Step Toward Home

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Republic of Armenia Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs is excited to launch the 2021 Step Toward Home annual program for Diaspora youth. The two week educational and informative program, aimed at the preservation and development of Armenian national identity among Diaspora youth, will bring together young men and women form around to the world to spend summer 2021 in Armenia.

The program includes:

13-day camp program
Armenian language courses (Eastern Armenian, Western Armenian)
Armenian studies courses
National song and dance courses
Informative visits to Armenian historical and cultural monuments, museums, academic institutions, and rural communities
Meetings with state and public officials, cultural and art figures
Sports and cultural events

All in-country costs for the 13-day program are paid for by the Government of the Republic of Armenia, including all camping costs, room and board, sightseeing, meetings, etc.

The program is open to young men and women from the Diaspora ages 13-18 who are not citizens of the Republic of Armenia (with the exception of those with dual citizenship) and who:

Did not previously participate in "Ari Tun" and "Step Toward Home” programs
Will cover transportation costs to and from Armenia at their own expense
Will purchase two-week travel insurance at their own expense

The program will be implemented from June 27 to August 20 in 4 phases. This year’s program is designed to accommodate 400 Diaspora youth.

^{Please refrain from purchasing airline tickets or addressing other transportation costs until you receive an official notification from us. Read the COVID-19 rules of entry into Armenia, as well as the requirements and limitations of the PCR test here. At the same time, please note that airlines have their own coronavirus restrictions and requirements. Therefore, we ask that you check with your airline ahead of departure.}

APPLICATIONS

Step Toward Home 2022 applications are being accepted. To apply, click here. The application deadline is on May 15.

*Prior to applying, we suggest having the following documents on hand:

1. Copy of passport and passport-style photos

2. Motivation video – 1) About yourself (name, last name, country) 2) why do you want to participate in the program? 3) what are your expectations?

3. Certificate of residence, if you are a citizen of the Republic of Armenia

4. Confirmation letter from parent. To download the letter, click here. It must be filled out and signed by the parent to be uploaded in the application․ If it is not possible to type the letter, you can independently compose a letter based on the sample, sign and upload it when filling out the application.

PHOTOS

REVIEWS

“I was introduced to Armenian youth from different countries. I still keep in touch with them and hope that we will be friends for a long time. Coming to Armenia, I became better acquainted with our culture and my dream finally came true.”

Edgar Evoyan, Cyprus, 2021

“All the beautiful places we visited were open to me. We learned many new and important facts about our people during the Armenian language and history lessons.”

Sona Gevorgyan, Spain, 2021

“I joined this program because I wanted to learn the Armenian alphabet. I am happy that through this program, I also learned Armenian dances, which explain a lot about Armenia.”

Levon Gevorgyan, Netherlands, 2021

“The ‘Step Toward Home’ program has made me a more patriotic and well-rounded person. I’ve taken my step, it’s your turn now.”

Izabella Meyroyan, Russia, 2019

“I don’t know how to express my feelings and the impressions left on me during those 14 days. When I remember every second spent in an atmosphere of warmth and I get emotional. The ‘Step Toward Home’ program provided an opportunity for me to quench my thirst for the homeland and become acquainted with kindred spirits, who take up a special place of my heart.”

Milena Petrosyan, Georgia, 2019

“The ‘Step Toward Home’ program gave me many things, I have met peers from different countries and I am glad that I have these connections.”

Edward Khachatryan, USA, 2019

"The most important thing is that we strengthened our Armenian language skills during the program, and learned many, many new stories about Armenian heroes, Armenian holidays and the history of Armenia and Artsakh.”

Vardan Samsonyan, Iraq, 2019

"Is there any other program out there where hundreds of young people from different countries can come together for the same idea, and that idea is getting better acquainted with the homeland? For me, that program is "Step Toward Home.'”

Nune Gevorgyan, Ukraine, 2019

“I came here to get to know Armenia better. Thanks to the ‘Step Toward Home’ program, I already have many friends.”

Sirekan Hovhannisyan, Spain, 2018