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 Government օf the Republic of Armenia.

The program is open to Diaspora youth aged 13-18 who meet the following criteria:

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

Important!
The insurance must be purchased online from the following company: Nairi Insurance.

In 2026, the program will run from June 12 to August 19 across five phases. This year, it is designed to accommodate 600 Diaspora youth.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

The application deadline for the Step Toward Home 2026 educational program is February 25.

Applications are now open.

To apply, click here.

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

A scanned copy of your passport and photograph
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 (one original copy and one notarized translation copy in Armenian)

Given the limited number of spots available, we would like to inform you that participants will be selected based on the order of application submission and by phases.

Participants will receive a response regarding their application (acceptance or rejection) within 20 days after the application process is completed (March 1–20).

Please note: The program consists of 5 phases as follows:

June 12 - June 24
June 26 - July 8
July 10 - July 22
July 24 - August 5
August 7 - August 19

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