To define myself as an Armenian is as challenging and beautiful as trying to count the stars in the great Shadvan Sky. Intangible reality, overwhelming experience but full of possibility. Living as an Armenian without having experienced Armenia is like living as an orphan who has yet to meet their parents.
Anais Kadian, Shadvan 2004, Canada

Dolma is made with mum's careful instructions, grandmothers eyes found on the faces of children, songs of Ararat are as familiar as the Khachkars dotting the landscape. If it smells like home, looks like home then it must be home.
Datevig Simonian, Shadvan 2004, California, USA

The second I got off the plane my eyes were filled with tears; tears of happiness, of excitement and tears of joy. Everything was so beautiful, the old churches, the children and the sight of Mt. Ararat gave me the feeling of home and comfort.
Kevork Der Kevorkian, Shadvan 2004, Boston, USA

All those places we’d been, things we’d done, the soccer match! I’m only really appreciating it to the fullest now, 10,000 miles away and a month later back here. I wish Shadvan was in my backyard, so I could step in and out of that reality as I wanted. It was just so refreshing and different. The purification process has begun.
Varant Yessayan, Shadvan 2004, Canada

I loved the simplicity of life in the village, the fresh homemade food is wonderful; that people are the friendliest and most hospitable... the children have the most beautiful faces...
Sophia Balakian, Shadvan 2004, New York, USA

These people are so rich in spirit, money doesn’t matter for survival. Now I understand where my parents and all our traditions have come from.
Taline Yelena Yepremian, Shoushi 2004, California, USA

Staying in Armenia is like removing a dark lens, which shaded my eyesight back home. The villages are beautiful and the colors are sharp and clear.
Laura MacAulay, Shadvan 2004, Canada

Never did I know what Armenia meant to me… that the lessons I was meant to learn were to find me so quickly. Never will I forget that first sight of Ararat, our unifying symbol, basking in the sunlight, high above the clouds. Never had I felt so close to heaven.
Armen Tamzarian, Shadvan 2004, Montreal, Canada

"...I know that when I reflect back on this experience I will feel ecstatic about the work we accomplished, the things we saw, and the bonds we forged."
Hovig Saghdejian, Ayroum 2003, California, USA

"Ourakh yeghir" (be happy). Really, that’s all I’ve been hearing since I got here. Everyone, the LCO staff, family friends, Yerevan volunteers on the trip as well as the villagers themselves have wanted only to welcome us, help us, make us happy and make us laugh. That widespread attitude says something of the culture – it’s good that I came to my homeland for the first time to share that special feeling."
Karina Totah, Ayroum 2003, DC, USA

"My most memprable experience was being so warmly taken care by an old village couple, receiving gifts from them, giving them gifts and establishing bonds."
Naira Der-Kiureghian, Ayroum 2003, CA, USA

"Volunteering for LCO has not only been a rewarding experience but also an emotional one. I saw not only the country growing but also saw what Armenia and its people had gone through in the past decade. Being part of LCO made me open my eyes to a world of hardship and struggle but also laughter and joy that will never be forgotten. Having my people accept me with open arms and the warmest welcomes makes a geographically distant country exceptionally close to my heart."
Shirley Oghamian, Ayroum 2003, CA, USA

"I formed strong bonds with my volunteers, and the difference in backgroiunds was refreshing. It was interesting to hear the points of view of different Armenians from other areas of the Diaspora."
Aramazt Kalaydjian, Shoushi 2003, NY, USA

"La ville par elle même est une ville fantôme. C’est triste une ville bombardée. Mais il y a des gens qui viennent vers toi qui sont adorables et amicales. C’est incroyable comme impression. Ces gens sont prêts à partager le peu qu’ils ont… même l’eau qui est un luxe rare à Chouchi. Je n’ai pas le droit de me plaindre. Après quelques semaines j’ai rentré chez moi en France… eux, ils y ont resté."
Diane Dabanian, Chuchi 2003, Paris, France

"My LCO experience opened my eyes to what I always knew was my life’s calling: to play a pivotal role in the development of Armenia and NKR… To act as a link between the West (US in particular) and Armenia. LCO took me to the four corners of NKR and helped me develop a cohesive plan of action to improve Armenia’s future. My LCO experience was priceless."
Shant Minas, August 1999 & August 2002 CA, USA

"LCO experience was a revelation for me. It gave me the opportunity to expand my horizons both personally and professionally. One of the most important experiences of my life and an important factor in determining my future goals."
Lara Aharonian, August 1999, August 2001, Montreal, Canada

"Let's just put it this way: Armenia had such an impact on me, that my whole life and the way I think about life has changed since that August. Everything that I'm doing in my everyday life is done and achieved with the help of each and every individual I met and talked to in Karabagh and Armenia. They're the ones that keep me working harder and harder. This dream of mine to go back is my motivation to wake up, go to school, study , work and live."
Anna Farra, August 2001, Montreal, Canada

"Before my LCO experience,I called myself Armenian without really knowing what it meant. But now, I've experienced Armenia and am proud of my origins."
Edward Hajjar, August 2001, Montreal, Canada

"My LCO experience undoubtedly made me more enthusiastic about my Armenian culture. I have recently taken up some Armenian language lessons as well. Having been to Armenia last summer, I have definitely become more interested and involved in my Armenian community in New York."
Elizabeth Aslanian, July 2001, New York, USA

"Living in Saghmosavan and interacting with the people, I witnessed, first hand, how resourceful they are and how proud they are to be Armenian. This coupled with their unfailing generosity and acceptance of us "mehnk hye enk!" are what drives me to try and help Armenia and its people."
Michael Candan, August 2000, New York, USA

"LCO is an amazing concept. It introduced the deprived Diasporan to their land and their people. Through the experience one is transported to a different world where nothing matters but giving and receiving and exchanging culture while making a difference. It is a wonderful introduction to Armenia and something every young man or woman should experience."
Madlene Minassian Ispirian, July 1996, July 1997, July-August 1998 & Summer 1999, CA, USA – now Yerevan, Armenia

"LCO helped me to rediscover the gateway into Armenian culture and activism."
Lucy Bartamian, July 1997, CA, USA

"Having been born in Venezuella, where there are only a few Armenians, going to Armenia (with LCO) made me realize who I was and where I came from."
Seta Iskandarian, July 1996, New-York, USA

"The summer I spent in Madrasa in 1992 was probably the most exciting summer I have ever spent."
Lorig Sarkissian Kevorkian, July 1992, VA, USA

"LCO gives you a tremendous opportunity to experience Armenia as a native, not just a pampered guest, and to fully apprecieate the greatness that is our homeland and our people."
Michael Shamlian, July 1992 Pennsylvania, USA

"My trip to Armenia with LCO stripped me of idealistic notions and grounded me in the realities of the land and their people, their beauty and warmth, their hardship and struggle."
Armen Setrakian, July 1989 & July 1990 CA, USA

"Assume responsibility of what's yours."
Kevork Khrimian, July-August 1978, August 1987 & August 1988

"I formed strong bonds with my volunteers, and the difference in backgroiunds was refreshing. It was interesting to hear the points of view of different Armenians from other areas of the Diaspora."
Aramazt Kalaydjian, Shoushi 2003, NY, USA