First time in Armenia

I am a Western Armenian in all its magnificence: I eat, I dance and I listen to Armenian music. I consider myself an «old Armenian » because the roots I have in present-day Armenia are distant from that of my ancestors. In addition, I never had the opportunity to learn Armenian. It is in this quest to discover my identity that Birthright Armenia appears as the golden opportunity to do so. It is an opportunity to live within my origins that I claim loud and clear.

First week

The excitement to meet new people and discover Armenia was quickly overshadowed by two major obstacles. The first obstacle is the language! At first, Armenian was a subtle mix of unknown sounds. It was a language that could be heard and spoken throughout all the streets, which of course I didn’t understand a single word. The second obstacle was Yerevan! It is a big city that is overcrowded with life, cars and people. I, a little French man with Armenian origins who had newly begun this life adventure, was crushed by the feelings of loneliness and the unknown. This country that I am proud of was far from the dream I had of it. The unfamiliar food and language often made me rethink my decision to come to Armenia. Then came the integration, and I was sent off to Gyumri, my volunteering place.

The first month passed. Then the second, then the third…

When the fear of the first week disappeared and I began to meet the staff, the volunteers, and the work colleagues, everything became clear and time began to fly by. We meet strangers who become friends, members of BirthRight who become mentors, and friends with whom you often share profound discussions. Many of these discussions allow you to better understand the cultural differences among people.

These first months are classified as ones of discovery. From the first conversations with your confident host mom to those of the first havaks and forums, to those privileged moments with other volunteers, we discover other facets of the Armenian culture. The first excursions expose the beauty of Armenia which reveals itself to us. Discovering the creation of khachkars and wine, and visiting monasteries that have seen millennia pass by. The first few months are an opportunity to get our bearings, discover the rich history of Gyumri and its surroundings, take a stroll around Marmashen, or wander through the magnificent streets of the city center.

When you travel around Armenia and talk to people, you get a special feeling. It is a special bond with the cradle of our culture, even though we are sometimes far removed from it. It is a feeling that grows with each passing month and leaves an indelible mark.

The enrichment

It's often at this point that you extend your volunteer work by several months. It's at this pivotal moment when the language no longer becomes a string of sounds, but a gentle melody whose secrets you can decipher. It's when you start having fun with the kids in the street and appreciate every second of this magnificent country. It is when we begin to plan for a potential future in Armenia, as relatives come to visit us. We're proud to show off our language skills, or the nooks and crannies inaccessible to the average tourist. All of this pushes us to enter the enrichment phase.

The discussions with the Armenians become longer and deeper, simple comforts become jokes and unforgettable moments in life. The other volunteers become friends, and the next trip will surely be to visit them in their homeland.

In short, with a simple experiment and an online form, you can create lifelong memories that change your perception of the world for sure.

Armenia is a beautiful country, and as I've traveled its roads, I've sometimes been inspired to write poems about my trip.