I’m officially halfway through my internship here at the Women’s Support Center! This week, my coworker Araz hosted her final focus group here at the Yerevan center to evaluate survivors’ experiences receiving services from the center. I once again got to sit in and listen to the stories of survivors firsthand. It was intensely emotional, especially to witness how the survivors who had successfully left their abusive relationships supported and encouraged a participant who was still with her abuser—telling her that despite the lack of familial support for women who choose to separate here in Armenia, they are much happier now, and that it gets better. After the focus group, we all decompressed over steaming cups of coffee, turning over our cups to read our fortune in the grounds. (I confidently informed my fellow intern Christine that I saw the Pokemon Mewtwo at the bottom of her cup; what this means for her future, I have no clue.)

Additionally, this Friday the other interns in the Armenian Assembly of America program visited the center to see what me and Christine have been working on, and to bring some supplies that the shelters are in need of. We talked about the current state of sex ed (and education about gender more broadly) in Armenia and brainstormed ways that we can move forward from here.

Apart from work, I’ve been doing a lot of Armenian dancing (turns out dancing մշո խըռ in a studio without air conditioning requires a whole other level of determination). We also went on a day trip to Dilijan, where we went on a nature hike surrounded by wild cows to visit twin monasteries secluded in the forest and a deer reserve, and toured the cobblestone streets of Old Dilijan. Finally, this past weekend, we visited Gyumri, the second largest city in Armenia, and had a photoshoot in traditional Armenian costume (taraz).

@Barnard College