The Armenian Assembly of America Summer Internship Program in Armenia aims to introduce college-aged students to life in their ancestral homeland, and to foster the skills needed to help them become the next generation of leaders. Since the program’s inception in 1999, forty-nine interns have participated, working in various government offices in Armenia, such as the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Ministry of Finance and Economy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as with various non-governmental organizations such as the International Center for Human Development. For a complete listing of previous host institutions please visit our Placements page.
This internship provides Armenian-American youth an exceptional opportunity to interact both professionally and socially with counterparts in Armenia. In addition to their daily work schedule, interns get an opportunity to meet with government officials and other prominent individuals in and around Yerevan. The 2007 intern class met with Parliament Member Davit Haroutiunyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Vardan Oskanian, Deputy Mayor of Yerevan Vano Vardanyan, Chairman of the Constitutional Court Gagik Haroutunyan, Member of Parliament and the founder of Heritage Party Raffi Hovhanissian, and His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II. During these meetings, interns learned about the inner workings of the Armenian Government as well as the important role of the Diaspora in the homeland.
Aside from the local activities, participants also take advantage of a series of educational sight-seeing trips to a variety of historical sites in Armenia and Karabakh, such as the the Garni Temple, the Geghard Monastery, and Khor Virab. The 2007 Interns also toured the ruins of Ani, the monasteries of Goshavank and Haghartsin, and the Amberd Fortress. These excursions, arranged by the Armenian Assembly, are an excellent way for participants to develop a greater understanding and appreciation of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Check our Frequently Asked Questions page on internships in Yerevan, Armenia.
The internship runs for eight weeks, from mid-June to mid-August. Participants may choose from three housing options in Yerevan:
- Stay with family or friends.
- Request that the Assembly facilitate the lease of an apartment; these are usually shared by two to three interns.
- Apply for a home-stay through Birthright Armenia.
To enhance your stay in Armenia you may wish to take advantage of the unique opportunity offered through Birthright Armenia. In exchange for partaking in language instruction and attending seminars and workshops, this complementing program can provide qualified candidates with home stays in Yerevan. Interns are not eligible for Birthright’s travel fellowship as they require an extended stay outside of Yerevan. However, the Assembly offers a travel stipend for qualified interns. If you are interested in the Assembly program in Armenia but are concerned about the potential housing costs, please visit http://www.birthrightarmenia.org/ to learn more about their home stay opportunities.
For more information on the Assembly’s Internship Program, contact Joseph A. Piatt, the Armenian Assembly Internship Program Manager.
