International Relations, Johns Hopkins University-SAIS, Washington, District of Columbia
I have formed strong connections with fellow Fulbrighters both in Washington, DC, and other locations. Initially, I persuaded a fellow Fulbrighter from my university to become my roommate through the Fulbrighter Network platform. This has become a highlight of my life here, providing me with a trusted companion to share numerous experiences. Our shared concerns and advice have significantly eased the process of acclimating to life in the U.S. Additionally, I maintain close relationships with other Fulbrighters at my university and in the area through various WhatsApp groups. Regular communication is also maintained with Greek Fulbrighters through our dedicated WhatsApp group chat, and we even coordinated a lunch meeting in Washington, DC, following the signing of our DS-2019s for international travel.
I consider myself fortunate to attend a university, particularly a School, that recently unveiled its new campus in the heart of Washington, DC—the Bloomberg Center. Given that the building welcomed its first occupants in August 2023, it was expected to have some initial issues, such as the absence of a cafeteria or restaurant. However, the overall infrastructure is state-of-the-art, and it fulfills all my expectations.
The study program has far exceeded my expectations, providing a comprehensive experience. I am gaining practical and captivating knowledge from my courses, benefiting from engaging, helpful, and easily accessible instructors. The community of students is exceptional, characterized by limited to no competition and a collective effort to support each other whenever possible. While I didn't anticipate forming such close connections with some professors, I must note that the social aspect within the campus could have been slightly better. It's not a criticism of the people involved, but rather the program's requirements, the busy daily schedule, and the need for personal time leave little room for quality socializing and meaningful connections among students. It's a bit more challenging than expected.
As a SAIS student, I engaged in the Fall Domestic Staff Ride at Valley Forge and will soon embark on a journey to Dunkirk, Dover, and London for the International Staff Ride focused on the Battle of Britain. These Staff Rides are immersive trips designed to recreate the strategic environment of historical events. Each participant takes on a designated character and delivers a speech reflecting their role and thoughts during that period. Additionally, I took part in the Quantico Leadership Venture, a two-day experience at the U.S. Marines Officer Candidate School. This venture allowed us to undergo training and experience the physical and mental pressures faced by Marine Officer Candidates.
Read Stavros Piperidis' JHU-SAIS Student Story
Stavros Piperidis was invited as moderator to the panel discussion on Defending Forward: NATO Priorities and Youth Perspectives on Defense & Security with Javier Colomina, NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy; Ana-Maria Cătăuță, Member of the Romanian Parliament; Simone Askew, Military Advisor, U.S. Department of State, andPreston Stewart, creator of military and educational content, as part of the NATO Youth Summit in Miami, May 2024.