Happy Birthday America!

Every year the internship class comes together and hosts the Annual 4th of July Party on the Georgetown rooftops. During this time current and past intern classes get together to share stories about life as an intern, spend a day of fun, and enjoy each others company. This year the class of '10 provided kebab, pilaf, hummus, pita and much more.

Interns Ani Haleblian, Michele Malkasian and Liana Arshagouni join Intern Alums Marisa Cabraloff, Intern Coordinator Ani Grigorian and guest experience DC together at night .

Started America's birthday celebration by participating in a scavenger hunt and spelling out USA on the rooftops!

Interns, Intern Alum and friends gather on the Georgetown stairs for a group picture.

Don't Stop Til You Get Enough

As the weeks continue to fly by, the interns get more and more opportunities to meet with various people, from Congressmen to Political Figures to Activists. Over the past couple weeks they were able to meet with many of these important figures Congressman Adam Schiff, Kathryn Porter from the Leadership Council for Human Rights, Mark Krikorian of the Center for Immigration Studies, as well as taking a tour of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

Interns Michele Malkasian, Intern Coordinator Ani Grigrian, Adrian Stepanian, Christopher Dean, Ani Tramblian, Daron Hovannisian, Ani Haleblian, Liana Arshagouni, NKR intern Arman Avetisyan and Paul Strauch met with Congressman Adam Schiff to talk with him about the Genocide Resolution and other demanding issues.

Interns meet with Kathryn Porter to discuss her experience in political campaigns and issues since her start.

The Interns take a break on the steps after walking around the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame - Take Me Out to the Crowd

Baseball is an All-American sport and pastime, which is no different for the Congressmen of Washington DC. The interns decided to take an evening trip to experience this firsthand at the 33rd Annual Roll Call Congressional Baseball Game.

Interns Paul Strauch, Michele Malkasian and Intern Coordinator Ani Grigorian look at their tickets in excitement prior to the game.

The intern group stops for a picture in front of National Park before the Congressional Game.

Interns Michele Malkasian, Adrian Stepanian, Intern Coordinator Ani Grigorian, Liana Arshagouni, Paul Strauch, Ani Haleblian and Christopher Dean take their seats as the game gets ready to start.

I Just Haven't Met You Yet

So you sent your sons, daughters, friends and loved ones off for the summer to experience Washington DC and to be a part of the Armenian Assembly's internship program for the summer of 2010.

They have all had the opportunity to be a part of working for various organizations and political leaders where they are able to gain the full rounded experience of the program.

Who are they? Where are they from? Where are they working?

Liana Arshagouni - University of California, Irvine - Armenian Assembly of America (Grassroots), & Library of Congress

Christopher Dean - University Toledo - Senator Voinovich

Ani Haleblian - University of Allepo - Armenian National Institue (A.N.I.)

Daron Hovannisian - University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) - Armenian National Institute (A.N.I.)

Michele Malkasian - University of Southern California (USC) - Voice of America

Adrian Stepanian - Temple University - Congressman Joseph Crowley

Paul Strauch - Dartmouth College - Congressman Frank Pallone

Ani Tramblian- James Madison University (JMU) - Armenian National Institute (A.N.I.)

Karine Vann - Indiana University - National Institute of Health

Ani Grigorian - Carthage College - Armenian Assembly of America 2010 Intern Coordinator

Relax, Take it Easy

Interns Michele Malkasian and Liana Arshagouni goof around as they dance to Lady Gaga's song 'Bad Romance.'

All work and no play is not the case for the interns in this summer's program! Although they have had a quite eventful first couple of weeks, they always seem to find the time to relax, take it easy, and enjoy their time here when they are not working.

Interns Christopher Dean, Michele Malkasian and Liana Arshagouni have a little fun at the Natural History Museum!

Interns Liana Arshagouni, Paul Strauch, Daron Hovannisian, Intern Coordinator Ani Grigorian and Adrian Stepanian all hang out on a Friday night.

Intern Program Manager Joseph Piatt and Intern Coordinator Ani Grigorian take a break from the program to wind down on the weekend.

The weekends have been a chance for the interns to spend time with one another and bond as a family. They have taken the opportunity to see the different museums in the city, relax on the river and experience the nightlife as well.

Some of the interns join program alumni to go tubing down the river on a sunny Saturday!

Lectures & Mixers & Tours, Oh My!

During the past week they were able to partake in many of these programming events, as well as take part in some touring opportunities. The week began with a tour of the State Department, followed by a briefing from Joe Farrelly who works the Armenia Desk for the Office of Caucasus Affairs and Regional Conflicts. The week continued as the interns were able to also meet with Rouben Adalian and hear of the background of the Armenian National Institute (A.N.I.), along with the progress of the Armenian Genocide Museum of America.

The interns listen attentively as they get a tour of the State Department rooms on the 8th floor.

The intern group smiles for a photo after speaking with Joe Farrely of the Armenian desk of the State Department.

Interns Polly Supanya, Christopher Dean, Ani Haleblian, Michele Malkasian, Liana Arshagouni, Ani Tramblian, Daron Hovannisian, Adrian Stepanian, Paul Strauch and Intern Coordinator Ani Grigorian received a tour by Rouben Adalian of the up and coming Armenian Genocide Museum of America, located on the corner of G & 14th, walking distance from the Assembly.

Interns (back) Paul Strauch, Daron Hovannisian, Christopher Dean, Intern Coordinator Ani Grigorian, (front) Michele Malkasian, Ani Haleblian, Ani Tramblian, Adrian Stepanian and Liana Arshagouni pose in front of the White House before the monument tour at night.

The tours went on throughout the week with a sightseeing tour which consisted of the White House and many of the monuments in our Nation’s Capitol; including the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, theWashington Monument, the World War II Memorial and the Abraham Lincoln Memorial. The members of the program were also able to meet with Ruben Harutunian who works as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer for the U.S. Department of State while they learned about the field and how to get involved with governmental areas.

On the way to their walking tour a few of the interns stop and smile for the camera.

Intern Coordinator Ani Grigorian, shows interns Liana Arshagouni and Paul Strauch where they will be going and what they will be seeing on their tour.

Interns Christopher Dean, Liana Arshagouni, Paul Strauch, Intern Coordinator Ani Grigorian and Daron Hovannisian take a break from their 'monuments at night' tour in front of the Lincoln Memorial.

Interns Liana Arshagouni, Paul Strauch, Michele Malkasian, Ani Haleblian and Christopher Dean visit the Jefferson Memorial.

Interns Liana Arshagouni, Daron Hovannisian, Ani Haleblian and Michele Malkasian pose in front of their home state of California.

The busy week ended with the students being able to meet and mingle with fellow Armenians in the DC area, while they hosted the members of the Armenia National Committee of America Internship Program at the Assembly for their annual event.

Interns of the Armenian Asembly program participated in their annual 'mix and mingle' event with the ANC interns.

And the Beat Goes On..

As the days of the internship program progress, the interns are getting situated in their new surroundings, work setting and lifestyle. The students also began their program series that include both Lecture Series and Capitol Ideas throughout the summer. At these different programming events, they are able to learn more about their Armenian community, as well as opening their eyes to other areas of the political scene while here in the Nation's capital.

Interns Michele Malkasian, Christoper Dean, Liana Arshagouni, Ani Tramblian and Paul Strauch enjoy one of Capitol Hill's sponsored events - Pizza and Cheese Tasting!

The interns were fortunate enough to take part in an event in celebration of the anniversaries of the Battle of Sardarabad and D-Day. This event was hosted by Noris Balabanian and the Armenian Network of America Washington Region. During this time they were able to meet with many members of the local community to discuss the importance of these two critical events to Armenian-Americans. This was also a great way to network with the members of the Washington DC area, and see what others have pursued throughout their careers.

Interns (from left to right) Daron Hovannisian, Liana Arshagouni, Intern Coordinator Ani Grigorian, Ani Tramblian, Paul Strauch, Christopher Dean, Michele Malkasian and Adrian Stepanian enjoy the company of Noris Balabanian at the commemorative event on June 17.

A Whole New World

The first week of the internship program allowed the students to get used to their first week of their new jobs, as well as the city that they were now calling home - Washington DC.

The first weekend of the summer program, the interns attended the 18th Annual Alexandria-Gyumri Sister City Festival hosted by the Knights & Daughters of Vartan in Alexandria, VA. Here they were able to expose themselves to different Armenian organizations in the local community, as well as taking part in enjoying their culture and heritage. During this time they were also able to meet various members of Armenian organizations that have had an integral role in the Washington DC Armenian community.

(From left to right) Interns Michele Malkasian, Liana Arshagouni, Ani Tramblian and Christopher Dean, along with intern coordinator Ani Grigorian (Center), attended the Armenian festival on Saturday June 12th; where they enjoyed beautiful weather, great music and delicious food!

Earlier this week, the students also had the opportunity to meet with the members of the Armenian Assembly and learn about what they strive to do as an organization, as well as discuss many different issues that are important to our Armenian community today. This allowed them the chance to think outside the box, and question challenging ideas that face the Armenian people daily. Being in the presence of individuals who were able to discuss these issues first hand gave the interns an opportunity to become more immersed in their culture as well.

And So It All Begins...

Each summer The Terjenian-Thomas internship program in Washington DC gives students the opportunity to work for eight weeks in various jobs including many different positions throughout the city.

Beginning in the first week of June, the students participating in this year’s program began to arrive to DC to begin their summer of work in various governmental and non-governmental positions, while living on the beautiful Georgetown University campus.



Over the time of the program they will be able to meet with U.S legislators, other government officials and influential individuals in the Armenian Community, through the Capitol Ideas & Lecture Series programs that are offered each week. These different opportunities will allow the students to enjoy the area and all that it has to offer, while also expanding their knowledge on political topics, both related and non-related to Armenian issues.

This blog has been created by the 2010 summer internship program in order for us to share the experiences, memories and photos of our two month stay here in DC.

Enjoy!