Continuing Education Noncredit
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Glendale Community College Verdugo CampusGarfield Campus Continuing EducationMontrose CampusProfessional Development Center

Armenia Summer 2025

 

 

This 2-week program offers a brief overview of Armenian culture, history, art and society through field observation and research. The program includes visits to key artistic and cultural highlights of Yerevan and the surrounding area. A typical day will include field excursions, short lecture discussions and time to relax. There will also be two free days to explore Yerevan independently.

The program will be led by GCC professors Zohara Kaye and Sevada Chamras. They will share their experiences and passion for exploring Armenian culture through travel and direct observation. ALL participants are required to enroll and actively participate in a 2-unit Field Studies course, which encompasses a combined 36 hours of lecture and field activities.

The program will allow students to study and appreciate Armenian culture, traditions, language, literature, music, history and historic sites, as well as explore Armenia as a nation in transition socially, politically, and economically. Students will have the opportunity to compare/contrast socioeconomic and cultural variations in different regions of Armenia and juxtapose it with the sociocultural variations seen in the United States. The itinerary includes iconic and historic sites, including a variety of activities (art galleries, museums, historic monuments) to broaden the experience abroad. Field trips in Yerevan will include Cafesjian Museum of Art, History Museum of Armenia, Genocide Memorial/Museum, and Folk Art Museum. Day trips to surrounding regions, including Dilijan, Lake Sevan, Garni, and Geghard. Overnight excursions to Gyumri and Dilijan.

Date Description

May 3,2025

 Mandatory Orientation on campus
July 15

Depart from LAX

July 16

 Arrive in Yerevan

July 21

 Dilijan 2 nights

July 23

 Gyumri 2 nights

July 25

 Back to Yerevan

July 29

 Depart from Yerevan; arrive at LAX same day

Some of the key destinations are:

  • Yerevan
  • Gyumri
  • Dilijan
  • Lake Sevan

Key museums and historical sites are:

  • Garni
  • History Museum of Armenia
  • Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley (UNESCO site)
  • Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin (UNESCO site)
  • Tsitsernakaberd
  • Zarni-Parni Cave

$1,650 plus airfare

Program Fee Includes:

  • 13 nights of accommodation in tourist-class hotels with air conditioning and swimming pool based on 2 guests per room.
    • 9 night in central Yerevan, 2 nights in Gyumri, 2 nights in Dilijan
  • Daily breakfast, welcome dinner, farewell dinner, and 6 additional meals.
  • Group airport transfers
  • Guided tours of Yerevan’s important museums and historical sites including:
    • Cafesjian Museum of Art, Folk Art Museum, History Museum of Armenia, Tsitsernakaberd
  • Guided tours to Dilijan, Lake Sevan, Garni, Geghard, Gyumri, Sanahin, Zarni-Parni

Program Fee Does NOT Include:

  • Round-trip group airfare LAX-EVN-LAX (estimated at $1,400 if purchased 6 months prior to departure)
  • 2 units of GCC tuition/fees for the Library 48 course
    (non-residents are required to pay out-of-state or out-of-country fees)
  • Books (if needed)
  • Most meals and beverage
  • Personal expenses and spending money ($500 suggested minimum)
  • Optional activities and excursions
  • Anything not specified
  • Mandatory travel insurance (estimated $50-$150 depending on coverage limits and age)

  • Once accepted into the program, you will have 7 days to submit your $350 non-refundable deposit payment to the GCC Study Abroad office. The deposit should be paid by check made out to Glendale College.
  • The second payment of $650 is due by November 22, 2024. This payment should be made by check but contact the study abroad office about other potential payment options.
  • Between December 2024 and January 2025 make sure to coordinate with the Study Abroad office to obtain the information to purchase your flight at a good price (not included in the program price).
  • The remaining balance of $650 is due by March 5, 2025. This payment should be made by check but contact the study abroad office about other potential payment options.
  • All payments are non-refundable unless we can find a qualified replacement for your spot and they pay in full.
  • Payment for the courses is separate from the travel costs and will be due at the time of course registration in May, 2025.
  • Airfare and GCC tuition/fees are NOT included in this price (see below for more)
  • Space is limited to approximately 20 to 24 student participants, so act quickly.

As part of this program, students must enroll in this course (2 credit units):

Library 48: International Field Studies (2 units) taught by Prof. Zohara Kaye
This course will focus on information studies through excursions to iconic and historic sites, providing field opportunities to study and appreciate Armenian culture, traditions, language, literature, music, as well as explore Armenia as a nation in transition socially, politically, and economically. Students will have the opportunity to compare/contrast socioeconomic and cultural variations in different regions of Armenia and juxtapose it with the sociocultural variations seen in the United States. Students will apply a critical lens to their study aboard experience to heighten the learning experience by selecting a critical lens to guide their experiences (e.g., personal, gender, socio-cultural/economic/political) with the freedom to focus on topics/ perspectives that expand on or support their major/educational goal.

Transfer Credit: CSU

More information about the itinerary and the class.

Program Director: Dr. Sevada Chamras, Physical Sciences
Email: schamras@glendale.edu

Students are required to complete a formal application. The application includes personal information and may require personal and academic recommendations. Complete applications with the required deposits are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Participants must be eligible to enroll in the program courses. Under certain circumstances, such as when the class has already been completed at GCC within the past 5 years, an Independent Study course may be an option subject to approval by a program instructor.

Most participants will be 18 years or older. Accommodation can sometimes be made for those under 18 with parental permission and recommendation from a counselor.

A pre-departure conference will be conducted by the Study Abroad program director(s) and/or Program Faculty before a student is admitted to a program.

Students should have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and no history of disciplinary action at GCC or any other campus. Exceptions may be granted by the Study Abroad Director.

Students will be notified promptly in writing should they not be accepted into a program.

Program participants will be required to sign the forms “General Release of Liability” and “Assumption of Risk for Participation in Voluntary Activity.”

Students do not need to have a declared major in the classes they are taking abroad and there are no language prerequisites for the programs unless a specific course has its own requirement

COMMENTS FROM 2023 ARMENIA STUDY ABROAD STUDENTS

Prior to this trip, my only exposure to Armenian culture had been what I'd seen in Glendale. So I loved learning about a culture that I had known only "remotely" through the Armenian community in Glendale. Direct interaction with Armenians and their culture helped cement positive impressions, and dispelled some negative stereotypes. For me, this was the most positive aspect of the program. I hope that the Armenia program is repeated in the future.”


Thanks to everyone who set up this trip! It has taught me many things I didn't know about ancient and medieval Armenian churches, temples, cathedrals, fortresses, etc. Special thanks to Zo and Sevada for their excellent leadership and supervision, professionalism, enthusiasm, and patience. Also, thanks to all my classmates for their teamwork and collaboration. It was a pleasure to travel with them and learn from them.”


Tours and excursions were well-organized. Program coordinators were very knowledgeable about tour destinations, local culture, and generally every aspect of Armenia. I felt confident that I was in good hands.”

 

While abroad, what valuable lessons or skills did you learn outside of the classroom?

I was Mostly focus on my personal growth because I never look a trip on my own and and I took a huge risk where it was hard at times but I learned so much about my self that I even wrote about it and told my professor during this trip .”


Friends can be made anywhere with all age groups, also how to bake Armenian flat bread "lavash".”


I made new friends and it was a great experience to travel with them. We cooperated in activities that we would not do at home, and these new memories made will forever remain with us. It is important to remain respectful especially in a country where it feels like home. All valuable lessons learned will be continued to be shared.”