An Incredible Experience in Armenia

"The Armenian Weekly", Volume 74, No. 32, August 16, 2007

Although I had been to Armenia several times before, I knew that this time would be very different. I was about to spend the next seven weeks working away from my family and friends, and living with people whom I had never met before. This was the thought that went through my head about six weeks ago as I arrived at the Zvartnots Airport. Those six weeks flew by and now it is hard to believe that we have less than a week and a half left in Armenia.

Throughout the AYF Internship Program, my fellow interns and I have always had things to do and places to see, and there was never a dull moment. Every day, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., I would work at Byblos Bank and, from 2-5 p.m., with the Square One marketing department. On Tuesday and Thursday evenings, we would attend Armenian class at the Birthright Armenia office in order to improve our knowledge of eastern Armenian, and on Wednesdays we would attend lectures and forums about the current issues facing Armenia.

During our free time, we had the opportunity to explore Yerevan, go out to cafes and restaurants, and get to know young Armenians from other internship programs such as Birthright Armenia. As for the weekends, they would be reserved for special excursions to places like Lake Sevan, Datev Monastery, Artsakh, Noravank, Sardarabad, and so on.

It is easy to get overwhelmed with everything that has gone on and everything you are trying to accomplish. But in the end, it is all worth it. This has been an incredible experience. I have learned a lot and made some very good friends.

Shogher Baronian is a participant in the 2008 AYF-YOARF Summer Internship Program in Yerevan.