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BIRTHRIGHT ARMENIA: BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN DIASPORA AND HOMELAND
by Tania Sahakian
http://www.reporter.am/go/article/2012-08-08-birthright-armenia-bridging-the-gap-between-diaspora-and-homeland-
Published: Wednesday August 08, 2012
Tania Sahakian.
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Brithright Armenia alums pay if forward
What draws Birthright volunteers to Armenia
Song and dance moves to Armenia
Planting new roots: from Long Island to Armenia
I find it harder and harder to express myself from an outsider's
perspective when it comes to Armenia. I guess my first time here was
not all that long ago, visiting with family in 2004, but during my
time with Birthright the following year, I really got my bearings
in Hayastan.
My experience with Birthright Armenia helped in making Armenia part
of my life. Not only have I been back six times since, but my seventh
time - a year ago now - I made the move.
So I feel quite confident in thinking of myself as a Yerevantsi,
since Armenia is very much and undeniably a part of my life. I also
feel that I am in a unique position to simultaneously understand the
dilemmas and challenges of what it means to be an Armenian in the
Diaspora and what it is like to live in Armenia itself as a local
thus becoming a connector between the two.
In the past year I have been working two jobs that I can only consider
to be dream jobs for me, both in fields about which I am passionate,
leading toward the career path on which I had hoped to end up. My
move to Armenia did not mean in any way to sacrifice my career or
standard of living, in fact it did quite the opposite. Not only that,
but both jobs deal with today's Armenia on tomorrow's terms. It's no
secret that this country faces many challenges.
My work at Counterpart International has to do with strengthening
civil society, and promoting the rule of law, democracy and human
rights. And working at the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies
allows me to do my part in putting the steering wheel in the hands of
the next generation of Armenia's programmers, animators, musicians,
robotics experts, and creative geniuses of other varieties.
They are both environments that offer me opportunities to feel really
encouraged about the future of Armenia.
And I couldn't have done it without Birthright Armenia. This
organization allowed me to connect with Armenia in a way that nothing
else could have, and it also helped put me on the path that eventually
led me to move here.
Birthright Armenia is one of those unique organizations that is opening
the lines of communication and helping bridge the gap between the
Diaspora and Armenia. The key to any relationship is communication,
in order to understand what each entity needs. It's time to invest
in organizations that are helping bridge this gap for a healthier
future both in the Diaspora and in Armenia itself.
For more information visit www.birthrightarmenia.org.
by Tania Sahakian
http://www.reporter.am/go/article/2012-08-08-birthright-armenia-bridging-the-gap-between-diaspora-and-homeland-
Published: Wednesday August 08, 2012
Tania Sahakian.
Related Articles
Brithright Armenia alums pay if forward
What draws Birthright volunteers to Armenia
Song and dance moves to Armenia
Planting new roots: from Long Island to Armenia
I find it harder and harder to express myself from an outsider's
perspective when it comes to Armenia. I guess my first time here was
not all that long ago, visiting with family in 2004, but during my
time with Birthright the following year, I really got my bearings
in Hayastan.
My experience with Birthright Armenia helped in making Armenia part
of my life. Not only have I been back six times since, but my seventh
time - a year ago now - I made the move.
So I feel quite confident in thinking of myself as a Yerevantsi,
since Armenia is very much and undeniably a part of my life. I also
feel that I am in a unique position to simultaneously understand the
dilemmas and challenges of what it means to be an Armenian in the
Diaspora and what it is like to live in Armenia itself as a local
thus becoming a connector between the two.
In the past year I have been working two jobs that I can only consider
to be dream jobs for me, both in fields about which I am passionate,
leading toward the career path on which I had hoped to end up. My
move to Armenia did not mean in any way to sacrifice my career or
standard of living, in fact it did quite the opposite. Not only that,
but both jobs deal with today's Armenia on tomorrow's terms. It's no
secret that this country faces many challenges.
My work at Counterpart International has to do with strengthening
civil society, and promoting the rule of law, democracy and human
rights. And working at the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies
allows me to do my part in putting the steering wheel in the hands of
the next generation of Armenia's programmers, animators, musicians,
robotics experts, and creative geniuses of other varieties.
They are both environments that offer me opportunities to feel really
encouraged about the future of Armenia.
And I couldn't have done it without Birthright Armenia. This
organization allowed me to connect with Armenia in a way that nothing
else could have, and it also helped put me on the path that eventually
led me to move here.
Birthright Armenia is one of those unique organizations that is opening
the lines of communication and helping bridge the gap between the
Diaspora and Armenia. The key to any relationship is communication,
in order to understand what each entity needs. It's time to invest
in organizations that are helping bridge this gap for a healthier
future both in the Diaspora and in Armenia itself.
For more information visit www.birthrightarmenia.org.