Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Summer Internship in Armenia

The Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Summer Internship in Armenia offers an opportunity for students to develop their professional careers while helping Armenia. For two months each summer, students are placed in Armenian government agencies, private companies, or other organizations. Internships are available in almost any desired field.

This program also provides participants an opportunity to submerge in Armenian culture, travel throughout Armenia, and share in the daily joys and grieves of the Armenian people.

Gain professional experience in your field of study
Experience Armenian culture first hand
Learn the social, legal, economic, and political working environment of Armenia

To learn more or to obtain application materials, please visit the AYF Web site at: http://www.ayf.org/program_events/internship_in_armenia.shtml

About the AYF Youth Corps

Young Diaspora Armenians have been wondering what they can do to help Armenia now that the barriers have been lifted. The doors have been opened for Armenians from abroad to become a positive physical presence in the homeland. It is now possible for young Armenians to spend a few weeks during the summer assisting where it is needed most, in border towns and war-torn villages in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh. Motivated individuals in search of a summer experience to enrich their lives should participate in the AYF Youth Corps program.

The program allows young Armenians to spend approximately five weeks in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh supplying the manpower to villages where residents are attempting to rebuild their lives.

Aside from supplying real, positive assistance to our brethren in Armenia, participants will experience the homeland in the most meaningful way. Their hard work will become one more building block in the progress of our nation.

AYF Youth Corps participants will spend time sightseeing in both Armenia and Karabagh. AYF Youth Corps participants can look forward to visiting such places as Sardarabad, Etchmiadzin, Karni, Keghart, Kantsasar, Khor Virab, Mt. Ararat, and other sights of historical and cultural significance.

Thoughts on Youth Corps

By Chris and Hagop Minassian, participants of 1999 Youth Corps Program

During the Armenian Genocide of 1915 my great grandfather, the sole survivor of his family, was forced to flee from his homeland. Despite the horrors he experienced during this tragic time, he always hoped to return one day. However, as circumstances would have it, he never had the opportunity. Likewise, because of their political affiliation, future generations of our family were neither wanted nor accepted in a soviet Armenia. Yet, 85 years and four generations later, my brother and I are the first members of our family to return to Armenia.

The decision for us to participate in the Youth Corps in the summer of 1999 came suddenly and without hesitation. My brother and I had always hoped to go to Armenia together, and the Youth Corps provided us with this opportunity. Our voyage became all the more meaningful in that by working in Kharabagh we not only saw Armenia for what it really was, but we would also contribute to the cause of rebuilding the homeland. At times, the group didn't seem to get along as we were not well acquainted with each other, and the work got harder by the day, however we never stopped in our efforts to do what was asked of us. The fact that we built personal relationships with the villagers further developed the bond that tied is to this land. Understandably, working together as brothers did have its ups and downs. At times, like the rest of the group, we felt obliged to comment on each other's performance or work habits. On the other hand, when one of us needed something, the other would always be there to provide. This helped in building a strong working relationship amongst the participants.

During Youth Corps interviews it was mentioned to us that our experience would be more fulfilling if we as brothers somewhat separated and interacted individually with the group. However once in Armenia, we discovered that this naturally happened. This is an experience that every individual sees and feels on a very personal level. When as a group we worked and lived together day in and day out, it was impossible not to feel like a brother to the rest of my group. Youth Corps '99 proved to be an incredible experience for us. It showed us a land that we had only read and dreamed about. Yet, more importantly, after almost a century of separation, it marked the reunification of our family to its homeland.