our story
Armenian Volunteer Corps – AVC – is the brainchild of a former Peace Corps volunteer who served in Armenia for two years. After falling in love with long-term community service and with Armenia, he set out to create an independent organization that would make volunteering in Armenia possible for all through affordable, safe, and fulfilling service projects. He enlisted the help of two like-minded friends, and in the year 2000 AVC was born.
Since 2001 when we welcomed our first volunteers, AVC has grown to become the premier volunteer organization based in Armenia, customizing job placements for some 1,000 global volunteers aged 21 and up. AVC volunteers have hailed from all four corners of the world – 55 countries to date – with the oldest so far a dynamic 86-year-old!
Whether you’re looking for a professional internship or something less formal, with more than 1,100 active placement partners, AVC offers opportunities in a wide variety of sectors and organizations, including business, education, environment, arts and culture, finance, health, governmental and non-governmental agencies. In addition to volunteer placements, AVC provides all logistical support from airport pick-up, to host-family living arrangements, Armenian language classes, and much more, helping volunteers to seamlessly integrate into life in Armenia.
Staff
Arina Zohrabian, Executive Director, arina@avc.am
+37410540037 Ext. 110
I was born in London and spent my childhood years in Iran, moving to the United States for my primary education, and then to Canada to study at McGill University. On June 1, 2002, I made my first trip ever to Armenia, to volunteer for a full year with the Armenian Volunteer Corps. What was meant to be a one year volunteer service evolved into a life changing experience. Today, I serve as the Executive Director of the Armenian Volunteer Corps. I work with an amazing team of colleagues and volunteers who are here to move mountains. What I love most about my job? Interacting with volunteers and experiencing Armenia with them. When I’m not working, I love working out, playing tennis, and spending time with my amazing family. And of course, my commitment to volunteering continues. For the past decade, I have been involved with the Armenian Educational Foundation.
Narine Baghdasaryan, Program Assistant, narine@avc.am
+37410540037 Ext. 114
I was born and raised in Hrazdan, Armenia. During high school, I had the opportunity to spend a year in the United States as a FLEX exchange student. I then returned to Armenia and obtained my Bachelor’s degree in English and Cross-Cultural Communication from Yerevan State University. Since graduating, I have been involved in numerous short and long term projects aimed at providing valuable and life-changing opportunities for people (mostly children) in Armenia. I highly value the importance of volunteering and have implemented several projects in my community, such as opening English clubs. I joined AVC in June 2022 as a Program Assistant and work to support our in-country volunteers and potential applicants. What I like most about my job is that each day I get to meet people from different corners of the world, helping them have a positive and impactful experience in Armenia.
Louisa Khachatryan, Volunteer and Placement Advisor, louisa@avc.am
+37410540037 Ext. 113
I was born and raised in Yerevan. I received a Bachelor’s (in English & Communications) and Master’s (in Political Science and International Affairs) degree from the American University of Armenia. Career wise, I have been working since my freshman year in the fields of social media marketing and PR. Currently, I am the Program Assistant at AVC where I am responsible for jobsite placements for all of our amazing volunteers. What I love most about my job is getting to know new people from different countries of the world and communicating with them as well as communicating with our more than 1,300 partner organizations. I absolutely love when I find a perfect match for our volunteers, and especially when it affects their decision to repatriate.