Articles
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-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=4a7196347337e97ccc738a06fad92952 "Repats Without Restraints - 12 Questions with Serine Petrossian")
Personal Stories27.02.2026Have you seen the “Thank You” music video by Dido with the cute little house in the middle of two giant corporate buildings? That’s what 12 Tables always reminds me of. Located on 6 Alexander Spendiaryan street in the heart of Yerevan, this little family-run business has a somewhat unassuming feel to it. It’s one of those places that you want to keep as a secret, but also can’t wait to rave about. Walking in, you’ll find yourself pleased with a fully “homey” atmosphere, from the DIY interior design to the smell of delicious food that takes one straight back to mum’s. In a city of corporate restaurants, bars, and cafes, 12 Tables feels like a warm hug. A lot of that has to do with the current owner, Serine Petrossian, a repatriate from Iran who acquired and has been running the place for a little over 5 years. We sat down in one of the coziest corners of 12 Tables for a round of 12 questions, sipping tea and coffee along the way. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=a6f8b98f91ccb6cba1f501ee5e7497ce "Arriving in Armenia: How to Exchange Money at Zvartnots Airport Without Overpaying")
Practical Tips25.02.2026If you’re moving to Armenia or planning a longer stay, one of the first practical questions comes up as soon as you land: where should you exchange money – and how much do you actually need right away? Even if you have a bank card, having a small amount of Armenian drams in cash on your first day can be useful – for transportation, small purchases, or unexpected expenses. Below is a clear, practical guide to help you avoid overpaying during your first hours in the country. What Currency Should You Bring to Armenia? -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=22bd289ed9855e69b49e59a182999f90 "To Frankfurt and Back Again: Returning to Armenia")
Personal Stories23.02.2026I first met Shushanik (last name withheld at her request) at the Old Tatev guesthouse. We struck up a conversation during breakfast with the rest of the guests, and it turned out she wasn’t that far from home. “I grew up in Tatev and Goris, but my parents grew up in Tandzatap. You can actually see it from the monastery.” Tandzatap is a very small village located in the Tatev municipality that houses a little over 100 people. When you walk through its narrow pathways, it feels like any other small Armenian village, a place that feels more remembered than maintained. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=b8e08c40b826e230a578b38678a95aba "Repats Without Restraints - Candid with Ara Yeramian (Part 2)")
Personal Stories11.02.2026As mentioned in the first part of this in-depth interview, Ara delved into a lot of nuances when answering the questions. But then again, that’s what made things interesting. I just couldn’t bear leaving anything out and I suggested that we split the entire thing into two parts. Luckily for me, Ara agreed. And without further adieu, here’s part 2 of getting candid with Ara Yeramian! -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=aa7fd532ccac28c0bb5df6fc5f27b20d "Understanding Armenia’s Labor Law - A Practical Guide for Repats - Part 1")
Professional Insights10.02.2026This guide and its series of articles are based on the Employment Bootcamp held at Repat Armenia on December 2025, as well as materials prepared by Mary Grigoryan, Partner at MB Legal (labor, migration, corporate, and business law), and Alina Danielyan, Junior Lawyer at MB Legal (labor, migration, and corporate law). It is intended for repats and foreign professionals in Armenia who need clarity instead of complicated legal jargon. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=b84994dc86868a58b48541d59507171c "Healing, Crying, and Rejoicing in Her Homeland: The Journey of Serine Kazaryan")
Personal Stories09.02.2026What does it take to decide on repatriation after many years of life and professional success in the diaspora? How do you choose between stability and what your heart desires? What kind of development in Armenia’s healthcare system can be initiated by highly qualified specialists moving to Armenia, and what limitations do they face here? The long professional and life journey of Serine Kazaryan is a living guide to these questions… -
Personal Stories04.02.2026To me, Ara is one of those “Yes! I totally agree with you!” repats. We meet in person once in a blue moon, usually over burgers and beer, and end up talking about all things Armenia-related. And for the most part, we’re on the same page. Ara already sat down with Repat Armenia for another article, but I decided to take a different approach this time around. I wanted this interview to be more candid, really bringing out Ara’s wit and wisdom that, if given the right platform, can amount to big changes. We ended up chatting over 14 questions, and Ara went into the smallest details. To make the whole interview easier to process, we’ve split it into two parts. Here’s the first part of getting candid with Ara Yeramian.
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-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=7c5505b9259def5f8f5b97a75031e918 "Is It Possible to Open a Bank Card in Armenia Remotely if You Are a Non-Resident?")
Practical Tips02.02.2026Can a bank card be issued remotely? Armenia remains one of the most convenient countries for non-residents who want to open a bank account and use international payment systems. The local banking system is considered stable: fees are moderate, online services are developing rapidly, and mobile banking is available 24/7. At the same time, there is an important requirement that non-residents should be aware of in advance: the first visit to a bank must be in person. Even if a bank’s website includes sections such as “For Non-Residents” or buttons like “Open Account Online”, these do not replace mandatory in-person identification. This is a legal requirement, and banks cannot bypass it. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=18ec135767d9b249361ea68dc589256c "Making the World Better, Starting with Armenia: Arshak Ulubabyan")
Personal Stories30.01.2026Preface Over two years of working at Repat Armenia, I have had the privilege of meeting many repatriates, and through them – encountering very different attitudes toward Armenia and plans for it. Some repatriated because only here they feel truly at home, some – because in Armenia one can step out of the constant race and feel the pulse of life, others – because the mountains call. And so on. For Arshak Ulubabyan, who lives with the idea of making the world a better place, Armenia turned out to be the most fitting place to implement these ideas. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=23dae2fe2058834442cf039b65314523 "A New Home Where Jazz Plays: Mikhail Fominykh")
Personal Stories19.01.2026“Jazz has the power to transcend borders, foster dialogue, and ignite joy and hope”: these words, spoken by American jazz pianist and composer, 14-time Grammy Award winner, and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock, incredibly accurately describe the story of my new hero. Jazz double bassist Mikhail Fominykh, like many others, was forced to leave Russia. He had to overcome both territorial and cultural boundaries on his way to a place that later became his new home. Jazz became the foundation upon which strong dialogue with new people was built and hope for joyful days ahead was sown. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=3b5399a90a4f387ba6efd00942e22f6b "Short-Term Return: How Diaspora Armenians Can Contribute Without Moving Fully")
Professional Insights09.01.2026Perhaps, as a diasporan, you’ve put off repatriation due to careers, family matters, financial obligations, or legal realities. After all, uprooting your entire life isn’t an easy decision and isn’t always realistic. At the same, you still want to contribute to Armenia, you still want to make a positive impact on the country that shapes a big part of your identity. Well, here’s the good news: meaningful Armenian diaspora engagement no longer requires a permanent move! Pathways now exist for Armenians who want to stay connected without fully repatriating. The options are endless: short-term return to Armenia, project-based work, targeted investments, youth exchange programs…you name it! -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=4005638d0be1c4e947a6bc77c3bb5d79 "Mapping the Armenian Diaspora: Who They Are, Where They Are, and What They Want")
Engage Armenia23.12.2025We hear a lot of blanket statements about the diaspora and its role in shaping Armenia. Still, few people take the time to truly understand what the diaspora actually is. With debates around repatriation growing stronger, it is important for anyone considering a return to understand who Armenians abroad are, where they live, and what drives their decision to come home (or stay abroad). This article maps the Diaspora with an analytical lens, and explores what, in 2025, the Diaspora might want and expect if they consider repatriation. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=4ec2cdaea610009dbd01c69de2e46b11 "To Work Without the Right to Give Up. Artush Yeghiazaryan")
Personal Stories22.12.2025Fighting Against Mine Exploitation as a Starting Point for Repatriation Having received an education and lived abroad for many years, Artush Yeghiazaryan, a native of Leninakan, one fine day in 2018 returned to his hometown — now Gyumri, formerly Leninakan — bringing with him solid professional experience.The decision to return home was not made immediately; moreover, it came only after nearly five years of active work in and for the homeland: “In 2012, like most Armenians who do not live in Armenia but live with Armenia in their hearts, I came across a Facebook post about a group of young people who were fighting against the opening of a mine in Teghut. This situation had a strong impact on me; I contacted them and offered my help. We became friends, and the story of the mine became the starting point on my path back home.” -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=514c9bae97812b82544efe84923701c0 "“Building should be based on what unites us.” Lusine Khumaryan")
Personal Stories17.12.2025Leaving Armenia Is an Unhealed Trauma Recently, the Forum of Armenian Culture and Art took place in Yerevan, organized by the Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Armenia. The founder of Armenian Creators, Lusine Khumaryan, who has been living in the Netherlands for many years, was also invited to the forum. Her visit became an occasion to get acquainted with her and to speak about the platform of Armenian creators she founded. -
-webp(85)-o(jpg).webp?token=71c9a9478ce108939db119f3b5933c1d "Choosing Your Armenian Region: Yerevan vs. the Provinces - Lifestyle, Opportunities, and Cost of Living")
Practical Tips03.12.2025“Kotayk? Really? All that way from Kentron?” This was a common response whenever I told people that I was moving out of Yerevan after living on Pushkin street in the heart of the city center for more than 4 years. It almost felt like one of those video games, where the character hasn’t unlocked areas on the map yet. You see, Armenia might look compact, but living here isn't as one-size-fits-all as you’d think. In the span of a single afternoon, you can leave a crowded Yerevan intersection and drive past apricot orchards to arrive in a quiet village where someone you’ve never met still greets you like you’re old family.
