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Washington, D.C. - The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) is now accepting applications for the 2025 Terjenian-Thomas Assembly Internship Program in Washington, D.C. and the Assembly Summer Internship Program in Yerevan, Armenia.
The internship programs have offered fulfilling professional and personal experiences over the decades for close to 1,200 college students in the two nations' capitals, while partaking in educational, cultural, and social activities.
"I had a fantastic experience in and out of the office, on and off Capitol Hill," said Alex Marootian, who participated in the 2024 Assembly Terjenian-Thomas Internship Program. "I have a deep connection with both my passion for politics and my Armenian identity, and being able to explore those as a part of this program has been such an amazing opportunity."
Students who are accepted into the eight-week D.C. & Yerevan internship programs are assisted with placements in a range of offices, from governmental agencies to think tanks to media. Networking and social events are also organized for students to expand their circles.
During the Terjenian-Thomas Internship Program in D.C., students have the opportunity to meet with U.S. Representatives, Senators, and other government officials, as well as academics, attorneys, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and other high-profile individuals through the Capitol Ideas and Lecture Series programs. In addition, Assembly interns will have the opportunity to discuss Armenian American issues during meetings with Members of Congress and elected officials.
Students admitted into the Yerevan Internship Program are placed in Armenian governmental offices, inter-governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, medical centers, and media outlets. Throughout the summer, they are able to explore their ancestral homeland, visit historical sites, and participate in service work with the Fuller Center for Housing, as well as meet with government officials.
"The Yerevan Summer Internship Program was an enlightening experience for me, as I worked in my chosen field and forged closer connections with my heritage and culture, which was a unique privilege," said Adam Sherinian, who interned at the Republic of Armenia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Founded in 1977, the Armenian Assembly Summer Internship Program was the first internship program offered by an Armenian organization in America. From its earliest phases, the Armenian community has consistently supported the Assembly Summer Internship Program with major gifts from the Richard Tufenkian Memorial Fund, the John Hanessian Scholarship Fund, the Armen Astarjian Scholarship Fund, the Ohanian Memorial Fund, James and Connie Melikian, and the Knights of Vartan. In 2003, the Assembly's Summer Internship Program was renamed in honor of Aram and Florence Terjenian and Annie Thomas after the announcement of their pace-setting $1 million donation to the program.
Partial housing scholarships for the Terjenian-Thomas Summer Internship Program in Washington, D.C. are available to qualified students on a competitive basis. Applications are available on the Assembly's website. Please note applications will remain open for the Terjenian-Thomas Summer Internship Program until November 10, 2024, and Yerevan Summer Internship Program until January 10, 2025.
For more information on the Assembly internship programs or assistance with the application process, please contact Programs Director Joseph Piatt in Washington, D.C. at (202) 393-3434, ext. 336, or via email at jpiatt@aaainc.org.
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 non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
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