I believe that on the road to finding who you are as a person, you must first know where you are from. The opportunities presented to me by Johnny, and the entire GOALS staff allotted me a chance to go and experience my culture through a firsthand experience.
Flight to Armenia
The flight to Armenia was long, tiring, and nerve-racking. I have never been out of the country much less overseas so the cultural shock was something I couldn’t expect. Going into this trip with a blind eye gave me the position to embrace every aspect that was different to my daily life. I never once turned down an opportunity to see this special country, because this trip really was a core memory that I will hold onto forever.
We arrived Sunday evening and the next morning it was straight to the M.A.M headquarters for our two-hour lesson on the basic Armenian language., we had six one-hour classes online before the trip. This is where I received my first glimpse of Armenian hospitality, and it kept building from there along the trip.
No matter how broken my dialect, the teacher guided me in the right direction with a smile. There I didn’t just learn about the language but also how they connect Armenians all around the world to a place where every Armenian calls home. It was amazing to understand how Marine, Meline and Aida created the company during Covid 19, growing into a place where people of all ages can merge their hobbies and language together.
First day of camp
The first day of camp is where my whole perspective changed because seeing those kids excited to play made me realize that I wasn’t so different from all of them. When I was around their age all I wanted to do was run around and play as wee. It made me understand that having fun and playing lacrosse, football, basketball, and dancing is a universal language.
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Sure, there might have been times when teaching the kids the fundamentals of how to hold a lacrosse stick was hard, but it made me persevere and find other ways to help them enjoy the game that I have loved since I was four years old.
From Yeghgnut, and Metsamor, to the sports school in Akhtala
I saw the passion of a few kids who truly enjoyed the game and had a passion to be better. Giving me the opportunity to step back and see how spending two days with a person can change their motivation towards anything. Although 10 days is a short time frame to make connections, during our breaks kids came up to laugh and we helped whenever they needed it.
Looking back, it was not just to help, it was more than that, rather to spend time with a face they have never seen before and learn more about them as individuals. The famous question that was always asked to me, Sadie, and Aren was, “Do you like Armenia or the USA better”? To which we always responded with Armenia.
In addition to exploring the children’s hobbies and just going out and having fun, I also experienced the vast ecosystems of Armenia. Whether it was the desert, mountain ranges, copper mines, or the city of Yerevan there was always something to explore.
There was such beauty on the long drives to each new hotel that I wondered why no one paid attention to them. It came to me that people see this everyday even chatting with the taxi drivers was an eye-opening experience.
On our to Yerevan from Ahktala, we stopped at COAF (Children OF Armenian Fund), showing the dedication of all the teachers there who want the younger generations to strive in new industries of the world. Stopping here at the end of the trip gave me insight on what being Armenian means. I’ve seen that their position is to lift everyone up no matter the circumstances, and I praise GOALS, COAF and all other foundations in Armenia for the tremendous work they have put in.
Visiting Etchmiadzin Cathedral
Visiting Etchmiadzin Cathedral in Armenia was a profound experience. Walking through, the grounds there was a deep connection to the history and spirituality of the place. Exploring the Treasury Museum was fascinating; the religious artefacts and manuscripts provided a tangible link to the past. The serene gardens and smaller chapels scattered throughout the campus offered a peaceful retreat, allowing me to reflect on the rich spiritual heritage of Armenia.
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