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:

14-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 14-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 and ensure they have a negative COVID-19 test within a maximum 72-hour period

In 2021, the Step Toward Home program took place from June 21 to August 14, in four stages. In total, about 400 young Diaspora Armenians from 25 countries participated in the program.

^{Please refrain from purchasing airline tickets or addressing other transportation costs until you receive an official notification from us.}

All COVID-19 measures will be observed during the program to ensure the health and safety of all participants.

APPLICATIONS

The application period ended on May 1, 2021. We are no longer accepting applications.

PHOTOS

REVIEWS

“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