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American volunteer experienced culture shock in Armenia

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“There are wonderful young people in rural communities who have great potential and can do great things but they do not have opportunities,” says Chris Howard, a Peace Corps volunteer, who arrived in Armenia from Alabama, US. Chris is a social worker and has been doing voluntary work in Peace Corps Armenia and at the Youth Initiative Centre NGO in Gyumri for five months now. He says work and life in Armenia are unique experience for him. Most of all he likes open and direct human relations in the country. “Recently, I met [by accident] a 15-year-old Armenian fellow who had just returned from Syria. It was our first meeting and we had known each other for a short time but he told me his story in every detail. Armenians are very warm and hospitable people, always ready to help [others], but at the same time they do not accept new things, they are close to new ideas. I understand that they had to go through many difficulties and overcome them, and I think this made them more closed, therefore they are reluctant to accept new ideas and new solutions to problems," Chris says. He says that the difference between the capital and the provinces is great; there are limited opportunities for residents in rural communities. “Well, Yerevan is the most populated city [in Armenia]. Most universities are there, tourism is developed there, and people have a different mentality there. In Yerevan, young people have such opportunities that their peers do not have in rural communities, even, in some cases, here in Gyumri. There is no opportunity for different kinds of activities here. It is good that young people can participate in various international educational programs and courses; however, people living in other parts of Armenia should also have such an opportunity. All these programs also contribute to the establishment of intercultural dialogue. Armenia knows the world, at the same time making the world know itself,” he added. kamav Asked what difficulties he had faced during his stay in Armenia, Chris said, “In the beginning, I experienced culture shock. For example, there were also dark-skinned volunteers in our group who were received like stars in some villages.  Seeing them, children, began to shout “A black man, a black man!” They wanted to be photographed with them. There were also problems associated with transportation but I do not pay particular attention to them because this is the path I chose. I shall be living here for about two years and I realize the various challenges offered by the new life. Had I not faced different difficulties on my way, I would not have found new mechanisms to overcome them,” Chris said in conclusion. By Syuzi Muradyan