AMERICAN HELLENIC INSTITUTE FOUNDATION
STUDENT FOREIGN POLICY TRIP
NEXT SESSION: JUNE 11 - JUNE 29, 2024
The American Hellenic Institute Foundation College Student Foreign Policy Study Trip to Greece and Cyprus is aimed to help Greek and Cypriot American college students better understand the core foreign policy issues important to the Greek American community.
During the three-week trip, the students will have the opportunity to experience first-hand foreign policy issues pertaining to U.S. interests in Greece, Cyprus, the Eastern Mediterranean, and Southeast Europe. Prior to their departure, students will meet in our nation’s capital, Washington, to learn more about these policies by attending meetings and briefings.
While in Greece and Cyprus, the students will continue to attend briefings and meets with officials at the American embassies, various ministries, the Hellenic Armed Forces, the National Guard of Cyprus, members of the Hellenic Parliament and Republic of Cyprus House of Representatives, religious leaders, think-tanks, and members of academia and the private sector.
Past participants have gone on to use the once-in-a-lifetime experience gained from the trip to help them secure internships and jobs, develop ideas for academic works, and begin careers in foreign policy, international law, and global business.
“Since its inception, AHIF has promoted a better understanding of Hellenic issues and strengthened U.S.-Greek and U.S.-Cypriot relations. Over the years, we have held conferences on the future of Hellenism in America, seminars on issues pertaining to U.S. interests in Greece, Cyprus, the Eastern Mediterranean, and Southeast Europe, and produced materials for educating and informing U.S. policymakers. Through the AHIF Student Foreign Policy Trip, we are able to offer a hands-on experience that gives college students an opportunity to see what it’s like to craft and execute foreign policy, to better understand the issues that affect the Greek-American and Cypriot-American communities, and prepare them to be responsible leaders who are ready to continue this work forward.”
- AHI President Nick Larigakis
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS!
See Below
WEEK ONE: WASHINGTON
Participants begin the first week of their journey in our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. Their program officially starts when they enter AHI’s headquarters, the Hellenic House, located just a few blocks from the White House. Once all participants arrive, they will receive a briefing on the different components of the trip by AHI’s president, Nick Larigakis. Afterward, they will begin their first day of activities, followed by a reception at the Hellenic House that includes special guests and alumni. At the end of the day, the participants will board their shuttle to their hotel to rest and prepare for the week ahead.
While in Washington, participants will attend various briefings, lectures, tours, and receptions in order to learn more about the policy issues AHI covers. Previous visits have included the White House, the U.S. Capitol, the Department of State, the Embassy of the Hellenic Republic, the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus, and more. Examples of past meetings include:
The Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues
U.S. Department of State Desk Officers
The Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to the U.S.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the U.S.
Various academics, policymakers, and Hellenic community leaders
WEEK TWO: CYPRUS
After landing in the Republic of Cyprus, participants will check into their hotel before having a group dinner. Throughout the week, students will continue to learn about Cyprus and its history through various briefings and excursions. Past visits include:
Wreath-laying the Makedonitissa Tomb
Visiting Archbishop Makarios III’s Chambers and Palace
Receiving a briefing at the jointly operated CYCLOPS Training Center
Taking an excursion to the beach of Ayia Napa
Meeting with the Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to the Republic of Cyprus
Meeting with the President of the Republic of Cyprus
Participants will also get a chance to enjoy Cypriot foods and traditions, along with visiting landmarks, historical sites, and more.
ACADEMIC CREDIT:
Although AHIF is unable to provide academic credit directly, 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. We will be happy to assist you with this process.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Download the American Hellenic Institute Foundation
Student Foreign Policy Trip Application Form
Application are accepted on a rolling basis beginning in February; applications received after April 1, 2024 will be reviewed on a space-available basis. Interviews are an integral component of the application process; after reviewing your materials, we will contact you to arrange for a Zoom interview with members of the review board.
All applicants must submit the following items together in one email by March 31, 2024 for priority consideration.
SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION
STEP #1
Send all materials in SEPERATE (.pdf) files in a single e-mail to Alexander Christofor at AHIFTrips@AHIworld.org with the subject line AHIF TRIP APPLICATION: [Full Name]
1. RESUMÉ Highlight your education, research, work experiences, and involvement in the Greek American community.
2. TRANSCRIPTS Unofficial transcripts should be emailed (alexander.christofor@ahiworld.org).
3. REFERENCES Two letters of recommendation from professors, workplace, community or church.
4. HEADSHOT A recent high-resolution color headshot (at least 300 dpi in jpg).
5. INSURANCE Submit a photocopy of your health insurance card (front/back).
6. PASSPORT Your passport number, country issued, and the expiration date is needed to book your flights and for entry into federal buildings. Students with no/expired passports should apply for one or to renew their passports.
7. COVID-19 IMMUNIZATION RECORD Submit a photocopy of your immunization card for COVID-19.
8. ESSAY & BIO Submit your 300-word essay and your bio (See the last page for details)
STEP #2
Mail your $600 application fee deposit check
Send a check payable to AHIF, which 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. If you withdraw or are expelled from the program the deposit will not be refunded and you will be sent home at your own expense.
AHIF Foreign Policy Study Trip
American Hellenic Institute Foundation
1220 16th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20036
PART #3
AFTER you have completed STEP #1 and STEP #2, you will receive an email from DocuSign. You must fill out the required sections and submit it to continue with the application process.
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If you have any questions about the application process or the internship, please contact Alexander Christofor at christofor@americanhellenicinstitute.org
Explore the history of the AHIF Student Foreign Policy Trip
Learn more about previous trips and the experiences of the participants below
2020
2017
2014
2011
WEEK THREE: GREECE
To conclude their trip, participants travel to Greece for their last week. Once participants arrive after taking a plane from Cyprus they will check into the Grande Bretagne Hotel, a historic building originally constructed in 1842 which features a rooftop view of the Parthenon. During the week, participants will receive a historical tour of the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum, where they will stay for a special dinner.
Participants will depart for the island of Crete for a tour of the military base Souda Bay, which previously has included the NATO Missile Firing Installation, the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Center, and the 115th Hellenic Air Force Combat Wing. Once there, they will receive briefings on various components of Souda Bay and its important strategic functions. They will also travel to the island of Salamis for a tour of the Hellenic Navy’s submarines, experience with simulators, and a meeting with the Hellenic Navy Fleet Commander.
After returning to Athens, participants will embark on a maritime observation of the area via boat, meet with the General Chief of the Hellenic Armed Forces, tour the Olympiacos Stadium, have a discussion with the mayor of Athens, and receive more briefings from various officials. In the past, participants have also had the opportunity to meet the Prime Minister and the President. Throughout the week, they will have the opportunity to see Athens and its historic landmarks, be exposed to its rich cuisine, and participate in its customs and traditions.
Their journey will conclude with a special farewell dinner at the Grande Bretagne where participants will have the opportunity to share their experiences with various public officials and community leaders. Afterwards, participants are responsible for their next plans, whether that’s returning to the United States, staying in Greece, or traveling somewhere else.
2022
2019
2021
2018
2015
2012
2009
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 US Foreign Policy interests in Greece, Cyprus, the Eastern Mediterranean, and Southeast Europe will benefit from this program. Program size is limited, and participation is contingent upon acceptance by the program review committee.
Our program operates on a rolling admission basis beginning when applications open in January. Applications received after March 31, 2024 will be reviewed on a space-available basis. All applicants must submit their materials together in one email/package by March 31, 2024 for priority consideration.
COST & ACCOMMODATIONS:
All participants need to make individual plans to arrive in Washington, DC by 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. The students depart from Washington, DC for Cyprus on June 14 and depart from Cyprus for Greece on June 20. The program will conclude officially at midnight on June 29 and students can depart for the U.S. on Friday, June 30, 2024.
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 cost for all airline tickets, including flights from Washington, DC, to Cyprus, Greece, and a day trip to Souda Bay in Crete, and a day trip to Alexandroupoli, and return to the U.S. we anticipate being approximately $2,200-2,600. 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.
