An event to celebrate the first year of the “Latsis Foundation Study Abroad Scholarships” programme was held on November 18, 2021 at the campus of the American College of Greece. The programme is a collaborative effort between Deree - The American College of Greece and the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation and offers the opportunity to students of Deree College to apply for scholarships that will enable them to attend a semester or summer programme at a prestigious university in Europe or worldwide.

The event was attended by students that participated in the programme the past summer – completing programmes at renowned universities such as Harvard University, the London School of Economics and Political Science, Bocconi University and many others – students who will be attending similar programmes in the spring semester as well as and students who seek to apply for a scholarship for the summer of 2022.

Welcoming the event, The American College of Greece President Dr. David G. Horner stated:

After months of being physically apart, I am pleased to welcome all of you up close – even behind our masks. We are proud of our students! My heartfelt congratulations to you for always pursuing opportunities that will lead to success. We are also grateful to the Latsis Foundation for supporting young people to become globally minded citizens.

Eva Lianou, General Manager of the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, noted:

Programmes such as “The Latsis Foundation Study Abroad Scholarships” demonstrate the importance of investing continuously into the evolution and development of our youth; and that lifting economic barriers to quality education are essential if we are to build healthy, thriving societies. Τhe ACG scholarships are not just about providing opportunities for the students who would not be able to visit distant academic institutions and attend specialised education programs, they just as equally provide those host institutions with the privilege to welcome and engage with brilliant young minds who would have been obstructed from accessing such spaces not due to merit, but due to financial circumstances alone.

Student Smaragda Pasiura, who is set to attend a program at Northern Arizona University in the spring of 2022, added:

"I come from a family of three children and although my parents have always supported me, I was not sure that there were enough options that would allow me to spend a semester in the US as the cost is quite high. When the Study Abroad Office informed me about an information session about ACG and Latsis Foundation scholarship opportunities, I immediately thought I wanted to apply and find every possible way to make my dream come true. I still cannot believe that my expenses are covered for around 80% of the total cost of my program at Northern Arizona University, and for this, I cannot thank enough Deree and the Latsis FoundationI plan to deliver upon the promise to be academically successful, enrich my curricular and extra-curricular life, and represent Deree proudly. Thank you for trusting me and for giving me access to this incredible opportunity.”

Dajana Memushi, a programme scholar who had the opportunity to attend a programme at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), added:

"Demonstrating the impact of Deree to my educational journey made me want to share my enthusiasm about my study abroad experience this past summer at LSE as it was an incredibly diverse experience, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to have been part of the course Environmental Economics & Sustainable Development because of the generous scholarship from the Latsis Foundation and ACG. This financial aid supported me in investing more on myself and exploring my potential to give back in the future. Now, it's my turn to work on similar projects in my society and help improve wrong concepts that people usually believe in and help achieve a more open-minded community."