Despite moving to another country at an early age, Hasmik Tsghunyan always maintained a strong connection with her homeland. She left Echmiadzin for Grenoble, France, at the age of 4, but from the age of 6 she returned to Armenia every year and attended Armenian language and dance classes in France. Her parents had a clear position: they were Armenian, and their children had to know their mother tongue and remain connected to their homeland.
 

That connection grew stronger over the years, which is why Hasmik transferred from the Faculty of Finance to the Faculty of International Relations, hoping that her future profession would also become a bridge between Armenia and France.
 

“I have always felt good and comfortable in Armenia. And while everyone around me said that I was lucky because I lived in France, I thought they were the lucky ones because they lived in Armenia. Even then, I knew that I wanted to do something for Armenia: after completing my education, I want to work for the development of relations between France and Armenia,” says Hasmik Tsghunyan.
 

Hasmik wants not only to actively contribute to developing relations between the two countries, but also to maintain close ties with her many relatives who live in Armenia. She admits that one of the reasons for her frequent visits is the importance of staying connected with them. She is also happy that she can communicate with her loved ones in her native Armenian, and is grateful to her parents for “making” them speak Armenian at home: “I learned to read, write, and speak Armenian in France, at the Armenian Cultural Center. My parents did not allow us to speak French at home — we are Armenian, and at home we should speak Armenian. We never perceived this as pressure. On the contrary, it would have been embarrassing to come here and not be able to speak Armenian with our grandparents.”
 

Hasmik learned about the opportunity to volunteer with Birthright Armenia from acquaintances and decided to complete her university internship in Armenia: “I said that I wanted to work in the fields of international relations and languages, and I was offered translation work — I translate testimonies of people affected by the Artsakh war at the Center for Truth and Justice. I am not particularly fond of translation work, but this work is very important to me. I learn about the details of the war, the difficulties people face in overcoming its consequences, and I read about their personal experiences. In a way, it makes me feel involved and allows me to empathize with them, while also helping to communicate the truth to the international community.”
 

Alongside her main volunteer placement, Hasmik also works with the Birthright Armenia marketing team, filming videos and posting them on social media. She also tries to meet as many people as possible: for her, Armenia is its people, and the best way to understand the country is to get to know its people. She admits that she learns from absolutely everyone she meets here and tries to understand their point of view. Interestingly, she finds it difficult when local people communicate their thoughts indirectly rather than saying things openly — she is used to being straightforward and speaking directly. At the same time, there are moments when she wishes she could be more like them, because she worries that her directness might offend someone.
 

Her three-month volunteer experience will end in August, after which she will return to France to continue her studies, hoping that after graduation she will be able to find a job that will allow her to live and work both in France and Armenia: “I know it will be difficult to find such a job, but France is also my country. I am both Armenian and French, so I do not want to leave France. But I also want to live and work in Armenia.
 

Armenia is a very genuine country with sincere people, and I am certain that even the smallest contribution to it is important and needed.”
 

Interview by Nare Bejanyan

Translation via AI based on the original article in Russian:  «Повезло всем, кто живет в Армении»: Асмик Цгунян