AHEPA Journey to Greece Students Visit Cyprus Embassy in Athens
July 11, 2024
His Excellency the Ambassador of Cyprus, Stavros Avgoustides at the center with AHEPA
Journey to Greece Students at their visit to the Embassy of Cyprus in Athens, accompanied
by the Director of the Hellenic Studies Program at Webster Athens, Professor Niki
Stavrou, (left), AHEPA’s Supreme Governor of the European Region Basilio Petkidis,
and AHEPA-Hellas District Secretary Dionisis Politis. (photo credit: Dionisis Politis)
On July 11, the AHEPA Journey to Greece students had the honor of being received by His Excellency the Ambassador of Cyprus, Stavros Avgoustides, at the Embassy of Cyprus in Athens. Rector Botopoulos expressed his gratitude to the ambassador for his initiative and kind invitation.
Students were accompanied by the Director of the Hellenic Studies Program at Webster Athens, Professor Niki Stavrou, AHEPA’s Supreme Governor of the European Region Basilio Petkidis and AHEPA-Hellas District Secretary Dionisis Politis.
This unique cultural experience offered profound insights, particularly as the students explored the art gallery commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. The gallery's photographic exhibits, combined with the ambassador's warm hospitality and the deeply moving short film they viewed, vividly contextualized their class discussions on the rich civilization of Ancient Cyprus and its multiple archaeological discoveries. Stavrou noted that the exhibit reflected the Cypriot heart and ethos.
From the “AHEPA Journey to Greece” program students tour to the Embassy of Cyprus in Athens
Students reflected on the impactful visit. Andrew, an AHEPA Journey to Greece student, shared, “It was an eye-opening visit. This experience was both educational and deeply moving.”
Alexia, another AHEPA Journey to Greece student, highlighted the connection between Greek mythology and archaeology.
“The mythology references got me even more interested in the topic. This course allowed me to see ruins for their emotional, cultural, and historical significance.”
Anna, an architecture major, found the discussions on Dionysian and Apollonian ideologies insightful, saying, “The balance between design and practicality in architecture was fascinating.”
Webster University and American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) have a long-standing relationship through their joint study abroad program, Journey to Greece, designed to help students of Hellenic descent connect with their heritage. Students learn the language, culture, and history of Greece while earning up to six college credits.