AHIF Publishes Report on 18th Annual College Student Foreign Policy Trip

No. 66

WASHINGTON, DC — The American Hellenic Institute Foundation (AHIF) is pleased to announce the publication of its comprehensive report on the 18th Annual College Student Foreign Policy Trip to Washington, DC; Greece and Cyprus, held June 21–July 9, 2026.

Now in its 18th year, the three-week immersive program offers undergraduate and graduate students a unique opportunity to explore U.S. policy interests in Greece, the Republic of Cyprus, and the Eastern Mediterranean. Through direct engagement with government officials and military, diplomatic, religious, and civic leaders, participants gain firsthand insight into the region’s political, security, and economic dynamics.

The 2026 program began with briefings in Washington, D.C., including meetings with U.S. Department of State officials, the ambassadors of Greece and the Republic of Cyprus to the United States, and foreign policy and national security experts. The delegation also toured the White House before traveling to Cyprus and Greece for an extensive series of meetings, briefings, and educational visits.

In the Republic of Cyprus, students met with President Nikos Christodoulides and other senior government officials, including representatives of the ministries of foreign affairs and energy. The delegation also met with religious leaders, received briefings on regional security, and visited the Turkish-occupied area of Cyprus to gain a firsthand understanding of the island’s history and the continuing consequences of the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation.

In Greece, students met with President of the Hellenic Republic Constantine Tassoulas, members of the Hellenic Parliament, senior diplomatic officials, and regional government leaders. The program also included visits to key military installations, including Souda Bay in Crete, Salamis Naval Base, the Greek National Defense General Staff, and Hellenic Air Force facilities.

“The AHIF College Student Foreign Policy Trip provides a unique opportunity for students to move beyond the classroom and engage directly with the leaders, institutions, and issues shaping U.S. relations with Greece and the Republic of Cyprus,” said AHI President Nick Larigakis. “We are proud to offer this experience to the next generation of leaders, equipping them with a deeper understanding of the Eastern Mediterranean’s strategic importance and the value of continued engagement in the region.”

The comprehensive report documents the students’ experiences throughout the three-week program. It includes student biographies, a full itinerary, AHI press releases, student essays, media coverage, and photographs from the trip and the briefings in Washington, D.C.

The report is available on AHI’s website: https://americanhellenicinstitute.org/ahif-college-student-trip-2026-program-report?rq=2026%20report

For more information about the program, visit https://americanhellenicinstitute.org/ahif-student-foreign-policy-trip.