One minute you’re sipping wine in Cascade as a tourist, and the next you’re sweating it out at Ovir for three hours trying to get permanent residency.
While we’d all love to think that a summer fling with Armenia could last forever, building a lasting repat relationship with the homeland takes time, perseverance, and patience. We spoke with five repats from Iran, Lebanon, USA, and Russia and gathered their top relationship tips for a happy and successful partnership with Armenia.
No relationship is perfect, and you should approach your move with that understanding. As Lebanese-Armenian repatriate Njteh Meguerditjian shared, “We all have an image of Armenia that we created while vacationing. But, like any other country, Armenia has its imperfections.” Coming into this new experience with a rigid mindset will only create internal resistance.
After moving to Armenia from Russia, Meline Ghazaryan found a country quite different from the one she had left as a teenager. “It was like coming home but all of your family members had been replaced,” she shared. Though she hoped to recreate her childhood memories, Meline realized that both she and the country had changed. “Adapting to a new place is tough, but in the process, you discover more about yourself.”
Start talking! The key to a healthy relationship with Armenia is communication, not isolation. All of our repats had faced challenges connecting with others. For Washington D.C. native Sarah Stites, the language barrier was an issue. “When I first moved to Armenia, I didn’t know how to speak Armenian. I realized in that moment, I’m so dependent on my colleagues to help me navigate,” she shared.
For others, it was the lack of interaction with locals. Some felt that repats tended to stay within their own communities, sometimes due to accents or cultural disconnects. However, mingling with those outside your comfort zone is one of the best ways to bridge this gap. “The first task for the Diaspora is to trust. If you have trust, you can work, communicate, and build a network,” exclaimed Narbeh Allahverdi, who moved to Armenia 14 years ago.
Ah, if only we could admit that repatriation can be a struggle. Meline reminded us that there are countless resources, like Repat Armenia, that assist with everything from finding a kindergarten to locating healthcare providers.
Though it may feel like you’re the first person to face these challenges, many have walked this path before. Turning to other repats and building a support network is a great way to beat isolation. For Marina, Meline’s sister who was the first in their family to move to Armenia, starting from scratch was an opportunity to rebuild her network. “You decide who you spend your time with and what kinds of people you let into your circle.” According to her, finding people who share your values makes Armenia an incredible place to live.
We can’t expect our partner to read our minds, and similarly, we can’t expect our new country to meet all of our expectations. Our repats advise newcomers to accept the reality presented to them. “Don’t expect to replicate your old life here. Accept that things will be different here and do your research before you arrive,” Njteh stated. Being open to the unknown is key. “When I first came to Armenia, I hadn’t heard of Gyumri,” Sarah confessed. Embracing the adventure, she volunteered in the city through Birthright Armenia and has since become a well-known and respected local.
However, acceptance doesn’t mean not contributing to the country’s development. Marina reminds newcomers that every repat brings unique experiences and skills. “You have something special to add to any workplace you join,” she said. Finding the right balance of leaving things as they are and implementing change is a challenge that all our repats continue to navigate.
Every relationship is unique, but to build a strong foundation, you need to understand the history and context. Narbeh emphasized that not knowing the history of the Armenian people and local challenges puts repats at a disadvantage. “Not understanding the people and their history will work against you,” he said.
Understanding locals and their customs allows repats to build a future for themselves in Armenia. Our repats agree on the importance of giving back to the country, taking responsibility for its future, and creating a solid foundation for the next generation. Focusing on a larger collective goal helps shift attention from personal challenges to the bigger picture.
