So maybe I am crazy! It is strange when I think about how much I have become connected with my Hairenik. I was not born here yet I feel like this is what I consider home.

I came this summer with the AYF Internship Program with the hope of being able to immerse myself and understand the people, the culture, the history and Armenia’s prospects for the future. I have been interning at the Civil Society Institute, check out their website www.csi.am and www.hra.am to find information in regards to human rights and civil liberties in Armenia today. My experience with this NGO has been amazing, as I have come to understand the Armenian Criminal system - the good and the bad. Civil Society Institute is one of the many NGOs that exist in Armenia and is part of this network of NGOs who are working towards advancing the democratization process.

I see a bright future for Armenia and especially because of the youth here. Their involvement in the government is absolutely crucial towards the advancement of this democratization process. And I simply can't wait to return to be able to become part of this movement in Armenia.

Now after all that, are you not wondering how I respond to the taxi-drivers? Well maybe I should just not tell you why I would want to live here but provoke you to come to Armenia to figure it out for yourself!

Tamar Palandjian (USA),
AYF volunteer and and BR/DH participant