PFP THROUGH MY EYES
It is my pleasure to present the Professional Fellowship Program (PFP) and its features as
compared with other projects that I have been involved in.
First of all, it should be noted that the participant spends the main part of the program in a host
organization. In other words, the program is not just lectures, workshops or trainings, but it is a
daily work in which the participant was personally engaged. In my case, I worked at the Office
of Legislative Counsel of California as an attorney. From the first day of my fellowship I did the
same work as the other attorneys of the Office do. In addition, I took part in a number of
meetings. It was an incredible experience for me which would bring to advancement of my
professionalism. During my fellowship I was creating my Outbound project with my host
organization which was worked out during these meetings.
I will try to briefly present the atmosphere that prevailed in the office. First of all, before my
arrival a separate room was prepared which had all the items necessary for effective work.
From the first day all attorneys and the staff were very kind to helping me to solve my tasks.
They also did everything for my comfort stay in the USA. Let me give examples: the first day I
said that I used to go to gym and it would be wonderful if I could continue doing it in the USA as
well. In less than an hour I was surprised to hear from one of my colleagues, Sharon, that the
gym was organized for me. Richard Mafrica helped me with great care to understand the
electronic legal system. And Rachelle just did her best for me. These are just a few examples. All
attorneys contributed much to make my fellowship effective and memorable.
Beside the professional help my colleagues organized my lunches, which enabled me to
promptly integrate into a new society, to understand their culture. I should mention the
Welcome party, which was specially organized for me. Another worthy moment is my
presentation about Armenia and my work. Frankly, I was worried that there were few
participants and the room, which was assigned for presentation was bigger than we need. But
Joe Alayan, who was my immediate supervisor, assured me that the audience would be more
than I was supposing. Time came and I discovered that Joe was right.
I think I owe to separately emphasize Joe, who was with me every minute and encouraged me
in every matter, who helped me in my professional affairs. With Joe I enjoyed typically
American games: hockey and baseball, met with members of his family and just spent a
wonderful time.
Genuinely saying I value the time we spent with Diane Boyer-Vine and her family in Napa
Valley, a wonderful place where you can enjoy fine wine, and if we add to that the wonderful
people accompanying us, I have to say that words are unnecessary.
Another special thing of program is my living in a host family. I have to confess that before my
arrival I thought it would be a great challenge for me which I had to overcome. But it is a good
luck I met wonderful people whom I now consider as my family members. It is quite difficult for
me to fully describe the feelings that I had with these wonderful people: Brian and Sheila
Greens. I had an opportunity to get to know their parents and relatives and I am having now a
strange feeling as if they are my full family members. On the sample of their family I got
acquainted and nearer to American culture, hospitality and human values. I was happy to enjoy
the wonderful places such as San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and Yosemite.
The program also has an invaluable contribution to the development of the networking. I got to
know people with whom I am still friends and share ideas on various professional issues. In
addition, now I know that I have the network with the army of professional specialists, who are
willing to support me to solve my tasks. This is already a fact. For example, after arriving to
Yerevan I sent an email with a legal question and the answer came immediately. Joe sent me
the solution and an offer from Diane Boyer-Vine that I can directly contact with her.
At the end of the program all participants representing different countries around the world,
met in Washington, got to know each other, shared ideas and paved the way for further
cooperation. I cannot recall any other program, which has enabled me to create such a great
networking. This was a wonderful opportunity to present your country to the world, especially
for those who came from a small country with significant values like Armenia.
In the end, I just like to add that the experience I gained from my six-week stay in the USA and
the impressions formed there may not be compiled in a paper like this. They are too many...