I arrived in Yerevan a few weeks before the first post COVID-19 Peace Corps cohort was sworn in as volunteers. An old volunteer friend, still living in Yerevan, suggested that I notify Peace Corps HQ that I would like to attend the swearing in ceremony. I did and shortly afterwards received an invitation. I also received an invitation for an informal event at Peace Corps Headquarters. The purpose was to have a little fun, with the trainees, before their swearing in ceremony. We would all be put to work, touching up the outside mural. We would be rewarded with pizza.

The four RPCVs (Returned Peace Corps Volunteers) in attendance received an additional reward. Our handprints are now part of the mural. They’re placed on either side of the door for the volunteer resource center. This space is central to both Peace Corps Trainees and volunteers. The newly remodeled center has a small library and computer area. The seating includes bean bag chairs and a sofa. There’s a small kitchen and two bathrooms, one of which has a shower. The resource center is named in honor of Hanna Huntley, from my A25 cohort. She died from an automobile accident, in Armenia, on October 31, 2017.

My host sister was the first to respond to my arrival post. She was also in Yerevan, where she was attending college. She would meet me, as soon as her classes were over. The following day, my younger host sister announced that she was coming to Yerevan. So, the three of us met up. Then, later that afternoon, my host mom called. She told one of her daughters to stay with me, until she could get off work. Our mini reunion was great. We ate ice cream, drank coffee, and watched the dancing fountain at Republic Square. I posted a picture of the four of us, on social media. A phone call soon followed.

Before swearing in, as Volunteers, Peace Corps trainees spend three months living with host families. During this period, there’s four hours of language training (Monday-Saturday), technical skills training (depending on your sector), and instruction on health and safety. My PST site was in Nor Kyank, a village in the Vedi Municipality of Ararat Province. I loved living with my PST host mom and would often return to see her, during my two years as a volunteer. She now follows me via social media. After seeing my post, about being in Yerevan, she called. “KJ jan. Are you coming to see me tomorrow?” I was in a taxi and on my way to her home, first thing the following morning.

One evening, there was a three piece band setting up, across the street from Republic Square. I decided to sit, on the steps of a nearby building, and listen. A young woman joined me. Soon, people were walking by and waving in my direction. They were mostly young and clearly excited about seeing the woman seated to my right. I finally asked her if she was famous and if we needed to be friends. She got my humor and laughed, while offering me a chocolate candy. Parents were now bringing their children over to take pictures with her. “I have a big following on TikTok.” She explained. Turns out, I was seated next to Nina Titanyan. She has over seventy five thousand followers and over two million likes. We sat there chatting and listening to the band. After an hour, we followed each other (via social media) and she took her leave.

While serving in AmeriCorps, in Alaska, I kept hearing about a young exchange student from Armenia. One day, I was working, as the House Manager, at the local theater. There was a very Armenian name on my volunteer usher list for that evening. Sure enough, it was him and we finally met. His school term was ending and my service with AmeriCorps was close to being done. I never saw him again. When I returned to Yerevan, I was having breakfast, a few doors down from the American Council Office. I went in and asked if there was any way to get in touch with the student I had met in Alaska. I was told to leave my contact information. A day or two later, I received a message from him via Instagram. We met for lunch and he invited me to his certificate ceremony at American Council / Educational USA.

Dagen Valentine is the Country Director at American Councils. He’s also a returned Peace Corps volunteer. His handprints are now opposite mine, outside the Volunteer Resource Center, at Peace Corps HQ. From Armenia to Alaska and back again! It really is a small world after all. XOXO— GGT