A Berlin Trip During My Internship
Hello! As you already know, I’m Rima from Armenia, continuing my internship at IGFM. From November 26th to 29th, I had the opportunity to visit Berlin as part of my internship program. During this trip, we met with several NGOs, members of the Bundestag, and participated in a conference. These were truly remarkable days—both highly informative and exciting. Alongside our professional engagements, we explored Berlin’s vibrant cityscape. Despite the cold weather and Berlin’s characteristic chill, our spirits remained warm and uplifted.
The first day, November 26th, started on a relaxed note. Upon arriving in Berlin, we settled into our hotel and enjoyed our first evening at a Mexican restaurant. It was the perfect way to ease into what would be an eventful trip.
The next day, November 27th, was all about professional engagements. Our first meeting was with Vitsche, a Berlin-based NGO focused on amplifying Ukrainian voices and fostering Ukrainian agency in Europe. They shared how they advocate for Ukraine’s freedom and development using innovative strategies and cultural diplomacy. The interactive session gave us valuable insights into their work, including supporting compatriots, organizing impactful campaigns, and promoting cultural dialogue.
We also met representatives of Civilians in Captivity NGO and Liusiena Zinovkina, the wife of a political prisoner. Liusiena shared her story and her tireless efforts to bring attention to her husband’s plight. Her resilience and commitment were deeply moving. We ended the day with dinner at an Italian restaurant, reflecting on the meaningful connections we had made.
On November 28th, we visited the Bundestag, where we had the privilege of meeting Nico Tippelt, a member of the German parliament. During our discussion, we explored various topics, including
Armenia, Ukraine, the future of Armenia-Germany relations, and the situation of Ukrainian political prisoners. Later that day, we met with Mikael Minasyan, the President of the Association of European and Armenian Experts and a professional translator. He shared their impactful initiatives, such as organizing Armenian Apostolic liturgies in East Berlin and providing IT training for wounded soldiers and displaced individuals from Nagorno-Karabakh.
These meetings expanded our perspectives and introduced us to remarkable individuals dedicated to making a difference. They provided a wealth of inspiration and laid the foundation for future collaborations. Beyond the professional highlights, we also had the chance to explore Berlin—a city rich in history and culture. Despite the harsh weather, the warmth of the people we met and the meaningful conversations we shared made the experience unforgettable. Overall, this trip was an incredible opportunity to grow both personally and professionally, while also strengthening connections that could lead to impactful projects in the future.
Thank you for following along on this journey!
Rima Vardanyan
Практикантка в Берлине – Menschenrechte Osteuropa – News & Konflikte
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