Just a friendly reminder for Session 1 students, journals for the Introduction to Community Service class are due at the end of the cruise (July 15th). Please feel free to contact Dr. Dimitriou regarding any questions or concerns.
The Journey family today had a time to reflect on what was a wonderful Special Olympics. Collectively, we contributed a combined total of over 1200 hours as volunteers for Spectator Services at the Aquatic Center and the Athletic Stadium at the OAKA Center. As part of the requirement for the Introduction to Community Service course, we have to write a journal and share our thoughts about the live changing experience.
The day was also one of celebration, since Journey member, Mihalis Schindle, was celebrating his 21st birthday. To celebrate, students enjoyed a wonderful taverna lunch at our favorite restaurant in Plaka. When the meal was complete, program director Dr. Dimitriou treated the Journey family to ice cream to celebrate Mihalis’ special day.
After the birthday treat, we had some free time and were able to catch up on homework and also shop for some souvenirs. Later that evening, the Journey family had a second birthday celebration for Mihalis at the Noodle Bar restaurant close to campus. The Journey family then returned to their apartments and prepared for a busy day ahead.
July 6
The day started with our customary meal at our favorite taverna in Plaka. Our group came dressed in business casual attire and with passports in hand ready to visit the US Embassy in Athens after lunch. We had the unique opportunity to have a private briefing with US Ambassador to Greece, Daniel B. Smith. Once at the embassy and students had gone through security, a State Department official escorted students to our private briefing room.
The briefing started with an introduction period, where students introduced themselves to the Ambassador. Hon. Daniel B. Smith then briefed us on important US-Greek foreign policy issues. He discussed how media outlets should have covered how wonderful a Special Olympics Greece hosted, rather than the purely negative focus on the demonstrations in front of the Parliament. He stressed the importance of Greece’s contribution to the NATO alliance. The Ambassador was especially thankful for the level of cooperation with Greece allowing the continued use of the deep-water port of Souda Bay in Crete for naval operations. He stressed the fact that Greece aided in Libyan evacuation and aid. The Ambassador also updated the students about the FYROM name issue, the Aegean Sea dispute and the Cyprus issue. Ambassador Burns stated that the US Embassy would continue to use its offices to help foster more tourism from the US and would specifically encourage US cruise lines to make Greece a primary destination.
Following the initial briefing, students had the opportunity to pose questions. The Journey family was very prepared and questioned the Ambassador on a variety of issues. Questions included, what are the consequences of Greece leaving the EURO Zone; how American businesses can be encouraged to invest in Greece; and how will Souda Bay continue to help NATO and US obligations relative to Libya and the instability in the Eastern Mediterranean. When the question and answer period was complete, the group gathered around Ambassador Smith for a group picture, who complimented the Journey family on their wonderful questions. Before leaving the Embassy, the Journey family gathered around a statue of former Secretary of State Geroge Marshall, which was generously donated by the Order of AHEPA.
The students then returned to their apartments and changed into comfortable clothing before departing for one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Acropolis. After a short briefing on the history of the Acropolis by Dr. Dimitriou, students left to climb the historic site. Upon reaching the summit of the Acropolis, AHEPA Counselor, Tina Papadopoulos, who is a board member of The American Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures, shared the committee’s efforts to reunify the Parthenon Marbles. Subsequently the group took our traditional group photo in front of the Acropolis, students had the opportunity to explore the monuments until closing of the historic site. Students then returned to their apartments and had an opportunity to reflect on the experience and work on schoolwork. The evening was free for dinner and meeting students from both Hellenext and the Special Olympics.
Congratulations to the Journey to Greece Volunteers at the Special Olympics! They contributed a combined total of over 1200 hours as volunteers for Spectator Services at the Aquatic Center and the Athletic Stadium at the OAKA Center! This was a rich, rewarding experience for our students to take part in the Special Olympics and help show the world the best that Greece has to offer! A wonderful week of experiences culminated in the 2011 Athens Special Olympics Closing Ceremonies for all of our volunteers! This was inspirational and brought the proceeding to a fantastic close with fireworks and beautiful entertainment for all!
The 2011 Athens Special Olympics truly brought out the best that Greece has to offer! The Greek people show their pride and their generosity in giving and volunteering for such an important event! It is too bad that the news media only focuses on the negative news! Our students are proud to be a part of such a wonderful event!
Attached, here, is the second Journey to Greece E-Bulletin. This edition features an overview of our week and pictures from the Special Olympics, Acropolis Museum, and the Closing Ceremonies.
Respectfully, Michael SavvasHellenext Next Generation Correspondent
Today, marked the final day of competition at the 2011 Athens Special Olympics World Summer games. The Journey family returned to their posts and continued helping with Spectator services at the aquatic center and track and field stadium.
As Special Olympics athletes continued winning medals, students grew closer to local Greeks who were also volunteering at the games. Olympic pins from around the world were exchanged along with new friendships and spirit of commitment in the true Olympic Spirit for the future. The head of spectator services, Evangelos Papapostolou, extended an open invitation to students to visit his island, Evia. Emails and facebooks were also exchanged as we all bonded by making a difference in the lives of athletes with intellectual disabilities.
Shortly after the final medal was awarded, students congregated around the Olympic swimming pool for a celebration for volunteers. Each branch of volunteer services was called up to the awards podium and collectively the Journey family stood on the awards podium to receive much deserved recognition. At the conclusion of the ceremony, students jumped in the pool and refreshed as a DJ played music for the pool party.
Once the party was complete, the Olympic Festival continued before students made the way back to Plaka, where they concluded the day with a traditional taverna dinner.
July 4th
Independence day was a relaxing day for students. As the students had completed their volunteer commitment, students had their first opportunity celebrate with a day at the beach. Students enjoyed the beautiful Athens day at Voula beach, by lounging, swimming, and playing beach volleyball.
Students later returned to their apartments and prepared for a wonderful evening, which featured a taverna dinner and the 2011 Athens Special Olympics World Summer Games closing ceremony. The closing ceremony, held at Panathineum Stadium (the site of the original Olympic Games in 1896), had an electric atmosphere. Music from around the world entertained the Journey family and the wonderful achievements of the Athletes were celebrated. Famous Greek entertainers including Protopsalti and Glykeria were joined by Korean entertainers, “the Wonder Girls.” The show concluded with multimedia presentation and reenactment of the continuum of Greek history through music and performance from the Illiad to Theorodakis. The ending march of the athletics each carried a light out of the stadium completed the performance!
The Special Olympics flag was passed to Korea, who Tim Shriver announced in 2013 will host the Special Olympics World Winter games. The night was complete with spectacular fireworks, which was fitting since it allowed the Journey family to celebrate American independence in a fitting way.
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.
