For the past few weeks, I have been living in Yerevan as a Birthright/AVC volunteer. I quickly got adapted to the lifestyle and felt the strong attachment to the Armenian nation. I have always been interested in Armenia and Armenians as a whole. Although this experience is not my first trip to Armenia, it is definitely the most significant one. The past month and a half have changed my views on life, family, culture, language, religion, and the list goes on... Describing my experience in Armenia is not an easy task; most of what I have felt has targeted directly my emotions. Armenia has so much to offer. It might not be as bright and lively as Paris, New York or Moscow from an aerial view; but once you actually get in the city itself, you feel and experience the true culture and life that exists here, which can not be duplicated in any other city.

It is the little things that make Armenia such a rich land. I have felt at home here and every single day, I feel the satisfaction that I am doing something important for Armenia and my people. That is the ultimate reward. Many instances that have occurred have been engraved in my memory and in my heart. The feeling you get being around all Armenians is indescribable, hearing everyone speak the same language is wonderful, and feeling you actually belong to this land is beyond any word.

Birthright has given me the opportunity to explore various regions outside of Yerevan. They have enabled all the volunteers to get a wider sense of the real Armenian experience. I still have another month and a half in Yerevan, but for some reason, I feel the emotions I felt during the Karabagh four day trip can not be duplicated. Many other volunteers have shared my view about their Karabagh experience.

For many of us in the Diaspora, Karabagh was the legend of Armenian resistance and the fight for self-determination. Once you get to see the land with your own eyes, meet and interact with locals, you feel the pride and unity of the people inhabiting those lands. Karabagh was sort of a wake up call. It allowed me to better understand what it really meant to be Armenian. It is more than just a language; it is a religion, a strong and rich culture, with its set of essential values based on family and Christian values. To really understand the importance of the Karabagh liberation war, one must go on location and personally experience the rich history. Probably the most significant moment in Karabagh was when the local host family that had allowed us into their house for the few days, told us before we left to Yerevan, "Don't forget us! This is your country, we are your brothers and sisters and we must do the essential to preserve these lands as Armenian."

Memory is an important feature of being Armenian. We can not forget our values and our history. This trip reminded me the importance of the latter. I could never forget the faces I encountered, I will never forget the stories I was told and I will never forget the experiences I lived. Remembering is only a fraction of what we could do, but it is an absolute must. These are our people, this is our land and we must do all we can to ensure they are on the right path. We, as a people have survived many tragedies during our long history. Challenges have been overcome repeatedly; we must fight to ensure it continues, no matter our location.

Raffi Keuhnelian (Canada)
AVC volunteer and BR/DH participant