Armenian Assembly’s 2012 Summer Internship Program in Armenia kicks off

Armenian Assembly’s 2012 Summer Internship Program in Armenia kicks off

The Armenian Assembly of America launched its 2012 Summer Internship Program in Armenia with the arrival of 2 participants. Both interns – Zachary Antoyan and Ani Darbinyan represent California.

In response to requests from the Armenian government, the Armenian Assembly of America expanded its Summer Internship Program to Armenia in 1999. Interns are placed in Armenian governmental offices, NGOs, Medical Centers and inter-governmental agencies. If accepted, they will have the opportunity experience life in their homeland, gain valuable professional and unique work experience, and discover Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh. To date Assembly placed interns in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Ministry of Finance and Economy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Health, Nork Marash Hospital and many other places. Visits to various sites of interest in Armenia and Karabagh are arranged for the interns to develop a greater understanding and appreciation of Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh.

Zachary Antoyan from California State Polytechnic University is interning in the Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS), a leading independent strategic research center in Yerevan, which is the institutional initiative of Raffi K. Hovannisian, Armenia’s first Minister of Foreign Affairs. The institute focuses in its research on a comprehensive agenda of foreign and public policy issues, which are articulated analytically in political and academic arenas around the world.

“Much of my perception of Armenia comes from stories from grandparents since passed, and the surface research done here and there.  I want to have a rich firsthand experience of my own, that I can cherish for the future, and do some good in the process,” said intern Zachary Antoyan.

Ani Darbinyan , a graduate of the University of California Berkeley, who is currently continues her studies in the London School of Economics and Political Sciences is interning in the Civilitas Foundation. The Civilitas Foundation is an Armenian non-profit organization based in Yerevan, Armenia, and established in October 2008 by Armenia's former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vartan Oskanian. It is a development agency and think tank directed by Salpi Ghazarian that works to strengthen civil society, promote democracy, economic development and education in Armenia, and facilitate dialogue between Armenia and the international community on a number of pertinent political issues. In doing so, Civilitas is strengthening the ties between Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora.

“ I hold strong ties to my roots and feel that it is my responsibility to, no matter the challenges, use the skills that I have acquired whether it is in organizational dynamics, leadership and working in teams to be of best use for my internship and gain the most out of it,” said intern Ani Darbinyan.

So far interns had orientations, visited Museums of Yerevan, Amberd Fortress and churches of Aragatsotn Region. They had orientations and meetings with AAA Country director Armina Darbinian and the director of Birthright Armenia Sevan Kabakian.

“The Summer Internship Program is truly a unique experience for the participants to form a strong and undying bond with their historic fatherland, and at the same time work and live within the Armenian reality”,- stated Country Director Armina Darbinian, “The Program fully gives them that opportunity”.

(Interns Zachary Antoyan and Ani Darbinyan with AAA Country Director Armina Darbinian)

This program is also a chance for the Armenian-Americans to discover Armenia. A two-month stay in Armenia, though short, provides great opportunities for interaction with citizens of Armenia and other Diasporans. Participants gain a better understanding of the issues facing Armenian people today. They also gain a better understanding of who they are, and what they can do to further strengthen their Armenian communities. They come to Armenia because they want to discover Armenia and themselves. They leave with a greater understanding of both Armenia and themselves. Some return to Armenia to be part of this wonderful, growing democracy. Others may remain in the USA, but, being more aware of themselves as Armenians, can greatly contribute to strengthening their local communities.