Step Toward Home

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Republic of Armenia Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs implements the Step Toward Home educational program—a two-week initiative designed to preserve and promote Armenian national identity among Diaspora youth.

The program offers:

13-day camp program
Armenian language courses (Eastern Armenian, Western Armenian)
Armenian studies classes
Lessons in national songs and dances
Educational visits to historical and cultural landmarks, museums, and academic institutions
Meetings with government and public officials, as well as cultural and artistic figures
Sports and cultural events

All in-country costs for the 13-day program are paid by the Republic of Armenia Government.

The program is open to Diaspora youth aged 13-18 who are not citizens of the Republic of Armenia (except those with dual citizenship) and who meet the following criteria:

Have not previously participated in the Ari Tun or Step Toward Home programs
Are able to cover their own transportation costs to and from Armenia
Will purchase two-week travel insurance at their own expense

In 2025, the program will run from June 6 to August 27 across six phases. This year, it is designed to accommodate 600 Diaspora youth.

APPLICATIONS

The application deadline for the Step Toward Home program is March 12, 2025.

Click here to apply.

**Before starting the application process, please ensure you have the following documents ready**:

A copy of your passport
A motivation video (up to one minute) answering the following:
- Why do you want to participate in the program?
- What are your expectations?
- What would you like to learn about the program?
A certificate of residence (if you are a citizen of the Republic of Armenia)
A certificate from your educational institution
An approval letter from your parents. Click here to download the template.

Given the limited number of spots available, we would like to inform you that participants will be selected on a "first come, first accepted" basis.

Participants will receive a response regarding their application (acceptance or rejection) within 15 days of submission.

Please note: The program will consist of 6 phases as follows:

June 6 - June 18
June 20 - July 2
July 4 - July 16
July 18 - July 30
August 1 - August 13
August 15 - August 27

PLEASE REFRAIN FROM PURCHASING AIRLINE TICKETS OR ARRANGING OTHER TRANSPORTATION UNTIL YOU RECEIVE OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION OF YOUR PARTICIPATION FROM US.

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