Melina Liodakis: a few words
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I am a junior at Brookline High School, MA, and I am strongly interested in current affairs and international relations.
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I was born in London and have lived in the US for over 15 years. I hold three nationalities (Greek, American, and British).
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I spend my summers in Greece, and I try to get involved in fun projects while also giving back to the local community.
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Having volunteered at Global Brigades since the summer of 2021, I have developed a strong interest in immigration policies through hands-on experience.
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Academically, the programs I attended at Sciences Po (2024) and Esade (2023) have sparked even more my interest in immigration.
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In my spare time, I play lacrosse for my high school, a club team, and Greece's Lacrosse team (a team formed to represent Greece in lacrosse tournaments). I also serve as a Lacrosse Referee in Primary and Secondary school tournaments.
My Personal Involvement
June-July 2021, Global Business TeleSquad - hybrid (online & Greece)
Key Program Features
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6-week virtual program June-June 2021
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Mentorship from professionals at leading consulting firms
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Tangible impact on refugee and migrant-owned businesses
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Cultural immersion without international travel
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Development of practical business and consulting skills
My Reflections
I was first introduced to Global Brigades in 2021. As a Greek-American who regularly visited Greece, I wanted to make a difference and help my community in the confines of my room during COVID-19.
I mainly volunteered online, helping immigrants build their business profiles online. This experience introduced me to an unseen side of Greece, filled with hardships and discrimination.
My sister and I worked to help a refugee living in Greece build his business by improving his social media and creating a website for him. We created a layout he could follow to help him with future social media posts and learned about the experiences of creating, expanding, and marketing a business. After this experience, I tried to keep in touch with Global Brigades, visiting regularly when in Greece.
I chose to deepen my involvement with Global Brigades by participating in more hands-on initiatives. Through Global Brigades, I found a way to connect with my cultural heritage and developed a broader understanding of global issues and the importance of empathy in service. This journey has been transformative, shaping my perspective on social responsibility and inspiring me to pursue a career where I can continue to contribute to meaningful change.
September 2021, Beaver Country Day School
In September 2021, the leadership team at the Hiatt Center at Beaver Country Day School asked me to do a presentation in the school about my involvement at Global Brigades Greece in the summer of 2021. I received many compliments for his initiative and was awarded a stipend for my social impact contribution as a middle school student. In addition, the Hiatt Center was inspired by the program and requested more information.
Following the presentation, Beaver Country Day and Global Brigades launched a pilot virtual program for the Social Studies Class for the High School. The geographical focus of the program was Panama -"Business Brigades Panama." The program took place from January to March 2022 and raised over $3,000. Click here for more information.
My Reflections
Presenting in front of Beaver Country Day students and teachers just after summer was not an easy task. I was nervous as I was not sure whether the audience was going to be interested in hearing about my experience. I was really excited to see that everyone seemed to be genuinely interested, and many students came to the end and asked me questions. The leadership of the Hiatt Center congratulated me and asked to be put in touch with Global Brigades. Several months later, I felt very proud when I heard that Beaver Country Day incorporated the Business Telesquad program into one of their classes.
July 2024, Athens, Greece
In the summer of 2024, seven students (15-16 years old) from around the world and I volunteered at Global Brigades to help at the Polyclinic and volunteer at local NGOs. During the mornings, we visited several NGOs helping out with serving food, educating our community, and helping business organize their products. We also helped a small business owner to grow his business and social media presence. These hands-on efforts allowed us to address immediate community needs while providing long-term support for local businesses.
My Reflections
This experience helped widen my view of daily life in Greece and the hardships that many immigrants in Greece face. I learned about several aspects of entrepreneurship, challenges as well as opportunities and actions that can help grow business revenues. I also learned practical skills in business development, including marketing strategies and revenue growth techniques, which I hope to apply in future social impact initiatives.
The whole experience also deepened my understanding of resilience and the social challenges within underserved communities. Above all, it reinforced my commitment to creating positive change through cross-cultural collaboration.
Plans for 2025, Athens, Greece
I am hoping to continue my involvement with Global Brigades in 2025. Specifically, I am planning to introduce this program to Brookline High School, MA so that we form a group of students who will travel to Greece and volunteer accompanied by a chaperone.
Please email me in case you are interested in joining the program: melina.liodakis@gmail.com