PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation
About Hellenic Birthright
The meaning of birthright can be defined as “a right, possession, or privilege that is one’s due by birth.” When the PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation launched Hellenic Birthright in 2012, this was precisely the reasoning behind developing such a program—to give Greek American youth their birth-given right of seeing their ancestral homeland for the very first time.
Various ethnic communities offer similar programs for their youth to experience first-hand the land of their ancestors. Since 1999, programs like Birthright Israel existed to help Jewish youth living throughout the world reclaim their birthright, and discover their ethnic identity through a trip to Israel. To date, more than 340,000 Jewish people from 62 different countries have been recipients of this life-changing gift—why not Greek American youth as well?
For many years, Chris Tomaras, Founder and Chairman of the PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation, imagined such a trip for Greek American college students. “It’s the right of our youth as well as the obligation of the Community to have our sons and daughters visit the land of their ancestors and see, feel and absorb for themselves their culture and heritage and make them proud of their roots” said Tomaras.
In 2012, the Foundation selected as the overseer of the program the 127 year old Anatolia College in Northern Greece, and their School of Higher Studies, the American College of Thessaloniki. Hellenic Birthright was born, and the inaugural trip was met with glowing success. 14 students who had never before been to Greece, were able to experience the true meaning of what it meant to be “Greek”. In addition to earning six transferable college credits through uniquely tailored courses taught by highly qualified faculty, Hellenic Birthright participants were able to experience the sights, tastes, and sounds of Greece first-hand.
“Such was the success and fulfillment of last year’s experience that this year, even with higher costs, we decided to increase the number of participants to 20” said Tomaras. Hellenic Birthright 2013 takes place from June 17 through July 22, and the Foundation’s committee selected 20 lucky students from across the nation who will experience this journey of a lifetime.
The best charitable investment you can make is in the life of a young person. When you make a donation to the PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation you give an academically outstanding, financially deserving Greek American student the opportunity to attain their life’s goal. We invite you to become our philanthropic partner by making a contribution to our Hellenic Birthright program. For more information on how to get involved, please call 312.357.6432 or visit www.panhellenicscholarships.org.
A Life Changing Opportunity for Greek American Youth
Feedback From Our Inaugural Participants
Greece--cradle of civilization, birhtplace of democracy and a country filled with wonder for 14 college students, ages 18-25 who were the inaugural participants in the PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation's newest program, Hellenic Birthright. This cultural enrichment program expands the Foundation's mission of promoting education. Hellenic Birthright is a five-week journey of a lifetime for college students who have never been to Greece. While students were responsible for their round-trip airfare, the program cobvered all in-country excursions and college tuition thanks to our generous sponsors.
Hellenic Birthright was launched in collaboration with Anatolia College and their School of HIgher Studies, the American College of Thessaloniki (ACT). This is the oldest and highly credible American University i Greece, incorporated in Massachusetts and member of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, making their courses and degrees transferrable to and acceptable by any accredited educational institution in the U.S. "We could not have found a better partner, more sensitive to our goal and more capable than ACT to carry out this mission. We express our thanks and gratitutde for making this project a success," said Chris Tomaras at a recent interview.
Hellenic Birthright '12 Participants at the Ancient Site of Delphi
"We have been welcomed into the ACT family," said Despina Sfikas, a sophomore at Monroe Community College in New York. "The professors and faculty at ACT are all kind and understanding," expressed University of Illinois sophomore, Evanthia Arianas. "Our guide Maria explained in detail the ancient buildings when we were in Delphi," continued Despina. "Visiting the birthplace of Alexander's journey in Pella and King Philip's tomb in Vergina were my clear favorites," said Dimitrios Roumeliotis from Georgetown University.
As the young Greek Americans explored the art, architecture, history and people of their ancestral home - something remarkable happened - their ethnic identity re-awakened, and a new appreciation for their Hellenic heritage emerged as their bond to Greece was reaffirmed. "There are definitely distinctions between life in America and life in Greece," said Alexa Moulakis, a junior at Loyola Univeristy in New Orleans. "The people and culture here offer more than I thought was possible when I first arrived," continued Alexa. "Thank you for the opportunity to meet amazing people and see great places."
