Washington, DC – For over 30 years, the Armenian Assembly of America’s (Assembly) Terjenian-Thomas Assembly Internship Program (Program) has given participants the ability to travel to the Nation’s Capital and be part of a unique class of students for an unforgettable educational experience. At the same time, the Program also affords the students the opportunity to develop and enhance their professional abilities and gain a competitive edge for the future.

“One of the goals of the internship program is to bring us together to discuss and review current issues facing Armenia and the Diaspora,” said Haig Kherlopian, the Assembly’s 2008 Washington, DC, Intern Coordinator. “The interns travel to DC, adapt to city-life, settle-in and develop a greater understanding of Armenian issues, and as a result will advocate for Armenia in their respective fields and communities.”

This year’s intern class is a diverse group of 18 college students who reside in all parts of the country and abroad, and they are pursuing degrees in political science, law, journalism, humanities and history. What binds them together, however, is their personal commitment to their Armenian heritage.

While in Washington, students intern in offices on Capitol Hill, with government agencies, non-governmental organizations and media outlets. The program also gives students a full schedule of educational activities, presentations by journalists, professors, and lawyers, as well as meetings with Members of Congress. “What’s most interesting about the Assembly’s internship program is the sheer diversity of both the job placements and the participants involved,” said Assembly intern Lisa Haidostian. “The result is a patchwork of personalities and experiences, fostering an environment that’s gratifying.”

Already in its second month, the interns have met with Hayk Demoyan, Director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute; John Hughes, Editor of ArmeniaNow, “Independent Journalism from Today’s Armenia,” published every Friday, online; Noris Balabanian, U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Law Enforcement Affairs; Victor Vartanian, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement; Mark Krikorian, Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies; Representatives Adam Schiff (D-CA); Jackie Speier (D-CA); Ed Royce (R-CA); Joseph Crowley (D-NY) and with the Co-Chairs of the Armenian Caucus Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Joseph Knollenberg (R-MI), as well as attended Congressional hearings for the South Caucasus region and the Senate committee hearing for Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch, who is the Bush Administration’s nominee to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia. The interns also visited the White House, the Armenian Embassy and the Library of Congress, where they met with Armenian and Georgian Area specialist, Dr. Levon Avdoyan.

“Thus far, I’ve been privileged to have worked in a House office building; watched hearings; participated in briefings; lead tours of The Capitol and meet with numerous Members of Congress,” said Assembly intern Ari Zartarian. “I have been fortunate to witness first hand the efforts and involvement needed to craft policy and enact legislation. It is an experience for which, I will be forever grateful.”

During the concluding week of the program the interns will meet with Dr. Rouben Adalian, Director Armenian National Institute; Dean Shahinian, Senior Counsel, U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs and Representatives John Sarbanes (D-MD) and Zack Space (D-OH). The interns will also participate in an Assembly Young Professionals Panel, where former interns will share their stories about interning at the Assembly and life after graduation from the Program.

Assembly Internship Program, Armenia

Yerevan, Armenia – The Assembly 2008 Summer Internship Program in Armenia is in its ninth-year, with eight interns participating. “The Summer Internship Program in Armenia provides an opportunity for interns to experience life in Armenia and better understand the challenges, and opportunities, Armenia and Karabakh currently face,” said Arpi Vartanian, Assembly Country Director for Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. “It is an absolutely unforgettable experience, providing lifelong memories, and changing the interns’ lives forever,” added Vartanian.

Since the program’s inception in 1999, fifty-seven interns have participated, working in various government offices, media outlets, hospitals, non-governmental organizations and think tanks.

“This is my first time in Armenia and I didn’t really know what to expect,” said Tatiana Gumuchdjian. “I am interning at ArmeniaNow media agency and National Geographic Traveler -Armenia (NGTA, www.traveler.am), as a contributing journalist, and I had a story published on the ArmeniaNow Website within five days of my arrival in Yerevan!” Keep an eye out for several more articles by Tatiana, which are expected to appear on ArmeniaNow (www.ArmeniaNow.com) in the coming weeks. Tatiana has completed an article about ancient Ani, and expects to soon complete an article about the 10th century Amberd Castle in Armenia. Both these articles are expected to be published in upcoming issues of National Geographic Traveler - Armenia. 

Michael Morel, from Merrimack College and Vram Kherlopian, from Bentley College, spoke and understood very little Armenian when they arrived at the onset of the Program. Yet, in just a few short weeks of immersion and effort, they learned a great deal, and can understand and speak much more than they did upon arrival. They are very excited to be interning at the Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS, www.acnis.am). Both were given the freedom to choose their own research topic; Michael is researching the history of Armenian-Russian relations and Vram is studying the influence of western musical culture on modern Armenian music. Vram also interns at the National Competitiveness Center of Armenia (NCAA), where he proofreads documents and edits the NCCA Website. “This internship is a great way to visit Armenia and experience as much as possible,” said Vram. “The excursions, meetings with politicians, and all of the other activities offered are all great ways to immerse oneself, as much as possible, in the Armenian culture,” added Vram. 

Tsoline Avedisian, from Widener University, also interns at the recently-established NCCA. She translates articles to English, proofreads documents and updates the NCCA Website (www.competearmenia.org). In addition, she interns at National Geographic Traveler - Armenia, established this year. Tsoline, whose major is Business Management and Marketing, is developing means to increase the sales of the magazine in Armenia and abroad. "Over the years I have heard many positive things about the Armenian Assembly and so, I decided to participate in the internship program this summer,” said Tsoline. “The internship program has turned out to be a great learning experience, as well as a lot of fun! Even though I have previously been to Armenia on several occasions, this program has allowed me to visit places that I’ve never seen and most importantly, be able to give back to my country as an intern."

Liana Mayilyan, from the University of Texas at Austin, is interning at both the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund (www.himnadram.org) and the Human Rights Defender’s Office (www.ombuds.am). At both offices, her proficiency in reading, writing and speaking Armenian prove invaluable as she translates and proofreads documents. At the Human Rights Defender’s Office, she also monitors Armenian cases pending in the European Court of Human Rights. “The Armenia experience so far has been very rewarding,” said Liana. “It is very interesting to be part of the Armenian workforce. I am very much enjoying my time working and touring the country.”

Sarkis Balkhian, from Clark University in Massachusetts, is interning at the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute (AGMI), and at the Middle East Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (www.armeniaforeignministry.am). Sarkis’s proficiency in Armenia, English and Arabic prove useful at both organizations as he reviews, edits, and translates documents, and updates the official Website of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute (http://genocide-museum.am). At the Foreign Ministry, he has been tasked with providing comparative analysis of relations with middle-eastern countries, and proposing ways to enhance Armenia’s relations with countries in that region. “My Armenian Assembly internship in Armenia has provided me the opportunity to experience the nature of professional life in Armenia,” said Sarkis. “While interning at the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute and Armenia’s Foreign Ministry, I was able to utilize the knowledge and skills of an apprentice at the field of politics and international relations, to a professional level. In addition, the internship provided me the invaluable opportunity of experiencing life in Armenia, not as a tourist, but rather as a resident. Above all, the internship reignited the fire inside of me to fight, live and work for our beloved Armenia,” added Sarkis.

Aline Mnayan, from University of California, Irvine, is interning at the Ministry of Education (www.edu.am), where she edits and translates the Educational Cooperation Program between Armenia and Georgia. She assisted in organizing, and also attended, the recently-held All-Armenian Educational Forum. This forum provides an opportunity for Armenian teachers around the world to discuss educational issues facing the Diaspora. “Though I have been to Armenia before, I have never worked here,” said Aline. “I am really involved in the projects and I constantly learn from the people I work with.” In addition to her internship at the Ministry of Education, Aline also interns at the Millennium Challenge Armenia office (www.mca.am), where she is involved in project development.

Zaven Sargsian, University of Utah, is interning at both ACNIS and the Ministry of Finance (www.minfin.am). In addition to proofreading and translating documents at the Finance Ministry, Zaven has a unique opportunity to become acquainted with international trade agreements of the World Trade Organization, the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development and the Asian Development Bank. At ACNIS, like Michael and Vram, Zaven selected an independent research topic: “Economic Conditions in Armenia and Dollar-Dram Exchange Rate Fluctuations.”  

“I breathe Armenia, I hear Armenia, I live Armenia,” said Zaven. “It is in Armenia where one feels life, where one feels whole and complete. I came here thinking that I might affect Armenia somehow, but realized that Armenia has affected me. And throughout all this, if you were to ask me what I would change, all the difficulties, disagreements, and inconveniences I have had here, I would say ‘Nothing.’ I would change absolutely nothing,” said Zaven.

Interns are encouraged to greet each day as an exciting, new adventure. During their time in Armenia, interns also visit places of cultural and historical interest throughout Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, and meet with a variety of people to discuss current issues facing Armenians today, all while working and experiencing everyday life in Armenia.

To date, interns have visited St. Etchmiadzin, as well as the Khor Virap, Noravank, Haghartsin, Goshavank, Haghpat and Sanahin Monasteries. They swam at Lake Sevan, toured Gyumri, visited Tsakhkadzor, and saw the ancient ruins of Ani from afar, at the Armenia-Turkey border. They visited the Zvartnots Temple, and the Sardarapat Memorial and Ethnographic Museum. Interns celebrated Vardavar (Water Holiday) at Water World. They toured the Yerevan Brandy Company and the Areni Wine Factory, and visited VivaCell, (a mobile phone company operating in Armenia). Just days ago, filled with unforgettable memories, they returned from a 3-day trip to the Zangezur Region and Nagorno Karabakh. 

In addition to their daily work schedule and weekend trips, interns meet with government officials, spiritual leaders and other prominent individuals. So far, the 2008 Intern Class met with His Holiness, Catholicos of All Armenians, Garegin II; Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan; Parliament Members Davit Harutyunyan, Hranush Hakobyan and Raffi Hovannisian; Deputy Mayor of Yerevan Vano Vardanyan; Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia; U.S. Charge d’Affaires Joseph Pennington; NKR Minister of Foreign Affairs Georgi Petrosyan and Head of the USAID-FAR Humanitarian Mission in NKR Andranik Sargsyan. During these meetings, interns learned about the inner workings of the Armenian and Karabakh Governments, the Armenian Parliament, the significance of the Armenian Church in the history of Armenians and the important role of the Diaspora in their homeland.

Interns share their impressions and thoughts with the Armenian public through interviews with local Armenian media. This provides an opportunity for the Armenian public-at-large to become better acquainted with Diasporan youth, their thoughts, perceptions and hopes.

“This internship program provides Armenian-American youth an exceptional opportunity to interact both professionally and socially with counterparts in Armenia. They gain a better understanding of what they can do to strengthen their Armenian communities. Many interns return to Armenia with their friends or parents. Some of them have even established their own internship or assistance programs,” said Summer Internship Program Coordinator Vram Karakeshishyants.

Assembly Internship Descriptions

In 1977, the Assembly launched its pioneering internship program to give college students of Armenian descent an opportunity to live and work in Washington, DC, for eight weeks each summer. Interns gain exposure to the policy-making process in our nation's capital.

Thanks to a gracious bequest made possible by the Memorial Fund established through the generosity of Aram Terjenian, Annie Thomas and Florence Terjenian, the internship program was re-named the “Terjenian-Thomas Assembly Internship Program” in 2003.

In 1999, the internship program in Armenia, which 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, was launched.

Assembly Internship Participants

Washington, DC

Adrine Akopyan, University of California, Los Angeles, Congressman Adam Schiff

Helen Avunjian, University of California, Los Angeles, Armenian National Institute

Maral Balayan, Misr International University, Cairo, Egypt, Armenian Assembly of America

Armena Ballard, University of Pennsylvania, Congressman Joe Sestak (D-PA)

Vatche Cherchian, City University London, Armenian Embassy

Hamazasp Danielyan, Yerevan State University, Policy Forum Armenia

Carissa Greenberg, Gonzaga University of Law, Armenian Assembly of America

Lisa Haidostian, University of Michigan, Climatewire

Talar Hovnanian, University of California, San Diego, Center of Immigration Studies

Teny Josephbe, University of California, San Diego, Library of Congress

Allison Khederian, Williams College, Armenian International Policy Research Group

Sarah Khederian, George Washington University, Senator John Kerry (D-MA)

Elina Khodorkovsky, University of Southern California, Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic

Allison Sadoian, California State University, Fresno, Congressman George Radanovich (R-CA)

Lauren Sarkesian, University of Michigan, Senate Sub-Committee for Investigation

Ari Zartarian, University of Michigan, Congressman Joseph Crowley

Christie Chorbajian, University of Maryland, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr.

Amalya Hovsepyan, Yerevan State University, Voice of America, Armenia Desk

Armenia

Tsoline Avedisian, Widener University, National Competiveness Council of Armenia (NCCA), National Geographic Traveler-Armenia

Sarkis Balkhian, Clark University, Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Tatiana Gumuchdjian, New York University, ArmeniaNow News Agency, National Geographic Traveler-Armenia

Vram Kherlopian, Bentley College, Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS), National Competitiveness Council of Armenia (NCCA)

Liana Mayilyan, University of Texas at Austin, Human Rights Defender's Office, Hayastan All-Armenian Fund

Aline Mnayan, University of California, Irvine, Ministry of Education and Science, Millennium Challenge Armenia

Michael Morel, Merrimack College, Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS)

Zaven Sargsian, University of Utah, Ministry of Finance, Armenian Center for National and International Studies (ACNIS)

Photographs can be viewed on the Assembly’s Website at the following link:
 

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