YEREVAN — Most of the time, parents’ guide their children. But for the Kasparian family from Cape Cod, it was their daughter, Phoebe, who led the way. Much like the iconic lighthouses of their hometown, Phoebe’s journey through the Birthright Armenia program lit a path for her parents to follow.
“Phoebe inspired us to look beyond a simple visit and think about how we could give back,” says Michael, Phoebe’s dad, as he recalls their decision to transform a traditional trip into a meaningful volunteer experience. “Seeing her immerse herself in the culture and community made us realize we could do more than just visit — we could contribute.”
Phoebe, fresh out of college, was eager to connect with her roots. Birthright Armenia seemed like the perfect gateway. “A friend told me about Birthright, and once I checked out the website, I was hooked,” she recalls. Nine months in Yerevan surpassed her expectations. “My host family was incredible — they welcomed me as one of their own,” Phoebe said. The bond is so strong that her host father is planning a visit to Cape Cod soon.
During her time in Armenia, Phoebe interned with the Armenia Tree Project. She also worked with the Rerooted Archive, where she played a significant role in writing a book based on the testimonies of Syrian-Armenian repatriates, compiling reports on the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh and managing social media content to increase engagement.
When Phoebe’s parents, Daria and Michael, visited her in October 2023, they were captivated by Armenia’s beauty and warmth. Michael, who had last visited Yerevan in 1979, was amazed by the transformation. “We were blown away by the development. Armenia has come a long way,” he reflects.
For Daria, the connection was profound and immediate. Though not Armenian by birth, she embraced Armenian culture through her marriage to Michael. “I fell in love with the Armenian community before coming to Armenia and became an ABC–an Armenian by choice!” she says. Daria’s Portuguese Catholic background resonated with Armenian values of family, faith, and community. In Armenia, Daria connected on a deeper level. “Lighting candles in Armenian churches and participating in the liturgy felt familiar and therapeutic,” she explains.
