It was no surprise that one day I would find myself in my Homeland. After Armenian Saturday school, Armenian summer camp, Armenian youth group activities, Armenian clubs and language classes at college, and most importantly having my Armenian identity cultivated within my family and friends, it was a matter of time and opportunity before I came home to Armenia.

The Armenian Assembly of America internship in Yerevan along with Birthright Armenia provided a program that I knew would give me the most of my visit and allow me to make the most of my visit. The end of my 8 week stay in Armenia is certainly not the peak of involvement in and service to the Armenian community.

After my experiences in Armenia I know more about the kinds of projects that should be at the forefront, i.e. providing office materials to offices and schools, toys to orphanages and schools, air-conditioning in hospital rooms, renovation to school buildings, etc. I will also continue to stay in touch with my co-workers at the NGO and the people at the Ministry of Health I have worked with and have come to befriend. I hope after receiving my Masters I will be able to return to Armenia to be a resource to their projects.

Certainly I will share my experiences in Armenia with others so they can be motivated to get involved if they are not, or take their involvement to a new level. It is also important for me to encourage others to visit Armenia and I hope to be involved promoting internship programs in Armenia in both organized and informal ways. Having seen what I have and experienced what I have, I am leaving Armenia with a better idea of how I can cultivate my Armenian-American identity and help my homeland.

Colette Seter (USA),
NY - AAA volunteer and BR/DH participant