Reflections by Mark Samoulian

All of my life I have dreamed about someday visiting Armenia. This summer my dream has finally come true! Thanks to CYMA, I have had the wonderful opportunity to visit my homeland, and all of its wonderful beauty. Armenia is everything that I have expected it to be, and so much more! As soon as the plane touched the ground I knew that I was finally home. We have had the wonderful opportunity to visit most of the ancient churches and monasteries of Armenia that date back all the way to the 4th century. I have grown up seeing pictures from books and the Internet…but actually having the opportunity to stand and pray in same churches as my ancestors was quite a blessing. It is an experience unlike no other. It was so amazing to learn how each church was designed and constructed. And to actually see and touch a real Khachkar for the first time was so amazing.

Amongst my wonderful experiences in Armenia, I have had the wonderful opportunity of interning at Shoghakat TV in Yerevan. In doing so, I have been able to learn the ways of TV Broadcast here in Armenia. My jobs consisted of watching and helping the video editors and journalists with their projects. I was able to learn, and to also input new ideas. Now I am able to take what I have learned back home to apply to my work in America. I have also met some really amazing people at my internship so far. Everyone quickly embraced me and made me feel at home. They are such amazing people. I have no doubt in my mind that they will be life long friends. It feels good to have friends in Armenia because it helps me stay connected with my homeland…even if I am on the other side of the world.

We also had the wonderful opportunity to help rebuild a youth center in a village located in the Martuni region. We received the wonderful privilege of meeting the people of the village and their families. We also had host families who invited us into their homes to eat and stay the night. All of the traditional and homemade Armenian food with homegrown produce straight from their home gardens was…AMAZING!!! Some of the best Armenian food I have ever tasted! It was such a blessing to be able to interact with the community and work alongside them as we helped accomplish their vision of a new youth center. It felt so good to give back to a community in Armenia that desperately needs it. Everyone was so thankful for the work that we had done in their village.

So far, living in Armenia has been a wonderful and life changing experience for me. I can confidently say that it has changed my life for the better. It is the kind of experience that will definitely help you figure out who you are as an Armenian. God has truly blessed our land, because of our undying faith that we have in Him. There is so much more of Armenia that I have yet to experience. I can’t wait to see what else it has to offer.