Thank You! (AAA Intern Julia Madden Nalbandian)

I had a lot of fun and am thankful for the opportunity to travel to Armenia, live with a host family, and learn and see so much. I had an amazing time this summer and hope to come back soon!

Julia

Thank you Armenian Assembly! ( a letter from AAA Intern Angela Babayan)

I feel like I haven't left Armenia. I feel like I'm vacationing in the U.S. It's so weird to be back home. I don't fit in anymore. I think my views have broadened so much in the last 2 months that I am no longer the same person. Yes, I'm experiencing another form of culture shock. I just haven't figured out what it is yet.
I don't know what to say. To be honest...I am speechless....I have never been able to go somewhere and feel like I'm home in such a short time. From using the marshutni's to the buses and making friends wherever I went. This was not my first visit to Armenia but I can say, for sure, this was the BEST! I have never appreciated a place so much. So much history and belief that it just blew my mind away. This Internship Program helped me not only network with people I would love to work with and get to know more but it has given me friends to cherish for the long run. From the meetings with prominent individuals in the Armenian community, to the excursions around Armenia, this has been the most memorable trip I have taken in my life. Thank you for the opportunity. It has been a pleasure getting to know everyone. I have already missed all the staff!!! I love them all very much and I hope to see you all next year!
Thank you soooooo much!!!

SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM IN ARMENIA WRAPS UP

This year marks the 12th anniversary 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-five 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.
“This internship program provides Armenian-American youth an exceptional opportunity to interact both professionally and socially with counterparts in Armenia. They gain a better understanding of what they can do to strengthen their Armenian communities. Many interns return to Armenia with their friends or parents. Some of them have even established their own internship or assistance programs,” said SIP Coordinator Vram Karakeshishyants.

MEETINGS WITH ARMENIAN OFFICIALS

During their time in Armenia the interns met with several government officials including Human Rights Defender Karen Andreasyan, Director of the Regional Studies Center (RSC) Richard Giragosian, Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan, Prime Minister of Nagorno Karabakh Republic Arayik Harutyunyan, the President of Armenian Young Women’s Associaton (AYWA) Lilit Asatryan, US US Chargé D’affaires Bruce Donahue, Director of Armenian Genocide Museum & Institute Hayk Demoyan and others. During these meetings, interns learned about the inner workings of the Armenian Government, about US-Armenia relations as well as the important role of the Diaspora in the homeland.
" I would have never imagined being able to meet the Minister of Defense at these extreme times. I was so moved that he took his time to meet with us and answer our questions when he didn't have to. He gave us inspiring words to let us know that even as Diasporans and away from our native country we can do little things to not only motivate our troops but to give them our energy. Not only was this an opportunity of a lifetime but it brought me a closer feel to what I would like to do for my native country.", said AAA intern Anzhela Babayan

CULTURAL 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, number of theatre performances, Pan Armenian Games and Golden Apricot Film Festival and many other cultural events.
Interns familiarized themselves with Armenia's business sector and toured the Artfood Factory, Yerevan Brandy Company, visited Vivacell Company and other enterprises.

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 the ruins of Ani, Monasteries of Goshavank, Noravank and Tegher, Amberd Fortress. Interns took a three-day trip to Nagorno Karabakh. On the way, they visited the Datev and Gandzasar Monasteries and the city of Goris. In Karabakh, the interns toured the capital city of Stepanakert. The students traveled to the town of Shushi and Visited the 19th century Ghazanchetsots Amenaprkich Church. Interns visited also St. Etchmiadzin, , Oshagan, Saghmosavank and Hovhanavank Monasteries, lake Sevan and many other sites of interest.
"I LOVED BEING IN ARMENIA!!! I WILL BE BACK NEXT SUMMER!!! I never had a more unforgetable summer!!!!!!", said AAA Intern Anzhela Babayan.

INTERNSHIP PLACEMENTS

For the first time, Assembly interns Anzhela and Tatevik Babayans interned in Regional Studies Center (RSC). Their supervisor is the famous political scientist Richard Giragossian.
In addition Tatevik was involved in the activities of “Hye Helping Hands” charity, which was established by her and her friends.
Ishkhanuhi was splitting her time between the Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Economics. Julia Madden was interning in the Civilitas Foundation.

To date, AAA interns, from all over the United States, have volunteered in more than 40 offices, including:

• Armen Pharm
• Armenian American Wellness Center
• Armenian Center for National and International Studies
• Armenian-European Policy and Legal Advice Center
• Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute
• Armenian Young Women Association
• Armenian UN Association
• Armenia Now News Agency
• Armenian Tourism Development Agency
• Armenia Tree Project
• Bars Media
• Constitutional Court
• Habitat for Humanity
• Hayastan All Armenia Fund
• Hoffman La Roche Armenia
• International Center for Human Development
• Markaryan Medical Center
• Millennium Challenges Corporation – Armenia
• Mission Armenia
• Nairi Medical Center
• National Competitiveness Council of Armenia
• National Geographic Traveler
• NKR Representation Office in Armenia
• Nork Marash Medical Center
• Orran Children Center
• OSCE
• ROA Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sports Affairs
• Ministry of Diaspora
• ROA Ministry of Education and Science
• ROA Ministry of Finance & Economy
• ROA Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• ROA Ministry of Health
• Ministry of Justice
• ROA Ministry of Urban Development
• ROA Office of the Ombudsman (Human Rights Defender)
• UNDP
• Fuller Center for Housing, Armenia
• Armenian Development Agency
• Yerevan City Hall
• Regional Studies Center
• Civilitas

Photos from the Farewell Dinner

Trip to Sevan, Noratus and Hayravanq

AAA Interns meet with AYWA president Lilit Asatryan

On the 16^th of August the Assembly’s Summer Internship in Armenia Class of 2011 had a meeting with Lilit Asatryan, the president of Armenian Young Women’s Association (AYWA), as well as with the staff and volunteers of the association. The meeting took place at AAA’s Yerevan Office.

Mrs. Asatryan presented the main activities, goals of AYWA. She also shared with her experience of working with young women in rural areas of Armenia, encouraging them to play a more active part in the society, raising their awareness on different social issues, strengthening their role in all the aspects of the Armenian society, empowering them, etc.

AYWA is a non-profit, non-governmental organization comprised of young people united in their determination to improve the status of women in Armenia. AYWA's mission is to lead social change and to achieve equality of opportunity and reward for all Armenian women, achieving a just and productive society for all.

A lively discussion followed between the AAA Yerevan interns and the members of AYWA on the role of the Armenian women in the Armenian society, the difference between the women in the US and in Armenia, women’s role in the political field, gender equality and so on. 

August Diary of Events Dilijan

June 6

They say the best trips are with your family. I think I have enjoyed my trip to Dilijan with morkur and the kids soooo much that I can't imagine going away from them at the end of this summer. I have become so attached to this land that I just can't imagine leaving.....

It took forever until my aunt got everything together. But I think i was rushing to see the beauty of Dilijan....

On the way, I think I took wayyy too many pictures....it's ok. I think throughout this whole trip in Armenia, I think today was the max out point of taking pictures....

After A LONG TIME OF LOOKING FOR THE HOUSE, dropping all the stuff in a house very similar to a farm house, we decided to go to Haghartsin Monastery. With 2 people that have iPhone's and a Navigation System, we got a bit lost...not sure how that happened...but they say when you get lost you find something new. I think I found a new found love for Dilijan. The beautiful surrounding was just amazing!!!! Pictures can't even DESCRIBE

the beauty, the forest....I'm sure a little bit of pictures would tell a thing or two, but a person has to check it out with their own eyes....

Badminton with Gurgen We went up to the roof of one of the buildings.. My loved ones..

On our way back from the monastery we met a few Koreans. They needed help translating what they wanted. THANK GOD I KNOW ARMENIAN AND ENGLISH!!! The lady working there only knew 'No English'.....

We decided to have a picnic near the river and play Badminton. I didn't know I was going to like it so much. I want to play more!!!!! But aunt made us go eat :(

After a long day of looking for places and getting lost everywhere, coming home was refreshing and it was time to say goodnight.

I wish I could have stayed there longer....my next trip...I want to stay at least 2 days.

June 7

Today we decided to stay home for picnic at home.

After eating, me and Gurgen (cousin) decided to take a stroll near the river...stroll meaning being a monkey and just jumping from place to place and on trees to get across. We didn't make it across, the water is waayyy too dirty and I really didn't want to take a shower in a dirty cold water. So we decided to do something about the trash in the water....by cleaning it!! After two bags of trash, I decided to walk to the trash, about a 1/3 mile away. While walking, I decided to talk to the kids about their thoughts about the dirty water. Seems like no one likes the fact that it's dirty but no one wants to do anything about it.... I think I am going to make a change out of that...the water needs to be cleaned....

Dirty water.....time to clean!!!!!!

My first bag of goodies!!!!!

Gurgen getting a hold on the rock to climb to the other side....we didn't make it to the other side...

Class of 2011 Internship Program visited US Embassy in Armenia too meet the US Chargé D’affaires Bruce Donahue.

Yerevan,
Armenia – On August 4th
The Armenian Assembly's Summer Internship Class of 2011 visited US Embassy in Armenia and
met with the the US Chargé D’affaires Bruce Donahue

The interns of the Armenian Assembly of America's Summer Internship Program in Armenia visited the United States Embassy in Yerevan, where they had an opportunity to meet with the US Charge D'Affaires Bruce Donahue.
After greeting the interns and Assembly
staff, Mr. Donahue spoke about U.S - Armenia relations, U.S.
assistance programs for Armenia, and so forth.
A wide range of issues of mutual concern were discussed, including the Nagorno
Karabakh peace process, programs implemented by Millennium Challenge
Corporation, Armenian-Turkish reconciliation process, healthcare and
educational problems in Armenia.

At the end of the meeting US
Chargé D’affaires took questions
from the interns regarding various topics, including USAID programs in
Armenia, the Nagorno Karabakh peace process, Ambassador’s nominee’s position on
Genocide, the working principles of Consular Department, Millennium Challenge
Corporation funding and so on.

"Speaking with the US Charge D'affaires was very informative. We received a great opportunity to hear his opinion on the diplomatic issues facing Armenia today" stated Julia Madden who interns at the Civilitas Foundation.

The interns also met with one of the Embassy interns, Brice Jordan who spoke about his internship at the US Embassy, as well as his experience in Armenia, and also with Karen Robblee, who is the Public Affairs Officer at the US Embassy in Armenia. She spoke about the various programs carried out by her department, including different educational and youth projects.

"I am very pleased to have been able to visit the US Embassy. Not only did we meet with the staff, but also met with a current intern that talked about his own experience", said Anzhela Babayan, who does her internship at the Regional Studies Center. "I thought it was a bit unfortunate that Armenia does not have a current ambassador but I hope that we will be able to meet the next ambassador in the future", she added.

Tatevik Babayan, who also interns at the Regional Studies Center, said "I was really looking forward to visiting the embassy. It was an overall great experience".

Documentary Film Screening

On the 29th of July, the Armenian Assembly of America's Yerevan Office hosted a film screening.  AAA Summer Internship Program intern Ishkhanuhi Matevosyan also took part in the screening and the discussion. 

The film was a youth-made documentary made by AAA Youth Club members Armina Hovhannisyan, Haik Toroyan and David Asoyan. The documentary was filmed in Khachik, a remote village located right on the Armenia-Azerbaijan borderline. The documentary talks about the social perspective of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, the consequences of the conflict in the eyes of the inhabitants of the small village of Khachik. The short film was followed by a Q&A session, as well as a discussion about the current state of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the ongoing negotiations and the possible future settlement. The film was directed by a young film-maker Hakob Manukyan.

June Diary of Events Garni, Geghard

Matax in back of the Monastery..Smell was sooooo bad!!!!!
Jailed?

June 26

Talk about a really good trip with really fun people. We went to Geghard Monastery and Garni Temple today. Tatev and Hanna have taken sooooooo many pictures!! I think if i took that many it would last me a lifetime worth of taking pictures. They have some really amazing photos (gotta remember to ask them to get it from them). At first we stopped by the arch where I have sooo many memories of my childhood. From there I saw the home in Voghchabert that I would never forget. The land in Vogchabert is really bad. The soil is moving under the homes and taking away with them every piece of memory I had of the home I loved so much. I didn't take it so bad this time since I had seen it 2 years ago. But....it always gets to me...Too many memories hidden there.

So after taking a gazillion pics there. We were off to our excursion!

I think one of my favorite places is Geghard Monastery. I can't imagine how they would built a church in such circumstances. I think I would love to just take a day and hike there and look at the church from different angles. So it seems like it was built like over a cave...I believe. So I was reading on Wikipedia about Geghard and this is what I read...

The monastery had thus been originally named Ayrivank, meaning "the Monastery of the Cave". The name commonly used for the monastery today, Geghard, or more fully Geghardavank (Գեղարդավանք), meaning "the Monastery of the Spear", originates from the spear which had wounded Jesus at the Crucifixion, allegedly brought to Armenia by Apostle Jude, called here Thaddeus, and stored amongst many other relics. Now it is displayed in the Echmiadzin treasury.

The spear they are talking about has been said to be in a few places but I have a feeling we have the original!

So after that we went to Garni which it sucks that we weren't able to see the baths. They were closed because they are trying to put the "bath" together so it will be available to be opened fully to see what they looked like. Me, Vram, and Arm looked from the glass and saw the mosaics of the baths. Now it would be sooo amazing to have a bath like that and be washed with milk. For a minute it was a bit disgusting but I believe queens and "Goddesses" had such pure skin because of milk baths and they rubbed some kind of oil on their skins...eternal beauty??? I think it would be funny to have like a milk bath party...!! lol.

Vram took us to a really nice mom and pop type of a restaurant. The outside was like going into a mini forest. There was a small turtle there where Hanna and Tatev again took a lot of pics with.

Overall...a successful day.

June Diary of Events Stepanavan

These 2 women wanted to take a picture with our group.....[I'm not in the picture because I took it ;) ]
An amazing waterfall...before hiking down the hill.

Our beautiful Armenian women and their work of art.
Me and Romina counting down all the fish we caught...3 in total with 15+ people...
This guy really knows his work well...

Az running after the bus. I think we were gonna leave him to his bathroom. Most hated thing about being in nature... no bathrooms :(

June 25

Before going to Stepanavan we went to pick up some interns that are in Gyumri. On our way there we stopped by this amazing bakery. This guy literally gets in the OVEN! to put bread to be baked. It was reeeallllyyy cool and I think he really enjoyed the attention and all the women taking pictures of him ;)

Went to Stepanavan Botanical Gardens and Fishing!!! I had sooo much fun fishing! It was my first time fishing and I think I was the best ;) Yes I think I have my nose too stuck in the air but with over 15 people and catching 3 fish, I caught 2! So this really makes me awesome. me and Romina (friend from LA and Birthright), had such an awesome time. The bus was a bit packed but it was still fun. We sang old Armenian songs and clapped. However, I'm not sure who the DJ was, I really didn't like the songs that were put on the bus. We need new ones. The Botanical Garden was just soooooooooo beautiful that nothing can describe it. I think I would have loved to maybe camp there. Me be me decided to hike down this mini waterfall and just walk around the small river. I think I had better time being all muddy then being a goody good girl and staying up the mountain. Walking back to the bus was fun too. We were singing old songs again and these women thought we were really American so she was like they are just tourists and we turned around and said something back in Armenian. They were sooo embarrassed! I think I took a picture, I need to go back and check....

June Diary of Events 2

PREPARING FOR WORLD REFUGEE DAY WITH SOME OF MY NEW FRIENDS FROM BIRTHRIGHT!---Painting posters...I was given writer for a really long sentence in Armenian on cloth!

June 19

This was such an interesting day. Vram took us to Erebouni which was AMAZING! I had no idea Armenia had such a history and an old CASTLE! Unfortunately it's not standing but I think historians as well as archaeologists would love to visit there. Make sure you get someone to tell you the history. The only bad thing is you have to pay to take pictures.

next on our list was the Victory Park and Military Museum. I think I will be going there again. I have family who have fought in the wars so I think I should know a little more about some of the wars that Armenians were involved in. I felt a bit bad for knowing so little about Armenia's past. We call ourselves Armenian and we don't even know the history and wars.

We went to Cascade and visited the Art Gallery. I was about to go insane at the souvenir store. There were soooo many things I wanted to buy! Anyone who goes to Cascade should visit the first floor!! Every floor we went we went outside to take pictures. Since Tatev's and Ani's camera is a LOT better then mine, I'm sure they have a lot better pictures... gotta make sure I get some from them....when I find time..

June 20

Me and Tatev went to our first day as interns! I don't know about anyone else but I think I have landed i a great place. I'm curious as to who we will meet!

June 22

Anush Opera!!!!! I really wanted to take grandma to see the show. She's always wanted to see it but we got some bad news about a relative so she didn't want to do anything else but to stay home. So I took Aza (uncle's wife) and I loved it! I wish my camera took long videos and i could record the whole show and watch it later on. Although I liked the end of the show, I wasn't too fond of Anush in the beginning.

June Diary of Events 1

I have sooo much to talk about I don't even know where to get started...ok lets start with this...(copied from Diary...edited ;)

June 14 - Just arrived to Armenia and I had a small tour of Yerevan after a orientation. Don't get me wrong, it was great touring the city, BUT I ruined a good pair of heels. I gotta make sure I tell mom to send me flats!!! all the streets are messed up and i'm just glad i didn't end up wearing my really good ones because it's just ridiculous what happened to my heels

June 15 - FLAG DAY! This was sooo much fun! There were sooo many people. They had groups performing, not to mention even the audiences decided to perform as well. There were some guys who started dancing hip hop under an Armenian song which I thought was a bit American but then again there is no say in what a person feels when he hears music.

As these fine solders from picture above this one shows, our very own Military of Defense is populated with quite talented men ;)

TRAVELING AROUND ARMENIA AND NAGORNO KARABAKH

In addition to gaining a better understanding of life in Yerevan, the interns are traveling outside of the city, visiting historic sites such as the the Garni Temple, the Geghard. Harich and Khor Virap Monasteries. Interns also toured city of Gyumri, Monasteries of Goshavank, Noravank and and Amberd Fortress. Interns took a four-day trip to Nagorno Karabakh. On the way, they visited the Datev and Gandzasar Monasteries and the city of Goris. In Karabakh, the interns toured the capital city of Stepanakert. The students traveled to the town of Shushi and Visited the 19th century Ghazanchetsots Amenaprkich Church. Interns are looking forward to trips to Sevan, Oshagan, Tegher Monastery and many other sites of interest.