Summer at Home: August 2010

It's amazing how fast time goes by when you are having fun. Two months came and went. Next thing I knew it was time to say goodbye to Armenia. This was my first trip to Armenia in twenty years. I had a wonderful journey. I hope to come back very soon.

I have learned so much during this trip. Going through AAA was a great opportunity to reconnect with my country and my culture. When I first came to Armenia, it felt so surreal to be there. It took me a couple of days to realize that I was actually in Armenia. From then on my journey took off. There was so much to do and so much to see. It helped a lot that AAA had events and excursions planned for us. Another helpful aspect of the program was doing an internship. I enjoyed my internship at ACNIS. I was able to understand the real issues in Armenia and what kind of struggles people go through. I met a lot of locals who I befriended and still keep in touch with. Before coming to Armenia I did not know a lot about the country. But I left with so much more then I could imagine. This experience has definitely changed me in many ways. It was an eye opening experience that will stay with me forever.

It's impossible to sum up all the different emotions that go through you when you are experiencing something for the first time. There is no other feeling in the world that compares. You get a sense of belonging and family. Coming back after twenty years was not easy, I did not know what to expect. Visiting my relatives gave me a chance to reconnect with who I was and where I came from. I hope a lot more people will have an opportunity to do this program in the future. I really do recommend it to everyone.

This year marks the 11^th year of the Armenian Assembly of America’s (AAA) Summer Internship Program in Armenia. That program has provided university and graduate school students the opportunity to better understand the realities facing Armenians today.

Since its inception, seventy interns have participated in the AAA Summer Internship Program in Armenia, volunteering their time and services to various government and non-governmental offices in Armenia. Visits to various sites of interest in Armenia and Karabakh were arranged so interns could develop a greater understanding and appreciation of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh today.

This program provides Armenian-Americans the unique opportunity to live and work in one of the most historically and culturally rich countries in the world. These internships provide Armenian-American youth the opportunity to experience life in their homeland, gain valuable and unique professional work experience, interact both professionally and socially with their Armenian counterparts, witness firsthand and participate in Armenia’s developing democracy, and discover Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. The volunteers offer their services to various offices, providing valuable services, as well as the opportunity to interact with Diasporans on a daily basis and share their knowledge. Most of all, the program strengthens the ties between Diasporan-Armenians and their homeland.

MEETINGS WITH ARMENIAN OFFICIALS

During their time in Armenia the interns met with several government officials, spiritual leaders diplomats and other prominent individuals including His Holiness Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, Mayor of Yerevan Gagik Beglarian, Director of the Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS) Richard Giragosian, Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan, Human Right’s Defender Armen Haroutunyan, the President of Armenian Young Women’s Association (AYWA) Lilit Asatryan, US Ambassador Ms. Marie L. Yovanovitch, Head of Armenian Police Alik Sargsyan, retired CEO/ Chairman of the Board, INTEL Corporation Craig Barrett, the CEO of Viva Cell – MTS Company Ralf Yirikyan and many others. During these meetings, interns learned about the inner workings of the Armenian Government, business in Armenia, about US-Armenia relations as well as the important role of the Diaspora in the homeland.

“The AAA Summer Internship Program really is a great step that a students can take to further their professional experience. It really is a great step that an Armenian can take to learn about his/her cultural history. Worthwhile work experiences are balanced with remarkable excursions, interesting meetings and a lot of cultural events. Plus, at evenings interns are afforded the chance to independently explore the city.” said SIP Coordinator Vram Karakeshishyants.

CULTURAL, SPORT ACTIVITIES AND BUSINESS

Some of the major highlights of the internship program are the Cultural activities. The students attended the performance of the State Dance Ensemble and the concerts of Serj Tankian and “Pokr Nanener” children dance group, number of theatre performances, Golden Apricot Film Festival, Armenia – Iran soccer game and many other cultural and sport events. The Water Day (Vardavar) interns celebrated in Yerevan’s streets, splashing water on each other and strangers.

Interns familiarized themselves with Armenia's business sector and toured the Grand Candy Factory, Synopsis Armenia IT Company, Yerevan Brandy Company, visited Vivacell Company and other enterprises.

“After 9 years of leaving Armenia and returning so much had changed in Armenia but there was much more that had to get done. I saw so much potential for growth in Armenia.

The Armenian Assembly of America Internship was an experience of a lifetime. I had an opportunity to intern in the field of my interest, participate on excursions in different regions of Armenia, and made many great friends from all around the world. My favorite part was walking in the streets of Yerevan at 9 o'clock at night when the sun was still out and the fountains were dancing under the music of Aram Khachatryan and Tigran Mansuryan....life in Yerevan begins at night during summer....this was the most unforgettable, memorable, and productive summer of my life.”, said intern Anush Petrosyan.

TRAVELING AROUND ARMENIA AND NAGORNO KARABAKH

In addition to gaining a better understanding of life in Yerevan, the interns traveled outside of the city, visiting historic sites such as the the Garni Temple, the Geghard and Khor Virap Monasteries. Interns also toured Noravank, Amberd Fortress. Interns took a four-day trip to Nagorno Karabakh. On the way, they visited the Datev and Gandzasar Monasteries and the cities of Goris and Gyumri, explored Lori and Tavush regions. Interns visited also St. Etchmiadzin, Sardarapat, Oshagan, Saghmosavank and Hovhanavank Monasteries, lake Sevan and many other sites of interest.

“From all my visits to Armenia, this year was by far my favorite visit. This was due to a number of different reasons, for example, I feel like I was able to experience the true Armenian life, not as a tourist but more like someone that lived here. I also enjoyed all the excursions that we went on, especially the ones Armenian Assembly of America took us on. My favorite part of the entire trip though, was the community that we built with all the other interns. In a very short amount of time I was able to befriend so many young Armenian interns like myself, from all over the world. This was an experience I will never forget and I would definitely recommend this to anyone that wants to truly enjoy their homeland.” , said intern Aram Kavoukjian.

INTERNSHIP PLACEMENTS

For the first time, Assembly interns Aram Kavoukjian from Loyola Marymount University and Diana Oganesyan from University of California, Berkeley are interning in the Armenian Development Agency (ADA).
ADA was established in 1998 by the Government of the Republic of Armenia to facilitate foreign direct investments and promote exports.
Aram and Diana are volunteering also in “Orran”, the center for socially vulnerable children.

Aram Bedrosian from Fairleigh Dickinson University and Gaya Baloyan, Seattle Pacific University graduate are interning with the Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS).
In addition Aram is participating in the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia’s working trips to villages and Gaya is volunteering in Armenian Young Women Association.

Anush Petrosyan from Glendale Community College is interning in the Ministry of Diaspora. Part of her time she is spending in Armenian UN Association and Yerevan City Hall.