In 2020, when bright young men were bravely giving their lives for their homeland and a piece of my soul died with every fallen hero, I was tormented by the question of whether I was fully using my gifts and talents for the betterment of the world. You see, there comes a point in life when you realize there is no greater purpose than serving others. Yet, the fear of leaving behind the socio-cultural formula for success keeps us from taking steps that truly bring us joy and fulfillment.

Fast forward to 2023, I finally decided to quit my corporate job and move to Armenia. My philosophy in life is that if you want to find a solution or change something, you need to go to the center, the source or the beginning of that thing. Armenia is the civilizational center of the world, so if we want to transform the world, we have to start in Armenia. But Armenia is also my center, so all the answers for me lie here too. I also believe that the resources will show up; we just need to start the work. 

The Move

I’ve lived in five countries across three continents, and while I can make myself at home anywhere I move, the best way to get a quick start in any country is by volunteering. I was born in Armenia, and you might think, ‘Well, you could’ve found a job here,’ but that would defeat the purpose of finding a way to fully use my gifts and talents in service to others.

So there I was, contacting AVC to help me find the most efficient way to serve others. I described my purpose of coming to Armenia and in a short period of time, they matched me with the perfect organization, Network State, to begin my mission. The vision of the Network State aligned with my vision of the future and how Armenia can not only be part of it but actually architect it. 

When I touched down in Armenia for a year of service and exploration, I already had the confirmed start date with my placement and everything ready to begin my work here. This was my second time volunteering with AVC and I knew how good they were. 

As an alumnus now, and with the advantage of hindsight, I can say that my second experience with AVC was much more powerful and fulfilling. All thanks to the AVC staff. 

The Mission

During my volunteering, I had the opportunity to help a few other organizations, such as the Center for Truth and Justice and the Yerevan Botanical Garden. I know my work made a difference, given the grateful emails I received from them. I know I made their world a little bit better.

But my mission is to architect a better future for Armenia, and in doing so, for the world. So, after Network State decided to pivot midway through my volunteering year, I chose to branch out and start my own organization. That’s how Haikeon Armenology R&D Center was born, with the mission to revive the true Armenian identity and systems, create or upgrade a new system for the next 1,000 years, and help other civilizations find their way back to their true essence. Haikeon is a homecoming for Armenians and other civilizations, a return to their center.

As I write this blog post, I have a few volunteers who have agreed to join the mission. They are a vital part of the team, and seeing them excited and inspired by the mission makes me feel that I’m getting closer to fulfilling my purpose as an Armenian in the world.

A year later, after completing my volunteering with AVC, I’m still in Armenia, working to architect the big future I envision. The road ahead is long but exciting, and I get to define success on my own terms.

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Arevik Vardanyan is a program/project management professional with 10+ years of experience in the tech industry, spanning from start-ups to corporations. Now, she runs her own consulting company specializing in strategy and leadership, using a unique framework she developed. She’s also the driving force behind an Armenology R&D Center.