Peace Corps Armenia

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Armenia: Peace Corps Armenia : Peace Corps in Armenia: Peace Corps Armenia

By Admin1 (admin) on Saturday, June 23, 2001 - 7:25 am: Edit Post

Peace Corps in Armenia by RPCV Jeremy Haile



Peace Corps in Armenia by RPCV Jeremy Haile

Peace Corps Armenia

Peace Corps and Armenia

Peace Corps is not for everyone. But everyone should consider joining. The best site we have found for potential, current and returned volunteers is Crossroads. Though we try to offer a complete glimpse of PCV life, obviously we represent only a sliver of the Peace Corps community. At Crossroads, you can network with other friends of Peace Corps and find links to other volunteer websites. If you are considering joining, the section on why you shouldn't join is particularly illuminating.

To find out how to become a Peace Corps volunteer, visit the official Peace Corps website.

Peace Corps Armenia volunteers maintain a website that chronicles the activities of volunteers here: PC-Armenia. The webmaster is Richard Elvin (A8 TEFL Volunteer).

The best site we have found for learning about the Republic of Armenia is Virtual Armenia. The site remains under construction, but offers maps and pictures of the country.

Despite the country's relative obscurity, it remains in the news thanks to its geopolitical positioning. We try to keep up with the latest:

Is Bush Pro-Azeri or Just Pro-Oil? (Baltimore Sun, April 2, 2001) Armenia's History, Turkey's Dilemma (Washington Post, March 11, 2001) Foreign Aid Shrinks, but Not For All (Washington Post, January 24, 2001) Turkey Retaliates (AP, January 23, 2001) Forgotten Land (Dallas Morning News, November 26, 2000)

Background

The Republic of Armenia covers 11,506 square miles in the Transcaucasus region of southwetern Asia. It is slightly smaller than Maryland or about the same size as Belgium. Much of Armenia lies on a mountainous plateau. Frequent earthquakes are a reminder of Armenia's volcanic past and position on a major fault line. A devastating 1988 earthquake destroyed Armenia's second largest city, Leninankan (now Gyumri), and killed 35,000 to 55,000 people.

History (the short version)

The Armenian civilization developed in the 6th century B.C. In following centuries, a series of invaders rolled over Armenia because of its strategic position. During the reign of Tigran the Great (95-55 B.C.), Armenia's borders stretched from the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean. By A.D. 100, Armenia had lost its independence, and parts or all of the country fell under Persian, Byzantine, and Arab rule in different times. A sovereign Armenian kingdom was not fully restored until the 9th century.

During the 15th century, Armenia was divided between the Ottoman Turks and Persians. Persia ruled Eastern Armenia until 1828 when Russia annexed it. Ottoman rulers in Western Armenia began a series of massacres that culminated in a 1915 genocide in which 1.5 million people died. Survivors scattered all over the world or found refuge in Eastern Armenia.

Eastern Armenia declared independence from Russia in 1918, but a 1920 invasion of the Red Army established Armenia as a Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1988, Armenia moved to integrate integrate Nagorno-Karabagh (an Armenian-populated area of neighboring Azerbaijani) into Armenia. The movement eventually led to a full-scale war. A cease-fire has remained in place since 1994.

The People

Ethnic Armenians compose 96% of the republic's 3 million people. More Armenians (5 million worldwide) live outside the country than in.

Eastern Armenian is the official language and Russian is also widely used. The language is a subgroup within the Indo-European family.

Armenia embraced Christianity in 301 as the state religion. However, society is mostly secular. More than 90% of the population belongs to the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Armenians take great pride in their ancient history and epic tales of heroic struggles against oppression or adversity. Despite centuries of domination, war, and even genocide, Armenians have maintained their culture, language and traditions.

Armenians value education and believe it is the responsibility of parents to provide their children with the best schooling possible. Armenian values come from both West and East, creating a unique mix of cosmopolitanism and conservatism.

Because they lacked sovereignty for so long before 1991, Armenians tend to be very political, constantly questioning and frequently distrusting government authority. Indeed, the average Armenian has little respect for rules and laws even in the new republic.

Armenians pay great attention to their clothing and hairstyles. They follow modern European trends that are practical for daily life. Women generally wear long skirts; men wear conservative suits. Parents will dress their children very well, even if they cannot afford equally nice clothing for themselves.

Customs and Courtesies

When greeting, men shake hands and even kiss some acquaintances on the cheek. Women hug and kiss each other. Armenians tend to be emotional, so they often use their eyes, hands, shoulders and heads to express themselves more clearly. During conversation, eye contact is expected. It is considered improper for women to smoke in public, though men may smoke nearly anywhere.

Armenians are social and gregarious. Guests are served dessert or fruit with coffee or tea. Guests arriving near mealtime are invited to share the meal. Unannounced visits are common and accepted. When guests are present, the host and others will propose toasts to anything from the guests to peace to national values. Traditionally, a woman prepares the meals and joins the group only after serving everyone else. She will later insist that guests take second or third helpings. Declining such offers will generally offend the hosts.

Lifestyle

In urban areas, dating generally begins around 18 and usually leads to marriage. In rural areas, where parents traditionally arrange marriages, dating may occur after the engagement. Traditional weddings take place in the Church, but civil marriages are quite common. After the wedding, the bride moves into the groom's home--many times with his parents--and the newlyweds break plates with their feet before entering.

Reading literature is a popular pastime, as is reading the newspaper and discussing politics. Soccer is the most popular sport. Chess and backgammon are especially popular games in Armenia.





Story Source: Personal Web Site

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Armenia

PCOL3851
70

.

By Christina (fw.yerevan.fxclub.org - 83.139.12.2) on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 - 5:13 am: Edit Post

DEAR PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS,
THIS IS TO INFORM YOU THAT A LOCAL TRAINING CENTER "AFT TRAINING" HAS INITIATED A NEW PROJECT OF International CLub of Communication .
To learn more about the goals, missions and acitivties of our club you are welcome to visit our first "Soft Opening-Christmas Party" which will take place
on the 25th of December, at 3:00pm at
13 Vardanants Street.

Join our Club and enjoy a friendly atmosphere combined with music, dace and theatrical performances.
All interested please contact Christina at
aftrainingcenter@consultant.com

It is free and Open for foreigners.

By Sos Nalghranyan (proxy.aic.net - 195.250.64.76) on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 - 1:25 pm: Edit Post

hi guys,

I am 21 years old, armenian guy, and a medical student of state medical university aft. M.Heraci, I am as well doing volunteer work in the field of Sexual and Reproductive Health and rights of young people and a current volunteer member of " YouAct" European Youth Network on SRR-s of young people, promoting high level youth participation, www.youact.org, I am much interested in joing your programs, so be so kind to let me know if you have a local office, so that I may visit and have abit more information,

Regards,
Sos Nalghranyan

By RPCVARM (ppp-70-243-81-201.dsl.austtx.swbell.net - 70.243.81.201) on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 - 5:46 pm: Edit Post

You'll find contact information at:
http://www.usa.am/peacecorps.html

(see bottom of web page for staff, address, phone)

By R.J.Stoll (dialup-4.224.186.17.dial1.cincinnati1.level3.net - 4.224.186.17) on Monday, October 23, 2006 - 6:54 am: Edit Post

I was an A-5 volunteer and plan to visit Armenia again soon ...

Also, as I am interested in someone who might look into investment opportunities in Armenia for me before I come ... especially agri finance.

Does the Peace Corps there still have business volunteers and TEFLs as when I was there ... who may be able to help?

By Anonymous (ppp-70-251-189-38.dsl.austtx.swbell.net - 70.251.189.38) on Monday, October 23, 2006 - 11:20 am: Edit Post

RJ - PC contacts and programs can be found at:

http://yerevan.usembassy.gov/peacecorps.php

I would recommend starting with the commercial officer at the US embassy in yerevan.

By Anonymous (adsl-69-224-49-78.dsl.irvnca.pacbell.net - 69.224.49.78) on Wednesday, January 10, 2007 - 9:00 pm: Edit Post

Greetings! My friends and I live in sunny Southern California and attend UCLA and UCIrvine. Coming summer of 2007 we are looking forward to spending the summer in Armenia, but instead of site-seeing and traveling we would love to help out our fellow brothers and sisters living in our fatherland. Therefore, we are searching for any volunteering oppurtunities that are available, if there is anyway you could help us out or provide us with any information we would highly appreciate it!! If there is anyone out there that could help us out please do not hesitate to contact me at ekyab@ucla.edu Thank you soo much!!!

By Andranik Pogosian (s010600e09896c762.vn.shawcable.net - 24.86.15.196) on Sunday, January 28, 2007 - 9:04 am: Edit Post

Dear Sirs...

I am Canadian-Armenian,
The mission of our org.is: Collection of used and surplus of new books from donor organizations, companies, individuals, ect. and ship the collected BOOKS to interested countries with the cooperation of the local Non-profit organizations for the purpose of creating Specialized English Language Libraris, to Promote north-american educational system...the cultural values, traditions for the nobel purpose of mutual understanding and last but ot the least for “Enrich a mind, Improve a life”.
My request is to be informed: Is the Country Director of the Corps in Armenia interested to cooperate with us to create - establish Specialized English Language Libraries in Armenia.
Now we have approximatly 100.000(hundred thousand) books avilabel to be shiped.

For any or more information, please contact directly to me 1-604-985-9857

e-mail:andranik@shaw.ca
PS.We are ready to provide all and any info.upon request...

Thanks and all the best
Andranik Pogosian,

By Sona Sarkissian (proxy-out.aic.net - 62.89.1.2) on Thursday, June 21, 2007 - 4:28 am: Edit Post

Hi guys
I have graduated from Yerevan State University, Romance Germanic department. I have worked as a teacher of English and currently I am working as a Transltor/Interpreter. Please let me know whether there is a program that I can participate in.

Thank you in advance
Sona


Add a Message


This is a public posting area. Enter your username and password if you have an account. Otherwise, enter your full name as your username and leave the password blank. Your e-mail address is optional.
Username:  
Password:
E-mail: