"I'm happy to share my experience of the amazing 4-day, 3-night trip that I took with my MSc Law and Economics in Energy Markets class from Athens University of Economics and Business last weekend. It was truly unforgettable!

We stayed in the charming city of Kastoria, which served as our base for the trip. The hotel we stayed in was comfortable and provided us with the perfect starting point for our daily activities.
The highlight of the trip for me was visiting the power plant in Ptolemaida. As an engineer, visiting the power plant in Ptolemaida was an incredibly valuable experience for me. It was the first time I had the opportunity to see in practice what I had previously only learned about in books. We are truly grateful to the employees of the PPC (ΔΕΗ Α.Ε.) power plant for going out of their way to share their wisdom and knowledge with us. They made our stay there both educational and, most importantly, safe. I feel privileged to have had the chance to learn from them and gain a deeper understanding of the workings of a power plant. It gave us a unique perspective on how a power plant operates and was an invaluable learning opportunity.
During our trip, we also had the honor of meeting the Mayor of Eordaia, Panagiotis Plakentas, at the city hall. We came in touch with the concerns of the local people regarding job losses due to the green transition, and the Mayor was open to answering our questions. It was an eye-opening experience, and we are very thankful for the opportunity to have engaged in meaningful dialogue such a distinguished and hardworking local leader.
We also visited the ΑΡΚΤΟΥΡΟΣ - ARCTUROS Bear, Wolf & Lynx Conservation Area, where we saw these magnificent animals up close. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that we will never forget, and it gave us a newfound appreciation for their importance to the ecosystem.
Another highlight of the trip was the visit by Τζηκαλάγιας Ζήσης, a Member of the Hellenic Parliament from the New Democracy Party, who spoke with us about the city of Kastoria and Greek energy policy. Despite being a busy time due to the pre-election period, he took the time to have a constructive conversation with us. It was inspiring to witness a politician engage with students, listen to our ideas and we are appreciative to Mr. Tzikalagias for his willingness to visit us and share his expertise despite his busy schedule.
On our last day, we visited Vergina and the Museum of the Royal Tombs of Aigai - Vergina, which were both incredibly fascinating and educational. It was a great way to wrap up our trip.
I want to thank our science director, Professor Asteris Pliakos, for accompanying us on this trip and making sure everything ran smoothly. The trip was not only educational but also helped us build strong connections with each other and forge lasting friendships. It was an amazing experience that we will cherish for years to come.

In conclusion, this trip was an incredible opportunity to learn about energy and sustainability and engage with a wide range of topics.
We are already looking forward to next year's trip and the new adventures and learning opportunities it will bring."