Publications
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-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=b4e1518172989901157df5d256041ab6 "In Armenia – My Port: A Completely Different Story of Yaroslav Zabavskiy")
Repat Story28.11.2025In Search of Oneself Yaroslav Zabavskiy is a veteran among his compatriots in terms of the length of residence in Armenia: the first “stone” in establishing and strengthening his roots here was in fact laid in 2016. Yaro (as he is called in Armenia) has been living here for ten years already. At a young age, Yaroslav left the Moscow region for Wales to study in the UWC educational system, which radically changed the course of his entire future life. After graduating from college, he went to the USA to receive higher education in the field of international relations. -
-webp(85)-o(jpg).webp?token=afe8ebb21e7106f66ee574de2da90233 "Lav Kline vs. Sagh Vat A: Exploring How Attitudes Change Outside of Yerevan")
News24.11.20252 min“Lav kline,” an old man mutters as he warms his hands around a small glass of homemade moonshine outside his stone house in Sisisan, Syunik region. Looking at his face and haggard eyes, you can see decades of hardship; he’s a veteran of the first Artsakh war and participated in the 44-day war in 2020. Yet, when you ask how things are going, he replies as if he’s seen too much to waste his energy on despair. “Lav kline,” he says. All will be well. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=cae3892f4238fee472334d32d2b18e38 "One-Way Ticket for a Birthday: The Story of Armen Aikazunyan")
Repat Story24.11.2025The most valuable birthday gift Armen Aikazunyan ever gave himself was celebrating his 31st birthday in his historical homeland. It was Armen’s first visit to Armenia, and now he no longer wants to leave and return back. “I was very interested in Armenia and the Armenian language. My grandparents, who had visited Armenia in the 1970s, and my father told me a lot about it. My parents, my grandparents and I — we all spoke, read, and wrote in Armenian; our entire family studied at an Armenian school,” the hero begins his story. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=ecb603c9c91f9fdbe505db11886c710b "Following Her Mission: The Story of Gayane Safronova")
Repat Story18.11.2025Most of Gayane Safronova’s (Hovhannisyan) life was spent in Russia, but her warmest memories are of her childhood — the one spent in the First Massiv (a district in Yerevan) and in a village in Jermuk: “I was born in Yerevan, and when I was one year old, my parents moved to Moscow. They went through difficult years, like everyone who relocated from Armenia to Russia in the 1990s. But even during those hard times, my sister and I had amazing summer vacations: we would come to Yerevan and spend two weeks in the capital, and then almost three months with our grandmother in a village in Jermuk. It was a wonderful childhood filled with games and other children. We had cows, and our favorites were named Siranush and Sevuk.” -
-webp(85)-o(jpg).webp?token=e0b9b325acab461929343446b2a3b1ea "Beyond the Honeymoon Period: How to Handle Cultural Differences in Armenia")
News13.11.20252 minPicture this: You’ve done it; you packed your bags and repatriated. Some months have passed, and you’re starting to feel like you’re fitting in. And then, suddenly, things start changing. You see, moving to Armenia is an exciting adventure: the landscapes, the warmth of the people, and the rich cultural tapestry…all of these can make anyone feel instantly at home. Yet, as many foreigners in Armenia discover, the initial euphoria eventually gives way to a more complex stage of adaptation. That’s when true understanding begins. You learn how to navigate cultural differences in Armenia and adjust to a way of life that’s deeply rooted in history, tradition, and community. -
-webp(85)-o(jpg).webp?token=971ee62e3e9fccd858d2b5c20a502b48 "From Repat to Real Estate Guru: What to Do and What Not to Do When Purchasing a Home in Armenia")
News30.10.20252 minFinding My Home in the Homeland Buying a home in Armenia had always been on my bingo card since repatriating. Becoming a real estate guru, however, wasn’t. But here we are! Through mistakes made and lessons learned, I finally purchased my first home. If you’re thinking about doing the same, you’ve probably realized it’s not just about bricks and beams. The Armenian real estate market, while full of promise, has its quirks. So, here’s what I discovered along the way and would like to share with you. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=4877af3d249d156af3b4f1027f2524e4 "The Point of Return. Homeland")
Repat Story27.10.2025Genetic Connection with Armenia Kseniya Yakutovich was born in Gyumri, spent her entire childhood there, and later moved to Russia with her family. But she never lost her connection with Armenia: she met her husband in Moscow — the same person who attended the same sports school as her back in Gyumri, and life brought them together again in Russia. “We often came to Armenia: my husband has relatives here, and I have family on my father’s side. When we returned to Moscow, we missed Armenia terribly and longed to come back. The seed had been planted. And all the objective and subjective circumstances, all the pieces of the puzzle came together, and in 2024 we moved to Armenia,” says Kseniya Yakutovich. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=b5646f007274116fd0fdf6c3d0b61c02 "Teaching, Healing, and Inspiring through Music: Kamil Tchalaev’s “Wild School”")
Repat Story23.10.2025Moscow and the Search for Destiny A few years ago, I attended the rock opera “Juno and Avos,” which had a full house at the Rostov Musical Theater. I could hardly have imagined then that years later—and in Armenia, no less—I would have the chance to meet someone who was among the creators of that very opera. Kamil Tchalaev is a composer, violinist, conductor, teacher, and sound therapy specialist. He came to Armenia at the invitation of the “301. Land of Wisdom” Foundation and continues his work here. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=db623e54e883d941feb035bda85d1c7e "Working in Armenia: Job Opportunities and Challenges for Repatriates")
News20.10.2025It goes without saying that having a strong employment foothold in Armenia is key when making a move to the country. The job market has evolved rapidly in recent years, offering both career opportunities and complex challenges for those who choose to return. Whether you’re a member of the diaspora planning to move to Armenia for work or a professional curious about the country’s growing industries, you need to understand the realities of working in Armenia in 2025 in order to make more informed decisions. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=bc9f91e77cc98280808f738d85a9093b "Children’s Dreams — Motivation to Work: The Founding of the Alaverdi Boxing School")
Repat Story17.10.2025Move to Russia and the Start of a Sports Career For the second year now, children and teenagers from several communities of Alaverdi have had the opportunity to do sports—namely boxing—under the careful guidance of European and World kickboxing champion Sergey Dzavaryan. Sergey is also from Lori; he was born in Odzun. When he was seven, his family moved to Russia. There he started first grade, and a couple of years later joined kickboxing and swimming clubs. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=3443b5580a485ea0b79ee353090de60d "Top 10 Reasons to Move to Armenia in 2025")
News08.10.2025Relocating to a new country comes with cold feet, especially if you’re not familiar with the nuances. For many in the Armenian diaspora, the idea of returning “home” has always been more than just a passing thought; it’s a calling. As for expats, living in Armenia is increasingly appearing on relocation shortlists as a safe, affordable, and opportunity-rich destination. In 2025, the case for making the move to Armenia has never been stronger. From simplified residency in Armenia to a booming tech sector, Armenia blends tradition with modern growth in a way few countries can. Here are the top 10 reasons to relocate to Armenia in 2025 and why it might just be the perfect decision for you. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=7757ce216d329884a9339bb81c104349 "“We need to stop comparing ourselves to others”: Armen Abelyan")
Repat Story29.09.20252 minArmen Abelyan was born and raised in Yerevan. Later he moved to Los Angeles, with his family. There, he studied accounting and worked in government institutions before moving into consulting and volunteer work. Then came the pandemic, which “forced” him to reassess his life and ask himself: “What do I really want to do?” -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=07b8931466ef78e824813aaf5962f5ad "Excitement, Nerves, Honeymoon Phase, etc. : Emotional Stages of Repatriation")
News21.09.20252 minMoving to another country is never easy, especially one where you have ancestral roots and probably high expectations. While repatriating to Armenia is exciting, the true process of relocating to your homeland is an emotional rollercoaster, which you’re probably not fully prepared for. The ups and downs are to be expected, and understanding them can make the transition smoother. Repatriation is not only about logistics—like securing housing, work, or residency—it is just as much about emotions, identity, and redefining what “home” means. Here are some of the emotions you might experience while making the move to Armenia, along with insights into why they occur and how to navigate them. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=2e50d8423bc380ac8bc68e8d8c2430a5 "The Path to Peace – Through Education. The Story of Karin Pogharian")
Repat Story09.09.20252 minI am often asked: where do I find my heroes? On social media, during hikes, friends often introduce them, and besides, repats notice each other even in a crowd. A big “helper” in this matter are the monthly Repat Armenia Get2know events: the informal atmosphere of these meetings makes it possible to find not only new heroes, but also friends and like-minded people. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=78e0e45a6f5273cff7fd763edf4c9982 "From Tehran to Yerevan: Creating Jewelry Inspired by Two Homes")
Repat Story07.09.20252 minIn 2021, Dina Zadoorian left Tehran with her family, relocating to Yerevan in search of a change and a more stable future. Settling in Yerevan, the family faced the challenges familiar to many newcomers — adapting to a new culture, navigating bureaucracy, and rebuilding her social networks. For Dina, the move became an unexpected turning point. Drawing on her passion for handmade craft and a course at TUMO Studios, she launched Shakar, a jewelry business inspired by both her upbringing in Tehran and her Armenian roots.
