U of I Students Visit Cyprus over Winter Break

Students meet with H.E. Mr. Ioannis Kasoulidis,
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyrpsu

While many University students returned home for winter vacation and avoided the blistering cold by staying indoors, other students spent their break overseas and expanded their cultural knowledge. This winter, the University of Illinois Modern Greek Studies Program conducted a study abroad course to Cyprus, “Conflict and Post-Conflict Resolution in Modern Cyprus: Life and Culture Divided by a Wall.” Students traveled to the small island in the Mediterranean Sea and had the opportunity to explore the landscape and meet several important figures, such as the Christian Orthodox Archbishop, Chrysostomos II, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Ioannis Kasoulidis.

Students meet the Christian Orthodox Archbishop, Chrysostomos II

Not only did students in this program get the opportunity to meet prestigious people, but they also visited several notable locations, such as Throni — the tomb of Archbishop Makarios III, who was the first President of the Republic of Cyprus — and Paphos, the birthplace of Venus in Greek Mythology. The Modern Greek Studies program at the University of Illinois is dedicated to educating students about the history, politics, art and other important aspects of modern Greece. The study abroad program is a wonderful opportunity that allows students to better understand the multifaceted nature of Cypriot society.

For more information about the Modern Greek Studies program at the University of Illinois, visit: http://www.moderngreek.illinois.edu/
If you’d like to view student and faculty photographs from the trip to Cyprus, visit the group’s Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Study-Abroad-Trip-to-Cyprus-UIUC/567931636633235.
Photos courtesy of the Modern Greek Studies Program.

Throni, the tomb of Archbishop Makarios III, the first President of the Republic of Cyprus