Modern Greek

• Greece is the cradle of Western civilization, and has made substantial artistic, scientific,philosophical,political, ethical, and culinary (mediterranean diet) contributions. Studying and understanding Greek culture provides a solid foundation in comprehending the history and development of Western civilization.
• Greece is also the birthplace of the Olympic Games, a major international event that promotes goodwill, friendship, and collaboration among nations. Greece also stands at the geopolitical crossroads of East and West, Southern and Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean, thus providing employment opportunities in multiple areas such as commerce, business, finance, etc.
• Greece's historical and political roots have relevance in present-day international affairs. Greece, has been, and continues to be a dynamic member of the European Union since 1981, and is the economic and political leader of the Balkans in southeastern Europe. Moreover, Greece's commercial fleet carries 30 percent of the world's sea-born trade, and 80 percent of China's sea-born trade.
• Greece, drawing on its ancient (classical) and Renaissance (Byzantine) traditions, continues to explore and influence the world with the values of logos (word/reason), cosmos (people), polis (city), episteme/paideia (science/education), techne (art), philia (friendship), phronesis (good sense), metron (balance), and mostly anthropos (man).

Maria K Hatzios