By Catherine Tsounis
Dr. John Nathenas, representing the Greek-American community, supported the unique Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of the Key Luck Club at the CCNS Bayside Senior Center on 221-15 Horace Harding Expressway. Over one hundred and sixty persons attended Saturday afternoon, April 28th.
Dr. John Nathanas, Surgeon/International Leader/Founder of DIAS International Academic Studies, said “I have created an education coalition with Mrs. Irene Cheung, the ‘2010 Community Service Award’ winner of the Chinese American Voters Association of USA Inc. and former 2011 president. “We welcome all to attend the 2012 DIAS International Academic Studies Summer Program stationed at the University of Crete. The college program has six weeks of study. It gives up to ten college credits. My grandson, Alexander Filacouris is taking a course in Chinese. Our cultures are coming together. We encourage all to contact us at www.diascourses.com.”
An Asian student, whose parents are associated with the Key Luck Club, attended the 2011 DIAS summer program. She had the education experience of a lifetime. The Economic and Commercial Counselor’s Office of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Hellenic Republic, March 22, 2007, said “As the origins of Oriental and Western civilizations, China and Greece have both made great contributions to the human history. The two peoples hold warm and friendly feelings toward each other. Since the forging of diplomatic ties 34 years ago, the two countries have built up sound relations on the basis of equality; mutual respect and benefit… In the history of human development, the oriental civilization represented by ancient China and the western civilization represented by Ancient Greece interacted with each other and glorified each other. Today, the two countries are working together for their greater prosperity and a better world. Mutual interest and mutual benefit has ushered in a golden period of cooperation, have generated more opportunities for China and Greece, and have fully prove that different cultures surely can coexist and cooperate peacefully and fruitfully, thus contributing to a harmonious world.”
Angelo Kiapos, an educator from California said, “I sent my daughter to summer college programs to help her graduate in four years from the State University of California.” State Universities are making it difficult for students to graduate on time by extending the college experience to six years, though a limited amount of course offerings.
The summer of 2001 Margaret Skourlis took the D.I.A.S. program. It was one of the best experiences in her life. She loved it so much she took the program again in 2002. From the years that Margaret took the D.I.A.S. program, she watched 3 couples meet there and fall in love and get married. Margaret herself met many people of which she keeps in touch till this day. They are friends for life. The experience of living with other Americans in Greece was indescribable. The courses Margaret took at the University of Crete in Rethymno included: Archaeology, Ancient Greek, Advanced Modern Greek, and Cretan history. Margaret helped dig up artifacts during archeology class in Eleftherna. The program sent them to Santorini in 2001. They visited the volcanoes and swam in the natural mud ocean in Santorini. It is an experience she will never forget which she wishes she could relive.
A student can earn 10 college credits, helping them graduate on time or early from college. The courses will be held at the University of Crete in Rethymno from July 1st to August 5th. The Program cost is $3,800, included in the tuition, room/board, and 2 meals per day and weekend excursions to historic sites of Crete. Airfare and travel to and from Crete are the responsibility of the student. For more information, contact Dr. John Nathenas, 516 624-6828, fax 516 624-9050 or email [email protected].
Photo: Dr. Nathenas (middle) pictured here with high school and college students.
