June 29th
To start the day, students were treated to a frappe by program director Dr. Jim Dimitriou at “Coffee Break!” After enjoying frappes, the students headed to the University of Indianapolis, Athens Campus, and received an orientation regarding the program. The orientation was thorough and covered topics such as phone cards, information about the local Monastiraki neighborhood, safety in Athens, registration for class, along with other academic information. Students also received their official Olympic uniforms along with items from the 2011 Athens Special Olympics World Summer Games that would be used when fulfilling their volunteering commitment at the games. Each student received two polo t-shirts, a jacket, a hat, a pair of pants, a fanny-pack, and an orientation handbook. After admiring the wonderful gifts from the Special Olympics, students returned and enjoyed a taverna lunch that consisted of a variety of souvlaki, pasta, pizza, Greek salad, pita and tzatziki.
Following our wonderful lunch, students made a short walk through Plaka to the beautiful new Acropolis Museum. After taking a group photo, in front of the museum which recently opened in 2009 and which has been awarded numerous awards, the students headed inside to take in and appreciate the history of one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Dr. Dimitriou gave the students a private guided tour throughout the museum. Dr. Dimitriou provided information regarding the Acropolis, but also explained the Parthenon Marble controversy, explaining the hope of Greece to see the return of the freezes taken by Lord Elgin. After a guided tour, students watched an informational video at the museum and had time to further explore the Acropolis Museum.
After taking in the award-winning museum, students headed back to the University of Indianapolis, Athens Campus for a rooftop Welcome Reception. The AHEPA Athens Chapter HJ1 generously sponsored the reception. Our dinner featured an array of food including souvlaki, loukaniko, gyro, salad, Spanakopita, and potatoes catered by the famous restaurant, “Bariktarides.” Because of the large amount of food, students were able to leave with a tray of food for future snacks. Following the reception, students headed back to their apartments and prepared for their first day of volunteering at the Special Olympics.
June 30th
Students today started their first day of official volunteering at the Special Olympics. The Journey family had an early wake up call and met at the University in volunteer uniform. Because of commitment to the Special Olympics program, all students are committed to six shifts throughout the coming week of activities at the Olympic Center. The volunteer hours would then transform into the necessary requirements for college credit for the Introduction to Community Service Class course. So our students headed to the Special Olympics Center for a full volunteer workday.
Upon arrival to the Olympic center, students were met by a Special Olympics Volunteer Coordinator and split into two groups. One group assisted with Track and Field events and the other half of the Journey family worked at the Aquatic center with swimming events. Each group was given a guided tour of the Olympic Center and then was assigned a volunteer post.
Spectator Services assigned the students a position. Students assisted by checking credentials of Athletes, working at the information booth, awarding medals to athletes, and assisting at the volunteer hospitality area. The director of spectator services was very appreciative of the hard working students, especially since they were able to assist the many English-speaking athletes, coaches, volunteers, and spectators from around the world.
After a long volunteer workday, students visited the Special Olympics festival area. Students enjoyed the many activities, free gifts, and information booths at the festival. Additionally, the Journey family watched a movie that provided background information about the Special Olympics and the founder, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. At the end of the day, students returned for a nice taverna dinner and then off to their apartments for rest before the next day of work at the Special Olympics.
July 1st
The Journey family met in the morning outside of the University of Indianapolis Campus and headed for the Olympic Training Center for a day of work. Students today had experience in their positions and returned to their posts. Volunteering was an opportunity for the Journey Family to meet people from around the world. Many students participated in the Special Olympics tradition of trading pins. This practice was an opportunity for students to interact with people from different countries and get souvenirs from around the world.
After another full volunteer workday, students headed to the beautiful Athens neighborhood, Kifissia, and enjoyed a meal at a local taverna. At the completion of the meal, all the students had the opportunity to attend a Youth Rally and Concert sponsored by the Special Olympics, which stressed tolerance and acceptance for people with disabilities. The celebration also featured live music from musicians around the world and Greek entertainers. Students then returned to their apartments and prepared for their next day at the Special Olympics.
July 2nd
Today began the third day of the Journey to Greece family’s work at the Special Olympics. Another full day at the athletic venues would continue. Because of the fine volunteer work of the students, the Journey family was invited to a special pool party for Olympic Volunteers that would take place the next day, at the conclusion of the events. After returning to their apartments, students prepared for another wonderful meal.
Thanks to the generosity of the local AHEPA Glyfada Chapter, HJ-2 and our host George Belios, the JTG family was given an early celebration of the Forth of July. A tavern in Paleo Faleron was reserved for the students and hamburgers, hot dogs, macaroni salad, and other American entrees were offered. After a nice meal and traditional Greek hospitality, students headed back to the campus to relax and for their last day of volunteer work at the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games.
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