No. While Armenian speakers are of course more likely to have an easier time getting started, there is no requirement. AVC will periodically offer courses for basic proficiency in conversational Armenian. The real language training, though, occurs after volunteers are sent to their site and are immersed in the conversations of their neighbors, the market, and their place of work.

Interested AVC volunteers are welcome  to participate in Birthright Armenia’s Eastern Armenian language classes twice a week, free of charge.

Volunteers must be at least 21 years of age to be considered for service, with no upper age limit.

Birthright Armenia is a foundation which provides program services to exceptional volunteers and interns who have been accepted into programs such as AVC.

Once you have applied to and heard back from AVC, you may fill out Birthright Armenia’s online application, noting that your “Primary Program” will be AVC.

http://www.birthrightarmenia.org/opportunities/opps_application.html

Unlike other programs, the AVC is not a trip to Armenia, but rather living and working with the people of Armenia. While the commitment required of an AVC volunteer is much greater, so too are the results of long-term development work.

As opposed to bringing volunteers to Armenia to undertake its own projects, AVC believes that it is better to build on the existing infrastructure in Armenia to make it stronger and sustainable: therefore, the AVC commits itself to offering human capital as its contribution to Armenia’s development.

There are many organizations and institutions doing meaningful work in Armenia, and AVC’s aim is to match their needs with the skills of our applicants whereby giving volunteers a positive and meaningful experience.

AVC first accepts qualified applicants to the AVC program as a whole, and then makes arrangements for their specific work sites by assessing the identified needs of various organizations here in Armenia that we have in our database, and matches them with the interests and academic/professional skills noted in each volunteers’ application.

You may note a strong preference and AVC will do its best to make the suitable match for you, but keep in mind that AVC’s policy is that volunteers are first and foremost matched to the needs of the community, not sites to the wishes of the volunteer.

One of the unique features of our program is that we offer many interesting volunteering opportunities in the regions. Past volunteers have worked in the regions of Tavush, Lori and Vayotz Dzor, as well as in the region of Syunik and Artsakh.

No, the AVC does not provide any stipends at this time.

However, housing costs (with a host family) can be covered for any AVC volunteer who chooses to perform their service outside of Yerevan. 

Furthermore, those volunteer’s ranging from 21-32 years of age who are volunteering for a minimum of 8-weeks, may be eligible to receive a Travel Fellowship from Birthright Armenia to cover their round-trip airfare.

Birthright Armenia additionally offers housing assistance (with host families), Eastern Armenian language classes, excursions around Armenia, lectures and forums on pressing Armenian issues, and free visa extensions.

Please visit their website for more details on how it all works (www.birthrightarmenia.org).

The AVC strongly recommends people to live in host families because it helps volunteers gain deeper insight on the local Armenian everyday culture and family life. AVC can make the proper arrangements for volunteers choosing this option.

If you prefer to rent an apartment, you must make those arrangements for yourself as AVC cannot take any responsibility for apartment rentals. For some tips on how to go about your apartment search, please see the “Housing” section on the Resources page.

Good health is necessary to enable volunteers to perform to the best of their ability. Volunteers will be asked to fill out and submit a Medical Evaluation Form.

Check to see if you already have insurance that will cover you for illness or injury sustained abroad or medical evacuation in the case of a life threatening emergency. If you do, make copies of the insurance certificate and other relevant documents and bring them with you.

If you do not have insurance coverage, it is strongly advisable to purchase Traveler’s Insurance from your home country, which can usually be purchased either from your predominant insurer, through special offers for students, or through insurance companies that specialize in international insurance (For example- International SOS, http://www.internationalsos.com).

Another option is purchasing short-term medical insurance from Cascade Insurance (which is owned and operated by the Diasporan-Armenian Cafesjian Family Foundation) here in Armenia.

Armenia has many highly trained medical professionals. Finding medical care for minor problems will not be difficult however volunteers are highly encouraged to consult with AVC staff before receiving any care to ensure the quality of the service provider.

As in any foreign country, travelers need to take extra precautions to maintain good health and ensure their own safety. In our experience, volunteers and other foreign residents in Armenia have found adequate health care for emergency and non-emergency situations.

Generally, volunteers and other foreign residents in Armenia feel safe and secure, although as in any society there are occasionally incidents of crime against person and property and volunteers are advised to take common sense precautions to avoid dangerous situations.