AMERICAN HELLENIC INSTITUTE FOUNDATION
STUDENT FOREIGN POLICY TRIP
NEXT SESSION: JUNE 15 - JULY 4, 2025
The American Hellenic Institute Foundation College Student Foreign Policy Trip is aimed to help American college students better understand core foreign policy issues important to U.S. interests in Greece and the Republic of Cyprus, along with the Southern European and the Eastern Mediterranean regions. During the three-week trip, participants will have the opportunity to experience these issues first-hand by engaging in stakeholder meetings, attending informational briefings, and observing diplomacy in action.
The first section of the trip is in Washington, D.C. prior to departure to Europe. In our nation’s capital, participants will attend meetings and briefings with high level U.S. government officials and important institutions, such as employees of the Department of State, Members of Congress, think tanks, academics, and others.
The second section of the trip is in the Republic of Cyprus, where participants will start meeting with foreign government leaders, businesses, and international organizations. They will also begin their exposure to the different military components of the U.S. presence in Southern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean, such as learning about different join-training programs while meeting with the National Guard of Cyprus.
The third section of the trip is in Greece where participants will continue meeting with foreign government leaders, businesses, and international organizations. They will also further be exposure to the different military components of the U.S. presence in Southern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean, including learning about U.S.-Greece military cooperation at Souda Bay and the Port of Alexandropoli. The program will conclude in Athens with a farewell dinner where participants will share their experiences and their future prospects.
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 Student Foreign Policy Trip has provided students with a better understanding of U.S. issues in Southern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean along with the importance of U.S.-Greece and U.S.-RoC relations. 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 to 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, and AHI’s legislative director, Alexander Christofor. 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 Greece to the U.S.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the U.S.
Various academics, policymakers, and Hellenic community leaders
WEEK TWO: THE REPUBLIC OF 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 the Republic of Cyprus and its history through various briefings and excursions. Past visits included:
Wreath-laying the Makedonitissa Tomb
Visiting Archbishop Makarios III’s Chambers and Palace
Receiving a briefing at the jointly operated CYCLOPS Training Center
An excursion to the beach of Ayia Napa
Meeting with the Ambassador of Greece to the Republic of Cyprus
Meeting with the President of the Republic of Cyprus
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
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis beginning in January 27, 2025; applications received after March 31, 2025, will be reviewed on a space-available basis.
STEP #1
COMPLETING & SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION
1. INFORMATION FORM: Fill out all information on this Google Form.
Next, send all materials below in SEPERATE (.pdf) files in a single e-mail to Alexander Christofor at christofor@americanhellenicinstitute.org with the subject line AHIF TRIP APPLICATION: [Full Name]
2. RESUMÉ: Highlight your education, research, work experiences, and involvement in the Greek American community.
3. TRANSCRIPTS: Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
4. REFERENCES: Two letters of recommendation from professors, workplace, community, or church.
5. HEADSHOT: A recent high-resolution color headshot (at least 300 dpi in jpg).
6. INSURANCE: A photocopy of your health insurance card (front/back).
7. ESSAY & BIO: Submit your 300-word essay and your biography (See the “INFORMATION GUIDE” for details)
STEP #2
INTERVIEW
Interviews are an integral component of the selection process. After reviewing your materials, if you are selected to move on to Step 2, we will contact you to arrange for a Zoom interview with members of the review board.
STEP #3
ACCEPTANCE & PAYMENT
Following the interview, you will be emailed a determination of whether or not your have been accepted into the program. If you have accepted into the program, you will receive an official offer from AHIF to participate. At this stage, you must mail a $650 check payable to the American Hellenic Institute Foundation for the AHIF Foreign Policy Study Trip, which will cover:
APPLICATION FEE: $150 application fee (nonrefundable).
DEPOSIT: $500 refundable deposit. The deposit will be refunded in September after your evaluation form and essay have been submitted and 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. No refund will be made if you withdraw from the program after May 14.
The American Hellenic Institute Foundation address is:
American Hellenic Institute Foundation
1220 16th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20036
STEP #4
LEGAL FORMS
After we have received your payment, the participants & their parents/legal guardians will receive an email from DocuSign.
You must complete and submit ALL the required sections to attend the trip.
STEP #5
PREPARE FOR JOURNEY
After your DocuSign forms are submitted, you will receive a final confirmation that all components of your participation on the program are completed. Following this, you will be invited to meet your fellow participants on a Zoom call and you will complete other pre-journey steps as needed. We looking forward to seeing you at the Hellenic House in Washington, D.C. on June 15th!
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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
2023
2020
2016
2013
WEEK THREE: GREECE
To conclude their trip, participants travel to Greece for their last week. Once participants arrive after taking a plane from the Republic of 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. Starting in 2025, participants will also travel to the Port of Alexandroupoli, which has enormous strategic importance to the U.S.
After returning to Athens, participants will 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.
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
2017
2014
2011
ELIGIBILITY:
The program is open to undergraduate students 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, the Republic of Cyprus, the Eastern Mediterranean, and Southern 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 27, 2025. Applications received after March 31, 2025 will be reviewed on a space-available basis.
COST & ACCOMMODATIONS:
All participants need to make individual plans to arrive in Washington, DC by Sunday, June 15, 2025. The program will conclude officially at midnight on July 4th and students can depart for the U.S. on Saturday, July 5th, 2024.
Hotel accommodations as well as most meals in Washington, DC, Greece, and the Republic of 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 the Republic of Cyprus, the Republic of Cyprus to Greece, a day trip to Souda Bay in Crete, a day trip to Alexandroupoli, and return to the U.S. we anticipate being approximately $2,200-2,600. If selected, all airline tickets must be purchased through the official travel agent of 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.
