ber are attracted to the program,etc.)?ACT: The student body is in-

ternational, with full-time stu-dents from all parts of Greece,the Balkan region, greater Eu-rope and the US. Our visitingstudents who participate in a va-riety of Study Abroad programprimarily join us from US insti-tutions. We are partners withmore than 40 US colleges anduniversities and are a memberof the Association of AmericanInternational Colleges and Uni-versities.

TNH: Please describe yourstudy abroad program specifi-cally.ACT: The Study Abroad pro-

gram at ACT has both traditionaland non-traditional aspects. Stu-dents can directly enroll with

ACT and experiencea summer, semesteror year abroad. Thecredits are fully trans-ferable to the homeinstitution because ofACT's accreditationthrough NEASC.While in Greece, stu-dents are invited to getinvolved on our com-petitive sports teams,clubs, excursions, in-ternships, volunteer op-portunities. We have afull-time, 24 hour staffdedicated to our studyabroad students. We of-fer housing with an RAin safe downtown neigh-borhoods that allows stu-dents to feel part of thelocal community. The ori-entation program offeredby ACT helps students be-come familiar with the cul-ture, layout of the city andthe opportunities availableto them. It is then up tothe students to write theirown adventure. Many stu-dents join our hiking excur-sions up Mt. Olympus, visits tolocal museums and sailing tripson the Aegean, and bring Greececloser to their hearts. Our studyabroad students are in mixedclasses with our degree seekingstudents. This gives our class-room a truly international flavor.Professors take their studentsoutside of the classroom throughan initiative called "Learning inACTion" that gives hands-on ex-perience on a variety of levels,helping students connect withthe culture, region, society andputting the class in a global con-text.

TNH: What do student need

to thinkabout when deciding to studyabroad?ACT: When students decide

to study abroad, they need toconsider what they want to getout of the semester. Perhaps theywant to travel, learn the lan-guage, meet locals, explore his-torical sites, research a particularaspect of local culture, volunteer,add a skill to their resume orsomething more personal likeexplore their cultural roots, con-nect with their heritage and ex-perience life in the land wheretheir family comes from. What-ever goal a student has, that iswhat will help guide their deci-sions throughout the semester

and ultimately helpthem shape their time abroad.

TNH: Do you have local stu-dents (from other parts ofGreece), and if so, is your studyabroad program reciprocal (dothey study outside of Greece aswell)?ACT: We have a degree seek-

ing student body that is com-prised of Greeks and interna-tional students. The studyabroad program is open to allstudents. We have partneredwith schools in the US andAmerican Colleges & Universi-ties in Europe, offering our de-gree-seeking students the oppor-tunity to study abroad for asummer, semester or year. Stu-

dents have studied inplaces like New York, Florida,Iowa and Rome. Students whoventure out on a study abroadsemester return to ACT withnew ideas and help enrich ourcampus.

TNH: Do you focus on spe-cific majors/fields?ACT: ACT offers four majors:

Business with concentrations inFinance, Marketing, Interna-tional Business and Entrepre-neurial Management; Interna-tional Relations; ComputerScience and English/Communi-cations. As of September 2016,ACT offers a new Bachelor pro-gram in Hospitality and TourismManagement in collaborationwith either César Ritz Colleges

Switzerland ( ranked 10th glob-ally by the Global HospitalityPortal) or Saint Thomas Uni-versity in Miami Florida. Wealso offer an MBA and an MS inHospitality & Tourism. Studyabroad students may participatein any course at ACT. We attractmany business majors with theBusiness Internship course, of-fering business students the op-portunity to do field work witha local company. Other studentsjoin us for our specialty coursesand certificate programs suchas: Open Sea Sailing, HellenicHeritage, TEFL and Oracle.

TNH: Please describe yourfaculty body (from whichcountries, fields, etc.).ACT: The faculty is com-

prised primarily of Greek andAmerican professors, the ma-jority of which hold Doctor-ates in their subject area. Fac-ulty continuously seekopportunities to engage in

their subject area through pub-lications and research, holdingconferences and workshops, andthrough volunteer efforts.

TNH: Please share with ourreaders anything else you thinkthey ought to know about yourinstitution/program.ACT: ACT has a low faculty

to student ratio, allowing for in-dividualized experiences. Thestudent is able to create a richenvironment for themselvesduring their time at ACT by get-ting involved in the ACT com-munity. We also have scholar-ships available for degreeseeking and study abroad stu-dents. Scholarships are basedon academic merit and are of-fered to students with a HellenicHeritage.

Study Abroad in GreeceTHE NATIONAL HERALD, SEPTEMBER 17, 2016 5

a b

McGill UniversityMONTREAL,CANADA

McGill, Canada’s first and most notorious university and one of the world-leading institutions ofhigher learning is offering every summer a student acclaimed summer studies in Greece program.Students from accredited institutions around the world have the unique opportunity to take a 3-credit course in one of Greece’s most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities: Thessaloniki!

The program runs during the month of June *

The cost of US $ 3,500 (2016 rate) includes a

3-credit tuition fee of US $ 1,200

and a Program fee of US $ 2,300. *

The fee covers accommodation in a 4-Star Hotel, most meals (7 breakfasts, 4 dinners, and a meal ata local tavern/per week), onsite visits, and travel within Greece when associated with onsite visits.For more information and a glimpse on the past years check our webpage:

http://www.mcgill.ca/history/moderngreek/summer-studies-greece

Or contact us at summer.greece@mcgill.caDon’t miss this unique opportunity!

Come to Thessaloniki in 2017!

* Rates for non-McGill students. 2017 dates and rates will be known in November 2016 103594

ACT: Thessaloniki’s American CollegeΑ Favorite Destination for US Students

Join the multidisciplinary internships

of Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation

www.archipelago.gr

Study Abroad in Greece6 THE NATIONAL HERALD, SEPTEMBER 17, 2016

Every visitor who crosses thegates of The American Collegeof Greece on the slopes of Mt.Hymettus overlooking Athens,and walks through its campus,almost invariably comments:“This feels like a differentworld!”It is an English-speaking

world comprising 3500 under-graduate and graduate studentsand faculty from Greece, theUnited States, the EuropeanUnion and dozens of countriesaround the globe, all striving forexcellence.Each year more than 500 stu-

dents from the United Statescome to ACG to fulfill the dreamof studying abroad in a countrythat is renowned for both for itshistory and its beauty. And a growing number of

American students choose ACGas their home institution, pur-suing a four-year BA of BS de-

gree in one of its 27 degree programs in the Lib-eral Arts and Sciences, Business, and the Fineand Performing Arts. Students who pursue anACG degree, upon graduation also receive a de-gree from the Open University of the United King-dom. An ACG bachelor’s degree is recognized world-

wide and each year graduates are admitted tosome of the most prestigious graduate programsin the United States and Europe.Each student at ACG pursues an individual

dream but they all choose ACG because of its ex-cellent teaching reputation; its accreditation bythe New England Association of Schools and Col-

leges (NEASC), whose members include all thegreat American universities of the New Englandregion; its vibrant student life; its spectacular 64-acre campus facilities and its state-of-the art stu-dent residencies. Students pursuing a degree at ACG are strongly

encouraged and supported in order to study for asemester or session abroad choosing from a widearray of partner institutions in America, Europeand Asia, including Stanford, Cornell, Emory etc.The ACG Office of Career Services connects

students with the global career marketplace andeach year dozens of ACG undergraduates travelto the United States and Europe for paid intern-

ships in companies such as the Libra Group, Coca-Cola, Imerys and others.American students of Hellenic heritage find

additional meaning in studying at ACG: they canexplore their roots in Greece familiarizing them-selves with the land of their ancestors, while earn-ing valuable credit for transfer to their home in-stitutions in the U.S. or toward a four-year degreeat ACG.Over the years ACG has been a hotbed of in-

novative thinking in business and the liberal arts,as well as in the fine and performing arts. Manyof Greece’s top artists, psychologists, sociologists,or computer scientists are ACG graduates.

The College’s impact is felt most deeply in thebusiness sector. Virtually every sizable Greek com-pany, along with many international corporations,has one or more ACG graduates in its top eche-lons; and hundreds of successful businesses havebeen started by ACG alumni brimming with theskills and the entrepreneurial spirit that the col-lege cultivates. The college’s 52,000-strong global alumni

body is an important source of strength for ACGand a valuable network for new graduates. At ACG the experience of a quality US private

four-year college comes with tuition fees that aresurprisingly affordable, making the ACG experi-ence an excellent value proposition. To encourage strivers, The American College

of Greece, a non-profit institution, offers scholar-ships designed to reward excellence as well as tolevel the playing field for students with the desireto make a difference in their lives and the lives ofothers.These are only some of the reasons ACG at-

tracts some of the best and brightest studentsfrom Greece, the U.S. and around the world –young women and men eager to pursue excel-lence.

By Sofia Andrikopoulou

It almost feels like a lifetime ago when I grad-uated from the American College of Greece, Deree.It was and is a top choice College for those Greeks(and non-Greeks) who wanted to accomplish morewith their time, effort and money. We didn’t justbuy ourselves the best possible education surpass-ing the narrow, poor selection of the self-destruc-tive Greek Educational Institutions, we wereblessed enough to be able to make ourselves at-tractive candidates for post college Diplomas orplausible employers. Deree offers the whole package: an excellent

academic experience combined with a vivid Cam-pus life and a plethora extra curriculum activitiesto choose from. Professors were handpicked by the administra-

tion, making sure that we got the best out of everysubject, no matter how trivial or second rated itseemed to our young minds. At the end of everysemester we evaluated our professors and I canstill remember my amazement and awe when Iwas asked to stay five more minutes to go throughthe evaluation sheet for the first time. It took me awhile to realize just how different the AmericanCollege of Greece was, in comparison to everythingI had ever known about schools and education!Being solid in its structure and the way it han-

dles the entire education process, Deree, unlikewe students, took nothing for granted. Every singleone of us, began learning things from the begin-

ning. We were taught how to write a paragraph,how to write an essay, how to appreciate classicalliterature. Professors were more than happy toset down the basic building blocks of every singlesubject, without fretting or belittling us. In other words, Deree takes you by the hand

and walks with you the big path of Education,step by step, rewarding you in the process or giv-ing you a good head’s up that you are not doingwell. In my time, probation, was a student’sbiggest fear and making it to the Dean’s List, wasthe greatest reward. Being fair (as it can possiblybe), the American College of Greece, offers equalchances to excel, but it does not tolerate the un-derachievers. Given a notice that you made it toprobation meant that you had the chance to re-cover or kiss Deree goodbye. Unlike the Greek Educational System that ig-

nored (and still does) those who do well and thosewho just don’t care about their performance (oreven participation), Deree rewarded the all thosewho grasped the very essence of its principles:prove your worth and you shall enjoy the fruits ofyour labors. Scholarships and financial aid werehandsomely distributed among those who de-served them the most. The other very important component of my

student experience was the quality of life thatDeree had to offer: The organizations, the ex-tracurricular activities, the clubs, and the eventsfilled up every aspect of our intellectual as wellour social and physical lives. We were given an

abundance of stimuli to get involved in a healthydevelopmental process, through a variety of ac-tivities. As I have already mentioned, the infrastructure

of the American College of Greece, is superb. Hav-ing at our disposal a pool, tennis, football, volley-ball, basketball courts, and a fully equipped gym,we were most definitely happy to try various ac-tivities or even participate as fans! Let us not forgetthat back in the day, we had a good soccer teamfor which to cheer. As an alumna, I am not only proud to have

been part of one of the country’s best schools, Iam also grateful for the gift I received withouteven realizing just how beautifully and almost ef-fortlessly it was bestowed upon me: my enhancedability to understand, speak and write in English,without leaving my own country. No words could ever describe how my ‘’Deree

experience’’ changed me, molded me into a better,well-developed person, who faces the world withno fear, but with a warm feeling of self-accom-plishment that no one can ever deny me. For thisand the four wonderful academic years, full ofmemories, friends, experiences and knowledge, Iowe a big thank you to my school.Thank you, Deree!

Sofia Andrikopoulou graduated from Deree in1998, earning a BA in sociology. She currentlyworks as Content and Feature Writer for the DPGGroup.

The American College of Greece:

Transformative American Education in an Inspiring SettingBachelor’s Degree Programs

at ACG

The American College of Greece offersfour-year bachelor’s degrees in the followingareas of study. It also offers dozens of minorsthat can be pursued along with a major en-riching a student’s educational experience andenhancing her or his career prospects.

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS• Accounting with Finance• Finance• Healthcare Management• International Business• International Tourism andHospitality Management (ITHM)

• Logistics and Supply ChainManagement

• Management- Human Resource Management- Operations Management• Management InformationSystems

• Entrepreneurship Management• Marketing- Marketing Communications- Marketing Management• Shipping Management• Sports Management

SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS ANDSCIENCES• Communication• Economics• English- English and AmericanLiterature- English with Linguistics• Environmental Studies• History• Information Technology- Digital Media Technologies- Network Technologies- Software Development• Philosophy• Psychology• Sociology

FRANCES RICH SCHOOL OF FINEand Performing Arts• Art History• Contemporary Dance Practice• Graphic Design• Music and Music Performance• Theater Arts• Visual Arts

Study Abroad at ACGStudy Abroad is a major global educational

trend. Each year millions of students enrichtheir experience through international study– for a semester, a summer session or an evenshorter period. The American College ofGreece is an ideal study abroad destinationbecause:

• ACG is located in one of the world’s mostrenowned, historic and safe cities – the cradleof western civilization. Its idyllic campus isthe springboard for exploring Athens, thenearby Greek islands and the beauty of theGreek countryside. Athens is also ideally lo-cated for weekend trips to nearby countries.• ACG is the largest American college or

university in Europe and a truly internationallearning community.• Students in virtually any academic major

can find courses to apply towards graduationin their home institution. All classes at ACGare taught in English.• Transferring credits is easy because ACG

is accredited by the New England Associationof Schools and Colleges in the US and its de-gree programs are also validated by the OpenUniversity, UK.• ACG offers a holistic student experience

with a full range of co-curricular and extra-curricular programs.• ACG’s state-of-the art student residences

provide a comfortable and enriching livingenvironment.• ACG is a great value; its comprehensive

fee structure makes the best American studyabroad option in Europe surprisingly afford-able.

To learn more about ACG, visitwww.acg.edu or contact one of our counselorsin the United States by contacting: The American College of GreeceOffice of North American Enrollment andStudy Abroad31 State Street, 4th FloorBoston, MA 02109Tel: (857) 284-7908Email: usadmissions@acg.edu

In Greece:Tel: +30 210 600 9800 ext. 1407Email: egrapsas@acg.edu

www.acg.edu

Thank You, Deree!

Study Abroad in GreeceTHE NATIONAL HERALD, SEPTEMBER 17, 2016 7

TNH Staff

The idea behind the Hel-lenic International Studies inthe Arts (HISA) “was to designa program that offered stu-dents a non-traditional lectureformat along with the opportu-nity to work closely with tal-ented teachers and artists whowished to share their experi-ence and knowledge,” saidBarry Tagrin, HISA’s FoundingDirector. “We wanted to provide stu-

dents with a broad range ofstudio and liberal art coursesto help them meet their artisticand academic aspirations andgoals,” he told The NationalHerald. Leading discussions in

HISA’s Philosophy and Cre-ative Writing programs, Tagrinwas a member of therenowned San Francisco Po-etry Workshop and his poemsare described as direct, com-plex, and emotionally driven. Tagrin has lived on Paros

since 1981, and he conceptual-ized an experiential studyabroad program there thatwould allow students to be-come aware of their mostsound, insightful selves. Paros became the site for

HISA because of “its naturalbeauty and important religiousand cultural history,” Tagrintold TNH. “As well, Paros offers a vi-

brant and welcoming commu-nity of caring people, and animpressive group of localworking artists.

THE SPECIFICS“HISA offers an open and co-

operative study and living envi-ronment,” Tagrin explained.“Students can work one-on-onewith teachers, and design andwork on art projects outside of

class time in the studio spaces.All of the students are treatedas individuals, and are each pro-vided with a private room, al-lowing them to develop a senseof freedom and responsibility.”Due to its nonprofit Ameri-

can college status, Tagrin said,HISA cannot accept local Greekstudents. Most of the studentsare from North America. “We offer a wide array of stu-

dio and liberal art courses, acrossa range of fields,” Tagrin said.

“Writing & Literature; Studio Arts-Painting-Drawing-Sculpture. His-tory, Philosophy, Women’s studies,and Photo & Film workshops.All of HISA’s core faculty

members are from the UnitedStates, holders of advanced de-

grees and with significant col-lege teaching experience. Guestlecturers come from an array ofcountries, including Greece, andcomprised of educators, artists,and environmentalists.

IMMERSIONHISA offers “a significant So-

cial and Historical Immersioncomponent designed to offerstudents the opportunity to dis-cover and experience the realGreece, in all its aspects,” Tagrinsaid. “Built into the immersionprogram are visits to the classi-cal ruins of Delos, Mykonos, andNaxos, as well as overnight ex-cursions to Santorini. In addi-tion, scheduled activities includea trek along Byzantine trails, vis-its to archeological sites and is-land artist workshops, the landand sea caves of Antiparos andthe Parian marble quarry.”

ABROAD ON PAROSHISA Immerses Students in the Culture and Beauty of the Cyclades

HISTORY & MISSIONThe HISA program was founded on the concept of an experientialimmersion into the cultural and artistic legacy of Greece andspecifically the Cycladic Islands, for centuries famous for theirindividualistic and creative life style and social environment.We’ve worked to build a program where students can live asmembers of the community, securely in their own space, freeto personalize their experience. The classes, workshops andstudio environment are set up to allow students to absorbideas, create works and develop projects in a collaborative re-lationship with their teachers.The faculty are selected not only for their advanced degreesand range of university teaching experience, but as well fortheir active involvement in creating their own work, whetherit be writing, the various studio arts, or a continuing criticalinvestigation into the area of their expertise. The excursionsand course work in the field are designed to integrate syllabiobjectives—readings, research, and writing, as well as studiowork—with a personalized exploration of significant archaeo-logical and historical sites. To accomplish this, HISA hasdeveloped a close working relationship with the local community,helping students to swiftly form new friends and gain a senseof belonging.The HISA ideal recognizes the challenges inherent in settlinginto to a different living and learning environment, and strivesto instil in students the confidence and sense of companionshiprequired for a successful adjustment. We understand, from theyears spent teaching, that every student arrives as an individual,with a different set of experiences and a unique range of goalsand aspirations. For this reason, the nature of the program is

one of cooperative effort and understanding, of fairness andsensitivity to each student's emotional and developmentalneeds. A dynamic, creative atmosphere, within an unrestrictiveyet goal-oriented environment is what HISA is about.

ACADEMIC FIELD TRIPS IN GREECEHISA’s historical sites component compliments material coveredin class by exposing students to the breadth of island cultureand art, introducing them to relevant archaeological sites onthe Greek Islands. Civilization through the ages is revealed ina wealth of Cycladic artifacts, Minoan frescoes, Archaicsculpture, and Classical sanctuaries on Delos, Myconos, Naxos,and Santorini.

HELLENIC INTERNATIONAL STUDIES IN THE ARTS

H I S A A dm i s s i o n O f f i c eP.O.11, Paroikia, 84400 Paros, Greece | Phone: +30 6948516797 | Fax:+30 22840 22753 | Emails: Barry Tagrin, Program Director, hisa@paros-island.com

Yuko Yamauchi, Registrar, registrar@hisa-studyabroad.com

PaintingCreative Writing WorkshopPhilosophy / Life Themes

Film StudiesPhotography

Digital ImagingInterrelated Media

Literature: Writers in Ancient GreeceLit to Film

Literature: The Classical Greek WorldCycladic Art and CultureWomen Studies: GoddessModern Greek Language Independent guided study

A selection of semester courses

Paros Island

Study Abroad in Greece8 THE NATIONAL HERALD, SEPTEMBER 17, 2016