I remember while I was back in college I used to search for a volunteer organisation where I could use my energy and creativity
to help others. Every time I tried to google any kind of non-governmental organization (NGO) I left my computer sad and unsatisfied, nothing in Armenia caught my attention or made me enthusiastic. So I quit trying to get engaged with charity and concentrated on my studies. But last summer I met my friend Mary, who had just got back from Italy. And let me tell you, the girl was ecstatic. I had a feeling that she was on Red Bull 24/7, but after a while I realised that it was the famous “AEGEE spirit”. My friend told me so many funny stories and her narration was so vivid and captivating that I thought for a second that I myself had been part of that summer university.
Little did I know that once you hear about AEGEE you get hooked. AEGEE spirit is contagious, that’s why I suffered from severe insomnia until I applied to become a member. When I met the members of AEGEE-Yerevan, I realised at once that these are the guys that I want to be friends with. Not long ago we celebrated our first anniversary, but it seems like AEGEE-Yerevan has been around forever. That is something inexplicable. How is it possible that a group of enthusiastic local AEGEEans made the organisation so popular here? Actually it’s pretty simple. If you meet our members you will instantly feel the positive energy and strength, easy-going attitude and self confidence, crazy sense of humor and intelligence.
At first I had a lot of unanswered questions about AEGEE history, its structure and the possabilities the organization gives that disappeared after a Local Training Course. However, after watching a documentary about AEGEE and after listening to more experienced members my mind finally came to rest. I have so many ideas and plans and I can’t wait to participate in my first Summer University that I heard so much about.
Written by Anna Barikyan, AEGEE-Yerevan