The interns left yesterday morning. I'm more relaxed, but sad the same. Despite a few snags, it was truly an honor in a way to introduce eight American-Armenians to their homeland. I realized that the last night when I saw in their faces how distressed they were about leaving and how grateful they were for the experience.
I return to the US in 9 days and counting. Everyone I speak to, including the people at the laundry service I go to, keep telling me it makes more sense for me to stay in Armenia. I could probably get a nice job, live better, buy a house and establish myself better in Armenia. But the reality is that I need to be in the US right now. My family is there, and I have unfinished business. I have so many ambitions when I am here, so many ideas, but until I get my feet on the ground, coming to Armenia isn't going to help anyone, including myself.
Reflecting on what I've done here, it feels very minimal. I try to think of how my stay has impacted people in Armenia and I can't think of anything other than I've made bonds with select people that emotionally made a difference. But more importantly, I think I've realized that just giving money to an orphanage, while being a very feel good solution to maybe one problem, overall does not answer Armenia's dire needs. To do that, one must come here, emerge themselves into the people, society, the culture, understand it and work from within. So for me the most important thing I did was introducing others to the country. While it didn't feed children... actually it did, but probably for a few days. While it didn't solve the problems of Armenia, an investment has been made. It's quite possible that some of these interns may return in a few years with a better understanding of the people and the culture. The "Repatriate Recrutment Agency" concept thus carries through.
So the idea of this Agency was actually a joke, but it's been brought to my attention that 1) it's a good name, 2) it's a good idea. Though we all seem to do such work unofficially, it might be nice to see an official agency that works specifically towards returning Armenians to the homeland. I'll give up all rights to the name if anyone jumps at the idea!
I return to the US in 9 days and counting. Everyone I speak to, including the people at the laundry service I go to, keep telling me it makes more sense for me to stay in Armenia. I could probably get a nice job, live better, buy a house and establish myself better in Armenia. But the reality is that I need to be in the US right now. My family is there, and I have unfinished business. I have so many ambitions when I am here, so many ideas, but until I get my feet on the ground, coming to Armenia isn't going to help anyone, including myself.
Reflecting on what I've done here, it feels very minimal. I try to think of how my stay has impacted people in Armenia and I can't think of anything other than I've made bonds with select people that emotionally made a difference. But more importantly, I think I've realized that just giving money to an orphanage, while being a very feel good solution to maybe one problem, overall does not answer Armenia's dire needs. To do that, one must come here, emerge themselves into the people, society, the culture, understand it and work from within. So for me the most important thing I did was introducing others to the country. While it didn't feed children... actually it did, but probably for a few days. While it didn't solve the problems of Armenia, an investment has been made. It's quite possible that some of these interns may return in a few years with a better understanding of the people and the culture. The "Repatriate Recrutment Agency" concept thus carries through.
So the idea of this Agency was actually a joke, but it's been brought to my attention that 1) it's a good name, 2) it's a good idea. Though we all seem to do such work unofficially, it might be nice to see an official agency that works specifically towards returning Armenians to the homeland. I'll give up all rights to the name if anyone jumps at the idea!
posted by Arsineh at 11:59 AM
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