AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x137
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: kyacoubian@agbu.org
Website:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
AGBU INTERNS TAKE NEW YORK BY STORM
New York, NY – Leaving the familiar behind, 32 talented Armenian
students from across the globe packed their bags four weeks ago and
set off for the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple, ready to carve
out their niche and realize their professional dreams. What they may
not have known was that while taking New York by storm, they would
become an integral part of a collective Armenian experience that
will not only shape their futures professionally but personally,
creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Established in 1987 by Vartkess and Rita Balian and still currently
under their supervision in its 18th season, AGBU New York Summer
Intern Program () is sponsored by AGBU’s President’s
Club placing young, aspiring Armenians in eight-week internships for
prestigious, world-class organizations, while providing a well-rounded
program of Armenian cultural, community service and social activities.
Four weeks later…how are the AGBU interns faring? Do they miss
home? Are they making friends? What have they learned? Two young
aspiring journalists, Alexis Halejian and Christine Heath, share their
mixed emotions of excitement and apprehension as they discover that
even in one of the largest cities in the world, you are never too
far from your Armenian roots.
ALEXIS HALEJIAN, AGBU INTERN FOR WEIGHT WATCHERS MAGAZINE & SPORTS
ILLUSTRATED I felt like a college freshman again. Nervous. Scared. Not
knowing what to expect. Who’s my roommate? Will we get along? What’s
the dorm like? Will I make new friends? I’m halfway done with my
college career, but for some reason all these old feelings returned
just before NYSIP began. With four weeks of the Program now done,
I look back at my initial timidness and laugh; I love my roommate,
NYC is more than fabulous and yes, I have 31 new Armenian friends.
“I want to master the subway system this summer…really know it inside
out,” I said to one of the girls (Lara Golznazarians) standing next to
me in a weak attempt to make conversation as we waited for the subway
to take us to our first welcome dinner. As this was being said, the
train doors began to close with us standing on the other side…so
much for mastering the subway system. Today, Lara is one of my best
friends in the Program.
The next morning, Lara and I made sure to be the first ones of the
group to get onto the subway. As I entered AGBU’s Central Office
for Orientation, I felt a bit confused. It was a real office…so
professional…so New York. During orientation, I was highly impressed
by AGBU…how it established orphanages, schools and shelters for
Armenian refugees, and how it today supports a wide range of projects
and programs. Before, I was naive about AGBU, but now four weeks
into the program, AGBU has provided me with real world connections to
the workplace, Armenians from all over the world, NYC, our language,
our culture and community service opportunities.
We’ve already established that I am not a college freshman anymore,
but I can’t help but notice how much my eyes have been opened to
a whole world of new experiences. Without this fabulous internship
program, none of this would be possible. Alexis Halejian is entering
her junior year at Syracuse University majoring in Magazine Journalism.
CHRISTINE HEATH, AGBU INTERN FOR NY1 NEWS Giving back is a pillar
of the Armenian community. Already, four short weeks after arriving
in New York for the Program, I have witnessed and realized the
importance of volunteerism. We, as AGBU interns, were able to express
our commitment to the community by volunteering with Thirteen/WNET’s
Cyberchase Central at the annual Target Children’s Day at South Street
Seaport. It was a rewarding day full of laughs and warmth enjoyed by
both the children and AGBU interns.
Give and you shall receive. We were, soon after, the fortunate
recipients of the generosity of Mrs. Zarmine Boghosian, who kindly
volunteered her time in order to educate our group on the origins and
use of the Armenian language. Her lecture stimulated our collective
Armenian spirit and challenged us to perpetuate our heritage through
every imaginable avenue.
And that we did. It was a quintessentially Armenian night, even though
it began rather awkwardly as we filed into the restaurant nervously
attempting to find a seat with the two or three people we felt most
comfortable with. However, within the walls of Byblos restaurant
squarely planted in the heart of New York, our transcendence from
individual students into one culturally connected body illustrates
my most vivid account of what AGBU has provided me in four weeks.
As mezza after mezza piled on top of the long banquet tables, the
chatter picked up as we found a common bond that began with our shared
love for our mothers’, grandmothers’, and great grandmothers’ food,
and ended with historical accounts and stories of family origin. As
we ate and talked, a man in the background began singing a familiar
Armenian song, “Karoon, Karoon.” Suddenly, before I knew what was
happening, all three tables began clapping, singing and dancing. It
was a truly unique moment and original expression of love for our
Armenian heritage.
It was here, in this moment of dance, I knew the transformation was
complete. We had produced an Armenian spirit, something which will
continue to grow and evolve into a permanent feeling of connectedness
to the Armenian community long after the summer ends.
Christine Heath is entering her senior year at University of Michigan
majoring in English and Communication Studies.
From: Baghdasarian