My Birthright Armenia Experience

Tanya Sarkissian
(Los Angeles, USA)

It has been less than a week since I returned to Los Angeles from Armenia and the experience and memories are fresh in my mind. I am feeling a bit morose that I am no longer there, but the fact that I know I will be back soon reassures me. I remember packing my bags for the trip. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I knew that I was ready to see my homeland for the first time and appreciate the experience.

Looking back at my time in Armenia, there is no better way to describe my trip than live-changing. I spent two months in Armenia, mainly in Yerevan, but also travelling to places such as Shushi, Stepanakert, Goris, Lori, Tatev, and Dilijan. Although I could have traveled to those places on my own, participating in the Birthright Armenia program made a network of diaspora Armenians immediately available to me. As soon as I arrived, there were several fellow volunteers who were as eager as me to build lasting friendships, discover more about their culture, and gain valuable professional experience. This quick access to a vast network of diaspora from all over the world, made me immediately have people I could rely on and spend time with in Armenia, a place that was foreign to me at the time.

When I arrived to Armenia, my Armenian was admittedly not very good, and I had never spent more than a month anywhere other than California. The Birthright Armenia staff and volunteers were so helpful in familiarizing me with the country that they made the transition nearly painless.

The Birthright Armenia program offered weekly excursions and forums where volunteers could see different cities and villages in Armenia and learn about pressing topics in the country. These aspects of the program helped educate me on the current situation in Armenia and what citizens and diaspora were doing to help advance the country. A notable excursion that our Birthright Armenia group took was to Artsakh, where we visited the young soldiers protecting Armenia’s borders and had the opportunity to see the history and beauty of the area. We spent four days in Artsakh, lunching with the young militia, hiking through beautiful mountains, and visiting historical landmarks. The excursion not only provided the opportunity to see what Artsakh offered, it  allowed me to further connect with other volunteers on the trip and local Armenians I met along the way.

During my two months in Armenia, I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Tumo Center for Creative Technologies working on a business development project. This volunteer experience was consistent with the type of work and industry I wanted to pursue in the future and it affirmed my ambitions. I gained valuable work experience and connections at Tumo that will continue to shape my career.

In my short time back in the United States, I find myself reminiscing about my experience in Armenia. I want to go back. I will go back. In the meantime, I am going to listen to some music I discovered on the trip, perhaps a song by Reincarnation, Armenia’s first reggae band; I’m going to keep up with the latest news on the political and economic environment in Armenia; and finally, stay connected to the network of Armenians I met on my trip.

My Birthright Armenia experience changed my life. I gained more perspective on who I am and who I want to become, and because of this, I have a greater peace of mind.