My first impression of the country was arriving in Armenia at 2:00AM from the airport. A couple of students and myself who were in the same program got our bags and came out to meet the American Councils' advisors welcoming us from a long trip. As we introduced each other quickly, we got into the cars that would take us to our new home.
I was tired and confused about my location. It was dark outside, and few light poles were on. I was curious about the small streets that we were driving through. The mysterious tiny houses and apartment buildings that we drove by. Then we stopped. A nice warm breeze hit my body as I took a deep breath of exhaustion and relief, finally arriving at my new home.
The first thing I noticed was a small fountain with running water. I wondered, was it for drinking or something else? As I got my bags, I went up the stairs to the 5th-floor of the building. There was barely any light working in the apartment building. I took each step carefully, so as not to trip or stumble. was at my last breath as I reached the last floor of the building. The warm-welcoming light shined upon me, and as I walked in I saw smiling faces and heard welcoming voices that happened to be my host family.
I was nervous but excited as I got introduced to my new family. I was exhausted from the trip but excited to talk to my new family. As I walked in, they made sure that I got everything I needed. They gave me a towel for the shower, food (which was a blessing because of how hungry I was after a long trip), and they showed me my room and the bed I wouldl be sleeping in. I had only just met them but felt this warm and welcoming energy from the family that made me feel so relaxed and at ease. This night was my first impression of my host family.
It has been almost a month but this energy that radiates from the family did not leave. I felt so connected with the family and still do to this day. We talk whenever I get back from school or dinner with friends. They ask about my day, what I did, and what is new. It might seem repetitive, but the small talk is the start of our long deep conversations. Sometimes there can be boundaries with the language. We have a hard time understanding each other but once we finally do understand what we are trying to say, it becomes clear and we connect. The effort to understand one another brings us so much closer than words. We can express ourselves with our emotions, gestures, and facial impressions. It does not always need to be with words in order to understand each other.
The host family is one of the biggest parts of studying abroad. Not only do you live with them, but you also connect with their culture, their country, and they are the people of the country that you came to learn. So, my host family is a big part of my experience in Armenia. It has been one of the greatest experiences where I feel freedom, love, and understanding. It makes exploring the country that much more fun and enlightening.
Arturo with his Armenian host family
Arturo Ligai
Advanced Russian Language and Area Studies Program, Yerevan
Summer 2022