AHI Foundation Study Abroad Student Interviewed by Ivy School’s Daily Newspaper

WASHINGTON, DC — Elias Gerasoulis, a sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania, and participant on the 2015 AHI Foundation Study Abroad program, has his experience published recently in his university’s newspaper.

Gerasoulis recounted what is was like to be in Greece during a critical time in its history to The Daily Pennsylvanian, the independent daily student newspaper of the University of Pennsylvania.  The article, “In the midst of a financial crisis, Penn student meets the president of Greece” by Mitchell Chan appeared on the front page of The Daily Pennsylvanian, Oct. 5, 2015. 

Gerasoulis, who had never traveled to Greece prior to this trip, told the newspaper, “I thought this would be a tremendous opportunity both to deepen my level of knowledge — both in an academic and visceral level — and also really engage in discussion with some of these really international issues.”

The article reported on the many meetings Gerasoulis and his fellow students had with dignitaries and government officials, including President of Greece Prokopis Pavlopoulos. It also shared a few of his personal and memorable moments as Gerasoulis was able to connect with relatives living in Greece with who he’s had little or no contact.

“We are thrilled that Elias was able to share his experiences with his peers and the academic community of the University of Pennsylvania,” AHI President Nick Larigakis said.  “We thank The Daily Pennsylvanian for taking an interest in his story. We look forward to providing additional students with the same memorable and educational experiences that Elias encountered on future trips.”

Gerasoulis is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts double major in government and history at the University of Pennsylvania.  Prior to departing for the study abroad trip, he said the trip would “allow me to gain greater insight on the issues and concerns that Greece and Cyprus are currently grappling with, fueling my hopes of contributing to a culture and a people that have given me so much.”

The American Hellenic Institute is an independent non-profit Greek American public policy center that works to strengthen relations between the United States and Greece and Cyprus, and within the Greek American community.

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For additional information, please contact Georgea Polizos at (202) 785-8430 or at pr@ahiworld.org. For general information about the activities of AHI, please see our website at https://www.ahiworld.org and follow us on Twitter @TheAHIinDC.