blackjackyan

Hello Everyone, Planning to go to Armenia soon, and I have asthma. I use an inhaler sometimes and I wanted to ask if anyone else here has asthma and lives/lived in Armenia. In Armenia I didn't spend much time in the pharmacy, so I don't really have an idea if there are only prescription inhalers or how much the cost. If anyone has any advice or info I'd be so appreciative to hear it. Thanks!

Vadim, Now that I think about it, I hope this thread is visited and posted on by both those who have moved from the USA to Armenia, and have had both good AND bad experiences. That is really the best way to gather advice other than going to Armenia yourself.

Hello Vadim, I agree with many things you mentioned. What VartanM says is true, Birthright Armenia/AVC would be a way to get you to Armenia. I assume they would pay for the majority of your plane ticket. It would be a decent experience for you and wouldn't cost you too much. Not sure if that will interfere with your work or studies though. Birthright/AVC are decent programs that can get you to experience Armenia. Do I believe all they say about the journey of self-discovery, learning about your heritage,etc is really at thier core, no I don't, but still something to consider Vadim. VartanM is right though about the "dolboeb" part though, I had to look up what the word meant, but he's right. People will think something is wrong with your mind bc you want to leave the US and go to Armenia. Even if you voluteer, you will find the people you meet and work with will think you are insane for working without pay.

Yes, very important to have an interaction with the country of Armenia. I also understand the value of having a spouse that is raised under conservative Armenian values. I agree completely. Also I am in the same situation as you regarding family. Most parents would be worried. Even Armenians will think you are crazy for leaving the USA to go to Armenia. Ultimately, it is everyone's own decisions that they must be responsible for. I cannot speak for Yerevan too much, but I can certainly say that most families outside of Yerevan, especially Gyumri, live off money from abroad. Many families have husbands, sons, uncles, etc. that move to other countries for work. Mostly they work in Russia, and sometimes in the European Union if they are lucky enough. All the money earned in these other countries is sent back to their families. Sometimes you will see the father of a family work in another country and not see his family for many years, in other cases the work is seasonal or only a few months long until they return to Armenia. Whenever you hear about Armenia's relations with Russia, remember that Russia provides all these work visas for many Armenians, and it would be a shame for Russia to threaten to cancel them. I am not sure I can offer advice on telling your parents about your plans, as i have no plan for telling my own family. Life in Armenia is simple. Time passes slow in relation to the USA, it is nice to enjoy the simplicity of life. There is also the "bad" part of Armenia being simple, which there are many things, mostly material things, that doesn't exist in the USA. For instance, do not expect to have running water all the time, or consistent electricity, or to have nice plumbing or bathrooms. Armenians do not know how to stand in a line lol. Also the economy is really, really bad. Armenia will certainly teach you how to survive. How much can it cost to live in armenia? In Yerevan for one person, rent, food, utilities, transportation, etc. maybe $600 a month. If you are really cheap and walk places and don't eat at restaurants, then maybe $550 per month. If you wanted to live in Armenia permanently, like for the rest of your life, or even for ten years, then I would suggest saving enough money to buy a decent apartment or house. That could cost anywhere between $36-40,000. Also be debt free. Don't have any students loans or credit card debt etc. Also always have extra money in a bank account for an emergency. If you wanted to save money to live in Armenia for a few years, I would say maybe $7500 per year at least.

Barev dzez Vadik, I am in somewhat a similar situation as you, ie wanting to go to Armenia, except I have finished my education. I am also a bit older than you. I have some advice to give you, as I have briefly lived in Armenia and am planning to go back. Take it as you will, just my 2 cents. You can get dual citizenship, but BEWARE, as a young male if you get citizenship you might have to sign up for mandatory 2 year military service. This applies until you turn 27 when you are ineligible for the 2 year service. So no rush. If I was in your shoes, I would not tell anyone in Armenia that your parents are divorced, or imply that they have money. Just like anywhere, some individuals might try to take advantage of you if they know your family has money, or judge you bc your parents are divorced. Not knowing Armenian might make things a bit harder for you, although you know Russian, which due to recent events isn't too popular in some circles. Still better than nothing! Keep working on Armenian, it is really fun to learn. Finish your education, the Armenian economy isn't getting better anytime soon lol. It's hard for an Armenian from Armenia to survive, let alone a diasporan. With your medical background, you might be able to find a job. MIGHT. Just remember if there is one job, there will probably be many others applying for it. They will hire the person native to Armenia every time over the diasporan. Volunteering in something related to your career would be a prime opportunity for you to get more experience and letters of recommendation. Don't expect to earn enough money in Armenia to even pay your rent; In my opinion, I would say to plan your expenses without having an income. Teaching English is difficult unless you have previous teaching experience. You might be able to tutor someone for a little bit of money since you are a native speaker of ENglish and can explain things in Russian also. How often do you communicate with your family in Yerevan? Keep in touch with them more and more. Practice Armenian with them if you can. No rush to get married. If you want a nice, conservative Armenian girl that's great. Be careful though, lots of Armenians would love to be U.S. citizens, make sure it's real bc divorce is not popular, at least know the girl for one year in my opinion before getting engaged.Besides these points, I would recommend you visit Armenia for a few months (summer break off school?) just to see what it is like to really live there. It's awesome that you feel something for Armenia and that you are 100% Armenian. I understand that you dream to go there, etc. There are two sides to every coin- I survived in Armenia in conditions that most people in general would not be able to tolerate, conditions that Armenians from Armenia run away from. I am not 100% Armenian and didn't speak any Armenian when i got there. With that being said, I know of diasporan Armenians that lived in Armenia for a whole year and loved it, they are 100% Armenian, from Armenian families, know Armenian etc. Then they return a second time to live in Armenia more permanently, and there are many that don't last even 2 months, sometimes not even 2 weeks before they go back home. There are reasons why many Armenians leave Armenia, and why the Armenian population outside Armenia (which is 3-4 times the number of Armenians in Armenia) never go back there to live. Live there a few months to see if it is for you. If you like it great, if you don't like it there that's fine too bc it will lead you toward what you want in life.

Barev dzez, I am half-Armenian from USA and was never raised to identify myself as Armenian, never learned to speak Armenian etc. A few years ago, I acutally went to Armenia, and lived and worked there for 4 months. Despite being on my own and not having the best living conditions, etc. I actually had a great time and for the most part met some really nice people. I have unique "outsider's perspective" on Armenia and diasporans and would like to share my thoughts. I would like to hear if anyone here on hyeforum can express thier opinions, suggestions, and experiences on the subject. 1) I noticed that many diasporans, especially Armenian-Americans treat Armenia almost as a vacation spot. It seems like a place for them to enjoy cheap rent, food, drinks, etc due to the currency exchange. Some treat it like a vacation resort rather than a homeland in my opinion. This shocked me at first. 2) Speaking of homeland, I know some diasporans have tried moving to Armenia to actually live and work there. I have heard of Armenians that have 'repatriated'. In other words, Armenian-Americans mostly that have moved to Armenia to live and work. A small group has done it. I was in Armenia on my own (althought many helped me in times of need), not knowing any Armenian, and lived in conditions most Armenians wouldn't live in. I bring the previous point up because I have heard of Armenian-Americans that have considered living and working in Armenia, and could not even last more than 2 months; I am referring to 100% ethnic Armenians, that are raised in Armenian households and speak Armenian. Typically they come to Armenia via certain diaspora programs and want to try to live in Armenia for a more long-term stay. How could I live and work in conditions that they could not? Especially since they are raised to be Armenian, speak Armenian, etc.? 3) I have met many people in the months I was there, who now don't even live in Armenia anymore. Many have left because of economic reasons. Some don't even care about Armenia anymore, they don't see it as a homeland because they can't live well in it. Bear in mind that these people are Hayastanci, very sad indeed to see them leave and feel that way about Armenia. My ultimate question and observation is this: I can understand how some diasporans (especially Armenian-Americans) cannot live in Armenia. If they are raised in good communities and in good homes, with comfortable conditions with job opportunites, why would they be willing to sacrifice all that to live in Armenia, where things are not as easy. I hate to say it, but I found many Amerikahyes to be "spolied", Patriotic, but too spoiled to live in Armenia like most Armenians are forced to live. Secondly, many Armenians don't have any care for thier own country and leave for economic reasons. I don't blame them for leaving, but to some it seems they don't understand the importance of a small ethnic group having a country, even a country on a map, whether it be corrupt or not. And that mentality is lethal to Armenian culture. Where are the diasporans that actually care and are genuine enough to sacrifice and particiapate? Where are the hayastanciner that understand the imporance of having a homeland? Where are those whose minds have not been destroyed by the soviet union and demoralized beyond belief? If patriotic Armenians have sacrificed to keep Armenian culture alive for so long, where are these kinds of Armenians today? Where do they connect and organize?

Birthright Armenia is a volunteer organization that allows Diasporan Armenians a chance to perform unpaid internships and do volunteer work in Armenia. Although volunteers are not paid, a homestay family is provided, and so is most of the cost of your plane tickes to and from Armenia.

If you have heard of Birthright or know someone that has participated, then you have probably heard or read about all of the life-changing experiences they have had. All I hear are good things, does anyone know of any bad experiences anyone has had or has had a bad experience themself?