BIRTHRIGHT ARMENIA IMMERSES YOUNG DIASPORANS INTO ARMENIAN FAMILY LIFE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 29, 2005
Contact: Linda Yepoyan
Phone: 610-642-6633
info@birthrightarmenia.org

Yerevan, Armenia – In Birthright Armenia’s second year of operation
in the Homeland, the organization has ramped up efforts to provide
real-life experiences in Armenia through homestay living, a program
service connecting young diasporan participants from all over the
world with Armenian host families. Birthright uses the homestay
experience to “immerse” volunteers in Armenian family life so they see
the Homeland beyond the eyes of a tourist. Over 25% of this summer’s
group of Birthright participants opted for host family arrangements
over apartment living – almost triple that of last year.

While volunteers are free to choose from several different living
options during their eight-week minimum stay in Armenia, Birthright
places special emphasis on the homestay living option as it is one
of the most important tools in the volunteers’ “journey of self
discovery” into their Armenian heritage. Not only does homestay
living promote language use, especially for those who have little
or no understanding of the Armenian language, but it also promotes
youth-to-youth interaction, as host families are required to have at
least one family member in the 18-32 year age bracket. If the above
benefits are not enough to convince volunteers to choose the homestay
living option, Birthright Armenia offers further incentives by paying
for the first month of host family expenses for every volunteer who
wants to experience it.

>>From the volunteers’ perspective, the homestay living option is
a success. Many Birthright Armenia participants form a lasting bond
with their homestay families, with some making return visits after
their programs finish. When asked how a homestay has contributed to
her overall experience in Armenia, Maral Kasparian, a biology teacher
in Canada volunteering with the Diaspora Armenia Connection (DAC),
answered, “My Armenian language skills have improved and I have a
better understanding of people’s issues and struggles and concerns for
their lives, their country and about world issues.” Another Birthright
Armenia participant, Washington, DC resident Sophia Malkasian, who is
volunteering for the Armenian Volunteer Corps (AVC), agrees, saying
“It has enabled me to establish direct relationships with Armenians
and it allows me to see the particular nuances of an Armenian family.
For example, I have learned how expressive, affectionate and loving
families are with each other because I observe it every day.”

Another key aspect of homestay living is involvement in Armenian
customs and traditions. Massachusetts resident and AVC volunteer
Ani Sarkisian stated that one of the most interesting experiences
she had in Armenia was participating in her host sister’s nephew’s
“atam hatik,” which is performed after a baby gets his first tooth.
This ritual, where a child chooses one of several items placed
in front of him to predict his future profession, was Ani’s first
introduction to Armenia’s unique family rituals. “I am involved in
all my family’s activities and I love it. The second I met them,
I felt as though they treated me as a member of their family.
That’s the joy of my experience.”

Host family members are also very excited to participate in the
homestay experience as they discover more about young diasporans
and gain unique insight into their way of life in the Diaspora.
Arsen Andreasian, who is hosting volunteer Celine Derebekian, a
professional photographer from France, says “I look at her photos of
places that are ordinary for me, but now I see it through her eyes
and find new meaning in them.”

Gohar Avetisian, who is currently hosting two young volunteers, one
from London and the other from Montreal, says she feels fortunate to
have welcomed these two young men into her home. “I know everything
about them – how they work, how they study, how they live. When I
think about them returning to their own countries, I feel very sad
for Armenia.” She went on to say that she would like to continue
working with Birthright Armenia by hosting future volunteers.

Birthright Armenia’s mission is to strengthen ties between the Homeland
and Diaspora youth by affording them an opportunity to be a part of
Armenia’s daily life and to contribute to Armenia’s development through
work, study and volunteer experiences, while developing life-long
personal ties and a renewed sense of Armenian identity. For those
interested in learning more about Birthright Armenia, please visit
or email infor@birthrightarmenia.org.

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