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Armenian Assembly of America Summer Interns Ripsime Biyazyan, Vanuhi Vartanian, and Nairi Sarkissian in front of a sign which reads “Free Artsakh Welcomes You.”
YEREVAN, ARMENIA – The Armenian Assembly of America’s (Assembly) Summer Internship Program in Armenia began its programming with lectures and discussions with officials, tours around the homeland, and local social outings. The eight-week internship program in Yerevan is packed with interesting activities including meetings with prominent individuals from civil society, as well as political and religious institutions, aimed at helping the participants better understand the socio-political situation in Armenia and Artsakh.
This year’s summer class includes Ripsime Biyazyan interning at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Vanuhi Vartanian at the Armenian Young Women’s Association (AYWA) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and Nairi Sarkissian at the Constitutional Court and Women’s Resource Center in Armenia (WRCA).
“I am delighted with our interns. These bright, enthusiastic, and passionate students are giving back to the Armenian nation while creating lifelong memories and bonds, gaining international work experience, and discovering the ancient treasures of Armenia and Artsakh,” said Assembly Regional Director Arpi Vartanian. “They are also uncovering strengths, talents, and more within themselves. It is my hope that this summer experience will help them better determine how they can continue to be part of our future, whether it be in Armenia, Artsakh, or the Diaspora.”
Since its inception in 1999, eighty-five exceptional young adults have participated in the Armenian Assembly’s Summer Internship Program in Armenia. The program introduces college-aged students to life in their ancestral homeland, provides international work experience, and helps them foster the skills needed to become the next generation of leaders.
“The Armenian Assembly’s Summer Internship Program attracts highly-driven and talented youth and helps them unravel and develop their potential to the benefit of Armenia and Artsakh. This year’s interns are no exception,” said Assembly’s Summer Internship Program Coordinator Ani Boghossian. “The interns are extremely bright young people and I am very honored and happy to be their program coordinator. We look forward to a very active and interesting summer.”
Armenian Assembly of America Summer Internship Program Coordinator Ani Boghossian, intern Nairi Sarkissian, intern Ripsime Biyazyan, NKR Presidential Spokesperson David Babayan, intern Vanuhi Vartanian, and Assembly Regional Director Arpi Vartanian.
This year’s Assembly interns in Armenia have met with National Assembly Member Alexander Arzoumanian, traveled to Khor Virap and Noravank, explored the ancient observatory of Karahunj, visited the old caves of Areni, and toured the Areni Wine Factory. The participants explored Artsakh, where they sat down with Nagorno Karabakh’s Foreign Minister Karen Mirzoyan and Presidential Spokesperson David Babayan.
While in Artsakh, the interns visited the ancient city of Tigranakert, toured the ancient manuscript library of Gandzasar Monastery, and met with HALO Trust staff who clear landmines in the area. On their way back to Yerevan, they rode on the 3.6-mile (5,752 meters) Wings of Tatev Aerial Tramway, recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records in 2010 as the world’s longest non-stop double track cable car, and explored the magnificent Tatev Monastery.
The Assembly interns also visited Armenian Tree Project’s Karin Nursery, met with Teach for America CEO Larisa Ryan, and traveled to Garni, Geghard, and Gyumri.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501©(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
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Interested in participating in the Armenian Assembly of America’s Internship Programs next summer? Click here to learn more.
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