2013 Summer/Fall - Birthright Armenia

Contents
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Hearing it from within
Academic and
Professional Achievements
Now and Then
Le Quartier Français
Weddings and Babies
Staff Corner
The Quiz
Famous Figure in History
Hearing It From Within
Anahid Yahjian (AVC ‘11)
Media and Content Manager at ONEArmenia
“It’s been nearly two years since I first showed up on the scene here, fresh-faced like all Birthrighters are in the
beginning. I’m older now, out of love and no longer charmed by the novelty of this place. Thank goodness for that.
Armenia is real in the sense where I feel like Los Angeles, my true home, is right around the corner. Time and
space are now permanently bent in my mind’s eye as I reckon with the smallness of our planet and the increasing
simultaneity of experience across oceans and continents. I am here. In fact, I am typing this on an iPhone while
zooming down a country road in Sisian, an hour away from what is technically still a war zone. I will send this out
over 3G, along with a photo, in a moment. I am here, in real-time.
So is it really that interesting that I have a job here? Maybe for some. I create and manage media and write content
for ONEArmenia, a new platform for innovation and social good. Sometimes I translate short stories, or make films,
or just recede into the landscape and dream.
I’m alive, and I’m here, and I rarely ever have to sit
in my office. I’m working right now, actually:
surrounded by technicolor hills and good, country folks.
I don’t want to say that I’m numb to it all, but maybe that’s
how you know things are finally real.”
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Academic Achievements
Congratulations to all of you!
We have a new doctor in the house!
From Case Western University in
Cleveland, Ohio, Armen Yerevanian
(AVC ‘09) graduated with an M.D.
degree.
And another doctor in the house!
Lori Baltazar (AVC ‘10) graduated
from medical school at the
University of Montreal. She will be
pursuing her residency in psychiatry.
Liana Mayilyan (AAA ‘08) graduated
with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from
University of California Davis School
of Law. This last spring semester, she
also externed for Justice Liu on the
California Supreme Court. Below, Liana is shown with Justice Baxter,
another associate justice on the CA
Supreme Court who is Armenian.
In February, 2013, Fernando
Avakian (OLA ‘10) was admitted
to F.L.A.C.S.O. and the University
of San Andres, to the postgraduate program in International Relations.
This fall Zavin Nazaretian (AVC ‘05)
graduated with a PhD in Sociology
from Wayne State University. The
happy grad is pictured here with his
son.
On May 17th, 2013, Justin Kalemkiarian (AAA ‘06) graduated with a
J.D. from the University of Iowa
College of Law.
Garric Nahapetian (AVC ‘07) graduated from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law, and was
admitted to the State Bar of California in December of 2012. Likewise at USC, Amaras Zargarian (AVC ’10) received
her law degree.
Cerise Fereshetian (AVC ‘09) graduated from Villanova University with a Master’s degree in Chemistry.
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This past May, Nyree Abrahamian (AVC ‘07) earned her Master of Education degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, specializing in International Education Policy. Nyree hopes to delve into projects
aimed at improving the quality of education in Armenia. In June, Nyree
and her husband, Areg Maghakian, (AVC ’07), returned to Armenia,
where Areg has been appointed by the Armenia Tree Project as their Director for Operations.
Shoghik Chilingarian (YSMU ‘08) graduated California State Polytechnic University of Pomona with a Bachelor of Science
in Chemical Engineering and a Minor in
Cultural Anthropology. She also earned a
Certification for Professional Life Coaching
from International Institute of Professional
Coaching.
Sevan Holemans (AVC ‘12) graduated in June from the College of Europe (post-master European Studies), and got
accepted for an internship at the European Commission in the cabinet of the trade commissioner starting October 1st.
Professional Achievements
Armine Bazikyan (AAA ‘06) opened her own law practice in May 2013. Her law office provides legal services
in general civil litigation, real estate, insurance, contract
disputes, landlord-tenant disputes, personal injury,
premises liability, business formation, estate planning,
trust administration and probate. Check her website:
http://bazikyanlaw.com/.
As of January 2013, alum Varty Defterderian (NY ASA ‘05) moved over to Weingarten Brown LLP, a boutique business
litigation firm in Los Angeles, CA. Here’s
the press release from her firm announcing
her hire: http://www.wbllp.com/images/uploads/defterderian.pdf
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Now and Then
Gabriel Armas-Cardona (AVC ‘12) volunteered at the Republic of Armenia’s Human Rights
Defender’s Office. He is a licensed attorney in New York State and graduated from New York
University School of Law in 2011. If you have any questions for Gabriel about Transparency Resource Centre or his Birthright Armenia experience, he can be reached at
Gabe.Armas-Cardona@nyu.edu.
Contributing to the Cause, even after the volunteer experience ends
“My Birthright Armenia volunteership started in the spring of 2012. I was quite happy that I got my first choice of working at
Armenia’s Human Rights Defender’s Office. As a human rights lawyer, you don’t expect to get rich, but you hope to do important
work. As with everyone’s experiences, there were good parts and frustrations, but I don’t regret it for a moment. I was sad that I had
to leave Armenia when the position ended as I felt there was still so much more work to be done.
One of the key problems I saw during my time is just how much need there was in Armenia and how few competent non-governmental organizations (NGOs) there were to provide support. While some of these organizations have passion, passion alone
doesn’t ensure they are making a positive impact in the lives of their beneficiaries. Whether from professional ignorance or from
lack of resources, very few organizations evaluate their work, unless their funder pays for an evaluation.
This understanding is what caused me to create Transparency Resource Centre. Transparency Resource Centre (TRC) is a public
organization (an NGO) registered in Armenia. The goal of TRC is to increase the transparency and accountability of direct-service
Armenian NGOs. Our approach is to provide free evaluations for NGO programs, using the thoughts and opinions of the beneficiaries as the primary evidence for the effectiveness of the NGO’s programs. These evaluations, and subsequent recommendations,
are made public to encourage the NGO to implement the recommendations and to bring more attention, and donor funds, to the
NGO for its transparency.
Transparency Resource Centre won’t resolve Armenia’s post-soviet NGO
environment in a day, but it’s a step. As more NGOs are willing to open
themselves up to evaluation, more pressure is put on other NGOs that compete
for donor funds to open themselves up as well. As more NGOs commit themselves to transparency, public trust and participation
will rise, and the people in need will receive better services that they helped shape.”
Andre Arzoo (Glendale Community College ’07) returned to Armenia for a year (2009-2010),
following graduation from UC Berkeley. He worked as a Research and Programs Associate at
The Civilitas Foundation; administering and initiating various projects aimed toward Armenia’s
political, economic, and civil development. While living in Armenia, he participated in Imagine
Center for Conflict Transformation (Imagine Center); a Conflict Resolution Program initiated by
the U.S. State Department that took place in neighboring Georgia. He spent the summer of 2011
in New York City as a Delegate to the United Nations representing the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the UN. Upon his return to Los Angeles, he spent over a year receiving his training as a
Legal Assistant at Geragos & Geragos, the Law Offices of Mark J. Geragos. Andre now works as
an Assistant to the Managing Partners of McMurray Henriks, LLP, a civil rights law firm specializing in police misconduct, medical malpractice, and business litigation.
“In 2007, Birthright Armenia helped introduce me not only to Armenia, but to the people of Armenia. Through Birthright, I was able to
experience the daily lives of Armenians who lived, worked, and grew up in the Republic, and not just in Yerevan - an experience far
richer and more understanding of the realities in Armenia. The organizationconnected me with like-minded individuals from all over
the world, and helped facilitate my return to Armenia with the aim of further immersing myself in the professional and social spheres
of the society in Armenia; doing my part to help Armenia progress toward a more sustainable and democratic republic and creating
new professional and personal relationships in the process. My time in Armenia, and working for Civilitas, helped instill an understanding of the issues, challenges, and potential benefits facing the young republic, and fostered a relationship with my homeland
that I will cherish and continue to nurture throughout my life and along future endeavors; as I aim to combine my studies and practice
in the field of law with personal efforts to help foster the development of a more independent and transparent legal system in Armenia. I can genuinely say that Birthright Armenia has aided me in creating and maintaining a foothold and life in Armenia, and in realizing what it is to be an Armenian in the 21st-century. I am truly grateful for my time spent as a volunteer, and just as importantly, the
road that has led forward since.”
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Now and Then
Originally from Los Angeles, Sevana Sammis (OLA ‘08) has been living in
Washington, DC, for the past four years. Since her time as a Birthright Armenia
volunteer, she has worked with refugees in Los Angeles through the International Rescue Committee and completed an MA in International Affairs from
George Washington University. She was able to return to the Caucasus in 2010
as a summer intern in Tbilisi , Georgia, working on youth leadership through
the Eurasia Partnership Foundation’s Youth Bank program that also operates
in Armenia. During this time she returned to Armenia to visit her students! She
is currently a middle school ESL teacher in DC public schools. Below Sevana
shares her experience.
Sevana and Chinar ( 12-year-old group leader)
“It has been five years since I completed my service in Armenia with Birthright Armenia. I worked with Diramayr, Our Lady of
Armenia Educational Center in Tsaghkadzor and at their main Gyumri center.
I remember the first day at Jambar when I joined my group I was amazed to find out the group leader was only 12 years old! Everything she did that summer blew me away; her maturity and leadership were commendable. I found myself constantly asking her
questions, listening to her stories and following her lead. For three months I continued to be amazed by all the children and young
adults I met.
I will soon begin my third year of teaching, and when I think back, my first experience was teaching in Armenia. Although it was informal, I learned that I loved to teach! While I still hope to work with international education projects and return to the Caucasus, I
am very happy to be working with kids from all over the world in DC! My kids in Gyumri were full of energy, hope and a willingness to
learn despite the obstacles they faced in life. The kids I meet each year in DC display the same dedication and will to learn despite
their own challenges.
In Armenia while I did learn about myself, I learned more about the
power of youth. As you all know, in our culture family is extremely
important. One of the hardest things was to see so many young
Armenian children who were orphans. Despite the lack of a traditional family unit and the extreme poverty they faced, the kids worked
diligently and supported one another. They created their own family at Diramayr. Everyone had a role in the family – the high school
students while working on their own schoolwork and chores also
tutored and mentored the younger children. At such a young age
they took on so many responsibilities, but what was most inspiring
is that all of them had big dreams. I remember towards the end of
my volunteer work, we had a session where everyone discussed
their dreams; from singing across Europe to studying at prestigious
universities, they wanted it all, although some of them didn’t believe
it was possible. And while the obstacles they face are great, with
enough love and support they will hopefully reach their goals. At that
moment I realized how much it meant to them that I listened to their
dream, supported it and talked about steps they could take to get
there. As a teacher my biggest goal is to help support my students’
dreams. Teaching the skills they need to accomplish their goals is
equally as important to listening to their ideas. The first kids who
taught me how important this is were my kids in Gyumri and they are
forever in my heart.
Sevana and the kids from OLA center
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Looking back, it seems like the pieces all lined up so clearly. I was
working with children, I taught English, my partner was a K-12 educator, but it took me a few years after Birthright Armenia to put it
all together. At the time I knew I had a phenomenal experience, but
now I understand how it was much more than an experience; it really
shaped my professional career. So thanks Birthright for helping me
find my place in the world as an educator!
Le Quartier Français
We are happy to see the growing number of participants from France. So far
we have hosted close to 30 volunteers from France and have three more
participants coming this year!
Mariam Gharagyozyan (AVC ‘12) volunteered at the Center of Information
and Public Relations in the Office of the RA President, and shares her
post-volunteerism reflections below.
Lorsque j’ai postulé à Birthright Armenia, j’étais alors étudiante en dernière année de Double licence en Droit et en Sciences politiques. Je recherchais une expérience qui puisse à la fois m’être bénéfique d’un point de vue professionnel mais aussi, et avant tout,
qui puisse être un enrichissement personnel. Sur ces deux points, Birthright a su combler mes attentes.
Moi qui était habituée à venir en Arménie chaque été depuis l’âge de sept
ans, j’ai pourtant redécouvert une Arménie que je n’avais pas pu percevoir
durant toutes ces années. Mon engagement en tant que volontaire, je le
faisais certes pour moi mais également pour servir ce pays où je suis née.
J’ai alors que laissé de côté mon statut de simple touriste pour apporter mon
concours en tant que membre à part entière du fonctionnement de ce pays.
En étant volontaire auprès du Centre d’information et de relations publiques
de l’office du Président, j’ai pu réaliser un stage qui soit en adéquation parfaite pour mon parcours universitaire et qui correspond exactement à mon
projet d’avenir. J’ai, entre autres, eu l’opportunité de travailler sur l’affaire
Safarov, qui a compromis les relations arméno-hongroises sur fond de conflit
gelé en Haut-Karabagh. J’ai ainsi travaillé sur l’accord international
permettant Haut-Karabagh. J’ai ainsi travaillé sur l’accord international permettant aux personnes condamnées sur le territoire d’un
Etat d’être transférées pour purger le restant de leur peine sur le territoire d’un autre Etat. J’ai pu analyser les violations des Droits de
l’Homme et de la démocratie invoquées dans le cadre du transfèrement de Ramil Safarov en Azerbaïdjan. Grâce à cette expérience
professionnelle hors du commun, j’ai pu acquérir plus de maturité dans ma conception du Droit international. Ce stage m’a en outre
permis de mettre à profit ma pratique des langues étrangères, qui n’en ai devenue que meilleure.
Durant mon volontariat, étant donné que la semaine je travaillais, je profitais du week-end pour rendre visite à ma famille à la campagne. Avec grand plaisir et non sans étonnement, je me suis rendue compte que ma grand-mère, ma tante et mes cousins étaient
fiers de ma contribution auprès de Birthright. Eux qui étaient auparavant indifférents, à force d’avoir été désabusés, à la politique du
gouvernement, parlaient avec intérêt des prochaines élections municipales prévues en septembre 2012.
Une fois revenue en France, j’ai alors été licenciée en Droit et en Sciences politiques et entrepris pour l’année universitaire 20122013 une double cursus en russe et en chinois à l’Institut des Langues et des Civilisations Orientales (INALCO) de Paris. En 20132014, j’entends poursuivre l’étude des langues étrangères à l’INALCO et, dans le même temps, faire un Master 1 en Droit international des affaires à l’Université Paris 1 La Sorbonne.
Ce par quoi j’ai été le plus marquée par mon expérience auprès de
Birthright c’était sans conteste la diversité des personnes engagées
en tant que volontaires. Durant tous ces été passés en Arménie, je
n’avais côtoyé personne d’autres que les membres de ma famille
et les quelques amis d’enfance que j’avais à Erevan. Je n’avais
alors jamais eu l’occasion de rencontrer d’autres Arméniens venus des quatre coins de la Terre. J’étais loin de m’imaginer que les
Arméniens issus de la diaspora étaient autant investis et concernés
par l’état et l’évolution du pays. Enfin, j’ai pu découvrir l’Arménie
sous un nouveau jour. Cela peut paraître étonnant mais je n’avais
auparavant jamais fait de visites de sites historiques et culturels. Au
terme de mes études, j’envisage de retenter l’aventure Birthright afin
de contribuer une nouvelle fois aux efforts qui sont fait pour aider et
soutenir l’Arménie.
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Creating a pocket of joy in a war
torn city, Hagop V. Cutujian
(AVC ‘06) married Caroline
Yvonne Iskenderian on March 3,
2013 at Asdvadzadzin Church in
Aleppo, Syria.
On January 6, 2013, Sara Sarkisian Bell (Habitat for Humanity
‘06) and her husband Morgan
welcomed little Sona Jaclyn Bell
in Geneva, Illinois. She was
baptized this past April at St.
John Armenian Church in Detroit,
Michigan.
Weddings and Babies
Many kilometers away, on April 7, 2013,
Cintia Astardjian (AVC ‘10) and Hagop Sarkissian tied the knot in Sao Paolo, Brazil.
Lena C. Adishian (AVC ‘06) gave birth to baby
girl Talar Angele Adishian on May 23, 2013.
Below is the picture of the proud parents Chris
and Lena and big brother Mark.
In the picturesque seaside town of Tarragona, Spain, Raffi Keuhnelian (AVC ’06) and
Armine Petrosyan were married on August
17, 2013.
On August 6, 2013, Taleen Moughamian
(AVC ‘08) and Armen Moughamian (AVC
‘12) welcomed baby Noor Jeannette.
Greg Bandikian (AAA
‘06) and his wife Arpine
Dallakian welcomed little
Anahit Bandikian
on June 10, 2013.
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And finally, we celebrate the birth of little Patrick Ararat
Nalbandov, to his proud parents Seta Iskandarian
Nalbandov (AVC’ 05) and Robert Nalbandov.
Alumni Awards
Congrats to two alums collaborating on the same
project! The new film ABYSM, directed by Oksana
Mirzoyan (AVC ‘11) and produced by Emily
Mkrtichian (AVC ‘11) was awarded a grant of
15,000 CHF by the Open Doors Jury of the Festival
del film in Locarno, Switzerland.
More from Oksana. She and Raffi Wartanian (AYF ‘07) collaborated to
create a music video for the song "Electronic Flirtation" from Raffi's debut
album of original music titled, "Pushkin Street". The video incorporates
powerful imagery from a trip they took to Alaverdi in the Lori region. Click
here to see the video.
Staff Corner
It’s a given that the entire staff at Depi Hayk is committed to the alumni and to alumni success, and
having a full-time Alumni Coordinator is the latest addition to our staff to make sure we can best
support the growing alumni base worldwide. Please join us with a big WELCOME to Shoghik
Chilingarian (YSMU ’09) as our first Alumni Program Coordinator, based in Yerevan. Shoghik will
be joining us at the end of September, and will we working with many of you as we map ahead on
many exciting activities.
The first person many incoming volunteers see at the airport in Armenia is our
beloved Vahram. While not behind the wheel, Vahram is tries to find time to
enjoy his second daughter! He and his wife Eva welcomed baby Nare, on May
29, 2013. Congratulations Vahram, jan!
The Birthright Armenia House is now in full
swing with several residents and other active
applicants. When it’s your time to search for
work opportunities in Armenia, visit our website
page for a full application and description of the
“Pathway to Armenia” program.
We are also glad to announce the successful
run of our summer program in Vanadzor which
officially launched in June. We had 10
volunteers in Vanadzor this summer.
Work is underway on our
BRAND
NEW
WEBSITE!
Stay tuned for a great new
look!
Stay tuned for exciting news
about an event in 2014
planned for our
10th
anniversary
It is time to celebrate a
decade of success!
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The Quiz
The winner of the last quiz, and a $25 gift certificate is Gabriel Armas-Cardona (AVC ‘12) whose correct answers were:
1.
2.
3.
Which international organization did Armenia officially become member of on
February 5, 2003? (World Trade Organisation (WTO)
Where is this place and what is it called? (see the picture on the left) (Children’s
Railway Park, Yerevan)
In which region is Armenia’s only wind power plant located? (Lori)
Here are the questions for the next quiz:
1.
2.
3.
What percentage of Armenia’s energy production comes from nuclear power?
Who is depicted on the 100,000 Dram note?
In 1989, Armenfilm released a film called 13th Apostle. The movie was based on
which Ray Bradbury novel?
As always, e-mail all answers to info@birthrightarmenia.am and the winner will earn a $25
gift certificate for www.amazon.com.
Famous Figure in History
Hakob Hakobyan, a modern Armenian painter, was born on May 16, 1923, in Egypt. He
took on his early education at Melkonian Armenian school in Cyprus. He later attended
the Institute of Fine Arts in Cairo and then was granted a scholarship to attend Académie
de la Grande Chaumière in Paris. Hakobyan also studied at the studio of renowned painter
Andre L’Hote during his stay in Paris. His early works are small-size oils: one-figure compositions in interiors and still lifes.
Part of a massive mid-20th century wave of Armenian exiles and their families returning to
their familial homeland, Hagopian immigrated to the Soviet Union to settle in the Armenian
Soviet Socialist Republic in 1962, and his new world became the Armenian landscape.
His personages are social or occupational types, static figures circumscribed by a space
limited in depth, their mood of constraint and isolation suggest a miserable existence. Hagopian had numerous exhibitions in Yerevan, Moscow, and other cities.
He passed away this year at the age of 89.
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