For years, Armenia had represented the unattainable dream, a patchwork quilt of images I had conjured in my mind based on books I had read, pictures I had seen, and stories I had been told. In America, I listened while my grandmother wept over the Genocide; I danced when the Ararat Band sang nationalistic songs from the Motherland; and I craved to find a connection beyond the half-Armenian blood that pulsed through my veins. To me, Armenia represented the strength, unity and courage I lacked in my own life. I was convinced that hidden somewhere in Armenia existed my own Armenian spirit waiting for me to set it free.

Now I have been in Armenia for seven weeks as part of a volunteer, Work for Armenia program sponsored by the New York Armenian Students Association, and I find myself challenged, enriched and inspired. I have spent my days volunteering at the Armenian Tourism Development Agency, an organization dedicated to promoting travel and tourism throughout Armenia. My work there has been engaging and has provided an easy way to fall in love with this country.

Overall, though, I find that every day represents a new experience that cannot be learned in textbooks – from riding the Metro, to driving through beautiful mountainous countryside, to laughing over khorovats at a family birthday party, to running from buckets of water being poured on my head during Vardavar. I have met extraordinary people that have challenged how I view the world and how I can impact its future. Maybe most importantly, however, I have found a spirit within myself and the courage for which I have long been searching. Not only did I conquer my fears by climbing into the dungeon in Khor Virap where Gregory the Illuminator was held captive, and climbing rocky terrain to hold the Armenian flag at the top of Ambert, but I also conquered my fears of not living, of not experiencing enough, and of viewing the world through a one-way lens. Even more, I conquered fears of losing my connection to a beautiful culture and a beautiful people. I truly feel that I will reenter my home in America as a different person – with wider eyes, a more open mind, and a bigger heart. I have learned so much in this land in such a short amount of time. Its impact on me can never be quantified or maybe even fully realized. I only hope that a small piece of Armenia has been changed by me and will lead me back one day in the future.

Sarah Wilkinson (USA),
NY-ASA volunteer and BR/DH participant