We are less than 72 hours from the beginning of our journey. Please take note of the two attachments that provide important arrival instructions. Students that are already in Greece should take note of the attached map that provide directions to the University. Let the Journey Begin!
For JTG E-Bulletin 1: Pre-Departure Edition click here.
Attached is the first Journey to Greece E-Bulletin. This is a pre-departure edition that features a brief introduction of the program, a letter from Program Director Dr. Jim Dimitriou, and other reminders and important information.
Also remember to check for updates on the JTG Blog and Facebook, which can be accessed by searching Ahepa Journey to Greece.
We are less than five days away from the beginning of our journey! Please take note of the following reminders as we approach the start of a wonderful summer.
First:
For students on group flights, participants leaving from Los Angeles, please meet at the LAX US Airways tickets counter at 4:30 AM on June 27th. Students leaving from Philadelphia please meet at the departure gate.
Please take note of Program Advisor Tina Papadopoulos’ note for further details:
Greetings to All!
On behalf of Dr. Dimitirou, I wanted to give you the following updates regarding this Monday's, June 27 departure:
Seating assignments are being handled currently by the travel agency and have been sent out. The group will be seated together. If you have not received it, please contact the travel agent directly at: (718) 645-6499 / (888) 968-0335
For students who are meeting the group in Philadelphia, please MEET AT THE DEPARTURE GATE.
If there are any questions or you cannot find us at the gate, please call or text: Dr. Jim Dimitriou at 310-704-4681, or Tina Papadopoulos at 617-828-7543.
Many thanks and I look forward to seeing you all next week!
Best Regards,
Tina Papadopoulos
Advisor - Journey to Greece 2011
Second:
Students, please remember to bring an external flash drive to store course work. This will allow students to work both at the university computer lab and campus apartments.
We are less than one week away from the beginning of our journey! Please take note of the attached syllabi. We highly recommend that the students begin working before they leave for Greece, so they will have more free time. If you have any questions regarding these courses, please feel free to contact program director, Dr. Jim Dimitriou, at jfdplato@aol.com.
Session 1:
Course:
Community Service and the Athens Special Olympics Program:Community: Learning & Serving.
We understand that there may be concern regarding the demonstrations in front of the Parliament in Athens last Wednesday. Please rest assured that we do monitor the situation on a daily basis. While it is not pleasing to see what has happened, it does not impact the campus program directly. Remember that our UINDY campus is located behind the Metropolis Cathedral of Athens, as are the housing units, on the walking streets of Monostiraki. It is a very safe neighborhood, free of traffic and congestion. We do get regular reports, from UINDY and from the US Embassy. The Embassy gives us updates as to places to avoid and times to not go to Syntagma or near the Parliament building. We do not allow students to enter these areas and strictly admonish them to stay clear of demonstrators. As we are given prior notice to when there will be demonstrations, we will alter the itinerary accordingly. The current purpose of the demonstrations is to prevent the passage of the new measures by preventing MPs from entering. As parliament does end it session soon, so should the demonstrators! We will do the best for the safety of our students. Our counselors and I will be assisted by the university staff to insure the safety and well being of our students. Transportation of our group will be done by private motor coach both to and from the airport and port as well as the other organized activities.
As I do communicate with Dr.Peter Wilkins at UINDY daily, I do know they have not had any problems and the school has remained open and classes have been meeting. UINDY does provide additional security at our buildings and housing as well! Both the AHEPA and UINDY are very concerned for the well being and safety of our students! We want this summer to be filled with wonderful memories and activities in a safe environment with fellow students and staff!
We do understand all concerns regarding these news events, as we at AHEPA and UINDY are all committed to the safety and well being of our kids and the students on the Journey to Greece Program! We remain dedicated to making this the most rewarding summer of a lifetime! If I can be of help, please contact me either by phone or e-mail at any time!
Along with connecting Greek-American students to their Hellenic roots, an important mission of the Journey to Greece program is allowing students to earn college credits that transfer to their universities in the United States and Canada. As the Journey to Greece program enters its sixth year, the program has over 330 alumni from over 63 universities representing 28 states and Canada. Listed are a sample of the universities and colleges of the students:
As we are less than two weeks from the beginning of our Journey, Session 1 students, please take note of the following reminder regarding uploading a photo for your volunteer credential. It is essential to upload the photo today, so the credential will be ready.
Respectfully,
Michael Savvas
-Hellenext Next Generation Correspondent
Letter from the 2011 Volunteer Program:
Dear ATHENS 2011 Volunteers,
At the Volunteer Section of the official ATHENS 2011 website, found here, you may find the Volunteer Training Manual. We kindly advise you to read it thoroughly, as there you will find important information concerning your volunteer participation at the Special Olympics World Summer Games ATHENS 2011. Upon your arrival, you will receive a hard copy of the Volunteers Training Manual, along with your Uniform and your Credentialing Pass.
Moreover, we kindly remind you that it is necessary to provide us with your picture that is necessary for ATHENS 2011 Credentialing Pass until the 17th of June the latest. In order to do so, please visit your Volunteer Application by following the provided link found here.
To upload the photo, follow the simple 5 steps given below:
1.Login (use your username and password)
2. Contact details View/Change (you can now view/correct your personal details if changed)
3. Browse (browse your files for a passport size JPG image color photo)
4. Upload photo (check that you uploaded the correct photo)
5. Save changes
Your photograph must be recent, face-on, while headgear, hair bands or sun glasses are not allowed
The background of the photograph must be plain single color, with even lighting, with no reflections or shadows
The photo that will be uploaded should at least be 4 cm x 5 cm (1,6” x 2”) with minimum resolution requirements 800 x 600 pixels.
Should you encounter any problem uploading your photo according to the instructions above, please send it via email at accreditation@athens2011.org
In your e-mail make sure that you mention your Name, Surname and Date of Birth in order to identify your registration in our Volunteer Management System.
