Jul32018

NDCP* 2018 starts this week and is set to be an incredible trip for a group of excited and enthusiastic young Cypriots. Around 40 young overseas Cypriots (aged 18-22) will arrive in Nicosia this week from the UK, South Africa, Australia, USA, Canada, Greece and the Czech Republic. NDCP 2018 will be a whirlwind three weeks of learning about the culture, history and beauty of Cyprus as well as an amazing opportunity to meet young Cypriots from around the world and learn more about themselves. They will have the opportunity to make lifetime friendships with people of Cypriot origin but who have grown up in completely different parts of the world.

Monday to Thursday: Lessons at the University of Cyprus

The participants will have lessons at the University of Cyprus in the mornings from Monday to Thursday that will cover language, history, culture, and dance. The language lessons are taught aim to improve their knowledge of Greek and they will be placed in classes to suit their current knowledge of the language. They will also have culture and history lessons where they will learn about the varying and intriguing culture and history of Cyprus. They will learn lots during these lessons and also find them rewarding and engaging. The participants will also have dance lessons once a week which will be very fun – everyone will be at different levels but doing it all together will make it especially enjoyable. The teaching is always to a high standard with professional teachers from the University of Cyprus.

After the lessons, there will be a variety of activities organised for the participants by the trip leaders (we call them NDCP Advisers). These activities include leisure activities such as going to the beach, visiting museums and nights out; as well as team-building and cultural activities to learn more about Cyprus.

Friday to Sunday: Excursions around Cyprus

Weekends will be a particular highlight of NDCP 2018 as this is when they will get to explore different parts of Cyprus with guided tours and trips to some of the hidden gems that Cyprus has to offer. The participants will visit a vast array of places from churches to palaces to beaches to museums, there is so much to see. The great thing about the excursions is that there is something for everyone. This year, for the first time ever, NDCP participants will go on a jeep tour of the Troodos mountains and see the occupied ghost town of Famagusta from a boat. They will also explore Nicosia, Paphos, Larnaca, Limassol and Ayia Napa.

At the end of the trip, NDCP participants will be joining the 2018 NEPOMAK World Conference*, where delegates from NEPOMAK’s eight member organisations will come together in Nicosia to shape the direction of the organisation and hear
important updates from key stakeholders including the President of Cyprus and the Foreign Minister of Cyprus.

My Experience on NDCP 2017

This trip really changed my life. I came away knowing so much more about myself, my history and culture, Cyprus and new people. I’m now lucky enough to have Cypriot friends all over the world and it is something that really is amazing and I’ve managed to stay in touch with so many people from so many different countries. I would hugely encourage anyone to apply for NDCP, it’ll be the trip of a lifetime and you definitely won’t regret it.

If anyone would like more information about NDCP, they can visit www.nepomak.org/ndcp or email [email protected]

By Charlotte Maria Robinson
NDCP 2017 Participant

*NDCP stands for ‘NEPOMAK Discover Cyprus Programme’. NEPOMAK is a global organisation for young overseas Cypriots that has branches in the UK, USA, Australia, South Africa, Greece, Canada and Zimbabwe. www.nepomak.org