Back to My Roots: My Journey to Armenia with My Class
As a teenager growing up Armenian-American, I’ve always felt this deep connection to a place I’ve never fully experienced, Armenia. Now, with my classmates from AGBU MDS, I am getting the chance to walk on the soil of my homeland. Our upcoming trip feels like more than just a school excursion — it’s a homecoming. Knowing that we’ll be flying out together, exploring ancient monasteries, tasting traditional foods, and speaking our native language in the streets of Yerevan, makes this experience incredibly meaningful.
One of the parts I’m most excited about is visiting the ancient churches and religious sites like Echmiadzin, Geghard, and Tatev Monastery. Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as a state religion in 301 AD, and seeing these holy sites up close will feel surreal. I’ve heard about them in history class and prayed in Armenian churches in LA, but being there, in the very birthplace of Armenian Christianity, is something entirely different. I can’t wait to feel the silence of those stone walls and light a candle where so many of our ancestors once stood.
Another thing I’m looking forward to is using Armenian every single day. At school, we speak it a single class, but in Armenia, it’s everywhere, on signs, in conversations, in music, and in the way people greet you. Being surrounded by the language I’ve grown up learning makes me feel proud and connected. It’s a chance to strengthen my fluency, but also to feel part of a larger story that stretches back thousands of years.
From ziplining in Dilijan to enjoying ponchiks at Ponchikanoc, this trip also blends adventure with culture in the best way possible. I’m especially excited for Lake Sevan, the traditional music, the museum visits, and even just walking through Vernissage to explore local art. Whether we’re dancing at someone’s birthday or staying overnight in mountain towns, it’s all part of experiencing the real Armenia, not just the one from textbooks and family stories.
More than anything, I feel grateful to share this journey with my classmates. We’re not just going on a trip, we’re creating lifelong memories in our homeland. I hope to come back from this trip not only with photos and souvenirs, but with a stronger identity, deeper appreciation for Armenian culture, and a heart full of pride.
- Sandro