29 Jul, 2024

Alumni Discovery Talks: Celebrating 20 Years of Birthright Armenia’s Impact

5 min read

“I didn’t come to Armenia to save it… Armenia saved me,” declared Sisian Boghossian, setting the tone for the Alumni Discovery Talks series at Birthright Armenia’s 20th-anniversary celebration. Held on July 6, 2024, these words introduced a gathering that showcased the transformative journeys of its alumni. Inspired by the TEDTalk format, these presentations inspired, connected, and deepened the bonds within the Birthright community by highlighting incredible achievements and heartfelt stories.

Twenty-one alumni speakers presented at the event. Here, we feature eight of them.

***

Sisian Boghossian, 2019

‘Armenia has become my purpose.’

An alumna from 2019, Sisian left her corporate job in Canada to volunteer in Armenia, a decision that changed her life profoundly. “I never thought I would take time off from my career to volunteer,” she admitted. “But back in 2019, I decided to take a break from the corporate grind and travel, which eventually led me to Armenia.”

Her journey took an unexpected turn when she extended her stay from two months to five, falling in love with the country's potential. Sisian’s role as the head of the State Tourism Committee brought significant achievements, including launching the ‘Armenia: The Hidden Track’ brand and Armenia’s new official tourism website. “Armenia needs the diaspora,” she emphasized. “There’s not enough good things being shared in the world about Armenia, and I think your network, your friends, should also see what a beautiful destination Armenia is.”

Shant Korkigian, 2004

‘Birthright Armenia reinforced our worldly roots.’

Shant Korkigian, Birthright Armenia’s very first volunteer, passionately discussed the historical context of Armenian internationalism. “Armenians have for centuries been an international people,” he stated. Now a surgeon and clinical professor at Michigan State University, Shant also credited his transformative experience in Armenia with shaping his career.

Shant highlighted the importance of using the knowledge gained through his time in Armenia. “I learned things like how to set up a mobile unit for medicine, how to do surgery in the field, how to appropriate resources and equipment in a land-locked country,” he shared. “Individually, I have created a transnational experience to better the world through what I obtained through Birthright Armenia.” Shant also shared how the program’s approach differed from other volunteer initiatives. “What Birthright does better than any other organization that I've seen in Armenia is provide a transformative volunteering experience.” While Shant didn't stay in Armenia after his experience, he came back multiple times. “Every time I learned something new, I brought it back to Armenia,” he explained.

Haig Bedros, 2015

‘Potential thrives when someone believes in you.’

2015 alumnus and founder of HyeTab, a nonprofit web browser extension, captivated the audience with his story of perseverance. “Imagine a world where potential thrives but not under the burden of constant proof,” he began.

As a refugee from Syria, Haig found a new beginning through Birthright Armenia. “One thing I knew was that I was really tired of proving myself and wanted to finally start breaking that cycle,” he shared. “That night when I went home after work, it was around 2 a.m. I had to physically crawl over one of my five roommates and his dog which had fallen asleep in front of the door to get to my computer... and applied to Birthright.”

Haig’s personal journey is one of resilience and determination. “Today I'd like to share a principle that has profoundly influenced my life: the importance of believing in others without requiring the proof of their potential,” he emphasized. Birthright gave him the opportunity to see Armenia not as a place of survival but as a place of potential and growth. “Be the person someone will remember because you believed in them,” he urged.

Nigel Sharp, 2010/2011

‘Purposeful impact drives meaningful change.’

Nigel Sharp, a British-Armenian innovator and serial tech entrepreneur, reflected on his journey and the power of purposeful impact. “Startups do have some very unique powers in creating this sort of momentum of change,” he said. Nigel’s involvement in projects and organizations like TUMO and his work in global startup ecosystems underscore the transformative potential of innovation. “If you have a set of problems in the community, you bring people together, there are a bunch of tools that you can apply to actually start working on these problems.”

Nigel shared how his experience with Tumo shaped his understanding of social enterprises. “Looking back, I see that we were creating opportunities for growth and learning that have had a lasting impact.” He also emphasized the importance of purpose-based leadership. “Once you have a uniting purpose, it’s incredible what a group of people will do,” he noted. “Birthright Armenia fosters this kind of leadership.”

Sarah Stites, 2018-2019

‘It’s ability, not disability, that counts.’

Based in Gyumri since 2018, Sarah is the Development Officer at the Caritas Aregak Foundation. She shared a poignant story about her grandfather, who championed inclusive employment practices in the 1950s. “I was thunderstruck to learn that he was promoting inclusive employment practices in the States, and now his granddaughter is doing the same in Armenia,” she said.

Sarah’s work with Aregak Bakery, Armenia’s first café staffed by people with disabilities, continues this legacy. “We used the hashtag ‘see this ability’ as opposed to ‘see disability.’ We work to show ability in action,” she explained.

She concluded with a heartfelt message about her grandfather's influence: “I don't look very much like my grandpa, but I love that I have his eyes. I think we see life the same way—that there are so many people to help and so much work to do in our communities. I hope here in Armenia I make half as much of an impact as he did in his short life.”

Anoush Baghdassarian, 2018

‘Justice starts with acknowledgment.’

Human rights lawyer and co-founder of the Rerooted Archive and the Center for Truth and Justice, Anoush Baghdassarian, spoke about her mission to seek justice for Armenian communities worldwide. “Every accomplishment I’ve had…is a byproduct of my curiosity,” she said. Anoush encouraged the audience to find their own paths to contribute to Armenia. “If you’re doing what you love, why not bring Armenia into that too? Merge your passions with your professional pursuits to make a difference.”

She shared her experience working on transitional justice efforts. “At the core of what justice means to me is acknowledgment,” Anoush explained. “It’s about closing the open wounds caused by unrecognized harm.” Her work aims to preserve the stories of Armenian communities and seek justice on their behalf. “We have a responsibility to ensure that the stories of our communities are heard and acknowledged.”

Nanor Balabanian, 2022

‘Think of Armenia not just as your summer but as your forever.’

Nanor Balabanian, founder of the Hidden Road Initiative, urged the audience to consider making Armenia their permanent home. “Armenia is the land that gave us our identity. What more can we give it?” she asked. Nanor emphasized the fulfilling journey of repatriation, highlighting the opportunities and vibrant social life in Armenia.

“Armenia can truly be a place of opportunities,” she said. “If you have an idea, it will bloom if you figure out the way.” She highlighted the importance of long-term commitment, stating, “By repatriating, we all contribute our time, energy, resources, finances, and growth to the country’s prosperity.” Nanor’s call to action was clear: “We need each and every single one of you. Imagine if each one of us, with our insanely amazing ways that God made us, brings ourselves here to do whatever cool thing we're meant to do. What would the country be?”

Greg Bandikian, 2006

‘Transforming challenges into opportunities.’

Sharing his entrepreneurial journey in sustainable agriculture, Greg Bandikian emphasized the potential for innovation and growth in Armenia. “In 2020, I purchased my first plot of land in the village Margahovit to grow kiwi berries,” he explained. Greg's vision includes a cooperative model involving local villagers to enhance their income and boost the local economy. “We all want to leave a dent in this universe,” he said, emphasizing the long-term impact of their contributions to Armenia.

Greg inspired the audience with his message of perseverance and vision that it’s not just about planting kiwi berries; it’s about planting seeds of change. Greg’s passion for sustainable agriculture goes beyond personal success. He believes in creating opportunities for the community, in transforming challenges into opportunities, and in making a lasting impact. He encouraged others to also think creatively and take risks.

Capturing the Essence of the Program

The Discover Talks encapsulated what our program strives to achieve: connecting Diasporan Armenians with their heritage, fostering personal and professional growth, and contributing to Armenia's development.

Looking ahead to the next 20 years and beyond, Birthright Armenia’s impact will only continue to grow. Alumni, whether they completed the program recently or years ago, remain an integral part of the Birthright family, constantly inspiring and contributing to Armenia's future. The bonds formed and the lessons learned ensure that the spirit of connection, growth, and purpose will thrive for generations to come.