George Argyropoulos

Argyropoulos

Alumnus Profiled: George Argyropoulos
Graduated: Deree’85
Lives in: Johannesburg, South Africa
Current Position: Owner/CEO Cruises International


Know thyself, determine what you want to achieve in life, set goals, devise a plan and achieve them!”


GEORGE ARGYROPOULOS was born in Athens, Greece and graduated from Deree in 1985. After his military service, he worked for a cruise line company based in Piraeus. In 1989 George was sent to work at the company’s office in New York. In 1991 he moved to Johannesburg, South Africa where he founded Cruises International, a company specializing in the marketing of cruise holidays. It soon became the largest company of its kind in Africa. It has earned many awards competing on a global basis. George is married to Lia Klapsidis and has two daughters, Eleni and Aliki and two stepdaughters Tina and Ioanna. His favorite hobbies are waterskiing, sailing and scuba diving.


INTERVIEW

Q.: What are three enduring lessons you learned during your studies at Deree?

  • Nothing is impossible.
  • Understand a problem, analyze it objectively, and find the solution.
  • Think laterally

 

Q.: Describe Deree in three words.

Challenge, Knowledge, Fun!

Q.: One of your favorite Deree memories?

My fondest memory is when Dr. [Albert] Arouh appointed me a “teaching assistant” and I offered tutorials to freshmen on macro- and microeconomics. It was the most fulfilling experience of my life up until then.

Q.: What do you miss most from your days at Deree?

The mental challenges, the debates and the cafeteria!

Q.: What was your favorite spot on campus?

The Deree lawn. It was a great place to study in the shade under the trees or sit around with friends.

Q.: Who was your favorite professor and why?

Dr. Arouh for sure! He was captivating, challenging and a great teacher in the true sense of the word.

Q.: Have you kept in touch with any of your classmates?

Unfortunately not. I regret not making the effort to stay in touch. Since I left Greece it has been impossible to trace some of my old colleagues.

Q.: How did Deree help prepare you for your professional life?

It taught me discipline, to work with and lead teams, how to analyze problems and situations, to apply scientific methodology in many areas of my life.

Q.: What’s the greatest piece of advice you’ve ever received?

We live in a world of abundance.

The universe’s potential is within each one of us. Discover it, unlock it and put it to good use.

Success is to achieve the goals you set for yourself!

Q.: What (or who) inspires you most?

I draw inspiration from people who in spite all odds have achieved great things.  It is my daily proof that words like “fear” and “impossible” should be purged!

Q.: Your motto in life?

Know thyself, determine what you want to achieve in life, set goals, devise a plan and achieve them!


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